One of the best things about Christmas is baking and eating cookies! So here is my list of the best Christmas cookies, with 50+ favorites from all over the world. I’ve also included my recipe for traditional ricotta cookies, which are sweet, soft and delicious.
You probably can’t make all the cookies, but I’m sure you can find some that your family, friends and neighbors will love. So add some magic to your Christmas cookie tray this year by trying some new recipes!
Christmas is the perfect time to share the holiday spirit with friends and family by gifting them sweet treats. You can give cookies as gifts, share them with your family or leave them by the fireplace for Santa. We have already started baking and freezing cookies at my house!
This collection has everything from old fashioned favorites like gingersnaps to new treats like Olaf Snowman cookies. There is something for everyone, including gluten free and nut free recipes.
Look through the list and pick out a few to share with your family and friends this year! And leave me a comment and let me know your favorite Christmas cookie!
1
Andes Mint Cookies
These rich chocolate Andes Mint Cookies are a soft chocolate cookies that are topped with melted Andes Mints for a tasty combination of mint and chocolate.
Check out this recipe
2
Raspberry Pinwheel Cookies
Delicious jam filled raspberry pinwheel cookies are an old fashioned Christmas tradition! Raspberry jam and walnuts are rolled up inside a rich, buttery dough.
Check out this recipe
3
Cardamom Cookies
These rich spice cookies are traditional Scandinavian cookies. Crisp and tasty they are a delicious homemade cookie the entire family will love.
Check out this recipe
4
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
These chocolate crinkle cookies are soft and chewy, with a gooey center, like a fudgy brownie. This dairy free cookie is easy and fun to make and will satisfy your sweet tooth.
Check out this recipe
5
Peppermint Meringue Cookies
These peppermint meringue cookies have the look and taste of candy canes! A gluten free treat that will melt in your mouth.
Check out this recipe
6
Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies
This simple recipe for chocolate covered cherry cookies makes delicious chocolate cookie with a cherry hidden inside.
Check out this recipe
7
White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
These candy cane peppermint cookies are a fun Christmas cookie! With crisp edges and chewy centers these white chocolate peppermint cookies are a delicious holiday treat.
Check out this recipe
8
Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
Thumbprint cookies are filled with melted chocolate and topped with crushed peppermint pieces for a sweet and festive chocolate peppermint cookie.
Check out this recipe
9
Rich & Chewy Butterscotch Cookies
Brown sugar and butter combine with butterscotch chips to give the cookies a delicate and rich taste. These are perfect for a holiday cookie exchange and sure to make your friends ask for the recipe.
Check out this recipe
10
Speculoos | Dutch Windmill Cookies
Speculoos, also known as Dutch Windmill Cookies, are a holiday cookie that is traditionally made for the Feast of St. Nicholas
in Europe. They are a shortbread type cookie with a lot of spices, like cinnamon, added, which makes them fragrant and tasty!
Check out this recipe
in Europe. They are a shortbread type cookie with a lot of spices, like cinnamon, added, which makes them fragrant and tasty!
11
Holiday Wreath Rice Krispies Treats
Make family favorite Rice krispie treats into cute Christmas wreath designs.
Check out this recipe
12
Pecan Tassies
Pecan tassies are like eating a mini pecan pie! Make bite size pies in a mini muffin tin for a quintessential holiday cookie.
Check out this recipe
13
Jam Thumbprint Cookies
Brighten up your Christmas cookie platter with these colorful jam cookies. Jam thumbprints are a classic Christmas cookie that is fun to make and to eat.
Check out this recipe
14
passthesushi.com
Eggnog Sugar Cookies
If you love making cut out cookies these Eggnog cookies are perfect! The dough has a hint of eggnog flavor and is easy to roll out and decorate.
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15
www.lowcarb-nocarb.com
Sugar-Free Meringue Cookies
These easy cookies have just two ingredients! And since they are sugar free and gluten free they are perfect when you need a healthy treat. Get delicious meringue flavor with a crispy cookie that melts in your mouth.
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16
www.splashoftaste.com
Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
These Christmas trees are delicious! They are simple to make and decorate and include festive sprinkles with a pretzel as the tree trunk! Your family will have a blast decorating these cookies.
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17
allwaysdelicious.com
Czech Kolacky
One of my favorite parts of the holidays is trying treats from all over the world! These Czech kolachy cookies have a cream cheese based pastry topped with a poppyseed filling.
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18
littlebitrecipes.com
Peanut Butter Cookies
This small batch cookie recipe is perfect when you need a few more cookies to add variety to your Christmas cookie tray! Get traditional flavor with these simple, old fashioned cookies.
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19
cookwhatyoulove.com
Chocolate Gingerbread Men Cookies
These chocolate gingerbread men are adorable! Add some candy canes to make them even cuter and special. Everyone will want a gingerbread man to take home!
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20
Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Give chocolate chip cookies a fun seasonal twist. These pumpkin oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are soft and rich for a delicious fall treat.
Check out this recipe
21
Russian Tea Cakes | Snowball Cookies
These Russian Tea Cakes are a yummy Christmas cookie! A crumbly and buttery treat they are fun to make andthis recipe includes Nutella to add an extra chocolate hazelnut taste to these holiday cookies.
Check out this recipe
22
Old Fashioned Potato Chip Cookies
If you are looking for a unique yet classic holiday recipe try these potato chip cookies. With only six ingredients they are easy to make and are an amazing combination of sweet and salty.
Check out this recipe
23
Chocolate Cherry Blossoms
Chocolate kisses are even better on cookies! In this recipe cherry flavored dough is topped off with dark chocolate kisses for the ultimate cherry kiss cookie.
Check out this recipe
24
Hot Chocolate Cookies
Classic chocolate flavor with lots of added marshmallows makes this a delicious Christmas cookie.
Check out this recipe
25
Christmas Cake Mix Cookies
These easy Christmas cake mix cookies are made with only 6 ingredients! Rolling them in holiday sprinkles makes them bright and colorful.
Check out this recipe
26
Molasses Chocolate Chip Cookies
Add a seasonal twist to your favorite chocolate chip cookies by replacing some of the sugar with molasses. These cookies have a rich and intense flavor, with lots of tasty chocolate.
Check out this recipe
27
Heath Bar Cookies
Turn a classic Heath bar into a cookie! These combine crunchy toffee bits, pecans and milk chocolate for an amazing combination of flavors.
Check out this recipe
28
Ruby Chocolate Chip Cookies
Enjoy a show-stopping chocolate chip cookies made with ruby chocolate chips. The pretty pink flavor makes these distinctive and gives the cookies a slight fruity taste.
Check out this recipe
29
Oreo Reindeer Cookies
Turn Oreos into holiday reindeer by dipping them in chocolate. Add pretzel antlers, candy eyes and red candy nose for an adorable Christmas treat.
Check out this recipe
30
No Bake Haystack Cookies for Christmas
These old fashioned no bake Haystack are made with just 4 simple ingredients. They are fun for kids to make and eat, and perfect when you want a sweet treat without baking.
Check out this recipe
31
Peppermint Shortbread Cookies
Simple balls of shortbread are flavored with peppermint for a fun and festive cookie. Topped off with glaze and more peppermint these are easy to make and delicious.
Check out this recipe
32
Gingersnap Cookies
This is an old fashioned gingersnap recipe with lots of molasses and ginger. Make cookies just like grandma used to make!
Check out this recipe
33
Banana Biscotti
Easy Banana Biscotti Cookies are sweet and crunchy, flavored with dried blueberries and walnuts. They are a delicious Italian cookie to make for your family.
Check out this recipe
34
Guinness Chocolate Chip Cookies
Add some Irish beer to your holiday cookies! Guinness flavors these cookies and gives them a deep rich flavor with lots of added chocolate chips.
Check out this recipe
35
Andes Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies are like chocolate chocolate chip cookies, but with Andes mint chips instead! They are chocolatey and minty and very addictive to eat.
Check out this recipe
36
Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Cookies
Tasty shortbread cookies are enhanced with dried blueberries and lemon for a delicious fruity shortbread.
Check out this recipe
37
Peppermint Cream Cookies
Sandwich cookies are fun to make! In this recipe chocolate cookies are combined with a creamy filling and decorated with crushed candy canes.
Check out this recipe
38
Rocky Road Cookies
These cookies are like Rocky Road ice cream in a cookie! Chocolate cookies are made with chocolate chips, almonds, walnuts and topped off with marshmallows.
Check out this recipe
39
Red Velvet Cookies
These red velvet cookies are simple to make, since they start off with a cake mix. Quickly mix up the cookies and decorate them with glaze and crushed peppermint.
Check out this recipe
40
Mojito Sugar Cookies
Make basic sugar cookies more exciting and add a taste of the tropics to your Christmas cookie platter with these lime infused sugar cookies.
Check out this recipe
41
Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies
Cranberry orange shortbread cookies are easy to make slice and bake cookies! These delicious icebox cookies are simple to make and the perfect addition to your Christmas cookie trays.
Check out this recipe
42
www.blessthismessplease.com
White Chocolate Bottomed Ginger Cookies
These White Chocolate Ginger Cookies are full of flavor and perfect for the holidays! White chocolate and candied ginger make for a unique cookie that is perfectly seasonal.
Check out this recipe
43
cookwhatyoulove.com
Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Get all the flavor of cinnamon rolls in cookie form! These tasty cookies are light, crisp, and loaded with cinnamon.
Check out this recipe
44
ohmysugarhigh.com
Coconut Sugar Cookies with Peppermint
These are a delicious and easy cookie that starts with refrigerated cookie dough and adds coconut, chocolate chips and peppermint.
Check out this recipe
45
celebbabylaundry.com
3D Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
Make spectacular three dimensional cookies with this easy recipe! These sugar cookies are fun to make and decorate and a huge hit with kids.
Check out this recipe
46
www.thekitchenismyplayground.com
Classic Gingerbread Cookies
Make classic gingerbread men with this easy recipe for soft and tasty gingerbread.
Check out this recipe
47
homecookingmemories.com
Oatmeal Toffee Cookies
These Oatmeal Toffee Cookies are a simple drop cookie that contains both oats and chocolate covered toffee bits. These classic flavors are sure to be a huge hit!
Check out this recipe
48
thenerdswife.com
Stained-Glass Sugar Cookies
These pretty star shaped cookies look almost too good to eat! Use Jolly Rancers and star cookie cutters for a gorgeous cookie.
Check out this recipe
49
www.thismamaloves.com
Olaf Nutter Butter Cookies Recipe
Decorate Nutter Butter cookies for a fun and treat that is easy to make yet looks adorable.
Check out this recipe
50
cookwhatyoulove.com
Pecan Butter Balls
Light, crispy, nutty, and with a melt-in-your-mouth texture, Pecan Butter Balls are a delicious cookie for pecan fans. And they are easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.
Check out this recipe
51
thriftyjinxy.com
Peanut Butter Pretzel Reindeer Cookies
Cookies don't get much cuter than this reindeer. Use store bought or homemade peanut butter cookie dough and decorate with candy and chocolate covered pretzels.
Check out this recipe
52
simplybeingmommy.com
Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies with Peppermint
This simple recipe adds a little bit of peppermint flavor to chocolate chocolate chip cookies by add crushed candy canes.
Check out this recipe
53
homecookingmemories.com
Peppermint Biscotti
Biscotti is a classic Italian holiday cookie and this recipe really makes it Christmasy by adding peppermint and white chocoalte.
Check out this recipe
54
poofycheeks.com
Pistachio Cherry Cranberry Cookies
These festive cookies start with a sugar cookie mix and add pistachio pudding, cranberries and pistachios to make the cookies festive and special.
Check out this recipe
55
ourtableforseven.com
Red Velvet Hot Cocoa Cookies
This is a cake mix based cookie, with added marshmallows, chocolate chips and sprinkles. Simple to make, yet filled with delicious flavor!
Check out this recipe
56
cookwhatyoulove.com
Eggnog Cookies with Spiced Rum Glaze
Eggnog isn't just for drinking! Make some eggnog cookies with crispy edges and a soft inside. These treats are topped off with a simple rum glaze for amazing flavor.
Check out this recipe
57
amandascookin.com
Christmas Shortbread Cookies
We love this simple shortbread cookie recipe. Great for Christmas cookie exchanges and a classic that belongs on every Christmas cookie platter.
Check out this recipe
58
noshingwiththenolands.com
Festive Shortbread Bites
These little Festive Shortbread Bites are so buttery and delicious you won't be able to stop at just one!
Check out this recipe
59
www.tosimplyinspire.com
Snowball Cookies
These old fashioned snow ball cookies are a perennial holiday favorite. Buttery shortbread is combined with nuts and rolled in powdered sugar.
Check out this recipe
60
sweetordeal.com
Molasses Crinkles
The aromas of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves mixed with the sweetness of molasses in this soft cookie make it perfect for holiday giving.
Check out this recipe
61
kellystilwell.com
Cranberry Cookies with White Chocolate Drizzle
These cranberry cookies are festive and seasonal. The white chocolate complements the cranberries for a cookie that is pretty and delcious.
Check out this recipe
62
www.theflyingcouponer.com
Gingerbread Holly Cookies
In this recipe classic gingerbread cookies are made even better by dipping them in white chocolate and decorating them with sprinkles.
Check out this recipe
63
loveonaplate.net
Santa Pudding Cookies
Soft on the inside and crispy on the outside these peppermint flavored cookies with M&Ms' are sure to be a big hit.
Check out this recipe
64
www.goodlifeeats.com
Caramel Pecan Gingersnap Thumbprints
These cookies combine gingersnaps and thumbprint cookies for a fun mix of traditional flavors.
Check out this recipe
65
www.goodlifeeats.com
Almond Butter Cookies
These cookies are simple and classic. They are a great alternative to peanut butter cookies for anyone who has allergies.
Check out this recipe
66
www.goodlifeeats.com
Cherry Cordial Christmas Cookies
These chocolate cherry cookies are topped off with Cherry Cordial Kisses for a cookie with an amazing burst of flavor.
Check out this recipe
67
www.veggieinspired.com
Gluten Free Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
These gluten free chocoalte cookies are festive and easy to make. Dipped in chocolate and decorated with peppermint they are sure to be a holiday favorite.
Check out this recipe
68
www.carriesexperimentalkitchen.com
Italian Anise Cookies
Italian Anise Cookies traditionally are a soft, licorice flavored cookie covered with a powdered sugar glaze and nonpareils sprinkled on top. Delicious and different!
Check out this recipe
Classic Christmas Cookies – Ricotta Cookies
Make the holidays better by baking all your family's favorite classic Christmas cookies! Get 50+ delicious cookie ideas, including these ricotta cookies which are glazed and decorated with sprinkles.
Servings: 55
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Ingredients
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 ¾ cups 15 oz fresh ricotta cheese
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs room temperature
Glaze
- ¼ cup ½ stick unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 1 teaspoon clear vanilla or almond extract **see notes
- 3 tablespoons milk or heavy whipping cream more if needed to desired consistency
Decoration
- Red and green Nonpareils or sprinkles
Instructions
Cookies
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.3 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt
- In bowl of stand mixer or large bowl, beat butter, sugar and lemon zest until light and fluffy.1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, 2 cups granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Mix in ricotta and vanilla extract until well combined.1 ¾ cups 15 oz fresh ricotta cheese, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Add eggs one and a time, beating after each addition. Gradually add flour mixture and mix well.2 large eggs
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours.
- Remove from refrigerator and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Scoop the dough using a small cookie dough scoop. Or shape into balls and place on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown.
- Cool on wire rack. Don't glaze them until they are completely cool.
Glaze
- In a medium bowl, beat the butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract and milk until smooth.¼ cup ½ stick unsalted butter, melted, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon clear vanilla or almond extract **see notes, 3 tablespoons milk or heavy whipping cream
- Spread on cookies or dip the tops into the bowl of glaze.
- Add the sprinkles or other decorations right away before the glaze hardens.Red and green Nonpareils or sprinkles
Notes
- Extract – using clear vanilla extract will help to keep the glaze bright white.
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Nutrition Information
Serving: 1g | Calories: 129kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 62mg | Potassium: 41mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 185IU | Vitamin C: 0.05mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 0.5mg
Nutrition facts are estimates.
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I’m always looking for new Christmas cookie recipes! Thanks for rounding up so many great ones, can’t wait to check them out!
What a great roundup! I love baking during the holiday season, and especially making a variety of delicious cookies for all to enjoy!
how many days prior to Christmas can I start baking cookies and treats?
So many choices! Great roundup. I want those coconut sugar cookies and the egg nog cookies and the …heck, one of each, haha! Thanks for sharing on Merry Monday!
I’m about to get my Christmas cookie groove on this week. Love the looks of those pinwheel cookies. Delicious round-up. Thanks for sharing!