An amazingly delicious list of 50+ Christmas Cookie Recipes that will be great for your cookie exchange or make perfect holiday baking gifts.
Christmas is my favorite time of year and it is even more special with my boys. I look forward to setting up all my Christmas decorations, with their help of course. However, what I’m most excited about is my Christmas cookies! I can’t wait to bake up my variety of Christmas cookie recipes.
Although many people comment that it must be a lot of work (and it is to an extent), I really enjoy baking my holiday cookies. It’s once a year that I make such a variety of cookies and multiple batches. The joy it brings to people when I gift them is totally worth it. Plus all the extras for my family and I…. yum!
Christmas Cookie Recipes Roundup
Growing up, my mom would bake Christmas cookies every year. When I had my own house, I wanted to continue the tradition and asked her for all our special recipes. Since I love baking cookies so much, I figured I would roundup over 50 amazingly delicious Christmas cookie recipes for your enjoyment, and to help you navigate these epic recipes, I’ve broken them into 11 categories.
- Classic Christmas cookie recipes
- Soft and chewy holiday cookies
- Fun twist on traditional Christmas cookie recipes
- Hot chocolate inspired holiday cookie recipes
- Kid-friendly cookies
- Yummy chocolate cookie recipes
- White chocolate Christmas cookies
- Peanut butter holiday cookie recipes
- Italian Christmas cookies
- Gluten-free, allergy-free holiday cookie recipes
- No-bake Christmas cookie recipes
Classic Christmas Cookie Recipes
The classic Christmas cookies are the ones you think of the most this time of year, such as the cute sugar cookies decorated in holiday-colored frosting.
- Classic Thumbprint Cookies
- Candy Cane Cookies
- Best Cut Out Sugar Cookie Recipe
- Cinnamon Snap Cookies
- Delicious Eggnog Cookies
Soft and Chewy Holiday Cookies
Try these if you are looking for easy to make soft and chewy cookies, similar to bakery-style cookies.
- Snickerdoodle Cookies
- The Best Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe – with a no-chill dough!
- Soft Molasses Cookies
- Chewy Coconut Cookies
Fun Twist on Traditional Christmas Cookie Recipes
Unsurprisingly, unique twists on traditional cookie recipes can be a lot of fun and I feel these cookies capture that perfectly.
- Christmas Tree Meringues
- Snow Capped Pecan Shortbread Cookies
- Blush Rose Crinkle Cookies – I always make the traditional chocolate crinkle cookies, so I was intrigued by this easy blush rose recipe.
- Neapolitan Cookies Using Cake Mix
- Red Velvet Cookies Recipe
- Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies with Toasty Walnuts
Hot Chocolate Inspired Holiday Cookie Recipes
Drinking hot chocolate on cold, snowy days is one of my favorite winter past times. Therefore, I was definitely interested in trying these hot chocolate inspired Christmas cookie recipes.
- Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups
- Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookie Recipe
- No Bake Vegan Hot Chocolate Cookies
- Hot Chocolate Cookies
Kid-Friendly Cookies
Baking with my boys is a lot of fun with all our singing, dancing, and laughing. If we are making kid-friendly cookie recipes, then it just makes it more fun for them. Here are some Christmas cookie recipes that kids will love.
- Easy Penguin Cookies Kids Love
- Funfetti Cookies
- Gingerbread Biscuits – making gingerbread cookies with your kids is a must-do!
Yummy Chocolate Cookie Recipes
Chocolate cookies are my absolute favorite, but really because I am a lover of all things chocolate related. Therefore, I had to give chocolate cookies their own special list of recipes.
- Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
- Mudslide Cookies Recipe (with Kahlua and Baileys Irish Cream)
- Chocolate Caramel Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
- Brownie Walnut Chocolate Chunk Cookies – with a gluten-free option
- Chocolate Fudge Cookies with White Chocolate
- Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Mint Cookies {Dairy-Free} – chocolate and mint, my two favorites!
- Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Stars
White Chocolate Christmas Cookies
These soft, buttery, white chocolate inspired cookie recipes will melt in your mouth.
- Easy White Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Cookies
- Peppermint-White Chocolate Chickpea Cookies
- Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies – I feel like cranberries and white chocolate are the perfect combination for the holiday season.
Peanut Butter Holiday Cookie Recipes
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The creamy taste of peanut butter is delicious in these holiday cookie recipes.
- Gluten Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Double Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
- Gluten Free Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Italian Christmas Cookies
Being Italian, I make dozens of Italian Christmas cookies for the holiday season. The anise extract with the frosting is delicious. Therefore, I included a recipe for that, as well as a cannoli recipe because cannolis are so tasty. Mangia!
Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free Holiday Cookie Recipes
Even if you have an allergy, you still deserve to enjoy these amazingly delicious cookies. For that reason, I have included a list of 10 gluten-free Christmas cookie recipes. Not only are they allergy-free, but some are vegan and paleo recipes. All are tasty!
- Gluten-Free Vegan Double Chocolate Chunk Brownie Cookies
- Loaded Vegan White Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies
- Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies
- Vegan Gingerbread Cookies
- Grain-Free Italian Wedding Snowball Cookies
- Bakery Style Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Gluten Free Frosted Sugar Cookies
- Cinnamon & Raisin, Almond Flour Cookies
- Paleo Chocolate Brownie Cookies
- Gluten Free Caramel Hot Chocolate Cookies
No-Bake Christmas Cookie Recipes
Don’t feel like baking? Then try these easy no-bake cookie recipes. They are quick, delicious, and make great Christmas cookie gifts. One is even perfect for weight watchers.
- Espresso Walnut No Bake Cookies
- No-Bake Peppermint Bark Cookies
- No Bake Peanut Butter Balls {Super Easy to Make!}
- Healthy No Bake Cookies – 4 Weight Watchers Points
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Can I make Christmas Cookies ahead of time?
Yes, actually I do this. With the boys and work, it is not realistic for me to spend days in a row baking all these cookies. Making them over a couple weeks time, I freeze each batch when I’m done. Then, I thaw them out a couple days in advance of me gifting them. They still taste like delicious fresh cookies. However, do not freeze cookies with glaze on them, like the Italian cookies. I freeze them unglazed, thaw them out, then apply the glaze and sprinkles.
What can I add to a cookie mix?
There are so many fun ingredients that you can add to a cookie mix to make it tastier.
How long are Christmas cookies good for?
Kept in an airtight container, most of these Christmas cookie recipes will last for about two weeks. In addition, make sure you allow them to cool completely before storing them.
If you want to store the cookies for a longer period of time, then freeze them. In the freezer, they will last about 3 months, if stored properly. Ensure each layer of cookies is separated by wax paper and that you are using an airtight container.
You can even freeze the cookie dough for up to 6 months (if you aren’t ready to bake those yummy cookies yet).
That’s a wrap!
You are now ready to build the most epic cookie exchange recipe collection ever or wow your guests at the next holiday party. Happy baking!
What’s Next?
You may also enjoy these holiday-inspired ideas on A Home To Grow Old In:
- Easy Caramel Popcorn Christmas Gift Boxes
- 5 Easy Ways to Wrap Christmas Presents
- 10 Amazing Gift Ideas for Your Tech Lover
