MomSkoop
Nothing says Christmas quite like the smell of fresh cookies baking in the oven. From buttery classics to spiced wonders, Christmas cookies bring families together and create memories that last forever. We’ve tasted, tested, and ranked the most beloved holiday treats to help you decide which ones deserve a spot on your cookie platter this year.
1. Sugar Cookies
Every family has their own special recipe, passed down through generations like a treasured heirloom.
Sugar cookies take the top spot because they’re incredibly versatile and fun to make with kids. You can roll them out, cut them into festive shapes like stars and trees, then decorate them however you want.
The buttery, sweet flavor pairs perfectly with royal icing and sprinkles. They’re soft enough to enjoy fresh but sturdy enough to hold decorations.
Plus, decorating sugar cookies has become a beloved holiday tradition in countless homes. Whether you prefer simple designs or elaborate artwork, these cookies always bring smiles.
They also make wonderful gifts when packed in pretty tins or boxes.
2. Gingerbread Cookies
Spicy, warm, and absolutely irresistible—gingerbread cookies are the essence of Christmas in edible form.
These treats get their signature flavor from molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, creating a taste that’s both comforting and festive. Gingerbread men are the most popular shape, complete with icing smiles and candy buttons.
The dough is sturdy enough for building gingerbread houses too. Kids love helping cut out the shapes and decorating them with creative faces.
Did you know gingerbread dates back to medieval times when it was considered a luxury item? Today, it’s a staple at every holiday gathering.
The cookies stay fresh for days, making them perfect for early baking sessions.
3. Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sometimes the simplest treats are the most satisfying, and chocolate chip cookies prove this point beautifully.
While they might not scream Christmas like gingerbread, these classics earn their spot because everyone loves them year-round. The combination of buttery dough and melty chocolate is unbeatable.
During the holidays, bakers often add festive touches like red and green M&Ms or peppermint chips. They’re quick to whip up when you need cookies in a hurry.
The crispy edges and chewy centers make them disappear fast from any cookie platter. Serve them warm with cold milk for the ultimate comfort experience.
No holiday spread feels complete without this crowd-pleaser present.
4. Snickerdoodles
With their crackled tops and cinnamon-sugar coating, snickerdoodles bring cozy warmth to any cookie exchange.
The tangy hint from cream of tartar makes these cookies taste different from regular sugar cookies in the best way possible. Rolling the dough balls in cinnamon sugar before baking creates that signature sparkly exterior.
They’re soft, chewy, and melt in your mouth with every bite. The cinnamon flavor feels especially appropriate during the winter months when we crave warming spices.
Snickerdoodles are surprisingly easy to make, requiring just basic pantry ingredients. Their simple elegance makes them look fancy without requiring decorating skills.
Stack them high on a platter and watch them vanish quickly.
5. Peanut Butter Blossoms
That iconic chocolate kiss sitting in the center makes these cookies instantly recognizable at any holiday party.
Peanut butter blossoms combine creamy peanut butter flavor with a sweet chocolate surprise on top. The cookies are rolled in sugar before baking, giving them a slight crunch on the outside.
Pressing the chocolate kiss into the warm cookie right after baking is the fun part kids always want to help with. The peanut butter and chocolate combination is timeless and universally loved.
These treats are incredibly filling, so one or two usually satisfy your sweet tooth. They also transport well, making them ideal for gift boxes or cookie swaps.
Simple ingredients create maximum deliciousness here.
6. Shortbread Cookies
Buttery, crumbly, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious—shortbread cookies are pure elegance in cookie form.
Made with just three ingredients (butter, sugar, and flour), these cookies let quality ingredients shine through. Scottish bakers have perfected this recipe over centuries, and it remains unchanged because it’s already perfect.
The texture is unlike any other cookie, almost sandy but incredibly rich. Shortbread pairs wonderfully with hot tea or coffee during cold winter afternoons.
You can shape them into rounds, fingers, or festive cutouts depending on your preference. Some bakers add a touch of vanilla or almond extract for extra flavor.
Their sophisticated simplicity makes them feel special without being fussy or complicated to prepare.
7. Peppermint Bark Cookies
Candy canes aren’t just for hanging on trees—they make these cookies taste like Christmas in every single bite.
Peppermint bark cookies combine rich chocolate cookie bases with white chocolate drizzle and crushed peppermint pieces on top. The contrast between dark chocolate and cool mint creates a refreshing flavor explosion.
They look incredibly festive with their red and white candy cane pieces sparkling on top. The peppermint adds a refreshing quality that cuts through the richness of other holiday treats.
These cookies are relatively new to the Christmas cookie scene but have quickly become favorites. Kids especially love the crunchy peppermint bits mixed throughout.
They’re basically the cookie version of the popular peppermint bark candy.
8. Thumbprint Cookies
Creating that little indent with your thumb makes baking these cookies feel personal and special every single time.
Thumbprint cookies feature buttery shortbread-style bases with a dollop of jam or chocolate in the center. The most traditional filling is raspberry or strawberry jam, but you can use any flavor you prefer.
Some recipes roll the dough in chopped nuts before baking, adding extra texture and flavor. The jewel-toned jam centers make these cookies look like little treasures on your platter.
They’re surprisingly easy to make, and kids love pressing their thumbs into the dough. Each cookie becomes unique based on whose thumbprint created the indent.
Their elegant appearance makes them perfect for fancy holiday gatherings and casual family parties alike.
9. Russian Tea Cakes
Also called Mexican wedding cookies or snowball cookies, these powdery treats practically melt on your tongue like fresh snow.
Russian tea cakes are made with butter, flour, finely chopped nuts (usually pecans or walnuts), and lots of powdered sugar. After baking, they’re rolled in powdered sugar twice to create that thick white coating.
The result looks like little snowballs, making them perfect for winter celebrations. They’re rich and nutty without being overly sweet.
The texture is incredibly tender and crumbly, almost dissolving in your mouth. These cookies travel well since they’re sturdy despite their delicate texture.
They’ve been holiday favorites in many cultures for generations, each with slightly different names but similar recipes.
10. Linzer Cookies
These fancy sandwich cookies with their pretty cutout tops look like they came from a professional bakery, even when homemade.
Linzer cookies originated in Austria and feature almond-flavored dough with raspberry jam sandwiched between two cookies. The top cookie has a small cutout shape that lets the colorful jam peek through.
Dusting them with powdered sugar adds an elegant finishing touch. The almond flavor makes them taste sophisticated and different from typical Christmas cookies.
Making them requires a bit more effort than drop cookies, but the impressive results are worth it. Heart or star cutouts are popular choices for the top cookie.
Serve these at your holiday party and guests will definitely ask for the recipe immediately.
11. Molasses Cookies
Dark, chewy, and deeply flavorful, molasses cookies bring old-fashioned comfort to modern holiday celebrations.
These cookies get their rich color and robust taste from molasses, along with warm spices like ginger and cinnamon. The tops crack beautifully as they bake, creating an attractive texture.
They’re similar to gingerbread but softer and chewier with a more pronounced molasses flavor. Rolling the dough in sugar before baking gives them a sweet, sparkly exterior.
Molasses cookies stay soft for days when stored properly in airtight containers. Their intense flavor means you only need one or two to feel satisfied.
Grandmothers across America have been baking these for generations, keeping the tradition alive through shared recipes and memories.
12. Spritz Cookies
Using a cookie press to create these delicate butter cookies feels almost magical as perfect shapes emerge with each squeeze.
Spritz cookies are traditional Scandinavian treats made from rich butter dough pushed through a cookie press into decorative shapes. Stars, trees, and wreaths are popular Christmas designs.
The cookies are crisp, buttery, and delicate with a texture similar to shortbread but lighter. Adding colored sprinkles or candied cherries before baking makes them extra festive.
They bake quickly and can be made in large batches efficiently. The cookie press creates uniform, professional-looking cookies every time.
Many families have vintage cookie presses passed down through generations, making these cookies extra sentimental. Their delicate nature makes them feel special and celebratory for the holiday season.