10+ Christmas Cookies Recipes for a Delicious Holiday Treat

Christmas cookie recipes bring a warm and joyful feeling to the holiday season. You can enjoy baking them yourself or sharing the tasty treats with friends and family.

These recipes give you a simple way to create delicious cookies that fit holiday traditions and celebrations.

Baking Christmas cookies lets you get creative with shapes, flavors, and decorations. Whether you like soft, chewy cookies or crunchy ones, you’ll find options that work for you.

Making these cookies can be a fun activity to brighten up your holidays.

1) Classic Sugar Cookies with Easy Icing

Classic sugar cookies are a fun and simple treat for Christmas. You can cut them into any shape you like and decorate with easy icing.

The dough is soft but holds its shape well when baked. The icing is quick to make and works great with a squeeze bottle for neat decorating.

This helps you avoid mess and makes your cookies look festive with little effort.

Ingredients

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• For the icing: 2 cups powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons milk, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until smooth.
4. Beat in egg, vanilla, and almond extract.
5. Gradually blend in dry ingredients.
6. Roll out dough on floured surface to ¼ inch thick.
7. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters.
8. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
9. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until edges are golden. Cool on wire racks.
10. Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to make icing. Decorate once cookies are cool.

2) Chocolate Chip Monster Cookies with M&M’s

You’ll love these Chocolate Chip Monster Cookies with M&M’s. They are soft and chewy, packed with peanut butter, oats, chocolate chips, and colorful M&M’s.

These cookies have a nice balance of crunch on the edges and a gooey center. The oats add texture, while the peanut butter keeps them rich and moist.

Adding red and green M&M’s makes them fun and holiday-ready. You don’t need fancy skills to make them.

Just mix the ingredients, scoop the dough, and bake.

Ingredients

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 2 1/2 cups oats
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1 cup red and green M&M’s

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, cream together butter, peanut butter, sugar, and brown sugar.
3. Beat in eggs one at a time.
4. Mix in oats, flour, and baking soda until combined.
5. Fold in chocolate chips and M&M’s.
6. Drop dough by tablespoon on a baking sheet.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden.
8. Let cool before serving.

3) Vanilla Biscuit Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

These vanilla biscuit cut-out sugar cookies are perfect if you want cookies that hold their shape well. You can use cookie cutters to make fun holiday shapes.

The dough is simple to work with and not too sticky. When baked, the cookies stay firm but have a nice, tender texture.

You can decorate them with icing or leave them plain for a classic, buttery taste. These cookies are great for sharing with friends and family during the holidays.

They are easy to roll out and cut, making them perfect for holiday baking sessions with kids.

Ingredients

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients and mix until combined.
6. Roll dough on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thick.
7. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters.
8. Place on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
9. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are slightly golden.
10. Let cool on a wire rack before decorating or serving.

4) Rolled Sugar Cookies with Vanilla Extract

Rolled sugar cookies are perfect for holiday decorating. The dough holds its shape when you cut out your favorite holiday shapes.

The vanilla extract adds a sweet, classic flavor. After rolling the dough, chill it before cutting.

This helps the cookies keep their form while baking. You can decorate with icing or sprinkles for a festive touch.

Baking them at 350°F (175°C) gives you cookies that are soft but firm enough to hold icing.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups butter, softened
• 2 cups white sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder

Cooking Instructions:

1. Cream butter and sugar until light.
2. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract.
3. Mix flour and baking powder, add to wet ingredients.
4. Chill dough for at least 1 hour.
5. Roll dough to ¼ inch thickness and cut shapes.
6. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes.
7. Cool before decorating.

5) Peanut Blossoms II Cookies

Peanut Blossoms II Cookies are a classic treat that’s easy to make. You start with a soft peanut butter dough, rolled in sugar for a little crunch.

Press a chocolate kiss in the center while the cookies are still warm. These cookies are great for Christmas parties or just a cozy snack.

The mix of peanut butter and chocolate makes them a favorite for many. You can whip up a batch quickly and share them with family and friends.

They look festive and taste like a homemade gift.

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 (9-ounce) bags milk chocolate candy kisses
• 1 cup sugar (for rolling)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Beat eggs and peanut butter together until smooth.
3. Add milk and mix well.
4. Roll dough into 1-inch balls.
5. Roll each ball in sugar.
6. Place on a baking sheet, 2 inches apart.
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly browned.
8. Immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie.
9. Let cool before serving.

6) Pretzel Turtles Cookies

Pretzel Turtles Cookies are a fun and easy treat to make for Christmas. The salty crunch of pretzels pairs well with the sweet caramel and chocolate.

Arrange mini pretzels on a baking sheet. Place caramel candies on top of each pretzel.

After a short time in the oven, add pecan halves and chocolate to finish the cookies. These cookies are perfect if you want something simple but tasty.

You can customize them by using different chocolates or nut butters.

Ingredients

• Mini pretzels
• Caramel candies
• Pecan halves
• Chocolate chips or melting chocolate

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. Line a baking sheet with foil.
3. Place mini pretzels on the sheet.
4. Top each pretzel with a caramel candy.
5. Bake for 4-6 minutes until caramel softens.
6. Remove from oven and immediately press a pecan half on top of each.
7. Add chocolate chips on top of the pecans.
8. Let sit for a few minutes to melt chocolate, then gently spread chocolate over pecans.
9. Cool until chocolate hardens before serving.

Learn more tips for this recipe at The Pioneer Woman.

7) No-Bake Chocolate Snowman Cookies

You can make these fun snowman cookies without turning on the oven. They use Oreos, marshmallows, and chocolate for a simple treat.

Kids will enjoy helping decorate them. Start by melting chocolate and dipping the Oreos in.

Attach marshmallows on top for the snowman’s head. Use small candies or icing to add eyes, buttons, and a smile.

These cookies are quick to make and need some chilling time to set. They are great for last-minute Christmas fun or as festive gifts.

Ingredients

• Oreo cookies
• Large marshmallows
• Chocolate chips or melting chocolate
• Small candies or black sugar pearls for eyes and buttons
• Orange candy or icing for the nose

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt the chocolate in a microwave or double boiler.
2. Dip each Oreo halfway into the melted chocolate.
3. Place on parchment paper to set.
4. While chocolate is soft, press a marshmallow on top of each Oreo.
5. Use small candies or icing to create eyes, buttons, and a nose.
6. Chill the cookies in the fridge for at least 30 minutes until firm.

For more details, check out Easy Oreo Snowman Cookies.

8) Oat and Pretzel Chocolate Chunk Cookies

These cookies combine the chewy texture of oats with the salty crunch of pretzels. Chocolate chunks melt into each bite.

The saltiness from the pretzels balances the sweetness of the cookie. You can add a pinch of sea salt on top before baking for extra flavor.

This recipe uses simple ingredients you probably have on hand. It’s easy to make and fun to share with family and friends.

These cookies are great as a sweet and salty festive treat.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup pretzel pieces
• 1½ cups chocolate chunks

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugars until smooth.
3. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet.
6. Stir in oats, pretzels, and chocolate chunks.
7. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto baking sheets.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
9. Cool on wire rack before serving.

9) Gingerbread Christmas Cookies

Gingerbread Christmas cookies are a classic treat you can enjoy all season. They are soft in the center with a little crisp around the edges.

Warm spices like ginger and cinnamon give them a cozy, festive flavor. The molasses adds a rich depth that makes them special.

You can decorate these cookies with icing or enjoy them plain. Baking these cookies fills your kitchen with a wonderful scent.

They are easy to make and fun to share with family or friends.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
3. Beat in egg and molasses.
4. Mix dry ingredients separately, then combine with wet.
5. Roll dough out and cut into shapes.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are firm.
7. Let cookies cool before decorating or serving.

10) Christmas Wreath Shaped Cookies

You can make Christmas wreath cookies using different recipes. One way is to bake sugar cookie dough shaped like wreaths.

After baking, decorate them with green sugar or icing. Add red candy bows for a festive look.

Another quick option uses cornflakes mixed with melted butter, marshmallows, and green food coloring. Shape the mixture into wreaths and let them set without baking.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• 4 cups cornflakes
• 4 cups miniature marshmallows
• Green food coloring
• Red candy bows or sprinkles
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (for sugar cookies)
• 1 cup sugar (for sugar cookies)
• 1 large egg (for sugar cookies)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for sugar cookies)

Cooking Instructions

1. For the no-bake version, melt butter and marshmallows in a pot.
2. Add green food coloring and mix in cornflakes.
3. Shape into wreaths on wax paper and let them cool.
4. For sugar cookies, mix flour, sugar, egg, and vanilla.
5. Roll dough and cut out wreath shapes.
6. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes.
7. Let cookies cool and decorate with green sugar and red candy bows.

Find more details on cornflake wreaths at Dinner at the Zoo or Allrecipes.