One of the most beloved Christmas traditions involves leaving out cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. We’ve got insider information, and hear that Santa prefers homemade Christmas cookies over store-bought varieties. To make sure he’s happy this Christmas, we’ve got the best recipes around. From new recipes like eggnog-glazed and snow flurries to the classics like chocolate chip and red velvet crackle sandwich cookies. You’ll need to keep an eye on everyone in the house to be sure no one eats these cookies for Santa before he arrives. If you leave these Christmas cookies out for Santa, we have a feeling he’ll deliver everything that's on your list. If you really want to flatter the big guy, we’ve even got a Santa Claus cookie that looks just like him. And remember that cold glass of milk as well.
Easy Santa Cookies
Recipe: Easy Santa Cookies
Santa might leave some extra presents under the tree if these cookies are left out for him.
Toasted Oatmeal Cookies
Recipe: Toasted Oatmeal Cookies
The key to oatmeal cookies that are better than your neighbor’s? Toast the oatmeal.
Fudgy Flourless Chocolate-Pecan Cookies
Recipe: Fudgy Flourless Chocolate-Pecan Cookies
Santa will never know that these chocolately cookies don’t have flour.
Red Velvet Crackle Sandwich Cookies
Recipe: Red Velvet Crackle Sandwich Cookies
Video: Red Velvet Crackle Sandwich Cookies
How could Santa resist these? They match his outfit!
Raspberry Jam Thumbprints
Recipe: Raspberry Jam Thumbprints
These sweet little cookies will look perfectly festive on your Christmas china.
Eggnog-Glazed Cookies
Recipe: Eggnog-Glazed Cookies
Video: Eggnog-Glazed Cookies
Making Santa’s favorite drink into a glaze is pure genius.
Chocolate Pecan Honeycomb Cookies
Recipe: Chocolate Pecan Honeycomb Cookies
Santa will think you’re as sweet as honey for making him these cookies.
All-Time Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies
Recipe: All-Time Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies
Santa appreciates a classic recipe just as much as we do.
Minted White Chocolate Balls
Recipe: Minted White Chocolate Balls
These festive white chocolate balls will be your go-to hostess gift of the season, and Santa will love them, too.
Nutty Chocolate Thumbprints
Recipe: Nutty Chocolate Thumbprints
Save some of these bite-sized treats in the kitchen for yourself, because Santa will eat every last one you leave out.
Peanut Butter-Toffee Turtle Cookies
Recipe: Peanut Butter Toffee Turtle Cookies
These cookies with chocolate, peanut butter, caramel, and toffee have every sweet flavor Santa could want.
Ginger Shortbread Cookies with Lemon-Cream Cheese Frosting
Recipe: Ginger Shortbread Cookies with Lemon-Cream Cheese Frosting
These ginger cookies are the most delicious break from chocolate for Santa.
Mississippi Mud Medallions
Recipe: Mississippi Mud Medallions
These four-ingredient cookies are easy enough to make right before Santa arrives.
Peanut Butter-and-Jelly Linzer Cookies
Recipe: Peanut Butter-and-Jelly Linzer Cookies
You’ll have to remind your kids that these deliciously sweet cookies cannot replace the peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches in their lunchboxes.
Snow Flurries
Recipe: Snow Flurries
Delicious proof that snow flurries can happen in the deep South.
Chocolate-Dipped Peppermint Meringue Cookies
Recipe: Chocolate-Dipped Peppermint Meringue Cookies
These will be the prettiest cookies Santa sees all night.
Pecan Tea Cakes
Recipe: Pecan Tea Cakes
The holidays call for at least one pecan dessert, and we think it should be these tea cakes.
Coconut Snowballs
Recipe: Coconut Snowballs
Santa will like these coconut snowballs much more than the snowballs he sees at home.
Chocolate Ganache Thumbprints with Crushed Peppermints
Recipe: Chocolate Ganache Thumbprints with Crushed Peppermints
Santa will never know that this rich chocolate filling was made in the microwave.
Red Velvet Madeleines
Recipe: Red Velvet Madeleines
Video: Red Velvet Madeleine Display
No worries—the intricate display tree is not required for these delicious cookies. They’ll look just as beautiful stacked on a plate for Santa.
Chocolate-and-Almond Macaroons
Recipe: Chocolate-and-Almond Macaroons
These 6-ingredient macaroons are beautiful and easy to make.
