There’s something magical about Christmas cookies. The smell of butter and sugar drifting through the house, the sound of mixing bowls clanking, and the sight of cookies cooling on racks instantly make everything feel warmer and more festive. Baking cookies during the holiday season isn’t just about dessert—it’s about memories. It’s about slowing down in the busiest time of year and creating something comforting with your hands.
The best part? Christmas cookies don’t have to be complicated. You don’t need fancy equipment, rare ingredients, or professional-level skills. Easy Christmas cookies are all about simple recipes, reliable results, and flavors that scream “holiday” with every bite. Whether you’re baking with kids, preparing treats for a cookie exchange, or just want something sweet to enjoy with a mug of hot cocoa, these recipes fit perfectly into the season.
This list of easy Christmas cookies to bake this season focuses on approachable recipes that still feel special. Some are classic and nostalgic, others are fun and modern, but all of them are beginner-friendly and perfect for spreading holiday cheer. Grab your apron, preheat the oven, and let’s bake some Christmas magic.
Classic Christmas Cookie Favorites
Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are like the little black dress of baking—always appropriate, always loved. During Christmas, they become even more special with small holiday twists like red and green sprinkles, festive chocolate chips, or a touch of cinnamon. These cookies are incredibly easy to make and almost impossible to mess up, which makes them perfect for busy holiday schedules.
What makes a chocolate chip cookie truly Christmas-worthy is texture. Soft centers with slightly crisp edges create that bakery-style bite everyone craves. Using room-temperature butter and a mix of white and brown sugar helps achieve that perfect chewiness. If you want to elevate them just a bit, sprinkle flaky sea salt on top right after baking. That sweet-and-salty contrast feels indulgent and cozy, exactly what Christmas baking should be.
These cookies are also great for gifting. Stack them in clear bags, tie with a ribbon, and you’ve got an instant homemade present that feels thoughtful without requiring hours in the kitchen. Plus, kids love helping scoop dough and sneaking chocolate chips when you’re not looking.
Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookies
Sugar cookies are the blank canvas of Christmas baking. The dough itself is simple—just butter, sugar, eggs, and flour—but the possibilities are endless. Rolled out and cut into festive shapes like stars, trees, and snowmen, these cookies become edible decorations that bring out everyone’s creative side.
What makes old-fashioned sugar cookies so easy is their forgiving nature. The dough is sturdy, easy to handle, and doesn’t spread too much in the oven. That means your carefully cut shapes actually look like what they’re supposed to. Once baked, they’re lightly crisp with a soft interior, making them perfect for icing.
Decorating sugar cookies is where the real fun begins. Royal icing, buttercream, colored sprinkles, and edible glitter transform plain cookies into holiday masterpieces. Even if your decorating skills are questionable, the charm of slightly messy, homemade cookies is unbeatable. They taste like childhood, laughter, and Christmas morning all rolled into one sweet bite.
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Peanut butter blossoms are a Christmas classic for a reason. That soft peanut butter cookie topped with a chocolate kiss is instantly recognizable and always a crowd favorite. They look festive, taste incredible, and are surprisingly easy to make.
The dough comes together quickly using basic pantry ingredients. Rolling the dough balls in sugar before baking gives them a slight crunch on the outside while keeping the inside soft and tender. The real magic happens when you press the chocolate kiss into the warm cookie fresh out of the oven. It melts just enough to stick without losing its shape.
These cookies are perfect for cookie trays because they add visual variety and a rich flavor contrast. The combination of salty peanut butter and sweet chocolate feels indulgent without being overwhelming. If you’re looking for a cookie that screams “Christmas” without requiring complicated steps, peanut butter blossoms are a must.
Snickerdoodle Cookies
Snickerdoodles are comfort food disguised as cookies. Rolled in cinnamon sugar and baked until soft and pillowy, they bring warmth and nostalgia with every bite. These cookies are especially popular during Christmas because cinnamon is one of those spices that instantly feels festive.
What makes snickerdoodles easy is their simplicity. No chilling, no decorating, no fancy techniques. You mix, roll, bake, and enjoy. The signature tangy flavor comes from cream of tartar, but even without it, snickerdoodles still deliver that cozy cinnamon-sugar goodness.
These cookies are ideal for last-minute baking sessions. They fill your kitchen with an irresistible aroma and pair perfectly with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Snickerdoodles may not be flashy, but they’re the kind of cookie people keep reaching for long after the dessert table is set.
Festive & Decorative Cookies
Christmas Cut-Out Cookies
Cut-out cookies are the heart of holiday baking traditions. They’re not just cookies—they’re an activity, a bonding experience, and sometimes a bit of a flour-covered mess. But that’s part of the charm. These cookies turn baking into a full-on Christmas event.
The dough is usually buttery and lightly sweet, designed to hold its shape while baking. Once rolled out, you can use cookie cutters in every festive shape imaginable—trees, bells, stockings, stars, and snowflakes. The real joy comes after baking, when the decorating begins.
Icing, sprinkles, candies, and food coloring turn these cookies into edible art. No two cookies look the same, and that’s what makes them special. They’re perfect for family gatherings, cookie exchanges, and holiday parties. Even if you’re short on time, decorating just a few cut-out cookies can instantly make your kitchen feel like Christmas.
Thumbprint Cookies
Thumbprint cookies are small but mighty when it comes to flavor. These buttery cookies with a dollop of jam in the center look elegant but are incredibly simple to make. The name comes from pressing your thumb into the dough to create a little well for the filling.
Raspberry and strawberry jams are classic choices, but apricot, cranberry, or even chocolate spread work beautifully for Christmas. The dough itself is rich and tender, often made with just butter, sugar, and flour. After baking, the jam becomes slightly thick and glossy, creating a beautiful contrast against the pale cookie.
These cookies are perfect for holiday platters because they add a pop of color and variety. They feel fancy without being fussy, which is exactly what you want during the busy Christmas season.
Frosted Shortbread Cookies
Shortbread cookies are all about simplicity. Made with just a few ingredients, they rely on high-quality butter to deliver that rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Adding frosting and festive decorations instantly transforms them into Christmas showstoppers.
The dough is easy to work with and can be shaped into rounds, bars, or cut-out shapes. Once baked, the cookies are lightly crisp and incredibly buttery. A thin layer of frosting adds sweetness without overpowering the delicate flavor of the shortbread.
These cookies are perfect for those who prefer less sweetness but still want something festive. They pair beautifully with tea and make elegant gifts when packaged in tins or boxes.
Quick No-Fuss Cookies
No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
When time is tight and the oven is already working overtime, no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies come to the rescue. These cookies are a Christmas miracle for busy bakers because they come together on the stovetop and set up beautifully without any baking at all. They’re rich, chocolatey, and packed with hearty oats that make them feel both indulgent and comforting.
The process is incredibly straightforward. Butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and milk are heated together until smooth, then mixed with oats and a touch of vanilla. Once spooned onto parchment paper, the cookies firm up as they cool. That’s it—no chilling, no baking, no stress. They’re perfect for involving kids, especially those who are too impatient to wait for the oven timer.
Flavor-wise, these cookies strike a lovely balance between sweet and satisfying. The oats add texture, while the chocolate brings that classic holiday decadence. You can also customize them with peanut butter, shredded coconut, or chopped nuts for extra flair. They may be simple, but no-bake cookies always disappear fast, especially around Christmas.
3-Ingredient Shortbread Cookies
Few things in baking feel as magical as turning just three ingredients into something delicious. Three-ingredient shortbread cookies are proof that you don’t need a long ingredient list to create a holiday favorite. Butter, sugar, and flour come together to make a cookie that’s rich, crumbly, and deeply satisfying.
These cookies are incredibly beginner-friendly. The dough mixes quickly, doesn’t require chilling, and can be shaped into rounds, logs, or pressed into a pan and sliced into bars. Once baked, they develop a delicate golden color and a tender texture that practically melts in your mouth.
For Christmas, these cookies shine because they’re so versatile. You can drizzle them with chocolate, dip them halfway, or sprinkle them with colored sugar before baking. They’re elegant enough for gifting but easy enough to whip up on a whim. When the holidays feel overwhelming, these cookies remind you that simple can still be special.
Cake Mix Christmas Cookies
Cake mix cookies are the ultimate shortcut cookie, and during Christmas, shortcuts are a blessing. With just a box of cake mix, eggs, and oil, you can create soft, chewy cookies in under 30 minutes. It’s almost too easy—but the results are surprisingly good.
What makes these cookies perfect for Christmas is how customizable they are. Vanilla cake mix becomes a festive base for sprinkles, chocolate chips, or crushed candy canes. Chocolate cake mix can turn into rich, brownie-like cookies with minimal effort. The texture is consistently soft, which makes them especially popular with kids.
These cookies are ideal for last-minute baking or when you need a big batch fast. They’re colorful, cheerful, and adaptable to any holiday theme. Cake mix cookies may not be traditional, but they earn their place on the Christmas cookie table through sheer convenience and crowd-pleasing flavor.
Chocolate Lover’s Christmas Cookies
Double Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Double chocolate crinkle cookies look like they took a lot of effort, but they’re surprisingly simple. With a rich chocolate dough rolled in powdered sugar, these cookies bake up with beautiful cracks that reveal dark chocolate underneath snowy white tops—perfectly festive and eye-catching.
The dough is soft and chocolatey, almost brownie-like, which makes the finished cookies incredibly indulgent. Rolling them in powdered sugar before baking gives them their signature look and adds just a touch of extra sweetness. As they bake, the cookies puff and crack, creating that classic crinkle effect everyone loves.
These cookies are a dream for chocolate lovers. They’re rich without being overwhelming and soft without being underbaked. On a Christmas cookie platter, they stand out visually and flavor-wise. They’re the kind of cookie people ask about, then quietly go back for seconds.
Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Chocolate and peppermint are a Christmas power couple. Together, they create a flavor that’s refreshing, rich, and unmistakably festive. Chocolate peppermint cookies bring that combination to life in a way that feels indulgent yet balanced.
The base is usually a soft chocolate cookie, sometimes made with cocoa powder or melted chocolate. After baking, the cookies are topped with crushed candy canes, peppermint chips, or a drizzle of white chocolate infused with peppermint extract. The contrast between the deep chocolate and cool mint is what makes these cookies so memorable.
These cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings because they instantly signal “Christmas.” They pair beautifully with hot cocoa and make excellent gifts when packaged in festive bags. If you’re looking to add a bold, seasonal flavor to your cookie lineup, chocolate peppermint cookies are a must.
Chocolate-Dipped Biscotti
Biscotti might not be the first cookie that comes to mind for Christmas, but once you try chocolate-dipped biscotti, you’ll understand why they deserve a spot on the list. These twice-baked cookies are crisp, sturdy, and perfect for dunking in coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
The dough is simple and forgiving, often flavored with vanilla, almonds, or orange zest. After baking and slicing, the cookies are baked again to achieve that signature crunch. Dipping them in melted chocolate adds richness and a festive touch without making them overly sweet.
Biscotti are excellent for gifting because they store well and don’t crumble easily. They feel slightly sophisticated, which makes them a nice contrast to softer, sweeter cookies. During Christmas, they bring a cozy café vibe straight into your kitchen.
Unique Holiday Cookie Twists
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
White chocolate cranberry cookies are a refreshing change from traditional Christmas flavors. The creamy sweetness of white chocolate paired with the tart pop of dried cranberries creates a balance that feels both festive and modern.
These cookies are easy to make and visually appealing, with bright red cranberries standing out against a pale dough. The texture is soft and chewy, with bursts of sweetness and tanginess in every bite. Adding a hint of orange zest can take these cookies to the next level, making them even more holiday-appropriate.
They’re perfect for people who want something a little different on the cookie table. Not overly rich, not overly sweet—just a well-balanced, flavorful cookie that feels special without being complicated.
Eggnog Cookies
Eggnog cookies capture the essence of the holiday drink in cookie form. With flavors of nutmeg, vanilla, and a creamy sweetness, these cookies taste like Christmas nostalgia. They’re surprisingly easy to make and instantly recognizable by their warm, spiced aroma.
The dough is soft and tender, often topped with a light eggnog glaze that adds extra sweetness and visual appeal. The spices are subtle, making these cookies enjoyable even for people who aren’t big eggnog fans.
Eggnog cookies are perfect for adding variety to your Christmas baking. They feel festive and seasonal without being overpowering. One bite, and you’re transported straight to a cozy living room with twinkling lights and holiday music playing in the background.
Maple Pecan Cookies
Maple pecan cookies bring a cozy, wintery flavor to the Christmas cookie lineup. The natural sweetness of maple syrup combined with crunchy pecans creates a cookie that feels warm and comforting, like a quiet winter morning.
These cookies are soft with slightly crisp edges and a rich, nutty flavor. The maple syrup adds depth rather than overpowering sweetness, making them perfect for those who prefer a more subtle dessert. Toasting the pecans before adding them enhances their flavor and adds an extra layer of richness.
Maple pecan cookies are ideal for pairing with coffee or tea. They may not be flashy, but they have a depth of flavor that keeps people coming back for more.
Kid-Friendly Christmas Cookies
Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Sprinkle sugar cookies are pure joy in cookie form. Bright, colorful, and endlessly fun, they’re especially popular with kids—but adults love them too. The base is a simple sugar cookie dough, rolled in festive sprinkles before baking.
These cookies are easy to make and don’t require frosting, which makes them perfect for quick baking sessions. As they bake, the sprinkles create a cheerful, textured exterior that looks like Christmas confetti.
They’re ideal for school parties, family gatherings, and cookie exchanges. Sprinkle sugar cookies remind everyone that Christmas baking doesn’t have to be fancy to be fun.
M&M Christmas Cookies
M&M Christmas cookies are a holiday spin on a classic favorite. The red and green candies instantly make them festive, while the soft, chewy cookie base keeps them familiar and comforting.
These cookies are incredibly easy to make and perfect for baking with kids. Mixing in the candies, pressing a few on top, and watching them melt slightly in the oven is part of the fun. The result is a cookie that’s colorful, sweet, and impossible to resist.
They’re great for gifting, sharing, or just enjoying straight from the cooling rack. M&M cookies bring a playful, cheerful energy to any Christmas dessert spread.
Reindeer Cookies
Reindeer cookies are more about fun than perfection—and that’s what makes them so special. Using simple cookie bases like peanut butter or chocolate cookies, you can decorate them with pretzels, candies, and chocolate to look like adorable little reindeer.
These cookies are perfect for kids, who love assembling faces and giving each reindeer its own personality. They don’t require advanced baking skills, just a little creativity and a sense of humor.
Reindeer cookies are a hit at parties and make great conversation starters. They may not be the most traditional, but they’re guaranteed to bring smiles.
Traditional & International Christmas Cookies
Italian Amaretti Cookies
Amaretti cookies are small, chewy almond cookies with a crisp exterior and soft center. Made primarily from almond flour or almond paste, they’re naturally gluten-free and packed with rich, nutty flavor.
These cookies are easy to prepare and require minimal ingredients. Rolling them in sugar before baking creates a delicate crust that contrasts beautifully with the soft interior. Their crackled appearance adds rustic charm that feels perfect for Christmas.
Amaretti cookies bring an international touch to your holiday baking and pair wonderfully with coffee or dessert wine. They’re simple, elegant, and deeply satisfying.
German Lebkuchen
Lebkuchen are traditional German Christmas cookies known for their warm spices and soft texture. Made with honey, nuts, and spices like cinnamon and cloves, they’re rich without being heavy.
These cookies are often glazed or dipped in chocolate, making them festive and flavorful. Despite their complex taste, they’re surprisingly easy to make, especially when baked as simple rounds rather than elaborate shapes.
Lebkuchen cookies connect your kitchen to centuries-old Christmas traditions. Baking them feels like participating in a global celebration of the season.
Russian Tea Cakes
Russian tea cakes, also known as snowball cookies, are delicate, buttery cookies rolled in powdered sugar. They’re simple, elegant, and melt in your mouth with every bite.
Chopped nuts add texture, while the powdered sugar coating gives them a snowy appearance that’s perfect for Christmas. These cookies are easy to make and don’t require decorating, making them ideal for stress-free baking.
They’re timeless, comforting, and always welcome on a holiday cookie tray.
Last-Minute Holiday Cookies
Coconut Macaroons
Coconut macaroons are chewy, sweet, and incredibly easy to make. With just a few ingredients, they come together quickly and bake in under 20 minutes.
Their naturally gluten-free nature makes them a great option for accommodating different dietary needs. Dipping them in chocolate adds a festive touch without much extra effort.
These cookies are perfect for when you need something fast that still feels special.
Chocolate Cornflake Cookies
Chocolate cornflake cookies are a no-bake favorite that combines crunch and chocolatey goodness. Melted chocolate mixed with cornflakes is spooned into clusters and left to set.
They’re incredibly quick, kid-friendly, and perfect for last-minute holiday treats. Despite their simplicity, they’re always a hit.
Tips for Stress-Free Christmas Cookie Baking
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Prep dough ahead and freeze it
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Use parchment paper for easy cleanup
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Bake similar-sized cookies together
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Store cookies in airtight containers
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Involve kids for fun, not perfection
FAQs
1. Can I freeze Christmas cookie dough?
Yes, most cookie doughs freeze beautifully and can be baked straight from frozen.
2. How long do Christmas cookies stay fresh?
Most cookies stay fresh for 5–7 days when stored properly.
3. What’s the easiest cookie for beginners?
Cake mix cookies and no-bake cookies are perfect for beginners.
4. Can I bake cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely. Many cookies taste even better after a day or two.
5. What cookies are best for gifting?
Shortbread, biscotti, and sugar cookies travel and store well.
