The Best Christmas Cookie Recipes

Counters filled with racks of freshly baked Christmas cookies are one of the best things about the holidays. We all have our favorites, the special cookies we immediately reach for on every cookie tray. Those special recipes have been shared with us by friends and loved ones and the same cookies that came from our Grandma’s kitchens.

From sugar cookies decorated with our favorite icing, to gingerbread men with white crinkly icing and melt-in-your-mouth snowball cookies, there is a Christmas cookie for every taste. So cozy up with a mug of hot cocoa and indulge in the joy of both creating and savoring these festive favorites. Happy holidays from my home to yours!

Table of Contents
  1. Classic Christmas Cookies
  2. No Roll Cookies (Drop Cookies)
  3. Shop Baking Supplies
  4. Bars & Squares
  5. Easy No Bake Treats
  6. Fast Fudge Favorites
  7. Cookie Cutter Cookies
  8. Filled Cookies

Classic Christmas Cookies

No Roll Cookies (Drop Cookies)

These Christmas cookie recipes require no rolling or cookie cutters. Simply prepare the dough, scoop and bake.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Rich and chewy chocolate crinkle cookies are extra fudgy, made with mini chips, natural cocoa powder, and a coating of powdered sugar.

Molasses Cookies

Molasses Cookies are a crowd favorite all year long! Bring these moist & flavorful cookies to a party, a potluck, or add to a cookie tray during the holidays.

No Roll Sugar Cookies Recipe

These easy no roll Sugar Cookies are a cinch to make!  Simply mix the ingredients together and bake; no chilling, no rolling pins and no messy floured counters!   ©SpendWithPennies.com

Andes Mint Cookies

Andes Stuffed Cookies are so minty & chocolatey. Serve warm with a glass of cold milk for the ultimate ooey-gooey dessert!

Shop Baking Supplies

Bars & Squares

Here are a handful of our favorites sqaures. We love these recipes because they’re easy to make and can be cut into perfect little bite sized squares of goodness. Grab a mixing bowl and your favorite ingredients, and let the magic begin!

Easy No Bake Treats

Not all of the best Christmas goodies come from the oven!! Try one of our favorite no bake cookies, candies, and treats, no baking required.

Fast Fudge Favorites

These recipes are our favorite shortcut fudge recipes. None of them require boiling sugar or candy thermometers, simply melt, stir and chill.

Mixed, rolled, and cut. These cookies are a Christmas classic and perfect for decorating. Make them months ahead, bake and freeze for the busy holiday months! Simply remove them from the freezer 30 minutes before decorating and add your favorite frostings, glazes or sprinkles!

Filled Cookies

How to Store Christmas Cookies

Store unfrosted Christmas cookies in an airtight container (or a ziplock bag) for about 5 days at room temperature or one week in the refrigerator. Frosted cookies are best stored in the refrigerator. Remove cookies from the fridge 30 minutes before serving.

How Far in Advance Can Christmas Cookies Be Made?

They can be made up to 4 months in advance and frozen.

How to Freeze Christmas Cookies

Christmas cookies can be made well ahead of time and frozen. Place cookies in a container, dividing layers with sheets of parchment paper. Seal the container tightly and place it in the freezer for 3-4 months.

If cookies have a soft frosting, freeze them on a baking sheet in a single layer first and then transfer the cookies to a container with parchment paper between the layers.

Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature before serving.

How to Decorate Christmas Cookies

The decorations added to cookies can depend on the type of cookie.

Cut-out cookies (like sugar cookies or gingerbread men) can be decorated with sugar cooking icing or royal icing using a piping bag or a small spatula. They can also be spread with buttercream frosting and decorated with candies.

Drop cookies are best drizzled with a glaze made from powdered sugar and either milk or juice depending on the flavor.

Sprinkles or colored sugar can be added on top of almost any kind of cookie!

Baking Tips

All The Best Christmas Cookie Recipes