It’s officially cookie season! Bake your way through these 10 must-try Christmas cookie recipes. Soft, chewy, and full of holiday flavor. Perfect for gifting or snacking straight from the tray.
Okay, tell me I’m not the only one who suddenly turns into a full-on baker once December hits. Something about Christmas just makes you want to bake everything. The music, the cozy vibes, the smell of vanilla and cinnamon filing your kitchen…it’s all part of the magic.
Whether you’re planning a big cookie exchange, making treats for Santa, or just wanting an excuse to eat cookie dough with your kid (guilty 🙋♀️), these are the Christmas cookie recipes you’ll want to bake every single year. They’re festive, cozy, and totally worth the mess you’ll make in the kitchen.
1. Classic Sugar Cookies
You have to start with these. Sugar cookies are the OG of Christmas baking. They’re buttery, soft, and so fun to decorate with the kids. You can make little snowflakes, Christmas trees, stars—whatever cookies cutters you’ve got lying around.
2. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
If brownies and cookies had a baby, it would be these. They’re fudgy, rich, and covered in powdered sugar that cracks open while baking…so they look fancy, but they’re actually super easy.
3. Gingerbread Cookies
You know that smell that’s just is Christmas? That’s gingerbread. These cookies are cozy, spices just right, and so much fun to decorate.
4. Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
If you love chocolate chip cookies but want to make them feel more festive, add crushed candy canes. Instant Christmas magic. They’re soft, minty, and full of melty chocolate chips.
5. Snickerdoodles
The cinnamon sugar combo just screams Christmas. Snickerdoodles are one of those cookies that seem simple, but they’re always the first to disappear.
6. Peanut Butter Blossoms
You know the ones with the Hershey’s kiss on top? These are a Christmas classic. Soft, peanut buttery, and perfectly sweet without being over the top.
7. Linzer Cookies
If you’re feeling a little extra this year, try these. They’re buttery sandwich cookies with raspberry jam in the middle and a dusting of powdered sugar on top. They look fancy, but easier than you’d think.
8. White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Okay, these are so underrated. They’re soft, buttery, and have the perfect mix of sweet and tart thanks to the cranberries and white chocolate. Plus, they look super pretty on a cookie platter.
9. Hot Cocoa Cookies
These are everything you love about a mug of hot chocolate… in cookie form. They’re rich, chocolate, and topped with gooey marshmallows and chunks of chocolate.
10. Shortbread Cookies
If you want something simple, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth good, shortbread is it. You can dip the ends in choclate, drizzle caramel, or sprinkle crushed candy candy canes…whatever your feeling.
