MomSkoop
Christmas cookies are more than just sweet treats—they’re edible traditions that bring families together and fill homes with the warm scent of cinnamon, vanilla, and joy. Whether you’re baking with kids or preparing a holiday cookie exchange, certain recipes always steal the show. Get ready to discover the classic favorites that everyone loves and the ones that’ll have guests asking for your secret recipe.
1. Classic Sugar Cookies
Nothing says Christmas quite like a freshly baked sugar cookie waiting to be decorated.
Soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet, these cookies are a blank canvas for your creativity.
Kids love rolling out the dough and using festive cookie cutters shaped like stars, trees, and snowmen.
The real magic happens when you pull out the icing, sprinkles, and edible glitter.
Every family has their own decorating style, from elegant royal icing designs to colorful chaos that only a child could create.
These cookies freeze beautifully, so you can make the dough weeks ahead and bake fresh batches whenever guests drop by unexpectedly.
2. Gingerbread Men
With their spicy-sweet flavor and charming personalities, gingerbread men have been holiday favorites for centuries.
The combination of molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves creates an aroma that instantly transforms your kitchen into a winter wonderland.
Each cookie becomes a little character once you add raisin eyes, icing buttons, and cheerful smiles.
Did you know? Gingerbread cookies date back to medieval Europe, where they were often given as gifts at fairs.
They’re sturdy enough to hang on the
Christmas tree as edible ornaments, and their bold flavor pairs wonderfully with hot cocoa or warm apple cider on cold December evenings.
3. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Imagine a cookie that looks like it’s been dusted with fresh snow—that’s the chocolate crinkle cookie in all its glory.
Rich, fudgy chocolate dough gets rolled in powdered sugar before baking, creating dramatic cracks that reveal the dark chocolate beneath.
The contrast is stunning and tastes even better than it looks.
These cookies have a brownie-like texture that chocolate lovers can’t resist.
They’re surprisingly easy to make, though chilling the dough is essential for getting those picture-perfect crinkles.
Serve them slightly warm for an extra gooey center, or let them cool completely for a chewier bite that satisfies any sweet tooth.
4. Snickerdoodles
Rolled in cinnamon sugar and baked to soft perfection, snickerdoodles bring warmth to every holiday gathering.
The secret ingredient? Cream of tartar, which gives these cookies their signature tangy flavor and chewy texture.
Their crackled tops and sparkly cinnamon coating make them look as festive as they taste.
Unlike complicated decorated cookies, snickerdoodles are wonderfully simple—no frosting, no fuss, just pure cinnamon-sugar bliss.
They’re perfect for last-minute baking when unexpected guests arrive, since they come together quickly and use pantry staples you probably already have.
The smell alone will make everyone feel instantly at home during the busy holiday season.
5. Peppermint Bark Cookies
Candy canes aren’t just for hanging on trees anymore—they’re the star ingredient in these festive treats.
Chocolate cookies get topped with white chocolate and crushed peppermint candies, creating a cookie version of everyone’s favorite holiday bark.
The combination of rich chocolate and refreshing mint feels like Christmas in every bite.
They’re visually stunning with red and white candy pieces sparkling on top, making them perfect for cookie exchanges or holiday parties.
The texture contrast between the soft cookie base and crunchy peppermint topping keeps things interesting.
Plus, they’re an excellent way to use up leftover candy canes after decorating the house!
6. Thumbprint Cookies
Sometimes called jam buttons, these buttery cookies feature a jewel-toned center that catches everyone’s eye.
You press your thumb into each ball of dough before baking, creating a perfect little well for raspberry, apricot, or strawberry jam.
The result looks bakery-fancy but requires minimal effort.
Rolling the dough in chopped nuts before adding the thumbprint gives extra flavor and a beautiful texture.
Some bakers use chocolate ganache or lemon curd instead of jam for creative variations.
These elegant cookies elevate any dessert table and make thoughtful homemade gifts when packaged in pretty tins or boxes tied with ribbon.
7. Russian Tea Cakes
Also known as Mexican wedding cookies or snowball cookies, these melt-in-your-mouth treats are holiday classics.
Ground pecans or walnuts get mixed into buttery dough, then the baked cookies are rolled generously in powdered sugar while still warm.
They look like little snowballs—absolutely perfect for a winter celebration.
The texture is incredibly tender and crumbly, almost dissolving on your tongue.
Despite their delicate appearance, they’re surprisingly sturdy for shipping to faraway friends and family.
Many grandmothers have been making these for decades, passing down recipes with slight variations that make each family’s version special and uniquely their own.
8. Linzer Cookies
These sandwich cookies with their peek-a-boo cutout centers are as beautiful as they are delicious.
Almond-flavored dough gets cut into matching shapes—usually circles or hearts—with the top cookie featuring a small window that shows off the raspberry jam filling.
Dusting the tops with powdered sugar makes the red jam pop even more.
Linzer cookies originated in Austria and have been delighting cookie lovers for hundreds of years.
They require a bit more patience than drop cookies, but the stunning results are absolutely worth the extra effort.
They’re sophisticated enough for adult gatherings yet sweet enough that kids devour them just as eagerly.
9. Shortbread Cookies
Simple ingredients—butter, sugar, and flour—create pure magic when combined in the right proportions.
Scottish shortbread has a rich, buttery flavor that doesn’t need fancy decorations to shine.
The sandy, crumbly texture is distinctive and addictive.
Traditional recipes call for shaping the dough into rounds and scoring wedges before baking, but you can also press it into pans or use cookie cutters.
Some bakers add a touch of vanilla or dip the edges in melted chocolate for extra flair.
These cookies store exceptionally well in airtight containers, making them ideal for baking ahead during the hectic holiday season when time becomes precious.
10. Frosted Cutout Cookies
Picture a cookie decorating party where creativity runs wild—that’s what frosted cutout cookies are all about.
Starting with a sturdy vanilla or almond-flavored base, these cookies can handle elaborate royal icing designs without breaking.
Piping intricate snowflakes, Santa faces, or festive messages becomes an art project the whole family enjoys.
The key is letting each color dry completely before adding the next layer, which teaches patience even to eager young decorators.
You can go for professional-looking designs or embrace the charming imperfection of homemade artistry.
Either way, these cookies taste wonderful and create lasting memories around the kitchen table each December.
11. Peanut Butter Blossoms
That signature Hershey’s Kiss pressed into the center makes these cookies instantly recognizable at any holiday gathering.
Soft peanut butter cookies rolled in sparkling sugar get topped with chocolate kisses immediately after baking, creating an irresistible combination.
The contrast between salty peanut butter and sweet chocolate is absolutely perfect.
Kids love unwrapping the foil-covered kisses and pressing them into warm cookies—it’s a job they take very seriously!
The recipe is forgiving and nearly foolproof, making it ideal for beginner bakers.
These cookies have been appearing on holiday tables since the 1950s, proving that some traditions never go out of style for good reason.
12. Pecan Sandies
Buttery and nutty with a satisfying crunch, pecan sandies are understated cookies that let quality ingredients shine through.
Toasted pecans get finely chopped and mixed throughout the dough, giving every bite that wonderful nutty flavor.
The cookies are rolled in powdered sugar after baking, similar to Russian tea cakes but with a different texture—more crisp than crumbly.
They’re not the flashiest cookies on the dessert table, but they disappear just as quickly as the decorated ones.
Coffee and tea lovers especially appreciate their subtle sweetness that doesn’t overpower a good beverage.
They’re perfect for afternoon holiday visits with neighbors and friends.
13. Molasses Cookies
Deep, dark, and deliciously spiced, molasses cookies bring old-fashioned comfort to modern holiday celebrations.
The combination of molasses, brown sugar, and warming spices creates a complex flavor that develops even more as the cookies sit.
Rolling the dough balls in coarse sugar before baking gives them a sparkly exterior and slight crunch.
These cookies are soft and chewy in the center with slightly crisp edges—the best of both textures.
They’re less common than gingerbread but equally festive, with a more sophisticated flavor profile.
Grandmothers and great-grandmothers have been baking these for generations, making them taste like heritage and home all at once.
14. Spritz Cookies
Using a cookie press to create these delicate buttery cookies feels like holiday magic happening right in your kitchen.
The dough gets loaded into a special press that pushes it through decorative disks, forming perfect wreaths, trees, or flowers in seconds.
Almond extract gives them a distinctive flavor that sets them apart from plain butter cookies.
Decorating with colored sugar, dragées, or candied cherries before baking makes each batch look professionally done.
The cookies themselves are crisp and light, almost melting away as you eat them.
Scandinavian families have been making spritz cookies for Christmas for centuries, and the tradition continues to bring joy today.
15. Coconut Macaroons
Chewy, sweet, and naturally gluten-free, coconut macaroons offer something different from the typical holiday cookie lineup.
Shredded coconut gets bound together with sweetened condensed milk and egg whites, then baked until golden on the outside while staying moist inside.
Dipping the bottoms in melted chocolate elevates them from simple to spectacular.
They’re incredibly easy to make—just mix, scoop, and bake—with no rolling, cutting, or chilling required.
The texture is unique and addictive, especially for coconut lovers.
These cookies also happen to be perfect for guests with gluten sensitivities, making your holiday table more inclusive without sacrificing deliciousness or festive appeal.