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The holiday season just isn’t complete without a kitchen filled with the smell of freshly baked cookies. Whether you’re planning a cookie exchange, prepping treats for Santa, or simply indulging in a cozy baking day, Christmas cookies bring warmth, nostalgia, and a little bit of magic to every home.
From classic sugar cookies to festive peppermint creations and rich chocolate delights, these recipes capture the joy of the season in every bite.
Perfect for gifting or sharing with family, here are 21 of the best Christmas cookie recipes to sweeten your holidays.
1. Classic Sugar Cookies
These timeless sugar cookies are soft, buttery, and perfect for cutting into festive shapes. Decorate them with royal icing or colorful sprinkles for a fun holiday activity with kids.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 160
- Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Sugar: 11g
- Protein: 2g
Get the classic sugar cookies recipe.
2. Gingerbread Cookies
Spiced with ginger, cinnamon, and molasses, these chewy gingerbread cookies are the essence of Christmas tradition. Use cookie cutters to make little men, stars, or trees, then decorate with icing for that classic look.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Sugar: 12g
- Protein: 2g
Get the Gingerbread Cookies recipe.
3. Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Rich chocolate meets refreshing peppermint in these fudgy, crinkled delights. They bake up with a crackly powdered sugar coating that looks just like a snowy Christmas day.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 170
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Sugar: 15g
- Protein: 2g
Get the Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies recipe.
4. Snickerdoodles
These cinnamon-sugar-coated cookies are soft, chewy, and absolutely irresistible. The slight tang from cream of tartar gives them that signature flavor you know and love.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Sugar: 12g
- Protein: 1g
Get the Snickerdoodles recipe.
5. White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Sweet white chocolate and tart dried cranberries make the perfect festive pairing in these chewy cookies. They’re a great choice for adding a pop of color to your holiday dessert spread.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 180
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Sugar: 14g
- Protein: 2g
Get the White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies recipe.
6. Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookies
Rich, buttery shortbread cookies get a festive twist when dipped in melted dark or white chocolate and sprinkled with crushed candy canes or holiday sprinkles. Simple, elegant, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 190
- Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Sugar: 9g
- Protein: 2g
Get the chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies recipe.
7. Oatmeal Raisin Spice Cookies
Warmly spiced and full of chewy oats and sweet raisins, these cookies taste like comfort in every bite. Add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves for extra holiday flair.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 160
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Sugar: 13g
- Protein: 3g
Get the Oatmeal Raisin Spice Cookies recipe.
8. Linzer Cookies
These delicate Austrian-inspired cookies are made from buttery almond dough and filled with raspberry jam. Their signature cut-out centers make them as beautiful as they are tasty.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 170
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Sugar: 10g
- Protein: 3g
Get the Linzer Cookies recipe.
9. Hot Cocoa Cookies
Soft chocolate cookies topped with gooey marshmallows and a drizzle of melted chocolate — these taste just like your favorite mug of hot cocoa in cookie form. Perfect for snowy evenings.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 200
- Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Sugar: 16g
- Protein: 2g
Get the Hot Cocoa Cookies recipe.
10. Pecan Snowball Cookies
Also called Russian Tea Cakes or Mexican Wedding Cookies, these buttery shortbread-style rounds are packed with finely chopped pecans and coated in powdered sugar for a snowy finish.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 160
- Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Sugar: 7g
- Protein: 2g
Get the Pecan Snowball Cookies recipe.
11. Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Soft, cakey, and coated in powdered sugar, these red velvet cookies bring a pop of festive color to any dessert table. With hints of cocoa and vanilla, they’re a showstopper that tastes as good as they look.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 170
- Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Sugar: 13g
- Protein: 2g
Get the Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies recipe.
12. Peanut Butter Blossoms
A Christmas classic! These soft peanut butter cookies are crowned with a chocolate kiss on top, creating the perfect balance of sweet and nutty in every bite.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 180
- Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Sugar: 12g
- Protein: 3g
Get the Peanut Butter Blossoms recipe.
13. Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprints
Fudgy chocolate cookies filled with a creamy peppermint center — festive, rich, and impossible to resist. Top them with crushed candy cane pieces for a holiday-perfect touch.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 190
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Sugar: 15g
- Protein: 2g
Get the Chocolate Peppermint Thumbprints recipe.
14. Eggnog Cookies
Soft and spiced with nutmeg, these cookies capture the cozy flavor of classic holiday eggnog. A light eggnog glaze makes them even more festive and aromatic.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 160
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Sugar: 14g
- Protein: 2g
Get the Eggnog Cookies recipe.
15. Coconut Macaroons
Golden on the outside and soft on the inside, these coconut-packed cookies are naturally sweet and chewy. Dip the bottoms in chocolate for an elegant Christmas treat.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Sugar: 15g
- Protein: 2g
Get the Coconut Macaroons recipe.
16. Chocolate Chip M&M Christmas Cookies
Loaded with red and green M&M candies and gooey chocolate chips, these cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with holiday spirit. A kid-favorite and always a crowd-pleaser.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 190
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Sugar: 15g
- Protein: 2g
Get the Chocolate Chip M&M Christmas Cookies recipe.
17. Maple Pecan Cookies
Sweetened with pure maple syrup and packed with crunchy pecans, these cookies taste like a cozy winter morning. Their warm, nutty aroma fills the kitchen with Christmas comfort.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 170
- Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Sugar: 12g
- Protein: 2g
Get the Maple Pecan Cookies recipe.
18. White Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies
Inspired by classic peppermint bark, these cookies feature bits of white chocolate, crushed candy canes, and a buttery vanilla base. They’re crisp at the edges and soft in the middle — simply irresistible.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 180
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Sugar: 14g
- Protein: 2g
Get the White Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies recipe.
19. Almond Crescent Cookies
Delicate crescent-shaped cookies made with finely ground almonds and dusted in powdered sugar. Their melt-in-your-mouth texture and subtle nutty flavor make them a timeless Christmas favorite.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 160
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Sugar: 8g
- Protein: 3g
Get the Almond Crescent Cookies recipe.
20. Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies
Soft buttery cookies filled with creamy caramel and a sprinkle of sea salt. These decadent bites perfectly balance sweet and salty flavors — ideal for holiday dessert trays.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 200
- Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Sugar: 15g
- Protein: 2g
Get the Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies recipe.
21. Pistachio Cranberry Cookies
Festive green pistachios and bright red cranberries make these cookies as beautiful as they are delicious. With a subtle buttery flavor and a tender crumb, they’re a stunning finish to your cookie platter.
Nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 170
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Sugar: 11g
- Protein: 3g
