Christmas baking is a tradition that fills your home with warmth, sweetness, and holiday cheer.
Whether you’re hosting a cookie exchange, preparing treats for family gatherings, or building a festive dessert table, these 17 Christmas cookies recipes for the holiday season will give you everything you need.
From classics to creative new flavors, each recipe is designed to be delicious, beautiful, and perfect for celebrating Christmas 2025.
1. Holiday Sugar Cookies
These timeless sugar cookies are perfect for decorating and gifting.
The dough holds its shape beautifully, so you can cut Christmas trees, bells, stockings, and snowflakes without spreading.
After baking, use royal icing to create colorful designs and intricate holiday patterns.
Edible glitter and gold sugar bring a magical festive sparkle.
2. Soft Gingerbread Cookies
A holiday essential, gingerbread cookies bring warm flavors of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and molasses.
Make them soft and chewy or crisp and snappy—both work wonderfully for decorating.
Add detailed icing patterns, tiny buttons, or smiling faces to give each cookie its own personality.
3. Christmas Sprinkle Cookies
These cheerful cookies are rolled in red, green, and white sprinkles before baking, giving them a bright holiday appearance.
Use a soft sugar cookie dough, chill it, then roll into balls.
They bake into perfectly crackled, festive treats that require no extra decorating.
4. Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
A holiday favorite! Start with a rich chocolate cookie dough, roll it in powdered sugar, and bake until beautifully cracked.
Add crushed peppermint candy for a bright Christmas flavor.
These cookies look snowy and taste like hot cocoa and candy canes in one bite.
5. Hot Cocoa Cookies
Infused with cocoa and topped with melty marshmallows, hot cocoa cookies are warm, gooey, and comforting.
Add chocolate chunks for extra richness.
A drizzle of chocolate ganache gives them a luxurious, bakery-style finish.
6. White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Sweet white chocolate pairs perfectly with tart dried cranberries.
Add orange zest to elevate the flavor and give these cookies a refreshing holiday twist.
They stay soft for days and make excellent edible gifts.
7. Cinnamon Snickerdoodle Cookies
Snickerdoodles rolled in cinnamon-sugar are simple yet irresistible.
The warm spice and soft chewy texture make them a holiday classic.
Add red or green sanding sugar to the coating for a festive upgrade.
8. Shortbread Holiday Bars
Shortbread cookies are buttery, soft, and lightly sweet.
Press the dough into a pan, score into squares, and sprinkle with red and green nonpareils before baking.
These bars are easy to make in large batches for parties and cookie tins.
9. Red Velvet White Chocolate Cookies
Red velvet cookies add vibrant Christmas color to your dessert table.
Fold in white chocolate chips for contrast. Dust with powdered sugar to create a snowy finish and make them even more festive.
10. Linzer Cookies
These elegant sandwich cookies feature almond-flavored dough with a beautiful cutout top.
Fill the center with holiday jams like raspberry or strawberry for a bright red Christmas look.
A final dusting of powdered sugar adds charm and sophistication.
11. Eggnog Cookies
Capture the flavor of classic holiday eggnog in cookie form.
These soft treats are flavored with nutmeg, vanilla, and a touch of rum extract.
Top with eggnog glaze to make them extra indulgent.
12. Maple Walnut Christmas Cookies
A cozy winter treat, these cookies blend sweet maple syrup with crunchy toasted walnuts.
They’re rich and comforting, perfect for enjoying with hot chocolate or tea on Christmas Eve.
13. Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies
Swap classic peppermint bark for cookie versions—soft sugar cookies topped with melted chocolate and crushed candy canes.
They have a delightful crunch and make stunning additions to holiday dessert tables.
14. Santa’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies get a Christmas makeover with red and green candy-coated chocolates.
Make them extra thick and soft for that bakery-style appeal.
These are ideal for leaving out for Santa!
15. Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookies
A hearty yet festive cookie with sweet cranberries, oats, and bright orange zest.
They’re flavorful but not too sweet, making them a perfect balance to richer cookies on a holiday platter.
16. Reindeer Peanut Butter Cookies
Turn simple peanut butter cookies into adorable reindeer faces using pretzel antlers, chocolate chip eyes, and red candy noses.
These cookies are a hit with kids and fun to decorate for holiday parties.
17. Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
These cookies pack all your holiday favorites into one bite—chocolate chips, pretzels, M&Ms, crushed candy canes, caramel bits, and more.
They’re festive, colorful, and perfect for using up leftover baking ingredients during the holidays.
