Sugar cookies are the heart of Christmas baking—soft, buttery, and perfect for decorating.
Whether you prefer traditional cut-outs, chewy centers, or fun flavor twists, this list of 15 Christmas sugar cookie recipes brings festive sweetness to your holiday season.
These recipes are easy, colorful, and perfect for cookie exchanges, gifting, and family baking nights.
1. Soft Christmas Sugar Cookies
The iconic Christmas sugar cookie—soft in the center, lightly golden on the edges.
Creaming butter and sugar until fluffy is the secret to their tenderness.
Chill the dough to keep shapes crisp, then cut out stars, trees, snowflakes, and bells.
Decorate with icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter for that magical Christmas touch.
2. No-Spread Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
Designed for perfect shapes, these cookies hold sharp edges even with detailed cutters.
A slightly firmer dough (with extra flour and no baking powder) helps them maintain precision.
Ideal for intricate snowflake patterns, ornament shapes, or gingerbread-style designs decorated with royal icing.
3. Frosted Christmas Sugar Cookies
Thick, soft cookies coated with creamy vanilla, almond, or cream cheese frosting.
Spread frosting generously to create layers of color—think red Santa hats, green wreaths, and pastel snowflakes.
Perfect for decorating parties and kids’ Christmas activities.
4. Brown Sugar Holiday Sugar Cookies
Using brown sugar instead of white creates a richer, caramel-like flavor and a slightly chewy texture.
These cookies taste amazing sprinkled with powdered sugar or drizzled with white chocolate.
Add cinnamon or maple extract for a cozy winter flavor profile.
5. Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Packed with red, green, and white sprinkles, these cheerful cookies are soft, colorful, and perfect for quick holiday treats.
Roll the dough balls in extra sprinkles before baking for a festive crunchy coating. Kids absolutely love them.
6. Peppermint Sugar Cookies
A refreshing twist on the classic—crushed candy canes and peppermint extract mixed into the dough.
After baking, dip half the cookie in white or dark chocolate for a frosty finish.
The combination of softness and peppermint crunch creates a winter-perfect bite.
Read More: 17 Christmas cookies recipes sugar
7. Lemon Holiday Sugar Cookies
Bright and citrusy, these cookies bring a refreshing balance to rich holiday desserts.
Rub lemon zest into the sugar to release aromatic oils, then finish with a tangy lemon glaze.
Their glossy shine and light flavor make them a beautiful addition to holiday platters.
8. White Chocolate Sugar Cookie Bars
Instead of rolling and cutting, press sugar cookie dough into a pan and bake as bars.
Fold in white chocolate chips for sweetness.
Slice into squares and top with colorful sprinkles or holiday M&Ms. Great for party trays and last-minute treats.
9. Cinnamon-Sugar Snickerdoodle Sugar Cookies
A sugar-cookie twist on the snickerdoodle classic.
Roll dough balls in cinnamon sugar before baking, creating a crackly, fragrant crust.
Perfect for those who love warm, comforting holiday flavors without the intense gingerbread spices.
Also Check: 17 Christmas cookies recipes no bake
10. Almond Sugar Cookies
A touch of almond extract transforms regular sugar cookies into bakery-style holiday treats.
The almond flavor pairs beautifully with royal icing or powdered sugar.
These cookies bake crisp edges with soft, delicate centers—ideal for elegant Christmas gifting.
11. Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies
Adding cream cheese to the dough produces soft, thick, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a rich flavor.
The dough is easy to roll and holds its shape well.
Top with a simple glaze or soft buttercream frosting for the perfect holiday finish.
12. Chocolate-Dipped Christmas Sugar Cookies
Take classic sugar cookies and add elegance by dipping them halfway into melted chocolate—dark, white, or milk.
Decorate with crushed nuts, sprinkles, or peppermint dust.
These cookies look stunning on holiday dessert tables and gift boxes.
13. Ginger-Spiced Sugar Cookies
A mild gingerbread-inspired sugar cookie for those who don’t want strong spices.
A little cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger adds warm seasonal flavor while keeping the classic sugar cookie texture.
Delicious plain or lightly glazed with vanilla icing.
14. Stained-Glass Sugar Cookies
A show-stopping holiday favorite—cut small shapes inside the cookie and fill with crushed hard candies before baking.
The candy melts into a translucent “glass” center.
They look magical hanging on the Christmas tree or displayed on a cookie tray.
15. Sugar Cookie Sandwiches
Two soft sugar cookies filled with buttercream, marshmallow fluff, or chocolate ganache.
Tint the frosting red and green for Christmas cheer. Roll the sides in sprinkles for a festive edge.
Rich, indulgent, and perfect for holiday celebrations.
These 15 Christmas sugar cookie recipes offer everything from classic cut-outs to fun flavors and decadent sandwich styles.
Bake them for cookie exchanges, family nights, Christmas parties, or sweet holiday gifts.
With this variety, you can create a beautiful, festive Christmas cookie assortment that looks amazing and tastes even better.
