Christmas baking in 2025 is all about nostalgia, cozy flavors, and creative twists.
Whether you’re planning a cookie exchange, building a festive dessert table, or gifting treats in holiday tins, these 19 must-try Christmas cookie recipes will make your season sweeter than ever.
From classic sugar cookies to modern matcha creations, this list gives you everything you need to bake like a pro.
1. Christmas Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing
These timeless cookies are still the heart of any holiday baking list in 2025.
Start with a buttery, sturdy sugar cookie dough that holds its shape perfectly when baked.
Chill the dough for at least one hour before cutting into shapes like stars, candy canes, or snowflakes.
Decorate with royal icing made from powdered sugar, egg whites (or meringue powder), and a splash of vanilla.
For a polished finish, outline first and flood the center, letting each layer fully dry.
2. Soft Gingerbread Men Cookies
Gingerbread men are a festive must-bake, and 2025’s trend leans toward soft, chewy versions.
Use molasses, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves to build a deep, warm flavor.
Rolling the dough thicker keeps them moist.
Decorate with simple white icing or colorful candies to give each cookie personality.
3. Chocolate Peppermint Crinkles
Chocolate crinkles get a fresh peppermint twist this year.
Add crushed peppermint candies directly into the dough or sprinkle them on top after baking.
The crinkle effect comes from rolling the dough in powdered sugar before baking.
When they spread, the snowy, cracked surface looks beautifully wintery.
4. Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies
These whimsical cookies are trending for Christmas 2025 because they’re fun and easy for kids.
Start with round sugar cookies, then pipe a “puddle” of white icing on top.
Place half a marshmallow for the snowman’s head, add chocolate dots for buttons, and draw a carrot nose with orange icing.
They’re adorable and perfect for holiday parties.
5. Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies
Imagine your favorite cup of hot cocoa transformed into a cookie.
Make a chocolate cookie base, then press a halved marshmallow on top during the last minute of baking.
Drizzle melted chocolate or ganache over the top.
Add grated chocolate or mini marshmallows for extra flair.
6. Pistachio Cranberry Biscotti
For those who enjoy crunchy cookies, biscotti offer a sophisticated addition to your holiday spread.
Combine chopped pistachios and dried cranberries in a lightly sweet almond dough. Bake twice to achieve the signature crispness.
These pair beautifully with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, making them ideal for gifting.
Also Check: 15 Christmas cookies recipes sugar cookie
7. White Chocolate Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies
Thumbprint cookies get a 2025 upgrade with white chocolate + raspberry jam.
Create a buttery shortbread base, press each cookie center with your thumb, and fill it with raspberry jam before baking.
Once cooled, drizzle melted white chocolate over the top for a glossy, festive finish.
8. Snickerdoodle Christmas Trees
These snickerdoodles are shaped like tiny Christmas trees and rolled in a cinnamon-sugar mix with added green sanding sugar for sparkle.
Chill the dough before cutting tree shapes, bake until just set, and decorate with star sprinkles or icing “garlands.”
They taste classic but look extra festive.
9. Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Red velvet cookies remain holiday favorites, especially when rolled in heavy powdered sugar that creates a snowy contrast as they bake.
Use cocoa powder and a splash of vinegar for the authentic red velvet flavor.
They stay soft for days, making them great for cookie boxes.
10. Butter Pecan Shortbread Cookies
Rich, nutty, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, these shortbread cookies combine toasted pecans with a buttery dough.
Toasting the pecans beforehand enhances their flavor. Chill the dough in a log, then slice into rounds for perfectly even cookies.
They need minimal decoration—just a dusting of powdered sugar.
11. Chocolate-Dipped Orange Biscotti
Bright citrus flavors are making a comeback in 2025 holiday baking.
Add orange zest to a crunchy biscotti dough, then dip the ends in melted chocolate.
The citrus cuts through the sweetness, creating a refreshing holiday cookie that’s both elegant and flavorful.
12. Matcha Snowball Cookies
Snowball cookies get a modern twist with matcha powder, giving them a pale green hue and earthy flavor.
Mix butter, powdered sugar, flour, matcha, and chopped nuts.
After baking, roll them in powdered sugar twice—once while warm and again when completely cooled.
They look like little edible snowballs.
13. Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
Take the classic chocolate chip cookie to the next level by adding a soft caramel center.
Use soft caramel candies or homemade caramel dollops.
The key is to freeze the caramel first so it doesn’t melt out while baking.
These cookies come out gooey and irresistible.
14. White Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies
These cookies combine the iconic peppermint bark flavor with a soft cookie texture.
Fold crushed candy canes and white chocolate chunks into a sugar cookie dough.
Once baked, drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle more peppermint for crunch.
15. Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookies
A wholesome yet festive option, these cookies combine oats, dried cranberries, and orange zest.
Brown sugar keeps them soft, while the citrus adds brightness.
They stay chewy and pack well, making them perfect for holiday road trips or gifting.
16. Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies
A kid-friendly holiday favorite, peanut butter cookies turn into reindeer faces with simple decorations.
Press the dough into circles, add pretzel “antlers,” chocolate chip “eyes,” and a red candy “nose.”
They bake into adorable reindeer with minimal effort.
17. Maple Walnut Cookies
Maple syrup adds cozy winter warmth to these soft cookies, while chopped walnuts bring crunch and richness.
Use dark maple syrup for the best flavor.
Drizzle with a light maple glaze for a bakery-style finish.
18. Linzer Cookies With Berry Filling
These elegant sandwich cookies are made with almond flour for a delicate crumb.
Cut small windows into the top cookies—stars or snowflakes look especially festive.
Fill with raspberry or strawberry jam, then dust with powdered sugar.
They’re a showstopper on any Christmas dessert table.
19. Stained Glass Christmas Cookies
A dramatic and beautiful cookie to finish the list.
Roll out sugar cookie dough, cut out shapes, then cut smaller shapes inside. Fill the center with crushed hard candies before baking.
As the cookies bake, the candies melt into colorful, translucent “glass.”
They’re stunning hung as edible ornaments or packaged as gifts.
These 19 Christmas Cookies Recipes for 2025 combine classic traditions with modern twists, offering something for every baker and every holiday gathering.
Whether you love chewy, crispy, colorful, or spiced cookies, this list will inspire you to create a magical holiday cookie lineup.
