Unlock the Secrets to the Best Christmas Cookies: 20 Sure-Fire Recipes for This Holiday Season
It’s the most wonderful time of the year— Christmas cookie time! 🎄🍪 Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just because you love the holiday season, there’s no better way to spread festive cheer than with a box of homemade cookies. To help you fill your holiday tins with the best of the best, we’ve rounded up 20 irresistible cookie recipes. From traditional favorites to creative new twists, these cookies are guaranteed to be the stars of your holiday spread.
So grab your mixing bowls, preheat that oven, and let’s get baking with these 20 holiday cookie recipes you absolutely need to try this Christmas!
1. Lofthouse-Style Christmas Frosted Sugar Cookies
Source: Life Love Liz
What’s it about?
These soft, pillowy sugar cookies are inspired by the ever-popular Lofthouse Christmas cookies but with a homemade twist. Topped with bright, festive frosting and sprinkles, they’re the perfect addition to your cookie box.
Why you’ll love it:
Soft, buttery, and oh-so-sweet, these cookies are a hit with kids and adults alike. You can have fun decorating them with different frosting colors and sprinkles, and they’re sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face!
2. Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies
Source: On My Kids Plate
What’s it about?
A perfect holiday combo—rich chocolate cookies with a peppermint ganache filling! These thumbprint cookies are a festive twist on the classic, bringing peppermint and chocolate lovers together in one perfect bite.
Why you’ll love it:
If you love peppermint mochas or candy canes, you’ll adore these cookies. The sweet, minty ganache paired with the rich chocolate base makes these a holiday treat you’ll want to keep making all season long.
3. Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies
Source: Chocolates and Chai
What’s it about?
Cheesecake lovers, this one’s for you! These soft, chewy cookies are filled with a creamy cheesecake center and a burst of tart raspberry, creating a cookie that’s as decadent as it is delightful.
Why you’ll love it:
If you love cheesecake, you’ll go crazy for these cookies! They combine the rich, creamy texture of cheesecake with the sweet-tart flavor of raspberries, making them the perfect balance of creamy and fruity.
4. Nutmeg Cookies
Source: Cinnamon and Sage Co.
What’s it about?
If you love cozy, spiced cookies, these nutmeg cookies are a must-try. Infused with warm spices like nutmeg and cinnamon, they’ll make your kitchen smell like Christmas.
Why you’ll love it:
Nutmeg is such a cozy, comforting spice, and these cookies will fill your home with the smell of holiday cheer. They’re not too sweet but just the right amount of spiced goodness—perfect for anyone who loves the flavors of the season.
5. Loaded Festive Cookies
Source: A Mummy Too
What’s it about?
These festive cookies are stuffed with everything you love about Christmas: chocolate chips, dried fruit, and nuts. They’re packed with flavor and texture, making them the perfect treat for those who can’t pick just one favorite cookie flavor.
Why you’ll love it:
Every bite is an exciting mix of different textures and flavors, and with all the festive ingredients, these cookies will quickly become a family favorite. They’re perfect for holiday gatherings, or as a gift to someone who loves variety in their treats.
6. Linzer Cookies
Source: Recipes from a Pantry
What’s it about?
These beautiful, delicate Christmas cookies are filled with raspberry jam and dusted with powdered sugar. A classic from Switzerland, these cookies are as delicious as they are pretty.
Why you’ll love it:
With their buttery, almond-infused base and sweet, fruity filling, these cookies are an absolute treat. They’re perfect for gifting because they’re so pretty and fancy, but don’t let their looks fool you—they’re easy to make!
7. Peppermint Mocha Cookies
Source: Zen and Honey
What’s it about?
These cookies take your favorite holiday coffee drink and turn it into a cookie! With chocolate, a hint of coffee, and a burst of peppermint, these cookies are full of rich, warming flavors.
Why you’ll love it:
If you’re a fan of peppermint mocha lattes, these cookies will be your new obsession. They’re rich and chewy with the perfect combination of coffee, chocolate, and mint, making them ideal for coffee lovers and dessert aficionados alike.
8. Toblerone Shortbread Cookies
Source: Style and Grace
What’s it about?
These buttery shortbread cookies are packed with chunks of Toblerone chocolate, making them extra decadent. It’s the perfect cookie for anyone who loves shortbread but wants a little more chocolatey crunch.
Why you’ll love it:
The combination of rich, buttery shortbread and the sweet, nutty Toblerone chocolate is simply heavenly. These cookies have an elegant feel, making them ideal for gifting or for a fancy holiday dessert table.
9. Grinch Crinkle Cookies
Source: Zen and Honey
What’s it about?
These Christmas cookies are inspired by the Grinch himself! They’re a vibrant green and have a soft, chewy texture with a sugary crinkle topping. Plus, they’re filled with a fun burst of holiday cheer.
Why you’ll love it:
The green color makes these cookies pop, and they’re just as fun to make as they are to eat. A chewy texture with a slightly crispy exterior and the fun Grinch theme makes them an exciting addition to your holiday cookie box.
10. Melt-In-Your-Mouth Orange Shortbread Cookies
Source: Glenda Embree
What’s it about?
These melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies are flavored with zesty orange, creating a refreshing twist on the classic buttery treat. They’re delicate, light, and the perfect addition to your holiday cookie lineup.
Why you’ll love it:
The citrusy orange flavor pairs beautifully with the buttery, crumbly texture of shortbread. These cookies are perfect if you’re looking for something a little lighter and refreshing to balance out the heavier treats on your cookie tray.
11. Hot Cocoa Cookies
Source: Little Chef Within
What’s it about?
These soft, gooey cookies are inspired by hot cocoa, with melted chocolate and marshmallow bits mixed into the dough for that rich, comforting flavor we all love during the colder months.
Why you’ll love it:
These cookies are basically a hug in cookie form! They’re perfect for cozying up with a mug of cocoa, and the marshmallows add a delightful chewiness that will make you want to eat a whole batch.
12. Brown Butter Pistachio Oatmeal Cookies
Source: TastyCue
What’s it about?
This oatmeal cookie recipe takes things up a notch with brown butter for a rich, nutty flavor and crunchy pistachios to add texture. It’s a unique twist on the classic oatmeal cookie.
Why you’ll love it:
The brown butter adds a deep, toasty flavor, and the pistachios bring an unexpected crunch. These cookies are perfect for anyone who loves a more gourmet version of oatmeal cookies!
13. Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies
Source: Little Sunny Kitchen
What’s it about?
These delicate meringue cookies are piped into little tree shapes and decorated with colorful sprinkles to make them extra festive. They’re light, airy, and melt in your mouth.
Why you’ll love it:
If you’re looking for a lighter treat to balance out the heavier cookies, these meringues are perfect. They’re fun to make with kids and add a whimsical touch to your cookie box!
14. Chewy Soft Ginger Cookies
Source: Chew Out Loud
What’s it about?
These ginger cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with all the warm spices that make gingerbread such a beloved holiday treat.
Why you’ll love it:
The chewy texture and spicy-sweet flavor make these ginger cookies a holiday classic. They’re perfect for those who love a more tender ginger cookie, and they’ll definitely disappear from your cookie box in no time!
15. Irresistible Christmas Cookie Bars
Source: TastyCue
What’s it about?
These Christmas cookie bars are packed with holiday flavors, creating the perfect easy-to-make treat for large crowds. They’re chewy, festive, and so delicious.
Why you’ll love it:
Cookie bars are an absolute lifesaver during the busy holiday season. They’re quick to make, and the taste is out of this world. Plus, they’re great for sharing or for taking to holiday parties.
16. Better Than Basic Peanut Butter Cookies
Source: TastyCue
What’s it about?
These peanut butter cookies are taken up a notch with the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors, giving you a chewy, irresistible treat.
Why you’ll love it:
Peanut butter lovers, this one’s for you. These cookies are rich, chewy, and packed with flavor. They’re a classic cookie that never goes out of style, and this recipe will have you making them on repeat!
17. Orange Shortbread Cookies
Source: Live to Sweet
What’s it about?
These shortbread cookies have a hint of orange zest that complements their buttery richness. They’re delicate, crisp, and the perfect bite-sized treat.
Why you’ll love it:
The refreshing citrus flavor adds a lovely twist to classic shortbread, and the texture is so light and crisp. These are great for those who prefer a simple yet elegant Christmas cookie.
18. Pumpkin Biscotti
Source: Little Nonni
What’s it about?
Biscotti doesn’t have to be just for fall! These pumpkin-spiced biscotti are crunchy, flavorful, and perfect for dipping in coffee or hot cocoa.
Why you’ll love it:
The pumpkin flavor adds a cozy, seasonal touch, and the crunchy texture makes them ideal for dunking. They’re perfect if you want to add a more unique cookie to your holiday selection.
19. The Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies You’ve Ever Tried
Source: TastyCue
What’s it about?
These oatmeal raisin cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with cinnamon, making them a comforting holiday treat that never goes out of style.
Why you’ll love it:
For oatmeal raisin fans, these cookies will become your new go-to recipe. They’re hearty, flavorful, and so satisfying—perfect for gifting or just enjoying on a cold winter’s day.
20. Festive Gingerbread Eggnog Cookies
Source: Sustain My Cooking Habit
What’s it about?
These cookies combine the warm spices of gingerbread with the creamy goodness of eggnog. The result is a cookie that tastes just like Christmas in every bite.
Why you’ll love it:
If you’re a fan of gingerbread, this is a fun twist that brings a rich, eggnog-infused creaminess to the table. The spicy-sweet flavor is perfect for the holidays, and they look adorable with a dusting of powdered sugar.
With these 20 mouth-watering recipes, your Christmas cookie boxes will be full of festive treats that everyone will love. 🎄
Much love,
Sidney and Thomas
