MomSkoop
The holiday season brings families together in the kitchen, filling homes with the warm scent of fresh-baked treats. Christmas cookies are more than just desserts—they’re traditions passed down through generations, gifts for neighbors, and sweet memories in the making. Whether you’re a beginner baker or a seasoned pro, this collection of festive favorites will make your cookie tray shine at every holiday gathering.
1. Classic Sugar Cookies
Nothing says Christmas like sugar cookies waiting to be decorated.
The simple dough comes together quickly with butter, sugar, eggs, and flour, creating a blank canvas for your creativity.
Kids absolutely love rolling out the dough and using cookie cutters shaped like reindeer, gingerbread men, and candy canes.
Royal icing transforms these plain cookies into edible art.
You can pipe intricate designs, add colorful sprinkles, or keep things simple with a dusting of sugar.
The beauty of sugar cookies lies in their versatility—they taste amazing whether plain or elaborately decorated.
Pro tip: Chill your dough for at least an hour before rolling.
This prevents spreading and helps maintain those crisp, clean edges that make decorated cookies look professional and picture-perfect.
2. Gingerbread Cookies
Molasses and warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves give these cookies their signature flavor.
The aroma alone brings back childhood memories of holiday baking sessions.
Gingerbread dough is sturdy enough to hold intricate shapes without losing detail during baking.
Creating gingerbread families has become a beloved tradition in many households.
Some bakers go all out with gingerbread houses, while others stick to the classic gingerbread man.
Either way, decorating with white icing creates that iconic look everyone recognizes.
The cookies develop a slightly crispy exterior while staying chewy inside.
They improve with age too—the flavors meld together beautifully after a day or two in an airtight container, making them perfect for baking ahead.
3. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Fudgy centers meet crackled powdered sugar exteriors in this showstopper.
The dramatic contrast between dark chocolate and white sugar creates an eye-catching appearance that looks fancy but requires minimal effort.
Rolling the dough balls in powdered sugar before baking creates that signature crinkled effect.
Rich cocoa powder provides intense chocolate flavor throughout.
The texture resembles a cross between a brownie and a cookie—soft and dense in the middle with slightly crisp edges.
They’re incredibly popular at cookie exchanges because they look so impressive.
Here’s a secret: Using both cocoa powder and melted chocolate delivers the deepest flavor.
Make sure your powdered sugar coating is generous for those beautiful white cracks to really pop against the dark cookie surface.
4. Peppermint Bark Cookies
Candy canes crushed into tiny pieces bring festive flair to these minty delights.
White chocolate chips melt into the dough, creating pockets of sweetness that complement the cool peppermint flavor.
The combination tastes exactly like the popular holiday candy bark.
Drizzling melted dark chocolate over the cooled cookies adds visual appeal and flavor contrast.
The red and white specks of crushed peppermint throughout make these instantly recognizable as Christmas treats.
They’re refreshing after a heavy holiday meal.
Store these away from other cookies to prevent the peppermint flavor from transferring.
The candy pieces stay crunchy for days when stored properly.
Kids get excited about helping crush the candy canes—just seal them in a plastic bag first!
5. Snickerdoodles
Cream of tartar gives these cinnamon-sugar beauties their characteristic tangy flavor and chewy texture.
Rolling warm dough balls in cinnamon sugar before baking creates a sweet, spiced coating that crackles as the cookies spread.
The result is both visually appealing and delicious.
Snickerdoodles have a softer texture than most cookies thanks to their unique ingredient list.
They stay tender for days when stored in an airtight container.
The cinnamon flavor intensifies slightly over time, making day-two cookies even better.
Fun fact: The name origin remains a mystery, but these American classics have been around since the 1800s.
Their simple ingredient list and quick preparation make them perfect for last-minute baking emergencies during the busy holiday season.
6. Linzer Cookies
Austrian heritage meets American holiday tables with these elegant sandwich cookies.
Almond flour in the dough provides a subtle nutty flavor and tender crumb.
The real magic happens when you cut out shapes from the top cookie—stars, hearts, or circles work beautifully.
Raspberry or strawberry jam fills the space between two buttery cookies.
The jewel-toned filling peeks through the cutout, creating a stained-glass effect that’s absolutely gorgeous.
Dusting powdered sugar over the top adds the finishing touch.
These require a bit more effort than drop cookies, but the impressive results are worth it. Use a high-quality jam for the best flavor.
The almond and fruit combination tastes sophisticated enough for adult palates while remaining kid-friendly and festive.
7. Russian Tea Cakes
Buttery, nutty, and melt-in-your-mouth tender—these go by many names, including Mexican wedding cookies and snowballs.
Finely chopped pecans or walnuts get mixed into the dough, providing texture and flavor.
The cookies are rolled in powdered sugar twice: once while warm and again after cooling.
Their delicate, crumbly texture comes from the high butter-to-flour ratio.
They literally dissolve on your tongue, leaving behind a sweet, nutty flavor.
The snowy white appearance makes them perfect for winter celebrations and holiday cookie platters.
Despite the fancy name, these are surprisingly easy to make.
The dough comes together quickly without any chilling required.
Shape them into balls or crescents depending on your preference—both variations taste equally amazing.
8. Thumbprint Cookies
Press your thumb into each dough ball before baking to create a perfect well for filling.
The indentation holds a spoonful of your favorite jam, creating a beautiful two-toned cookie.
Using different jam flavors on one tray adds color variety—raspberry, apricot, and blueberry all work wonderfully.
Some recipes roll the dough in chopped nuts before making the thumbprint.
This adds crunch and visual interest around the edges.
The buttery base cookie provides the perfect neutral backdrop for whatever filling you choose.
Children find these particularly fun to make since creating the thumbprint is their special job.
The cookies stay fresh for days and actually taste better after the jam has time to settle into the cookie, melding the flavors together beautifully.
9. Shortbread Cookies
Just three ingredients—butter, sugar, and flour—create this Scottish classic.
The simplicity means quality matters: use real butter for the best flavor and texture.
Shortbread has a crisp, sandy texture that practically melts away, leaving a rich, buttery taste.
Traditional shapes include rounds, fingers, and petticoat tails, but holiday bakers often use festive cookie cutters.
Pricking the dough with a fork before baking isn’t just decorative—it prevents air bubbles.
Some bakers dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate for extra indulgence.
The key to perfect shortbread is not overworking the dough.
Mix just until combined, then chill before cutting.
These cookies are elegant enough for tea parties yet sturdy enough for shipping to faraway loved ones during the holidays.
10. Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies
Chewy oats form the base of these hearty cookies packed with festive mix-ins.
Dried cranberries provide tart bursts of flavor that balance the sweetness of white chocolate chips.
The combination of textures—chewy oats, soft cranberries, and creamy chocolate—makes every bite interesting.
These feel slightly healthier than other Christmas cookies thanks to the whole grain oats.
They’re substantial enough to serve as breakfast treats or afternoon snacks throughout the busy holiday season.
The red and white colors look appropriately festive on any cookie platter.
A touch of cinnamon in the dough enhances the holiday vibe without overwhelming the other flavors.
These cookies stay moist for days thanks to the oats, which absorb moisture.
They’re excellent for shipping or bringing to potlucks since they travel well.
11. Peanut Butter Blossoms
A Hershey’s Kiss pressed into the center makes these instantly recognizable.
The peanut butter dough gets rolled in sugar before baking, creating a sparkly exterior.
Placing the chocolate Kiss on top while cookies are still warm allows it to stick perfectly without melting completely.
The salty-sweet combination of peanut butter and chocolate never gets old.
These cookies have been a holiday staple since the 1950s when the recipe first appeared.
Kids love unwrapping the Kisses and pressing them into the warm cookies—it’s a fun task that keeps little hands busy.
Use creamy peanut butter rather than natural varieties for best results.
The commercial kind has stabilizers that help the cookies maintain their shape.
Rolling in granulated sugar creates a slightly crunchy exterior that contrasts nicely with the soft, chewy center.
12. Molasses Cookies
Deep, dark molasses creates a rich flavor that’s more complex than regular gingerbread.
These soft, chewy cookies practically beg to be dunked in milk or hot cocoa.
Warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves make your kitchen smell absolutely amazing while they bake.
Rolling the dough in coarse sugar before baking adds textural contrast.
The cookies develop beautiful cracks across the top as they spread in the oven.
They stay incredibly soft for days, improving as the spices blend together.
Molasses cookies have old-fashioned charm that appeals to grandparents and grandkids alike.
They’re less sweet than many Christmas cookies, which some people prefer after sampling sugary treats all season.
The dark color looks striking next to lighter cookies on a dessert tray.
13. Almond Biscotti
Twice-baked Italian cookies become wonderfully crunchy, perfect for dunking in coffee or hot chocolate.
Whole almonds throughout provide nutty flavor and satisfying crunch.
The logs of dough get sliced after the first bake, then return to the oven to develop their characteristic crispy texture.
Biscotti keep for weeks in an airtight container, making them ideal for early holiday baking.
Their sturdy nature means they ship beautifully without crumbling.
Many bakers dip one end in melted chocolate and add a sprinkle of chopped nuts for extra elegance.
Almond extract intensifies the nutty flavor beyond what the almonds alone provide.
Some recipes incorporate dried cranberries or orange zest for festive flair.
These sophisticated cookies feel very European and add variety to standard American cookie platters.
14. Frosted Lemon Cookies
Bright citrus flavor cuts through the richness of traditional holiday treats.
Fresh lemon juice and zest in both the cookie and frosting deliver intense, sunny flavor.
These soft, cake-like cookies provide a refreshing alternative to chocolate and spice-heavy options.
The sweet glaze hardens slightly as it sets, creating a perfect frosting-to-cookie ratio.
The yellow color and fresh taste remind people of sunshine during the cold winter months.
They’re surprisingly popular at Christmas gatherings because they taste so different from typical seasonal flavors.
Use real lemons rather than bottled juice for the brightest, most authentic flavor.
The cookies stay soft for days thanks to their tender crumb.
Adding a tiny pinch of lemon zest on top of the wet frosting makes them look professionally decorated.
15. Coconut Macaroons
Sweetened shredded coconut gets bound together with egg whites and sugar to create chewy, golden mounds.
The exterior turns toasty and slightly crisp while the interior stays moist and tender.
These naturally gluten-free treats appeal to guests with dietary restrictions.
Dipping the bottoms in melted dark chocolate elevates them from simple to spectacular.
The chocolate-coconut combination tastes tropical yet somehow fits perfectly on winter cookie trays.
They’re incredibly easy to make with just a handful of ingredients.
Coconut lovers go crazy for these, while coconut skeptics often get converted after one bite.
The texture is unique—nothing else on your cookie platter will be quite like them.
They store well and actually improve after a day, as flavors meld together beautifully.
16. Pecan Sandies
Finely chopped pecans throughout create a sandy, crumbly texture that gives these cookies their name.
Butter provides richness while the nuts add depth and crunch.
These melt-in-your-mouth treats have a delicate, sophisticated flavor that adults especially appreciate.
The dough can be shaped into logs, chilled, and sliced, making them perfect slice-and-bake cookies.
Some bakers shape them into crescents or balls instead.
Regardless of shape, they maintain that characteristic sandy texture that makes them so addictive.
Toasting the pecans before adding them to the dough intensifies their flavor dramatically.
A light dusting of powdered sugar adds sweetness and a snowy appearance.
These Southern-inspired cookies have earned their place on Christmas cookie trays across the country through their simple, buttery perfection.
17. Chocolate Chip Cookies with Holiday Sprinkles
Why reinvent the wheel when chocolate chip cookies are universally loved?
Adding red and green sprinkles instantly transforms this everyday favorite into a festive treat.
The familiar flavor comforts guests who might feel overwhelmed by too many unusual cookies.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips remain the classic choice, though some bakers mix in white or dark chocolate for variety.
The sprinkles add visual interest without changing the beloved flavor profile.
Kids especially appreciate seeing their favorite cookie dressed up for the holidays.
This is the cookie skeptical eaters reach for first.
Having something familiar on the dessert table ensures everyone finds something they’ll enjoy.
The chocolate-sprinkle combination looks festive while tasting like home, making these the perfect addition to any Christmas cookie collection.
18. Pizzelles
These thin, crispy Italian waffle cookies require a special pizzelle iron that imprints beautiful patterns.
Anise flavoring gives them a distinctive taste, though vanilla and lemon versions are also popular.
The delicate, lacy appearance makes them look incredibly elegant and special.
Pizzelles are surprisingly light and airy despite being crispy.
They can be shaped into cones or cups while still warm, creating edible vessels for ice cream or mousse.
Most people serve them flat, dusted with powdered sugar for a snowy effect.
Italian families have made these for generations during Christmas.
The cookies keep for weeks in airtight containers, maintaining their crispness beautifully.
While they require special equipment, the pizzelle iron becomes a worthwhile investment for anyone who makes them annually as part of holiday traditions.