Our 40 Easiest Ever Christmas Cookie Recipes

By Kaitlyn Yarborough
Iain Bagwell

Christmas means cookies. Lots of cookies. When the season is upon us, it’s time to start thinking what cookies to bake for our family, fill up our cookie tins with for gifts, serve at our potlucks, and munch on as we start wrapping yet another present. Are you going for a festive cookie to decorate with icing and candies or a more subdued cookie that evokes the season with flavors like cinnamon, peppermint, ginger, and—of course—chocolate? Well, sometimes our schedules dictate what treats we’re baking. We just don’t always have the time to make batches of complicated masterpieces. Sometimes, we want a delicious, simple cookie that, if we’re being honest, tastes just as good but with half the hassle. That’s where these scrumptious yet easy holiday cookie recipes come in—they give you all of the Christmas cheer with a little less effort. (And we are all for it). Check out these 25 easy Christmas cookies you’ll be making all season long.

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Cream Cheese Christmas Cookies

These Cream Cheese Christmas Cookies are perfect for the holiday season.

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Peanut Butter Blossoms

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Peanut Butter Blossoms

A true classic among holiday cookies, a Christmas party isn't complete without a tray of peanut butter cookies with a Hershey's Kiss on top. 

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Spiced Molasses Drops

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Spiced Molasses Drops

These traditional spiced holiday cookies are made a little special with just a hint of black pepper for heat. Get these ready in less than an hour.

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Cheesecake Cookies

Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Cheesecake Cookies

As adorable as they are delicious, these bite-sized cheesecake confections can be Christmas party-ready in just one hour. 

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Chocolate-Peppermint Crackle Cookies

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Chocolate Peppermint Crackle Cookies

You can’t beat the pretty, unfussy look of a crackle cookie. This dough requires chilling, which you can do up to five days in advance or just an hour before baking. Other than that, you’ll get these ready to bake in 15 minutes!

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Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Victori Protasio

Recipe: Chocolate Sugar Cookies

A twist on the classic sugar cookie, this chewy, brownie-flavored confection upps the ante by adding a dose of cocoa. 

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Snickerdoodles

Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Snickerdoodles

Snickerdoodles highlight the spice of the season: cinnamon.

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Chocolate-Peppermint Swirl Sandwich Cookies

Victor Protasio

Recipe: Chocolate-Peppermint Swirl Sandwich Cookies

Crisp chocolate cookies with fresh peppermint filling make for a winning combination in these seasonal sandwich cookies. Though they they may take longer to make than some of our other easy holiday cookies, the sandwich cookies freeze well. Make them in advance, and your preparation come party time will be easier than ever. 

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Wreath Cookie

Southern Living

Recipe: Cornflake Wreath Cookies

Perfect as an afternoon activity for the kids, these Christmas wreath cookies are festive, delicious and require no baking.

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Red Velvet Thumbprints

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Red Velvet Thumbprints

You don’t even need a pastry bag or crazy-good baking skills to frost these festive cookies—just fill a Ziploc and snip the corner! These look just lovely set on a holiday platter.

 

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Red Velvet Crackle Sandwich Cookies

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Red Velvet Crackle Sandwich Cookies
Video: Red Velvet Crackle Sandwich Cookies

These festive sandwich cookies are the perfect mini treats. Red velvet crackle cookies with some sweet cream cheese filling will be the star of any holiday show without too much time and effort on your part.

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Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies

Victor Protasio

Recipe: Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies

Melted chocolate chips and cocoa add a double dose of chocolate in this festive confection. 

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Snow Flurries

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Snow Flurries 

These may look time-intensive, but don’t you worry. Star-shaped cookie cutters, raspberry jam, and powdered sugar do the trick without being complicated at all.

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Christmas Bulb Sugar Cookies

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Christmas Bulb Sugar Cookies

Festive and sweet, these decorated sugar cookies are sure to be a hit on the dessert table.

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Easy Santa Cookies

Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Easy Santa Cookies 

This recipe uses our basic butter cookie dough that can be made ahead. With a little imagination and Christmas cheer, you can use coconut flakes, cinnamon candies, and chocolate morsels to whip up some cute Santas!

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Snowy Tree Cookies

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Snowy Tree Cookies

A stack of star-shaped cookies has never looked so jolly. All you need is a cookie cutter and some creativity to create this crowd-favorite dessert. 

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Soft Sugar Cookie Trees

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Soft Sugar Cookie Trees

Planning a cookie decorating party? The dough for these cookies can be made up to two days ahead so you're fully prepared come party day. 

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5-Ingredient Sugar Cookies

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: 5-Ingredient Sugar Cookies

These pretty holiday cookies look way more complicated than they are. With only a few ingredients and 20 minutes of hands-on time, you’ll have these ready for your next party.


 

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Butterscotch-Toasted Oatmeal Cookies

Linda Pugliese

Recipe: Butterscotch-Toasted Oatmeal Cookies

Toasted oats and brown sugar blend perfectly with butterschotch chips in this oatmeal cookie recipe with a little something extra. 

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Almond Snowballs

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Almond Snowballs

These look festive without taking so much time icing and decorating. Toasting the almonds is the secret touch to a perfect nutty flavor.

 

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Pinwheel Cookies

Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Pinwheel Cookies

These cookies use our basic butter cookie dough and some melted chocolate to make a festive treat in minutes.

 

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Chocolate Cutout Cookies

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chocolate Cutout Cookies

Meet the dark chocolate cookie addition to your holiday dessert table. Top this rich cookie recipe off with frosted red and green Christmas tree icing for seasonal flair. 

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No-Bake Chocolate Mint Snowballs

Southern Living

Recipe: No-Bake Chocolate Mint Snowballs

These no-bake snowballs are perfect for a party, and everyone will love the chocolate mint candy surprise in the middle!

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Easiest Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe

Southern Living

Recipe: Easiest Peanut Butter Cookies

You can’t beat a warm peanut butter cookie, and these are made even better because they take just four ingredients. Be sure to press the tops of the cookies with a fork for that classic peanut butter cookie look.

 

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Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

Southern Living

Recipe: Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

These classic cookies combine the tart flavors of raspberry and lemon, while making a whopping seven-dozen batch you can use for a party or gifts.

 

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Lemony Sandwich Cookies

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Lemony Sandwich Cookies

Add a bit of citrus to your holiday dessert table with these soft sandwich cookies with creamy lemon filling.

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Triple Mint Cookies

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Triple Mint Cookies

A triple threat for mint dessert lovers, this winter treat combines brownie-like cookies, chopped mint candies, and minty icing for a sweet that's easier to make than it looks. 

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Ambrosia Macaroons

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Ambrosia Macaroons

These soft, chewy macaroons are festive and fun with their ambrosia-inspired look and flavor. You can switch up the garnishes from red cherries to green cherries or orange peels if you prefer!

 

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Chewy Ambrosia Biscotti

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chewy Ambrosia Biscotti

Enjoy the buttery, crunchy texture of biscotti studded with festive marashino cherries.

 

 

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Crispy Praline Cookies

Southern Living

Recipe: Crispy Praline Cookies

You get that classic pecan praline flavor in a crispy bite with these cookies that are too easy to grab and snack on throughout the holiday season. Easy prep and few ingredients are an added bonus.

 

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Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Nothing beats a chocolate chip classic at Christmas time. 

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Chewy Ginger Cookies

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Chewy Ginger Cookies

Fresh ginger, molasses, and a little black pepper makes these classic cookies have just enough of a kick. Gold sanding sugar makes these chewy cookies shine.

 

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Rudolph's Christmas Sugar Cookies

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Rudolph's Christmas Sugar Cookies

If you want to get pretty festive with the least amount of effort, these adorable reindeer cookies are the way to go. Pretzel twists, cinnamon candies, and mini chocolate morsels are the simple ingredients to this Rudolph-inspired treat.

 

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Caramel-Stuffed Ginger Cookies

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Caramel-Stuffed Ginger Cookies

Though they need a bit of time to bake, these caramel-stuffed Christmas cookies only take 30 minutes of hands on time to make. Serve them straight from the oven so the ooey-gooey caramel centers shine.

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Bourbon-Pecan-Gingerbread Cookies

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Bourbon-Pecan-Gingerbread Cookies

These delicious cookies take only 20 minutes of hands-on time and combine our favorite holiday flavors. The Bourbon Glaze takes five minutes and three ingredients—but adds that perfect finishing touch!

 

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Crunchy Frostbite Cookies

Photo: Oxmoor House

Recipe: Crunchy Frostbite Cookies

These crispy oatmeal cookies get some extra crunch from cornflake cereal, and you only need to microwave the white chocolate and peppermint extract to dip the cookies in for a frosted effect.

 

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White Chocolate-Cherry Cookies

Southern Living

Recipe: White Chocolate-Cherry Cookies

Chocolate and cherries make a crowd-pleasing combo, so make these decadent treats, studded with white chocolate chips, for the whole family.

 

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Chocolate Chunk-Mocha Cookies

Southern Living

Recipe: Chocolate Chunk-Mocha Cookies

For the chocolate lovers, these decadent treats are filled with chocolate chunks and topped with a rich mocha frosting (that takes less than 10 minutes to whip up!).

 

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Cranberry-White Chocolate Cookies

William Dickey

Recipe: Cranberry-White Chocolate Cookies

These cookies are a Christmas classic with gooey white chocolate and dried cranberries. Not to mention, they’re super quick to throw together.

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Cranberry-Orange Shortbread Cookies

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Cranberry-Orange Shortbread Cookies

These easy shortbread cookies are a variation of our simple slice-and-bake shortbread cookies recipe with dried cranberries and orange zest. They are fresh and festive.

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Coconut-Macadamia Nut Shortbread Cookies

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Coconut-Macadamia Nut Shortbread Cookies

We couldn’t pass up this variation of our simple slice-and-bake shortbread cookies recipe that features coconut and macadamia nuts for a deliciously easy holiday treat.

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Honey-Hazelnut Crisps

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Honey-Hazelnut Crisps

These thin, lacy cookies keep best in a cookie tin between wax paper—so use them for gifts! Take these to the next level by making them into a cookie sandwich with fig preserves in the middle.

 

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Chocolate-Caramel Cookie Cups

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Chocolate-Caramel Cookie Cups

Filled with ooey-gooey caramel and topped with crunchy pecans, these cookie cups will make a stunning addition to your holiday treat lineup. 

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Peanut Butter-and-Jelly Linzer Cookies

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Peanut Butter-and-Jelly Linzer Cookies

Packed with PB&J nostalgia, this recipe transforms the beloved flavors of childhood into a classic Linzer confection.

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