Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Desserts 93 Christmas Cookie Recipes for Absolutely Any Holiday Occasion Did your favorite holiday cookie make the cut? By Real Simple Editors Real Simple Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter An article attributed to "Real Simple Editors" indicates a collaborative effort from our in-house team. Sometimes, several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The REAL SIMPLE team strives to make life easier for you. They are experts in their fields who research, test and clearly explain the best recipes, strategies, trends and products. They have worked for some of the most prestigious brands in lifestyle journalism, including Apartment Therapy, Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, the Food Network, Good Housekeeping, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, O: The Oprah Magazine, Parents, POPSUGAR, Rachel Ray Every Day, and Vogue. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on December 4, 2019 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Johnny Miller Around this time of year, there's no such thing as too many Christmas cookies. With the right cookie recipes, these tasty little holiday treats are ready for any occasion. Gift exchanges, office holiday parties, school celebrations, family gatherings, and more can all benefit from the addition of a few of the best Christmas cookies, just like all holiday greetings and Instagram posts are improved with the inclusion of some good Christmas quotes. You may have Christmas cookie recipes passed down from a mother or grandfather; you may have some favorites you've picked up over the years. Or you might not have found your can't-resist, must-make holiday cookie recipe yet, and that's all right, it takes time to find that perfect treat that is easy for you to make, satisfies the whole family, and makes a great homemade gift, too. Fortunately for you, we have dozens of cookie recipes perfect for the holiday season. From a foolproof peanut butter cookie recipe to giftable bars to easy lemon bars, these recipes are sure to satisfy every sweet tooth. They have a range of skill levels, cooking times, and ingredients, too, so finding the right treat for your ability and time availability will be a breeze. The real challenge here is picking just one Christmas cookie to bake this season. If you end up picking a handful to enjoy (and share, if you want), you're not the only one. Find your perfect recipes, set up some Christmas movies on Netflix, and get baking—you might just find that filling your cookie jar is a whole lot easier than tracking down all the Christmas gifts you need this year. 01 of 93 Chocolate Peppermint Shortbreads Johnny Miller Double chocolate plus peppermint? That's a recipe for holiday cookie success! First, you'll make a cocoa-infused shortbread dough, which is spiked with just enough peppermint extract to give a hint of mint, rather than an intense toothpaste-like flavor. Then you'll press the dough into a cool square-edged log. (But if that feels too hard, you can just roll them into a round log.) Don't rush the chilling process. This makes the dough easier to slice plus helps the cut cookies hold their shape in the oven. Once the cookies are baked and cooled, they get a glossy coating of melted chocolate and a sprinkle of peppermint candies. For the easiest clean up, set the cookies on a rack over a foil-lined baking sheet before pouring the chocolate over. Top with the crushed candies and let cool until the chocolate is firm. The result? A modern take on peppermint patty flavors, all dressed up for a party. Serve alongside hot cocoa or eggnog for a festive pairing. get the recipe 02 of 93 White Chocolate and Peppermint Brownies Levi Brown Your search for the perfect Christmas brownie ends right here with these party-ready sweets. We start with our favorite chocolate brownie recipe, using both cocoa powder and semisweet chocolate, and bake as usual. Once the brownies have cooled completely, the fun begins. First, dress them up with a layer of melted white chocolate, then sprinkle with chopped peppermint candies (leftover candy canes work great here, too) for a pretty holiday touch. When everything is set, cut into squares and enjoy. A rich, cakey brownie base topped off with smooth white chocolate and crunchy bits of peppermint goodness—who could resist? 03 of 93 Chocolate-Peppermint Cookies Romulo Yanes Don't feel like baking but still want to serve something homemade? These no-bake cookies are just the thing. Even better, you can make them a day ahead. You'll start with store-bought chocolate wafer cookies, then process them into a dough with cream cheese, powdered sugar, and mascarpone. Shape into logs, then chill in the fridge until firm. Roll the chilled logs in crushed peppermint candies, then slice and serve. Is it really a cookie? Is it a confection? We're not sure, but either way, it's delicious. For a different twist, you can also roll the dough in crushed toasted nuts or roasted cocoa nibs. Get the recipe 04 of 93 Gingerbread Men Romulo Yanes A holiday cookie platter just isn't the same without a few cheerful gingerbread men (and women) in the batch. Making these cut-out cookies from scratch sounds like a daunting task, but using a food processor instead of a standard electric mixer can help guarantee great results every time. The food processor cuts the butter into the dry ingredients more evenly, so you'll wind up with a dough that's firm enough to roll out and cut into shapes, yet is tender enough to chew and enjoy. After they're baked, decorate as you wish. They'll be almost too cute too eat, but once you take a bite of these cookies—flavored with ginger, cinnamon, and molasses—you won't be able to stop nibbling. get the recipe 05 of 93 Salted Chocolate Buckwheat Thins Johnny Miller Hello, good looking! These gorgeously shiny and crisp cookies are also gluten-free, thanks to buckwheat groats, which are triangular-shaped seeds of a buckwheat plant. The toasted groats add texture to these wafer-like cookies, plus the signature subtle, nutty flavor of buckwheat, which tilts the cocoa- and toffee-flavored dough toward the grown-up side. Serve with a glass of milk for dunking, or take advantage of the wide, flat shape to make ice cream sandwiches. Play up the toasty flavors with butter pecan, or double down on the cocoa-infused dough with scoops of chocolate ice cream. Want to get a head start on holiday baking? This dough can be made two days ahead. Refrigerate until ready to bake, then scoop and bake straight from the fridge. Be sure to let them cool completely before packing up for giving: they'll lose they're crispiness if stacked before they reach room temperature. 06 of 93 Pignoli Jennifer Causey Not lucky enough to have an Italian grandmother? Never fear. These classic Italian pignoli cookies may look and sound fancy, but they're quite easy and fun to make. You don't need a lot of ingredients, either. Almond paste (don't use marzipan) gives them their signature flavor and makes them moist and chewy, while orange zest helps cut through the richness and adds an unexpected hint of citrus. Using delicate powdered sugar in place of granulated ensures these irresistible cookies will melt in your mouth. Topped with a generous sprinkle of pine nuts and baked until lightly golden, they'll make any nonna's holiday table proud. 07 of 93 Nutella Cones With Hazelnut Praline Johnny Miller If you're looking for a cookie recipe to win the holiday bake sale, look no further. These adorable cones steal the show. Plus, they're surprisingly simple to make. They start with a chocolate coating reminiscent of Magic Shell, that lines the inside of mini sugar cones. While it may seem tricky at first, once you get into the rhythm of coating the shells it will go lickety split. Don't be tempted to skip this step, though: it keeps the cones from getting soggy and keeps them crisp and crunchy. An easy-to-make mixture of toasted hazelnuts and Nutella gets tucked inside each cone then more Magic Shell drapes over top. A sparkly, crunchy homemade hazelnut praline tops them off (but you could use a similar store-bought version if you can find it). These cookies are a decadent Nutella-lover's dream, but we think even non-chocoholics will swoon for them. Get the Recipe 08 of 93 Microwave Peanut Brittle Raymond Hom If you've ever wondered how to make peanut brittle, you're in luck. In fact, our method is fairly foolproof, since we use a microwave to do the bulk of the work. This crunchy candy may look complicated, but your handy kitchen appliance can easily pull off the task. You'll use the microwave to melt some of the key ingredients together—sugar, salt, light corn syrup, and butter. Stir in the peanuts, vanilla extract, and a little baking soda, then spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet to cool. Once it has hardened, break into small pieces for a sweet, nutty treat. 09 of 93 Spiced Sugar Cookies Levi Brown Give simple sugar cookies a seasonal twist with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Get the recipe: Spiced Sugar Cookies 10 of 93 Cornflake Meringues Johnny Miller There's a lot to love about a great meringue cookie—a crisp outer shell, a gooey soft interior, and in this case, salty-sweet cornflakes for crunch. To make them perfectly is all about getting egg whites to form stiff, glossy peaks. The key is to start with an extra clean bowl. Before you get going, wash the bowl of your stand mixer, then wipe down with a mixture of distilled vinegar and water, which breaks down any remaining fat that might be clinging to the bowl from previous recipes like whipped cream. Cornflakes add great crunch but experiment with other cereals and find out what you like best. Cocoa pebbles? Grape Nuts? Have fun with it! The edible gold is optional, but it makes for a showstopper effect, worthy of birthdays, holidays, or New Year's Eve celebrations. Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Get the Recipe 11 of 93 Chewy Gingersnaps Levi Brown These spicy cookies get their holiday flavor from a mix of ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon. get the recipe 12 of 93 Caramelized Honey Nut Bars Johnny Miller Caramel-coated almonds and pepitas (aka pumpkin seeds) make up the filling of these incredibly tasty honey-nut bars. The base is a classic press in short dough, which comes together quickly in a food processor. Then, you'll make a quick caramel coating that envelops the nuts and seeds. We like the combination of almonds and pumpkin seeds here but feel free to swap in an equal measure of whatever nuts you like. The nut mixture tops the crust and then it all goes to bake together in the oven, resulting in a chewy treat that's as welcome alongside mid-morning coffee as it is after a dinner party. Pro tip: these bars are easiest to slice when they are just this side of room temperature (read, slightly warm). For extra clean cuts, get your knive very hot under running water, wipe it dry then slice. Repeat and slice. 13 of 93 Simple Sugar Cookies Levi Brown These basic but tasty cookies can be cut out and decorated any way you please. get the recipe 14 of 93 Spicy Citrus Sandwich Cookies Johnny Miller These sandwich cookies not only look bakery-worthy, they're totally delicious. The off-center cut out takes normal sandwich cookies to a modern-art place, and sparkling sugar and lime zest add a spectacular sparkle. As for the dough, it's flavored with lime zest and spicy cayenne pepper, making for a unique sweet-tart pairing. The cookies stick together with a lemon curd center, which draws on the citrus flavors in the dough. Make these your go-to gifting cookie for the holiday season and you're sure to win rave reviews. If lemon curd is too tart for your palate, try half curd and half vanilla frosting for a mellower take on the filling (but raspberry jam works too). And if you'd rather keep your cookies strictly sweet, feel free to omit the cayenne pepper. One last tip: to keep your edges crisp, freeze or refrigerate the cut out dough until firm prior to baking. 15 of 93 Chocolate-Pistachio Slice-and-Bake Cookies Raymond Hom These rich, eye-catching, pistachio-studded cookies look sophisticated, but couldn't be simpler to make. Sprinkle the cookies with coarse sugar to give them extra shine. 16 of 93 No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Raymond Hom It's no secret that chocolate and peanut butter are a match made in confectionary heaven. These chewy treats get a third partner: rolled oats, which add an extra layer of texture and might even trick your guests into thinking these are healthy. We've also thrown in some peanuts to boost the crunch factor and add a double dose of nuttiness. Best of all, these simple, rustic-looking cookies don't even require an oven. Just drop spoonfuls of batter onto baking sheets and let cool until set. There's no need to refrigerate them, either; they'll keep at room temperature for up to 3 days. 17 of 93 Kitchen Sink Chocolate Bark Raymond Hom This addictive sweet-and-salty candy is loaded with tasty ingredients, including shredded coconut, mixed nuts, dried fruit, and pretzels. 18 of 93 Fig Crumb Bars Raymond Hom In this not-so-classic bar cookie, a layer of dried figs, brown sugar, and orange juice anchors the buttery cinnamon topping. 19 of 93 Pumpkin Whoopie Pies Raymond Hom Soft pumpkin-flavored cookies are sandwiched together with a sweet cream cheese filling. 20 of 93 White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies Raymond Hom These chewy cookies will keep for up to 5 days in an airtight container. 21 of 93 Dark Chocolate Walnut Fudge Raymond Hom Use high-quality chocolate to maximize the flavor of this creamy, rich fudge. 22 of 93 Brown Sugar Cookies Raymond Hom Dust these cute little treats with cinnamon sugar before baking for a touch of sweetness and spice. 23 of 93 Oat, Raisin, and Nut Bars Raymond Hom The star of this recipe, oats are packed with goodness, from cholesterol-fighting fiber and antioxidants to a nutty taste and chewy texture. 24 of 93 S'mores Blondies Raymond Hom Update a childhood favorite with these chewy bars topped with mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, and crumbled graham crackers. 25 of 93 Mint Brownie Bites Raymond Hom Peppermint extract in the chocolate ganache and a garnish of crushed peppermint candies give mini brownies a cool, wintry bite. 26 of 93 Chocolate-Cherry Biscotti Raymond Hom Feeling decadent? Dip one side of each cookie in melted chocolate. 27 of 93 Toffee-Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies Raymond Hom Rolled oats add texture and a pleasing nuttiness to these chewy favorites. 28 of 93 Coconut Slice-and-Bake Cookies Raymond Hom Toasting the coconut before adding to the batter to deepens its flavor and give it a lovely golden color. 29 of 93 Jam Sandwich Cookies Raymond Hom Dust the tops of these buttery, jam-filled cookies with confectioners' sugar for a beautiful wintry effect. get the recipe 30 of 93 Gingersnaps With Crystallized Ginger Sang An Get the recipe: Gingersnaps With Crystallized Ginger 31 of 93 Raspberry Rugelach Rayond Hom If you like variety, try making some of the cookies in the batch using other jams, like apricot or peach. Get the recipe: Raspberry Rugelach 32 of 93 Almond Thins Raymond Hom Add ground almonds to the batter and fold in toasted slivered almonds for a double dose of nuttiness. Get the recipe: Almond Thins 33 of 93 Lollipop Cookies Raymond Hom These whimsical treats can be decorated to suit any holiday or occasion and make a perfect activity for kids. Get the recipe: Lollipop Cookies 34 of 93 Buckeyes Raymond Hom Creamy peanut butter bites dipped in bittersweet chocolate are an irresistible indulgence. Get the recipe: Buckeyes 35 of 93 Cashew Gingersnaps Levi Brown Add cashews and candied ginger to the batter to add a nutty crunch and an extra spicy kick. Get the recipe: Cashew Gingersnaps 36 of 93 Chocolate Chunk Gingersnaps Levi Brown Chunks of chocolate in every bite give the cookies a decadent twist. Get the recipe: Chocolate Chunk Gingersnaps 37 of 93 Double Chocolate Brownies Levi Brown Cocoa powder and semisweet chocolate ensure these brownies have a deep, rich flavor. Get the recipe: Double Chocolate Brownies 38 of 93 Peanut Butter Cup Brownies Levi Brown For a childhood take on standard brownies, fold in chopped mini peanut butter cups. Get the recipe: Peanut Butter Cup Brownies 39 of 93 Classic Shortbread Levi Brown Buttery shortbread makes a great gift; its firm texture means that it will transport well. Get the recipe: Classic Shortbread 40 of 93 Toasted Pecan Shortbread Levi Brown Toasting the nuts deepens their flavor, making them a delicious crunchy addition to the basic recipe. Get the recipe: Toasted Pecan Shortbread 41 of 93 Chocolate-Drizzled Shortbread Levi Brown Dress up the original by melting chocolate in the microwave and drizzling over the cooled shortbread. Get the recipe: Chocolate-Drizzled Shortbread 42 of 93 Chocolate Chip Cookies Levi Brown There's always room for this crowd-pleasing classic on any holiday table. Get the recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookies 43 of 93 Mocha Chocolate Chip Cookies Levi Brown Crushed chocolate-covered espresso beans elevate this cookie to a more sophisticated grown-up treat. Get the recipe: Mocha Chocolate Chip Cookies 44 of 93 Apricot-Macadamia Chocolate Chip Cookies Levi Brown The unexpected combination of dried apricots, chopped macadamia nuts, and chocolate chips adds a fun twist. Get the recipe: Apricot-Macadamia Chocolate Chip Cookies 45 of 93 Sugared Pecan Balls Levi Brown Dusted with confectioners' sugar, these dainty little cookies pack a lot of flavor into every bite. Get the recipe: Sugared Pecan Balls 46 of 93 Cardamom Cashew Balls Levi Brown Pungent ground cardamom lends a warm quality to this variation made with roasted cashews. Get the recipe: Cardamom Cashew Balls 47 of 93 Cinnamon Walnut Balls Levi Brown A final sprinkle of cinnamon gives these treats an extra touch of holiday flair. Get the recipe: Cinnamon Walnut Balls 48 of 93 Pecan Bars Levi Brown Crunchy, chewy, and nutty, these bars will keep for about 5 days. Get the recipe: Pecan Bars 49 of 93 Maple-Walnut Bars Levi Brown Embrace the season by baking this version with pure maple syrup. Get the recipe: Maple-Walnut Bars 50 of 93 Chocolate-Date Pecan Bars Levi Brown Antioxidant-rich chocolate and heart-healthy dates make this decadent bar seem almost good for you. Get the recipe: Chocolate-Date Pecan Bars 51 of 93 Almond Biscotti Levi Brown Use both whole almonds and almond extract to infuse these cookies with a double dose of nuttiness. Get the recipe: Almond Biscotti 52 of 93 Pistachio-Anise Biscotti Levi Brown Swap in pistachios and add a teaspoon of anise seed to give the biscotti a licorice flavor. Get the recipe: Pistachio-Anise Biscotti 53 of 93 Chocolate-Cherry Biscotti Levi Brown Studded with antioxidant-rich dried cherries, chopped chocolate, and toasted hazelnuts, this version is chock-full of tasty goodness. Get the recipe: Chocolate-Cherry Biscotti 54 of 93 Chocolate Chocolate-Chunk Cookies Levi Brown There's melted chocolate in the batter along with chocolate chunks in the final product—a chocoholic's delight. Get the recipe: Chocolate Chocolate-Chunk Cookies 55 of 93 Peanut-Raisin Chocolate-Chunk Cookies Levi Brown Mix in raisins and roasted peanuts to make this version especially kid-friendly. Get the recipe: Peanut-Raisin Chocolate-Chunk Cookies 56 of 93 Marshmallow Chocolate-Chunk Cookies Levi Brown Gooey melted marshmallows are a perfect partner for this chocolatey cookie. Get the recipe: Marshmallow Chocolate-Chunk Cookies 57 of 93 Citrus Sugar Cookies Levi Brown Change up the basic batter by adding finely grated orange, lemon, or lime zest. Get the recipe: Citrus Sugar Cookies 58 of 93 Peanut Butter Cookies Levi Brown These flourless peanut butter cookies take just 30 minutes from start to finish. Get the recipe: Peanut Butter Cookies 59 of 93 Toffee-Pretzel Peanut Butter Cookies Levi Brown With a combination of salty and sweet, these cookies are sure to satisfy every craving. Get the recipe: Toffee-Pretzel Peanut Butter Cookies 60 of 93 Cranberry-Oat Peanut Butter Cookies Levi Brown Add a holiday spin with colorful, seasonal dried cranberries. Get the recipe: Cranberry-Oat Peanut Butter Cookies 61 of 93 Cocoa-Molasses Cookies Joseph De Leo You can never go wrong with a spiced molasses cookie during the holidays. You can improve on it, though. We've changed the traditional recipe by adding a healthy dose of cocoa powder—after all, who doesn't love chocolate, too? Cinnamon and ginger lend their warm, seasonal flavors, and a little freshly ground black pepper subtly amps up the spice level. Roll the balls of dough in cocoa sugar before baking to get that shiny, textured topping; turbinado sugar works best for the most dramatic results. The cookies will naturally form cracks as they bake, resulting in beautifully rustic, unique treats. Satisfyingly chewy, with a bit of crunch from the sugar, these are the quintessential cookies of the season. Get the recipe: Cocoa-Molasses Cookies 62 of 93 Gelt Cookies Emily Kinni Christmas cookies get all the love; it's about time someone gave Hanukkah cookies their fair share. This recipe cleverly uses chocolate gelt to create decorative, yet deliciously edible, cookie centers. The dough is quite simple, but when you're adding chocolate, you don't need much else. You can leave the cookies plain with just the chocolate coin for decoration, or dip the balls of dough into colored sanding sugar before baking for an extra nod to the holiday. If you want to make these cookies year-round, just swap in plain chocolate discs or kisses (the chocolate-caramel variety is a nice twist) for the chocolate gelt. Get the recipe: Gelt Cookies 63 of 93 Hermit Bars Greg DuPree Get the recipe: Hermit Bars 64 of 93 Chocolate Chip Pecan Blondies Greg DuPree Get the recipe: Chocolate Chip Pecan Blondies 65 of 93 Turtle Bars Sang An Get the recipe: Turtle Bars 66 of 93 Coconut Lime-Curd Bars Sang An Get the recipe: Coconut Lime-Curd Bars 67 of 93 Peanut Butter Cup Brownies Anna Williams Get the recipe: Peanut Butter Cup Brownies 68 of 93 Earl Grey Tea Cookies Sang An Get the recipe: Earl Grey Tea Cookies 69 of 93 Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Men Hector Sanchez Get the recipe: Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Men 70 of 93 Raspberry-Almond Linzer Cookies Victor Schrager Get the recipe: Raspberry-Almond Linzer Cookies 71 of 93 Stained-Glass Cookies Victor Schrager Get the recipe: Stained-Glass Cookies 72 of 93 Chewy Spice Cookies Victor Schrager Get the recipe: Chewy Spice Cookies 73 of 93 Raspberry-Walnut Crumble Bars Victor Schrager Get the recipe: Raspberry-Walnut Crumble Bars 74 of 93 Slice-and-Bake Lemon Shortbread Victor Schrager Get the recipe: Slice-and-Bake Lemon Shortbread 75 of 93 Lemon Bars Victor Schrager Get the recipe: Lemon Bars 76 of 93 Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Macaroons Victor Schrager Get the recipe: Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Macaroons 77 of 93 Chewy Sugar Cookies Victor Schrager Get the recipe: Chewy Sugar Cookies 78 of 93 Praline-Topped Blondies Victor Schrager Get the recipe: Praline-Topped Blondies 79 of 93 Angeletti Victor Schrager Get the recipe: Angeletti 80 of 93 Chocolate-Dipped Espresso Meringues Victor Schrager Get the recipe: Chocolate-Dipped Espresso Meringues 81 of 93 Pecan Bars Victor Schrager Get the recipe: Pecan Bars 82 of 93 Chewy Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies Victor Schrager Get the recipe: Chewy Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies 83 of 93 Chocolate Ganache Sandwiches Melanie Acevedo Get the recipe: Chocolate Ganache Sandwiches 84 of 93 Potato Chip Cookies Sang An Get the recipe: Potato Chip Cookies 85 of 93 Lemony Almond Macaroons Ellen Silverman Get the recipe: Lemony Almond Macaroons 86 of 93 Palmiers Maura McEvoy Get the recipe: Palmiers 87 of 93 Cinnamon Pinwheels David Prince Get the recipe: Cinnamon Pinwheels 88 of 93 Sugar Cookie Stars Maura McEvoy Get the recipe: Sugar Cookie Stars 89 of 93 Pumpkin Cream Sandwiches Beatriz da Costa Get the recipe: Pumpkin Cream Sandwiches 90 of 93 Rugelach Maura McEvoy Get the recipe: Rugelach 91 of 93 Chocolate-Topped Crispy Bars Brooke Slezak Get the recipe: Chocolate-Topped Crispy Bars 92 of 93 Pecan Logs David Prince Get the recipe: Pecan Logs 93 of 93 Fresh-Ginger Cookies David Prince Get the recipe: Fresh-Ginger Cookies Was this page helpful? 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