11 Slice-and-Bake Cookies for Easy Holiday Baking
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.
Pinwheel Cookies
Recipe: Pinwheel Cookies
Two sinfully indulgent cookies doughs are twisted together in this holiday recipe to create the distinctive pinwheel swirl.
1 of 11
Cream Cheese Christmas Cookies
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.
2 of 11
Belgian Spice Cookies
Recipe: Belgian Spice Cookies
These adorably festive slice-and-bake cookies are embellished with a powdered sugar snowflake design for a cozy Christmas touch.
3 of 11
Pecan Sandies
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.
4 of 11
Dark Chocolate Sablés
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.
5 of 11
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
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.
6 of 11
Painted Shortbread Cookies
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.
7 of 11
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.
8 of 11
Cranberry-Orange Butter Cookies
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.
9 of 11
Icebox Cookies
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.
10 of 11
Butter-Pecan Shortbread Cookies
Recipe: Butter-Pecan Shortbread Cookies
Top each one of these sweet and salty rounds with a pecan half for a rustic finish.