Jill Mills
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Whether you want to stick with the classics or get creative and try something new, you’ll find what you’re looking for in these 60+ Best Christmas Cookie Recipes! From classics like chocolate chip cookies and gingerbread men to snowballs and Italian lemon drops, this list of Christmas cookie recipes covered it all. There’s even a few fun no bake cookie options!

The Absolute Best Christmas Cookie Recipes
‘Tis the seasoning for baking! As the weather cools and the holidays roll around, ovens turn on and recipes come out of the cupboard.
Each year, I’m always on the hunt for new Christmas cookie recipes. I love baking around the holidays (what a surprise!) and though I have my favorites, I always look forward to trying out new ones. I begin way before Christmas, test-testing new recipes and freezing favorites for later. I’d say I’ve probably tried hundreds of cookie recipes over the years!
I’ve gathered up all of my favorites on this list. Whether you’re a casual baker just looking for a classic recipe to try or a bake-a-holic like me, I’m sure you’ll find the cookie you love.
How to Store Cookies
Most cookies should be stored at room temperature in an airtight container. If there’s frosting or chocolate on the outside, you may want to add parchment paper between each layer. Cookies typically stay fresh at room temperature for 3 or 4 days, when stored correctly.
There are a handful of cookies that should be stored in the fridge, so be sure to always double-check the individual recipe for exact instructions.
Can These Christmas Cookie Recipes Be Frozen?
If you’re planning to make dozens of Christmas cookies or put together a bunch of cookie platters, you may want to get a head start. Most cookies can be made ahead of time and then frozen. This is true for chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, sugar cookies, and more. Freezing cookies before frosting them is usually best.
Sometimes you can even freeze the dough in advance, so you can still serve freshly baked cookies. I like to do this with sugar cookies.
To freeze your Christmas cookies, allow them to cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container or ziploc bag. Freeze for up to a month. Thaw on the counter overnight, then enjoy.
As with storing cookies, there are exceptions to freezing them so always read the instructions with the individual recipe as well.
More Christmas Recipes:
- 30 of the Best Christmas Brunch Recipes
- The Ultimate Christmas Dinner Menu
- 40 No Bake Christmas Desserts
- 30+ Of the Best Christmas Cocktails
- 30+ Of the Best Christmas Breakfast Recipes
- 40 of the Best Christmas Dessert Recipes
Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
A twist on classic crinkle cookies, these Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies are fun, festive, and downright delicious with their bright red color and rich flavor. Easy to make and always a hit.
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Hot Cocoa Cookie Cups
These Hot Cocoa Cookies not only have all the flavors of a steaming glass of hot chocolate, they look like one too. Super cute and easy to make!
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The Best Cut Out Sugar Cookie Recipe
If you're looking for the best sugar cookie recipe to make cut out cookies, look no further! This easy recipe is made with just a handful of ingredients and results in the absolute best sugar cookies you can imagine.
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Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
Made with fresh cranberries, oats, white chocolate chips, and pecans, these Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies are an explosion of flavor and textures. Simple to make and a hit on every Christmas cookie platter!
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Jam Thumbprint Cookies
With a simple sugar cookie base and jam filling, these Jam Thumbprint Cookies are a classic Christmas cookie recipe. A must-have on every cookie platter!
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Pfeffernusse
Pfeffernusse is a traditional German spice cookie that's loaded with all the flavors we love for the Holidays. Incredibly soft cookies with molasses, ginger and warm spices, these Pfeffernusse cookies are always the first things to go on a Christmas cookie tray!
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Christmas Cookie Bars
This Christmas Cookie Bars recipe is so festive and fun for the holidays! Filled with M&M's, chocolate chips, and sprinkles this recipe takes just 15 minutes to prepare and will be perfect for a Christmas buffet, cookie trays or little goodie bags for your loved ones.
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Hot Cocoa Cookies
Complete with a gooey marshmallow topping, these Hot Cocoa Cookies taste just like your favorite winter beverage. Rich, chewy, and oh-so-good!
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Snowball Cookies
Buttery shortbread cookies topped with confectioner's sugar, these Snowball Cookies will literally melt in your mouth. They're easy to make, too!
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Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies
These Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies are perfectly soft and chewy with white chocolate chips, dried cranberries and macadamia nuts in every bite. A Holiday favorite!
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Gingerbread Man Cookies
Is there a more classic Christmas cookie recipe than Gingerbread Man Cookies? Unlike most recipes, this one requires no chilling so your gingerbread men are easier to make than ever.
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Italian Ricotta Cookies
Ricotta Cookies are a classic Italian dessert that is a light and fluffy treat that will leave you wanting more. These cookies are perfect for any occasion, and they're sure to please everyone!
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Eggnog Cookies
Soft and chewy, these Eggnog Cookies are perfect for the holiday. They're lightly spiced with cinnamon and full of rich eggnog flavor.
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Cherry Blossom Cookies
If you love cherries and chocolate, you are going to adore these Cherry Blossom Cookies. Soft shortbread maraschino cherry cookies topped with a Hershey's Kiss.
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Chocolate Christmas Cookie
Cookies are a must during the Holidays. Fresh, warm, and filled with all types of flavor. And, we all love and new recipes to share with friends and family. This Chocolate Christmas Cookies Recipeis so delicious and perfect for any occasion.
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Peppermint Kiss Cookies
These White Chocolate Peppermint Kiss Cookies are festive in both appearance and flavor. Soft, chewy cookies are topped with a white chocolate and peppermint kiss for a cookie everyone will have trouble resisting.
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Cool Whip Cookies
These Cool Whip Cookies are made with your favorite cake mix and Cool Whip then rolled in powdered sugar. The end result is sweet and soft cookies with a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
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Whipped Shortbread Cookies
Light and buttery Whipped Shortbread Cookies are an easy cookie recipe that literally melts in your mouth! Sprinkled with festive sprinkles, these cookies are the perfect treat paired with a mug of coffee or tea.
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Peanut Butter Blossoms
Chewy peanut butter cookies topped with a Hershey's kiss, these Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies are always a fan favorite. Easy to make!
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Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
A twist on traditional chocolate chip cookies, these Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies are full of holiday cheer. They're loaded with both semi-sweet and white chocolate chips and plenty of red and green sprinkles.
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Christmas Linzer Cookies
Linzer Cookies are another classic Christmas cookie, with a shortbread cookie base and raspberry jam. Though they look elegant, they are quite easy to make!
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Soft Sugar Cookies
If you love the combination of mint and chocolate, this recipe for Andes Mint Cookies is going to turn into one of your favorites. It’s the perfect balance of refreshing and rich that will satisfy any sweet tooth.
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Lebkuchen (German Spice Cookies)
These German Spice cookies known as Lebkuchen are made from scratch and absolutely delicious! Glazed German gingerbread is a Holiday favorite and always the first thing to go on a Christmas cookie tray.
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Lofthouse Cookies
This Copycat Lofthouse Cookies recipe makes the softest cookies with a perfect cakey texture and just the right amount of frosting on top. With just a few minutes of prep and 10 minutes in the oven, these cookies can be customized for any occasion or celebration.
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Turtle Cookies
Featuring chewy chocolate cookies dotted with caramel, chocolate chips, and pecans, these Turtle Cookies are inspired by the popular candy recipe. Easy to make & great for cookie trays!
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Christmas Tree Cookie Stacks
These Christmas Tree Cookie Stacks are a fun & festive twist on traditional sugar cookies. Cookies are layered with green frosting, then topped with sprinkles to create a Christmas tree appearance.
Ginger Molasses Cookies
Ginger Molasses Cookies are a classic holiday dessert that everyone loves. This simple but classic recipe combines ginger flavor with a moist and chewy cookie everyone will devour.
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Melted Snowman Cookies
These Melted Snowman Cookies are beyond easy and so cute to make. They'll add a smile to anyone's face and the kids can even help make them.
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Soft Christmas Sprinkle Cookies
These Christmas Sprinkle Cookies will add a splash of holiday cheer to any cookie tray. Kid-approved!
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Triple Chocolate Turtle Cookies
These Triple Chocolate Turtle Cookies put your basic cookies to shame. The chocolate cookies are rolled in chocolate chips and pecans, then filled with a silky caramel and drizzled with even more chocolate. Divine!
Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
These Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies are soft and chewy cookies loaded with marshmallows, pretzels, M&M's, and chocolate chunks. It has a sweet and slightly salted flavor from the pretzels that just makes them irresistible.
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Peppermint Meltaways
These Peppermint Meltaways are incredibly soft cookies flavored with peppermint extract and topped with a peppermint glaze. They are perfect for Holiday gifts!
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Hershey’s Secret Kiss Cookies
With a sugar and pecan cookie dough wrapped around a Hershey's kiss, these Hershey's Secret Kiss Cookies are a welcome surprise. Easy to make and perfect for the holidays.
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Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies
If you love chocolate and vanilla then red velvet is the perfect flavor for you! And, what better way to try it out than with these delicious Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies! They are soft and fluffy vanilla cocoa cookies with vanilla cream stuffed in the center.
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Gingerbread Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
These Gingerbread Cookies with Frosting are soft spiced cookies topped with cream cheese frosting and holiday sprinkles. The most requested Christmas cookie recipe and so easy to make.
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Snowman Cookies
Soft cookies are dotted with M&Ms and a Hershey's kiss to create these Snowman Cookies. Christmas cookies don't get cuter than this!
Gingerbread Kiss Cookies
These Gingerbread Kiss Cookies are the perfect combination of a classic gingerbread cookie and a Hershey's kiss cookie. Soft and chewy!
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Christmas Monster Cookies
With Christmas comes a crazy amount of food and desserts. Most of us have recipes that have been in our families for a while now and use every Christmas. Well, how about we add another. ThisChristmas Monster Cookies Recipeis a quick and easy recipe that is perfect for the holidays.
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Christmas Thumbprint Cookies
Bailey's Fudge Mint Cookies combine the smooth richness of Irish whiskey, the sweetness of cocoa, and the incredible flavor of Andes mints in one. A cookie that's hard to resist!
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Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are soft melt-in-your-mouth cookies topped with a rich buttercream frosting. These are always the first thing to go on the Holiday cookie tray.
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Italian Lemon Drop Cookies
Whether you know them as lemon drop cookies, iced Italian cookies, or anginetti, one thing is for sure – these Italian Lemon Drop Cookies are a welcome addition to any holiday dessert table or cookie tray.
Christmas Light Cookies
My favorite part of Christmas is seeing all of the beautiful Christmas lights and enjoying all the lovely desserts. Now, I can enjoy both of these experiences into one with these Christmas Light Sugar Cookies! These Sugar cookies are perfect for the winter season and are sure to be your favorite too!
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Raspberry Bow Tie Cookies
These Raspberry Bow Tie Cookies feature a soft cookie wrapped around raspberry jam. Easy to make and a family favorite.
Grinch Cookies
Made with cake mix, these Grinch Cookies are super easy to make. The green cookies with a heart in the center are loved by all and make a great addition to all Christmas cookie trays. Or just enjoy while rewatching The Grinch movie.
German Chocolate Cake Cookies
WIth a rich caramel, coconut and pecan frosting over soft, chewy chocolate cookies, these German Chocolate Cake Cookies are a twist on the classic cake recipe. They won't last long on any dessert table!
Holiday Shortbread Bites
These easy Funfetti Shortbread Bites are made with just 5 ingredients. Just like the classic cookie, with a festive holiday twist.
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Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies
These Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies feature soft, chewy gingerbread cookies stuffed with a simple powdered sugar frosting. Simple yet sure to become a favorite!
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Reese’s Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups
Tis the season to be hungry! Enjoy this Christmas with these amazing Reese's Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups. They are a simple dessert that includes peanut butter cups, cookie dough, white chocolate, candy canes, icing, and sprinkles.
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Cranberry Sandwich Cookies
These Cranberry Sandwich Cookies feature real, fresh and tart cranberries between two cookies and topped with some powdered sugar. The cookie you didn't know you needed!
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White Chocolate Strawberry Shortbread Cookies
These White Chocolate Strawberry Shortbread cookies are loaded with white chocolate chips and dried strawberries. They're easy to make and the berries give a festive color that's perfect for the holidays.
Peppermint Candy Cane Cookies
These adorableCandy Cane Cookiesare the perfect Christmas treat. They look just like candy canes and have peppermint flavor, too. This is such a fun Christmas cookie recipe to make with the kids.
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Spice Cookies (Soft and Chewy)
Spice Cookies are soft and chewy cookies made with molasses, pumpkin spice, ginger and a few additional ingredients to make the perfect Holiday Cookie.
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Cranberry Shortbread Cookies
These Cranberry Shortbread Cookies are so delicious and pretty for the Holidays! A crumbly, soft and buttery sliced shortbread with dried cranberries and nuts topped with melted white chocolate.
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Mint Kiss Cookies
Mint Kiss Cookies are even better than a classic blossom cookie recipe. It is a soft and chewy chocolate cookie with a mint chocolate Hershey Kiss placed on top.
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Santa’s Favorite Peanut Butter M&M Cookies
Thick, soft, and chewy, Santa's Favorite Peanut Butter M&M Cookies have everything Santa (and his helpers!) could possibly want in a cookie. These bakery-style cookies are filled with peanut butter, chocolate chips, AND M&Ms!
Candy Cane Kiss Cookies
Soft and chewy, these Candy Cane Kiss Cookies are a minty twist on the classic blossom cookies. Easy to make & perfect for holidays.
Shortbread Cookies
Made with just 5 ingredients, these Shortbread Cookies are perfectly sweet and full of buttery flavor. The perfect cookies to pair with a cup of tea, coffee, or hot cocoa. Dust them with powdered sugar or serve with strawberry or raspberry jam for extra sweetness.
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Peppermint Cheesecake Cookies
Go into Christmas with a two-in-one dessert that beats the competition! These Peppermint Cheesecake Cookies taste like the Holidays and every bite is more and more addicting. The soft and chewy cookies are stuffed with a smooth and creamy peppermint cheesecake filling.
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Orange Cranberry Cookies
Orange Cranberry Cookies are a delicious, sweet, and chewy dessert. This recipe is a great winter treat that is perfect for buffet tables, parties, and more!
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Baileys Irish Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies
A boozy twist on classic chocolate chip cookies, these Bailey's Irish Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies are thick, chewy, and oh-so-good! A cookie no adult will be able to resist!
Snowman Cookies
Featuring a rich, chocolate cookie with a peppermint patty inside, these Snowman Cookies are a fun winter treat. The snowmen are created from marshmallows and white chocolate, with gum drop earmuffs and Twizzler scarves. How fun!
Red Velvet Kiss Cookies
These Red Velvet Cookies are perfect for the holidays, with a soft, chewy cookie topped with a peppermint kiss. The perfect combination of holiday flavors!
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Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
A fun Disney twist on classic gingerbread cookies, these Mickey Mouse Gingerbread Cookies are dipped in chocolate for a cookie neither adults nor kids can resist. Super easy to make too!
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Candy Cane Cookies (Crumbl Copycat)
Topped with a homemade cream cheese frosting, these Red Velvet Frosted Cookies are soft, chewy, and oh-so-good! The tangy cream cheese frosting is a nice compliment to the sweet, chocolate-y red velvet cookie.
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Grinch Cookies
These Grinch Cookies are vibrant green Holiday cookies made with Betty Crocker Sugar cookie mix and topped with heart sprinkles.
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Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies
Christmas is on its way! And, what better way to celebrate this lovely holiday season with a wonderful dessert recipe. These Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies are super easy to make and are a perfect recipe to share with your friends and family.
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German Chocolate Cookies
For a decadent treat, try this German Chocolate Cookies recipe. These cookies are rich, chewy, and delicious. The sweet coconut topping tastes just like a traditional German chocolate cake!
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Best Peppermint Oreo Crunch Cookies Recipe
Loaded with Oreos and peppermint pieces, these Peppermint Oreo Crunch Cookies will be the first to disappear off any Christmas cookie tray. Easy to make with just a few ingredients!
Red Velvet Peanut Butter Blossoms
These Red Velvet Peanut Butter Blossoms put a fun, colorful twist on soft and chewy peanut butter kiss cookies! This is the ultimate easy cookie recipe for red velvet cake lovers and peanut butter fans.
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Brown Butter Pecan Cookies
Made with brown butter and roasted pecans, these Butter Pecan Cookies are downright delicious. Thick, chewy, and freezer friendly!
Pecan Tassies
These Pecan Tassies are little bites of heaven and always a hit for the Holidays! Melt-in-your-mouth mini pecan pies with a buttery cream cheese crust and a sweet, rich pecan filling.
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Jammy Dodger Cookies
These Boozy Christmas Chocolate Truffles are infused with spiced rum for a Christmas treat that's not only melt-in-your-mouth good but also easy to make. Great for gift-giving!
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Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
For a no bake dessert no one will be able to refuse, try these No Bake Reese's Cookies. Made with Reese's peanut butter cups, peanut butter, and Rice Krispies, they're perfect for those who love the chocolate-peanut butter flavor combo.
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Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft, chewy red velvet cookies laced with bits of white chocolate, these REd Velvet WHite Chocolate Chip Cookies are perfect for the holidays with their bright red color. Super easy to make, too!
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Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
With their bright green color and cooling mint flavor, these Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies are perfect for the holidays. Soft, chewy, and easy to make.
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Christmas Meringue Cookies
Christmas Meringue Cookies have a light and airy texture that melts in your mouth. We show you have to make, Santa, Snowmen and Christmas tree meringue cookies. They turn out so vibrant and look lovely on a Holiday cookie tray.
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Soft Gingersnap Cookies
These Ginger Snaps may be a classic holiday cookie but the soft and chewy texture is what makes this recipe stand out from the crowd. Not to mention the perfect combination of ginger and other spices.
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Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprints
These Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprints feature a tender shortbread cookie packed with raspberry jam and topped with an irresistible almond icing. Though simple to make, their elegant appearance makes them perfect for holiday cookie trays.
Gingerbread Snowflake Cookies
These Gingerbread Snowflake Cookies are perfectly spiced and easy to make. Once decorated, they're a beautiful cookie worthy of being gifted or added to any cookie platter.
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Easy Mickey and Minnie Mouse Cookies
How cute are these OREO Mickey and Minne Mouse Cookies? These no-bake cookies are both festive and adorable. Kid-approved and loved by all!
Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies
Soft, chewy peanut butter cookies decorated with pretzels and candy, these Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies look just like Rudolph. Kids love these cookies and they can even help decorate them.
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Peppermint Patty Cookies
Soft, chewy chocolate cookies with a peppermint patty stuffed inside, these Peppermint Patty Cookies are perfect for the holidays. They're fun, festive, and loaded with peppermint flavor.
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Christmas Cookies in a Jar
Christmas Cookies in a Jar is the perfect gift to give to family and friends this Holiday season. Incredibly easy to make resulting in delicious soft and chewy Christmas M&M cookies!
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Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies
These soft Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies are a great from-scratch recipe for the holiday season. They have the signature flavor of molasses and warm spices and are then coated in powdered sugar for an adorable crinkled look.
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Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
Made with sugar cookie dough dyed red and green, then rolled in sprinkles, these Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are a fun, festive treat. They're perfect for a Grinch-watching party or any holiday dessert table.
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Stained Glass Cookies
These beautiful Christmas cookies may be easier to make than you think! Though they look fancy, Stained Glass Cookies are surprisingly easy to make, with sugar cookie dough and Jolly Ranchers to make the stained glass effect.
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Pecan Ball Cookies
Pecan Ball Cookies are everything a pecan lover could want in a cookie. The recipe is simple and delicately sweet and delicious. If you love pecans, this is a recipe that will become one of your favorites.
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Christmas Oatmeal Cookies
Christmas just got a little better with these delicious Christmas Oatmeal Cookies! This is a cookie that is packed with an ultra-chocolatey flavor with a soft and chewy texture. It is made with oatmeal cookie dough that is filled with white chocolate chips, mini-M&M's, and holiday sprinkles for a pop of color.
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Ginger Maple Cookies
I love combining flavors and this Ginger Maple Cookies Recipe is a great result from my experiments. A light and chewy ginger cookie is combined with an easy maple icing. These are great for making last minute and sharing with friends or adding in a cookie tin for a yummy gift for friends.
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Christmas Spritz Cookies
Traditional spritz cookies are a holiday favorite. These cookies are easy to make, and they're always a hit with friends and family. You'll love the sweet and buttery flavor of these cookies!
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German Chocolate Cookies
For a decadent treat, try this German Chocolate Cookies recipe. These cookies are rich, chewy, and delicious. The sweet coconut topping tastes just like a traditional German chocolate cake!
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Christmas Funfetti Cookies
You will love theseChristmas Funfetti Cookies! They are even better than Crumbl cookies and so easy to make!
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Eggnog Snickerdoodles
Eggnog Snickerdoodles are like a cross between your favorite snickerdoodle recipe with a big glass of eggnog.
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Sugar Cookie Icing
Ready in minutes, this Sugar Cookie Icing Recipe is perfect for decorating cookies for Christmas and any other occasion. It comes out firm yet soft enough to bite and once it hardens, it's super vibrant and shiny.
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