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Christmas cookies dominate when it comes to holiday baking, so I’ve put together a round up of some the best Christmas cookies!
These Christmas cookie ideas are perfect for Christmas Eve munching, holiday gifts for neighbors & teachers, and would be perfect for a Christmas Cookie Exchange. I happen to know that Santa wouldn’t mind having a few of these waiting for him under the tree!
Christmas cookies are a tradition in many households around the holidays. They are great for gift-giving and even have whole parties created around them.
If you’re looking for some new favorite Christmas Cookie recipes, or just something classic, we’ve got you covered!
I’ve broken the list down into different flavors, so use the table of contents above to go straight to your favorite.
Kristin’s Favorite Cookies
I’m a sucker for a good Christmas Cookie, so here are my top 5 favorites!
Christmas Brownies have a layer of chocolate brownie, topped with layers of coconut, sweetened condensed milk, M&Ms and sprinkles.
Chocolate Christmas Cookies
Who doesn’t love a good chocolate cookie? These chocolate cookies have been given a festive makeover with delicious holiday colors and flavors. Some are just super chocolatey and rich, because the holidays are all about decadence.
These Chocolate Cheesecake Cookies are full of rich chocolate flavor and super creamy and tender on the inside, with a hint of tart cheesecake. It’s the most addictive cookie on the planet!
Loaded with marshmallows, nuts, and chocolate chips, these Rocky Road Cookies are soft and chewy and so much fun! Perfect for bake sales, cookie swaps, and dunking in a cup of milk!
These Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies with M&Ms are loaded with chocolate and super soft and chewy. They are made with brown sugar which adds a warm, rich flavor. These are soon to be your favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie!
Chocolate and Peppermint is my all time favorite flavor combination so it’s no surprise that these cookies are a holiday staple in our house. These Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are super easy and quick to make with just 5 ingredients!
Peppermint Oreo Truffles are a fun and festive holiday treat that's perfect for cookie trays and gift giving. Made with just 3 ingredients!
Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies have a combo of sweet chocolate and tart cranberries in a chewy oatmeal cookie, perfect for any cookie tray.
Nutella Cookies
Sugar Cookies and Shortbreads
Sugar Cookies are pretty much the King of Christmas! It’s always funny to me just how many sugar cookie recipes there are out there. Sugar cookies are really the best Christmas cookies!
There are lots of sugar cookies to choose from, with designs, cutouts, and different kinds of icings. I’ve also included different kinds of shortbreads and other types of non-chocolate cookies.
Eggnog cookies are buttery tender and melt in your mouth. With just a hint of spiced rum flavor, these Christmas cookies will steal the show!
Red Velvet Shortbread Cookies
Shortbread is a great cookie option because it naturally doesn't use eggs. Perfect for when you are short of them or when you are dealing with allergies.
This Snowball Cookie Recipe is nut-free, soft, chewy, tender cake mix cookies coated in powdered sugar to look like “snowballs.” Perfect for the holidays!
Italian Ricotta Cookies are a fluffy treat that begs to be eaten! Top them with your favorite seasonal sprinkles for an irresistible cookie perfect for the holidays!
Eggnog Cookies
Festive Christmas Cookies and Bars
If those chocolate cookies and sugar cookies weren’t quite what you were looking for, you’re bound to find something that makes your heart sing in these next two batches!
These cookies are everything you love about 7-Layer Bars, or Magic Bars, in a neat little cookie. Full of graham crackers, butterscotch, chocolate and coconut, they are a delicious sweet treat.
Molasses Cookies are filled with the warm fall flavors of cinnamon, ginger, clove and molasses. They are crispy on the edges, soft and chewy on the inside.
These delicious Orange Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies combine tangy orange and cranberry with smooth white chocolate for a wonderful holiday cookie!
Kristin Maxwell is the creator and main recipe developer, writer, and photographer of Yellow Bliss Road. A self-taught cook and self-appointed foodie, she specializes in easy, flavorful and approachable recipes for any home cook.
Thank you very much for all your time and effort making all of these wonderful recipes and all the input about hints and inputs to help all of us.
I do have one request.
Is there anyway that the ads and the one “Hey Marketers” that is repeated over and over, that you can somehow, when we would like to print your pages, that they are not included when we print?
These ads or whatever they are, sometimes when you go to print the system, ends up blocking part of the recipe or important information.
I do know that these are income producing for you. I agree with them for this reason. I know that some other sites have it set up when you want to print those things are not included.
Just asking.
Thank you very much for all you do and all the time that you put into your site.
It is very much appreciated!!!
Ladybug
Hello! Since you’re commenting on a round up post, I can’t recreate what you’re experiencing. Anytime you print a recipe from my site, it should not include any ads. Just make sure you are using the “print” button within the recipe card or at the very top of the post.
I’m not sure if this is possible or not but is there a way to set this type of “screen” for lack of the word that once upon a time lived in my head but moved out as I was typing But have it so that when you see the pictures of the individual cookies and see one that really really interests you that you can just but your curser/arrow from mouse…?? over it and have it show the name of those particular cookies?? It would be easier then counting and opening every recipe to see if the correct pic. pops up? Just a un-related to these recipe’s question I know but I thought well, it never hurts to ask. Thank you, as well thank you for putting in the time I’m sure it takes to do and try, create and add or modified recipe’s for every one elts to try. So thank you for all that effort and time and in case I don’t later, Merry Christmas and a happy new year from my family to yours.
Buttercream frosting doesn’t really harden, which is why the royal icing is usually recommended. You could try flavoring it with some lemon juice or extract for a better flavor.
I am super excited to start planning our annual Christmas Cookie party! These recipes are wonderful and I will share this page with all my girlfriends who attend! One question though… the chocolate dipped shortbread cookie in the last photos caught my eye but I can’t find the recipe! Please share that one too pretty please!! Thanks for all your hard work and congrats on the new baby!! <3
Hello Kristin,
Thank you very much for all your time and effort making all of these wonderful recipes and all the input about hints and inputs to help all of us.
I do have one request.
Is there anyway that the ads and the one “Hey Marketers” that is repeated over and over, that you can somehow, when we would like to print your pages, that they are not included when we print?
These ads or whatever they are, sometimes when you go to print the system, ends up blocking part of the recipe or important information.
I do know that these are income producing for you. I agree with them for this reason. I know that some other sites have it set up when you want to print those things are not included.
Just asking.
Thank you very much for all you do and all the time that you put into your site.
It is very much appreciated!!!
Ladybug
Hello! Since you’re commenting on a round up post, I can’t recreate what you’re experiencing. Anytime you print a recipe from my site, it should not include any ads. Just make sure you are using the “print” button within the recipe card or at the very top of the post.
Delicious cookies…
I’m not sure if this is possible or not but is there a way to set this type of “screen” for lack of the word that once upon a time lived in my head but moved out as I was typing But have it so that when you see the pictures of the individual cookies and see one that really really interests you that you can just but your curser/arrow from mouse…?? over it and have it show the name of those particular cookies?? It would be easier then counting and opening every recipe to see if the correct pic. pops up? Just a un-related to these recipe’s question I know but I thought well, it never hurts to ask. Thank you, as well thank you for putting in the time I’m sure it takes to do and try, create and add or modified recipe’s for every one elts to try. So thank you for all that effort and time and in case I don’t later, Merry Christmas and a happy new year from my family to yours.
I understand what you’re saying, and I wish that was possible. Unfortunately we don’t have that ability. It would slow our site down significantly.
how can u make buttercream frosting harden i want to make for family but most don’t like royal icing. im afraid they will smear once i package thrn
Buttercream frosting doesn’t really harden, which is why the royal icing is usually recommended. You could try flavoring it with some lemon juice or extract for a better flavor.
Your recipes look so delicious!
Thank you Sheila!
I think christmas cookies are the best
I am super excited to start planning our annual Christmas Cookie party! These recipes are wonderful and I will share this page with all my girlfriends who attend! One question though… the chocolate dipped shortbread cookie in the last photos caught my eye but I can’t find the recipe! Please share that one too pretty please!! Thanks for all your hard work and congrats on the new baby!! <3
You really inspire me to prepare Christmas party! Can’t not wait to try those recipe!
Love the variety here! There is something for everyone 🙂
thanks for the corn starch tip, I am baking 12 kinds starting on Monday
Cookie heaven! I want them all! Thanks for including our cookies!
Thanks for sharing, girl!
XO