Christmas cookies are a classic holiday treat for a reason: they're the perfect activity to do with the little ones, a great budget-friendly gift idea, and a staple at holiday parties.
With such a huge variety to choose from, we've selected our favorite Christmas cookie recipes from classic sugar to gingerbread and allergen friendly options!
In this article:
- Classic Christmas cookies
- Easy-to-make Christmas cookies
- Italian Christmas cookies
- Allergen Friendly cookies
Classic Christmas Cookies
Sometimes the classics are just the best. A plate of these decorated delights is sure to give your household a burst of festive cheer!
🧁 Sugar Cookies
Cookie cutters at the ready! Sugar cookies make the perfect base for your creative decorations, and are perfect for keeping those young ones busy on colder, winter days.
⚠️TOP TIP⚠️
To help your cookies keep their shape, refrigerate the dough for a few hours or even overnight before cutting them out and baking!
....and don't forget to let your cookies cool completely before decorating so that your icing doesn't melt! For picture-perfect icing, try this royal icing recipe which using meringue powder for that set finish.
Find more sugar cookie recipes
🫚Gingerbread Cookies
Is there anything more Christmas-y than the smell of gingerbread wafting through the house? Cinnamon and ginger are the real stars here, alongside brown sugar or molasses which create that rich, caramelized flavor.
These gingerbread men offer a satisfying snap and can even be turned into hanging ornaments!
IreneGS
Minda's gingerbread cookies are made with molasses for a softer, chewier bite:
Minda
Find more gingerbread cookie recipes
🎄Spritz Cookies
These traditional buttery cookies get their name from the method of punching out the dough with a cookie press ("spritz" meaning squirt in German). But if you don't have one you can use a piping bag instead to create your shapes!
Leanzism
Search for spritz cookies
Easy Christmas cookies
Want all the flavor and none of the hassle? These cookies are simple to make and quick to bake, saving you precious time over the holidays!
🍫 Chocolate Crinkle
Irresistibly soft and oh-so-easy to make, the snow-dusted look of these cookies comes from rolling each dough ball in granulated sugar and then powdered sugar before baking. Try a classic chocolate version or switch it up with festive flavors like coffee and orange.
michelle
Discover more crinkle cookies here
👍 Thumbprint Cookies
Not only do these cookies bake super quick, but they can be filled with any jam or spread that's sitting in your cupboard. The ground nuts in the dough, such as hazelnuts or almonds, keep the cookies super moist and balances out the sweetness. Try a range of fillings for an eye catching display!
Ricardo
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🍂 Snickerdoodles
A sugar cookie with a twist, you don't need a stand mixer for this recipe just a good hand to whisk together the dough and roll the balls into a cinnamon sugar mixture before baking. As an extra bonus, your house will smell amazing!
Minda
Find more snickerdoodle recipes
Italian Christmas Cookies
While the Germans might be well known for their gingerbread, the Italians certainly know their festive foods. Try making traditional Italian cookies this year for an impressive - and delicious - gift!
🤌 Biscotti
The secret to biscotti is to bake them twice, which gives them a satisfying hard and crunchy texture. They soften up beautifully when dunked in a warm drink!
Fumie’s Recipe
Find more biscotti recipes
⛄ Snowballs
Also called Mexican Wedding cookies or Russian tea cakes, it's clear these cookies are well loved all over the world. These buttery, nutty cookie balls are rolled in powdered sugar when still warm to create that snow dusted look.
icancervive10
Search for more snowball cookie recipes
Allergen Friendly
Have a loved one that's gluten free or lactose intolerant? Make sure everyone is included at your holiday gatherings with these simple recipes using alternative ingredients.
Bayou Creek Farmstead
Rustic Pleasure
Find gluten free or dairy free cookie recipes
Still haven't found what you're looking for? 🤔 Find all our Christmas cookie recipes here:
Cookpad
What's your family holiday cookie recipe? Share it with us on Cookpad!