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  5. 11 Slice-and-Bake Cookies for Easy Holiday Baking

11 Slice-and-Bake Cookies for Easy Holiday Baking

By Jorie Nicole McDonald Updated November 02, 2021
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Cherry Chocolates Recipe
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

While chestnuts roasting on an open fire sounds nice, Southerners would much rather have homemade cookies baking in the oven. Whether you're heading to a church potluck, bake sale, or cookie decorating party, we love an excuse to break out our tried-and-true recipes. There's just one problem: Many cookie techniques tend to be complicated and time-consuming. With the holiday season comes jam-packed schedules, so most folks don't have extra time to spend in the kitchen. Slice-and-bake cookies are a holiday miracle. Simply mix together your favorite ingredients and freeze the dough in a log-shape in advance of your festive occasion. They'll be ready to pop in the oven when the time comes. Slice-and-bake Christmas cookies come in a variety of indulgent flavors. Ginger shortbread, Belgian spice, chocolate-orange swirls, and pinwheel cookies are just a few of our favorite recipes. Read on to find your perfect match.

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Pinwheel Cookies

Cherry Chocolates Recipe
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Pinwheel Cookies

Two sinfully indulgent cookies doughs are twisted together in this holiday recipe to create the distinctive pinwheel swirl.

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Cream Cheese Christmas Cookies

Cream Cheese Christmas Cookie
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Cream Cheese Christmas Cookies

Perfect for a holiday cookie swap, cream cheese Christmas cookies are coated in red and green sugar crystals for a Yuletide flair.

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Belgian Spice Cookies

Belgian Spice Cookies
Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Belgian Spice Cookies

These adorably festive slice-and-bake cookies are embellished with a powdered sugar snowflake design for a cozy Christmas touch.

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Pecan Sandies

Pecan Sandies
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pecan Sandies

Pecan sandies are as classic as they come. This beloved holiday cookie recipe features a crumbly shortbread that's sure to keep you coming back for more.

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Dark Chocolate Sablés

Dark Chocolate Sablés
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Dark Chocolate Sablés

Known for its gentle, crumbly texture, this classic French butter cookie is dipped in melted chocolate for the ultimate holiday confection.

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Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
Credit: Joy Howard

Recipe: Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

These festive spirals are bound for holiday stardom—and they're easier to pull off than you might think. To get the most vibrant color, use gel food dye rather than liquid drops.

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Painted Shortbread Cookies

Painted Shortbread Cookies
Credit: Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Painted Shortbread Cookies

Royal icing acts as the canvas and almond extract dyed with food coloring is the "paint." Whether you create masterful works of art or use this as a fun and festive activity for the kids, baking up a batch of our Painted Shortbread Cookies is bound to be a tradition you call on year after year.

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Neapolitan Cookies

Neapolitan Cookies

Recipe: Neapolitan Cookies

If you thought nothing could possibly top the ice-cream version, then prepare to be amazed. These rectangular treats are totally pop-into-your-mouth-able, but count yourself forewarned: You can't have just one.

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Cranberry-Orange Butter Cookies

Cranberry-Orange Butter Cookies
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Cranberry-Orange Butter Cookies

This dough is too tempting to resist. It's a combination of tart, sweet, and perfectly decadent. Good luck actually making it to the baking step without sneaking a taste or two.

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Icebox Cookies

Icebox Cookies Image
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Icebox Cookies

It's always a good idea to have cookie dough at the ready in your fridge, especially during the holidays. Our Icebox Cookies are bona fide winners, with chocolate chips and crunchy, toasted pecans taking the starring roles.

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Butter-Pecan Shortbread Cookies

Salted Butter-Pecan Shortbread Cookies
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Butter-Pecan Shortbread Cookies

Top each one of these sweet and salty rounds with a pecan half for a rustic finish.

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    1 of 11 Pinwheel Cookies
    2 of 11 Cream Cheese Christmas Cookies
    3 of 11 Belgian Spice Cookies
    4 of 11 Pecan Sandies
    5 of 11 Dark Chocolate Sablés
    6 of 11 Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
    7 of 11 Painted Shortbread Cookies
    8 of 11 Neapolitan Cookies
    9 of 11 Cranberry-Orange Butter Cookies
    10 of 11 Icebox Cookies
    11 of 11 Butter-Pecan Shortbread Cookies

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