These 19 holiday cookies taste like they came straight from Santa’s workshop
Holiday baking season is here, and it’s time to preheat the oven and get your mixing bowls ready. These cookie recipes are festive, fun, and full of flavor, perfect for cookie swaps, dessert trays, or cozy nights at home. You’ll find a mix of traditional favorites and new crowd-pleasers that are sure to impress. Grab your apron, sprinkle on some sugar, and start baking up the sweetest part of the holidays.
Easy Gingerbread Man Cookies
Nothing feels more festive than a tray of classic cookies, and easy gingerbread man cookies deliver every cozy note you want. The dough mixes quickly, rolls cleanly and holds sharp shapes, so your gingerbread folk bake up neat and sturdy. You’ll taste warm spice, deep molasses and a hint of vanilla in every bite. Finish with simple icing or candies for faces and buttons. They’re fun to make with kids and just as fun to gift or share.
Get the recipe: Easy Gingerbread Man Cookies
Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies
Make holiday magic with Nutter Butter reindeer cookies that look cute, taste rich and come together fast. Dip peanut-shaped cookies in melted chocolate for a smooth base, then add pretzel antlers, candy eyes and a bright red Rudolph nose. The combo of creamy chocolate and salty crunch hits every note, and the no-bake method keeps things easy. Kids can help with the decorating, and the results land perfectly playful on any Christmas cookie tray.
Get the recipe: Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies
Pecan Sugar Cookies
You’re going to love this pecan sugar cookies recipe. The brown sugar pairs with molasses, maple syrup, cinnamon, and more, for a deliciously rich flavor in every bite. Whether you’re looking for melt in your mouth cookies to make for the holidays or you just love sugar cookies and pecans, this recipe might just tick all your boxes. You won’t regret making these!
Get the recipe: Pecan Sugar Cookies
Cranberry Pistachio Wreath Cookies
Get ready to add a festive touch to your holiday cookie plate with these delightful cranberry pistachio wreath cookies! The combination of tart cranberries, crunchy pistachios, and a zesty lemon glaze creates a flavor combination everyone loves. The tart lemon taste of the icing has to be my favorite part! Because they’re so good, making these wreath cookies is a tradition I’m only too happy to continue. Whether you’re gifting them to friends or sharing them with family, these easy-to-make cookies will spread joy and cheer with every bite.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Pistachio Wreath Cookies
Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies
What sounds better than gooey chocolate marshmallow cookies that are deeply chocolatey? Absolutely nothing! The pull-apart, gooey marshmallow is incredible in this cookie from xoxoBella and makes it extra special. Box these up as a gift, or surprise your family with these soft chocolate cookies as the perfect little treat after dinner. These marshmallow-stuffed cookies are super decadent and will satisfy your sweet tooth.
Get the recipe: Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies
Italian Pignoli Cookies
These classic Italian cookies are chewy, nutty and naturally gluten-free. Made with just a few simple ingredients, Italian pignoli cookies, or amaretti con pignoli as they’re known in Italy, are a wonderful treat any time of year but especially popular around the holidays. The combination of almond paste and pine nuts creates a unique texture and flavor that’s crisp on the outside and tender inside. If you love almond-based sweets or are looking for an easy, elegant cookie that feels a little special, this one definitely fits the bill.
Get the recipe: Italian Pignoli Cookies
Strawberry Kiss Cookies
They’re pretty in pink with a matching pink strawberry kiss in the center. These cute little strawberry kiss cookies are easy to whip up, and you only need a few ingredients to make them. There’s plenty of fruity strawberry flavor from the strawberry cake mix and pink strawberry kisses in the center of each cookie. These homemade thumbprint cookies are incredibly soft and creamy, all thanks to the cream cheese in the dough. The perfect addition to your Christmas baking, baby showers, or Valentine’s treats.
Get the recipe: Strawberry Kiss Cookies
Church Window Cookies
A classic American cookie that’s a no bake favorite! These pretty-as-a-picture church window cookies only take 15 minutes to prepare and require zero baking time! They are loaded with fudgy chocolate, crunchy, earthy walnuts, and fruity little marshmallows. The chocolate is smooth, rich and dense, and the textures are incredible with the crunchy walnuts, coconut flakes, and soft, squishy marshmallows. Honestly, these make the prettiest little cookies that everyone goes crazy for. Most grocery stores stock the ingredients, so these old-fashioned treats are easily accessible.
Get the recipe: Church Window Cookies
Gingersnap Icebox Cookies
Gingersnap cookies are the kind of tasty treats that bring back memories of holiday get-togethers and cozy winter nights. Gingersnap icebox cookies are the perfect easy holiday dessert or treat! They’re lightly sweet without being overwhelming and magically aromatic from the holiday spices. These old fashioned refrigerator cookies are a little crunchy on the outside, with a mildly soft and chewy center. Fill your home with the heartwarming scent of baking spices.
Get the recipe: Gingersnap Icebox Cookies
Peppermint Mocha Cookies
Try these rich peppermint mocha cookies with their blend of chocolate, robust coffee, and refreshing peppermint. Treat yourself to these irresistible peppermint mocha cookies! Soft-baked and dipped in creamy white chocolate, they’re topped with crunchy candy cane bits. Make a double batch and share them with a neighbor. With a rich brownie-like taste, they are sure to disappear fast! It’s not the holiday season without a batch of these espresso chocolate Christmas cookies.
Get the recipe: Peppermint Mocha Cookies
Italian Chocolate Roll Cookies
These Italian chocolate roll cookies are a family-style treat made with a cream cheese and butter dough rolled around a rich chocolate filling. The dough is soft and tender while the center is filled with melted chocolate chips, walnuts, condensed milk and a hint of cinnamon. Baked until golden and sliced into rounds, these cookies are equal parts rustic and irresistible. They make an excellent addition to holiday trays or whenever you want a homemade indulgence.
Get the recipe: Italian Chocolate Roll Cookies
Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Meringues
With a crisp texture, festive flavor and a dip of rich chocolate, these chocolate dipped peppermint meringues are a holiday treat that looks as good as it tastes. Light and airy with a touch of peppermint, they’re piped into perfect little kisses, then finished with a swirl of melted chocolate and crushed candy canes. These cookies are easy to make, impressive to serve and perfect for gifting, cookie exchanges or adding something special to your holiday dessert tray.
Get the recipe: Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Meringues
Hot Cocoa Cookie Cups
Looking for something seasonal, scrumptious, and fun? These bite-sized hot cocoa cookie cups fit the bill! You only need five ingredients to make them and they’re really cute. Sugar cookie cups with a pretzel handle are filled with chocolate fudge and topped with mini marshmallows to make a miniature edible cup of cocoa. You can make these adorable little bites in little more than twenty minutes, and they’re a lovely snack to pair with a cup of coffee, cocoa (of course), or your favorite hot holiday beverage. Make these sweet treats for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, and holiday eating!
Get the recipe: Hot Cocoa Cookie Cups
White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Cookies
These white chocolate dipped ginger cookies combine warm, spiced gingerbread flavor with creamy white chocolate for a cookie that’s festive, flavorful and perfect for gifting or holiday platters. The dough is rich with molasses and fragrant spices, creating soft cookies that pair beautifully with a dip in melted white chocolate. With a bit of chilling and some simple decorating, these cookies are sure to impress. Enjoy them at holiday parties or tuck them into cookie tins for a homemade gift that’s sure to be appreciated.
Get the recipe: White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Cookies
Fluffernutter Cookies
Peanut butter lovers with a sweet tooth will love these cookies! Fluffernutter cookies combine the flavors of peanut butter, vanilla, and marshmallow fluff to make the most mouthwatering of sweet treats. These peanut butter marshmallow fluff cookies are simple to prepare and they’re oh-so more-ish. One is never enough of this ooey-gooey treat! With the flavors of a classic New England fluffernutter sandwich in a cookie form, the whole family will go crazy for them!
Get the recipe: Fluffernutter Cookies
Cherry Blossom Cookies
Pretty in pink and packed with flavor, these cherry blossom cookies from xoxoBella are as charming as they are delicious! With a soft, buttery texture and a hint of cherry sweetness, they’re topped with a rich Hershey’s Kiss for the perfect bite. The maraschino cherry juice gives them their signature rosy hue, making them a stunning choice for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or just because you deserve a little treat. Whether you’re baking for a party, a bake sale, or a cozy night in, these cookies are sure to steal the show. Fall in love—one sweet, chocolaty bite at a time!
Get the recipe: Cherry Blossom Cookies
Starbucks Copycat Ginger Molasses Cookies
Soft, chewy and rich with warm spices, these Starbucks copycat ginger molasses cookies from xoxoBella bring café-style comfort right to your kitchen. With a crisp sugar-dusted edge and a tender center, they’re everything you love about the classic coffeehouse treat. Made with dark brown sugar, molasses and a blend of ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg, they’re perfect with a mug of tea or coffee. If you’re craving cozy flavors in cookie form, this recipe is sure to become a go-to favorite.
Get the recipe: Starbucks Copycat Ginger Molasses Cookies
Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies
These Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies are delightfully simple to make using just one bowl and a few basic pantry staples. In no time at all, you’ll have soft, rich, chocolatey cookies with a lightly crisp, sweet coating of sprinkles on the outside. They’re perfect for satisfying a chocolate craving or adding a touch of fun to any occasion.
Get the recipe: Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies
Christmas Tree Oreos
Fall in love with these adorable Christmas Tree Oreos that are as festive as they are delicious. Each cookie is dipped, decorated, and topped to look like a tiny Christmas tree, making them the perfect bite-sized treat for the holiday season. Enjoy them as a fun midday or afternoon snack, bring them to a holiday party to impress your guests, or leave a few out for Santa with a glass of milk for some extra Christmas magic!
Get the recipe: Christmas Tree Oreos
