25 Festive Christmas Cookies Recipes to Make This Season

Every year I say I’m only making a few kinds of cookies, and then somehow the kitchen turns into a full-on cookie factory!

These are my favorite Christmas cookie recipes, the ones I go back to every time.

Some of them sound a little fancy, but they’re all easy enough to make on a random weeknight if you’ve got some butter and sugar on hand.

You don’t need special tools or bakery skills, just a little time and a clean counter to work on.

1. Classic Sugar Cookies

Classic sugar cookies are the kind you make every single Christmas without even thinking about it.

They’re soft, buttery, and easy to decorate with the kids if you don’t mind a little mess.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Steps

1. Cream butter and sugar together in a large bowl until fluffy, then mix in the egg and vanilla.
2. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt until a soft dough forms.
3. Chill for about 30 minutes so it’s easier to roll out.
4. Roll, cut into shapes, and bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes.
5. Let them cool completely before decorating.

2. Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

These cookies have a bit of everything and somehow still taste amazing.

They have chocolate chips, pretzels, toffee bits, and red and green candies all baked into one chewy bite.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup crushed pretzels
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• ½ cup toffee bits
• ½ cup red and green candies

Steps

1. Beat butter and both sugars until creamy, then add eggs and vanilla.
2. Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt until combined.
3. Stir in pretzels, chocolate chips, toffee bits, and candies.
4. Scoop onto a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
5. Cool on a rack.

3. Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread cookies just smell like Christmas.

They bake up soft in the middle with crisp edges and are perfect for decorating or dunking in coffee.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ⅔ cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon cloves
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg

Steps

1. Cream butter and sugar, then mix in molasses and egg.
2. Add flour, baking soda, salt, and spices and stir until dough forms.
3. Chill for 1 hour before rolling and cutting into shapes.
4. Bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes until slightly firm around the edges.
5. Cool before decorating with icing or candy buttons.

4. Peppermint Mocha Cookies

If you love peppermint mochas, you’ll love these.

They taste like Christmas morning in cookie form with rich chocolate and just the right hit of coffee and mint.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 tablespoon instant coffee
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup mini chocolate chips
• ½ cup crushed candy canes

Steps

1. Beat butter and sugar until smooth, then mix in egg, vanilla, and peppermint extract.
2. Stir in instant coffee, flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
3. Fold in chocolate chips and crushed candy canes.
4. Scoop onto a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 9 to 10 minutes.
5. Cool slightly before adding a few extra candy cane bits on top.

5. Eggnog Snickerdoodles

These are soft and chewy with a little spice and that creamy eggnog flavor that makes them feel so festive.

The nutmeg sugar coating makes the whole kitchen smell amazing.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup eggnog
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ cup sugar and ½ teaspoon nutmeg mixed for rolling

Steps

1. Cream butter and sugar, then mix in egg, eggnog, and vanilla.
2. Add flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg.
3. Roll dough balls in the sugar and nutmeg mixture.
4. Bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes until just set in the middle.
5. Let them cool a bit before moving them.

6. Christmas Thumbprint Cookies

These are so cute on a cookie tray and really easy to make.

You can fill them with jam, frosting, or even melted chocolate if that’s what you have on hand.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup jam or frosting for filling

Steps

1. Cream butter and sugar, then mix in egg yolks and vanilla.
2. Stir in flour and salt until a soft dough forms.
3. Roll into small balls and press your thumb in the center.
4. Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are golden.
5. Fill with jam or frosting once cooled.

7. Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies

These taste like Christmas in cookie form with a mix of tart cranberries and sweet orange zest.

They’re buttery and crumbly, and honestly, perfect with tea.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped

Steps

1. Beat butter and powdered sugar until creamy.
2. Mix in flour, salt, orange zest, and cranberries.
3. Shape dough into a log, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
4. Slice into rounds and bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
5. Cool completely before moving them to a plate.

8. Cranberry Pecan Cookies

These are chewy, nutty, and a little tart from the cranberries.

They’re also great for gifting because they stay soft for days.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Steps

1. Cream butter and sugars, then mix in eggs and vanilla.
2. Add flour, baking soda, and salt, stirring until just combined.
3. Fold in cranberries and pecans.
4. Scoop onto baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
5. Cool for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

9. White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

These are a little chewy, a little crisp, and so good with the mix of oats, white chocolate, and cranberries.

I usually double the batch because they disappear fast.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 cup dried cranberries

Steps

1. Cream butter and sugars together, then beat in eggs and vanilla.
2. Add flour, baking soda, and salt, stirring until blended.
3. Mix in oats, white chocolate chips, and cranberries.
4. Scoop onto baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
5. Cool completely before storing.

10. Snowball Cookies

These are those buttery little round cookies that get coated in powdered sugar and melt in your mouth.

They’re simple but feel extra special this time of year.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup finely chopped pecans
• Extra powdered sugar for rolling

Steps

1. Beat butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
2. Add flour, salt, and pecans, stirring until dough holds together.
3. Roll into small balls and place on a baking sheet.
4. Bake at 350°F for 12 to 14 minutes, then cool slightly.
5. Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar and again once they’re fully cooled.

11. Hot Chocolate Cookies

These taste exactly like a mug of hot chocolate but in cookie form.

They’re rich, fudgy, and topped with gooey marshmallows that melt just enough to make them extra cozy.

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup mini chocolate chips
• 12 large marshmallows, halved

Steps

1. Cream butter and sugar, then mix in egg and vanilla.
2. Add flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
3. Stir in chocolate chips and scoop dough onto a baking sheet.
4. Bake at 350°F for 8 minutes, then press half a marshmallow on top.
5. Bake 2 more minutes until soft and slightly melted.

12. Brown Sugar Spice Cookies

These are soft and chewy with warm spices that make them perfect for a cold night.

The brown sugar gives them a deep, caramel-like flavor that’s honestly addicting.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon cloves
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Steps

1. Beat butter and brown sugar until creamy, then add egg and vanilla.
2. Mix in flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
3. Chill the dough for 20 minutes for thicker cookies.
4. Scoop and bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
5. Let cool before storing in an airtight container.

13. Maple Pecan Cookies

These cookies are soft, nutty, and full of cozy maple flavor.

They’re the kind you sneak one of with your morning coffee because you “just need to test them.”

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons maple extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Steps

1. Stir melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and maple extract together.
2. Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. Fold in chopped pecans.
4. Scoop onto baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
5. Cool completely.

14. Chai Sugar Cookies

These have that spiced chai flavor that makes the whole kitchen smell so good.

They’re like a cozy cup of tea turned into a soft, chewy cookie.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ginger
• ½ teaspoon cardamom
• ¼ teaspoon cloves

Steps

1. Cream butter and sugar, then add egg and vanilla.
2. Mix in flour, baking soda, salt, and all the spices.
3. Chill the dough for about 30 minutes.
4. Scoop onto baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 9 to 11 minutes.
5. Let cool before dusting lightly with sugar.

15. Cherry Almond Cookies

They’re sweet, nutty, and so pretty with the little cherry pieces.

I like to add a drizzle of almond glaze to make them extra festive.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup chopped maraschino cherries
• ½ cup sliced almonds

Steps

1. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then add egg and almond extract.
2. Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Stir in cherries and almonds.
4. Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes until just golden.
5. Cool before adding a light drizzle of almond glaze if you want.

16. Cinnamon Roll Cookies

These taste just like mini cinnamon rolls but take way less time.

The swirl of cinnamon sugar and drizzle of glaze makes them the prettiest cookies on the tray.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk

Steps

1. Mix butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla until creamy.
2. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Roll dough into a rectangle, spread with brown sugar and cinnamon, then roll up and chill 30 minutes.
4. Slice and bake at 350°F for 9 to 11 minutes.
5. Whisk powdered sugar and milk for glaze, drizzle once cookies cool.

17. Lemon Crinkle Cookies

These are bright and soft with a zesty lemon flavor that cuts through all the rich holiday sweets.

They look pretty too with that crinkled powdered sugar top.

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup powdered sugar for rolling

Steps

1. Cream butter and sugar, then add eggs, lemon zest, and juice.
2. Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Chill dough 30 minutes, then roll balls in powdered sugar.
4. Bake at 350°F for 9 to 10 minutes.
5. Let cool.

18. Grinch Cookies

These are soft sugar cookies tinted bright green with a little red heart candy in the middle.

Kids go crazy for them and honestly, they’re fun for adults too!

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 drops green food coloring
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Heart sprinkles for topping

Steps

1. Cream butter and sugar, then mix in egg, vanilla, and food coloring.
2. Add flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Scoop onto baking sheet and flatten slightly.
4. Bake at 350°F for 9 minutes, then press a heart sprinkle in the center.
5. Cool completely so the hearts stick.

19. Christmas Confetti Cookies

Colorful and sweet, these sugar cookies are packed with sprinkles inside and out.

They’re the easiest way to make any cookie plate look festive.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup holiday sprinkles

Steps

1. Beat butter and sugar until creamy, then add egg and vanilla.
2. Mix in flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Stir in sprinkles.
4. Bake at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes until just golden.
5. Add more sprinkles on top while warm if you want extra color.

20. Iced Molasses Cookies

These are soft, spicy, and smell like pure Christmas.

The sweet glaze on top hardens just enough to make them stackable.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ginger
• ¼ teaspoon cloves
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk

Steps

1. Cream butter and brown sugar, then add molasses and egg.
2. Stir in flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
3. Scoop and bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
4. Whisk powdered sugar and milk for icing, drizzle over cooled cookies.
5. Let sit until icing sets before storing.

21. Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies

These look fancy but are super easy.

The soft red velvet cookies with creamy frosting in between are always a hit at parties.

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon red food coloring
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cream cheese frosting

Steps

1. Cream butter and sugar, then mix in egg, vanilla, cocoa, and food coloring.
2. Add flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. Bake at 350°F for 9 minutes and cool completely.
4. Spread frosting on one cookie and sandwich with another.
5. Chill in the fridge for about 10 minutes before serving.

22. Pecan Praline Cookies

These taste like a cross between cookies and candy.

They’re chewy, nutty, and have that brown sugar caramel flavor that’s so good with coffee.

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Steps

1. Stir melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla together.
2. Add flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Fold in pecans.
4. Scoop onto baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
5. Cool before removing so they don’t break apart.

23. Peppermint Meltaway Cookies

These are soft little cookies that almost dissolve when you bite them.

The peppermint frosting on top gives them a sweet, cool finish.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup powdered sugar for frosting
• 2 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
• Crushed candy canes for topping

Steps

1. Cream butter, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract.
2. Mix in flour, cornstarch, and salt until soft dough forms.
3. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
4. Whisk frosting ingredients together and spread on cooled cookies.
5. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes.

24. Christmas Macarons

They look fancy but they’re not as tricky as they seem.

ave fun with food coloring and sprinkles for a holiday look!

Ingredients

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ¾ cup almond flour
• 2 large egg whites
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup buttercream frosting
• Food coloring (optional)
• Red and green sprinkles (optional)

Steps

1. Sift almond flour and powdered sugar together.
2. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form, then slowly add sugar.
3. Fold in dry ingredients and vanilla until smooth and glossy.
4. Stir in food coloring.
5. Pipe onto baking sheet, rest 30 minutes, then bake at 300°F for 15 minutes.
6. Fill with frosting and roll edges in sprinkles.

25. Hot Buttered Rum Cookies

They’re soft, buttery, and full of that warm rum spice flavor that feels like winter in a bite.

I like to eat one warm with a cup of tea after the kids go to bed.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon rum extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Steps

1. Beat butter and brown sugar until creamy, then add egg and rum extract.
2. Stir in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
3. Scoop dough onto baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
4. Let cool for a few minutes before moving to a rack.

Cookies That Make Christmas Feel Extra Special

There’s just something about baking this time of year that feels different.

The kitchen smells like butter and sugar, there’s flour on the counter, and someone’s sneaking dough when they think I’m not looking.

And that’s what Christmas baking is all about!