19 Festive Christmas Cookie Recipes to Brighten Your Holidays

ByMarigold Banks UpdatedNovember 12, 2025

Christmas Cookie Recipes - Guyo's Guide

I used to think Christmas cookies had to look perfect—like the ones in fancy magazines. Every year, I’d try and end up with flour everywhere and cookies that looked… well, “creative.”

But then I realized it’s not about perfection—it’s about fun, flavor, and a little holiday magic. After testing, tasting, and a few baking fails, I’ve found some easy, crowd-pleasing recipes anyone can make.

These Christmas cookie ideas aren’t just delicious—they’ll make your kitchen smell amazing and your holidays feel extra special.

So grab your apron and let’s get baking!

1. Classic Sugar Cookies

A white ceramic plate filled with classic Christmas sugar cookies in the shapes of stars, trees, and snowflakes, each beautifully frosted with pastel royal icing and delicate sprinkles. The cookies rest neatly on a bright plain white kitchen countertop, illuminated by soft natural light streaming from a nearby window. The light creates gentle reflections on the glossy icing, highlighting the crisp edges and golden undersides of the cookies.

Every Christmas, these buttery sugar cookies steal the show.

They hold their shape perfectly for stars, trees, and reindeer, making them ideal for decorating with royal icing and colorful sprinkles.

Kids love helping roll the dough, and honestly, so do adults—it’s half the fun and all the nostalgia.

2. Gingerbread Men

A photo of a rustic plate holding a collection of perfectly baked gingerbread men cookies. Each cookie is decorated with white icing smiles, buttons, and tiny red and green candy accents. The cookies are arranged in a casual stack on a bright plain white kitchen countertop under natural light. The sunlight emphasizes their rich brown color and the subtle crackle of baked molasses dough.

There’s something magical about the smell of gingerbread men baking.

Molasses, cinnamon, and ginger fill the kitchen with cozy warmth.

Decorate them with tiny buttons, smiles, and maybe even scarves made of icing.

They’re almost too cute to eat—almost. Hang a few on the tree if you can resist!

3. Peppermint Crinkle Cookies

A photo of a round white plate with several peppermint crinkle cookies. The cookies have deep chocolate cracks and are dusted in powdered sugar, giving them a snow-dusted appearance. The plate is placed on a bright white kitchen countertop. There are a few peppermint candies scattered nearby. The sunlight creates a subtle sparkle on the powdered sugar and highlights the dark centers of the cookies against the white background.

These fudgy chocolate cookies dusted in powdered sugar look like they’ve been kissed by snow.

The peppermint flavor gives them a cool, festive twist, and their soft, brownie-like texture makes them melt in your mouth.

Pair with a mug of hot cocoa for the perfect winter night treat.

4. Snickerdoodle Snowballs

A photo of a small porcelain plate on a bright plain white kitchen countertop. The plate is piled high with round snickerdoodle snowball cookies coated in cinnamon-sugar. Each cookie has a soft matte finish with visible sugar crystals catching the natural light. The cookies are slightly uneven, giving them a charming homemade appearance. The sunlight casts delicate shadows around the plate. In the background, a faint blur of a red holiday napkin adds warmth without distracting from the cookies’ golden-brown tones.

Cinnamon-sugar heaven, but make it festive!

These snickerdoodle snowballs are soft, buttery, and coated in just the right amount of spice.

They’re quick to make and even quicker to disappear.

Perfect for those who love cozy flavors without the fuss of icing or fancy decorations.

5. Linzer Cookies

A photo of a flat ceramic plate on a bright plain white kitchen countertop. On the plate, there is a neat circular pattern of Linzer cookies. Each cookie has a delicate heart-shaped cutout revealing a glossy red raspberry jam center dusted lightly with powdered sugar. Natural light pours in from the left, highlighting the almond-speckled dough and creating a soft glow on the jam's sheen. Powdered sugar flecks shimmer slightly in the light, suggesting recent finishing touches.

Elegant and classic, Linzer cookies bring a touch of European charm to your holiday table.

With almond dough and a peekaboo heart filled with raspberry jam, they’re as lovely as they are delicious.

A light dusting of powdered sugar makes them sparkle like freshly fallen snow.

6. Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread

A photo of a white plate filled with golden, crisp shortbread cookies. The cookies are half-dipped in smooth dark chocolate and sprinkled with crushed candy cane pieces. The plate is placed on a bright plain white kitchen countertop. There is a wash of gentle natural light on the scene. The cookies glisten slightly from the chocolate's glossy finish, and a few chocolate drips mark the parchment beneath. The natural light highlights the buttery texture of the shortbread while soft reflections dance off the glossy chocolate coating.

Crisp, buttery shortbread is already delightful, but dip it halfway in silky dark chocolate and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top—you’ve just made magic.

These cookies look bakery-perfect yet couldn’t be simpler.

They store beautifully, too, which makes them a holiday gifting lifesaver.

7. Eggnog Cookies

A photo of a white stoneware plate on a bright plain white kitchen countertop. There are several soft, round eggnog cookies with creamy glaze drizzles and a light dusting of nutmeg on top. The cookies’ surfaces appear slightly shiny in the natural light, showing their pillowy texture. A glass of eggnog sits blurred in the background, its golden hue echoing the cookies’ color. The light enhances the warmth of the cookies’ tones, creating an inviting holiday glow that feels cozy and homemade.

All the flavor of your favorite holiday drink, baked into a soft, spiced cookie.

With nutmeg, rum extract, and a creamy eggnog glaze, these are pure Christmas comfort.

They smell incredible while baking—warm, sweet, and nostalgic.

Serve them with coffee or, naturally, a glass of eggnog.

8. Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies

A photo of a large white ceramic plate overflowing with chewy cranberry white chocolate cookies. The cookies have golden edges and creamy white chocolate chunks, with red cranberries gleaming slightly. The plate is placed on a bright plain white kitchen countertop. There are a few scattered dried cranberries, adding a rustic touch. Sunlight highlights the uneven, homemade texture of each cookie, giving them a fresh-from-the-oven look.

These cookies are festive in both color and flavor—chewy, buttery dough filled with tart cranberries and creamy white chocolate chips.

The balance is perfection: sweet, tangy, and slightly chewy.

They make a gorgeous addition to cookie platters and last beautifully in tins for gifting.

9. Hot Cocoa Cookies

A photo of a round white plate with rich chocolate cookies topped with melted marshmallows and a light dusting of cocoa powder. The plate is placed on a bright plain white kitchen countertop. The cookies have glossy tops that catch the soft natural light, creating tiny highlights across the marshmallow surface. In the background, there is a red-striped napkin and a steaming mug of cocoa. The light gives each cookie depth, emphasizing the gooey, fudgy texture beneath the melted topping. The overall ambiance of the photo is warm and wintery.

A chocolate lover’s dream come true.

These fudgy cookies are topped with gooey marshmallows and a sprinkle of cocoa powder.

It’s like drinking hot chocolate by the fire, only better—because you can eat it.

Add a crushed candy cane on top for a peppermint twist.

10. Pecan Snowball Cookies

A delicate porcelain plate holds a pyramid of pecan snowball cookies, their powdered sugar coating glowing softly in the natural light. The cookies look like tiny snowballs, with subtle cracks revealing the nutty centers beneath. The plate rests gracefully on a bright plain white kitchen countertop. The sunlight filters through gently, creating faint shadows and making the sugar sparkle as if it were fresh snow.

These dainty, melt-in-your-mouth cookies taste like buttery clouds dusted in powdered sugar.

The finely chopped pecans give them a subtle crunch and a toasty, nutty flavor.

They’re old-fashioned in the best way—simple, sweet, and dangerously easy to eat by the handful.

11. Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

A stack of red velvet crinkle cookies rests on a clean white ceramic plate. Each cookie has a deep red color and a surface covered in a thick layer of powdered sugar, with slight cracks revealing a soft interior. The plate sits on a bright white kitchen countertop, and a faint reflection of the plate is visible on the countertop’s surface. A few stray cookie crumbs are scattered around the plate, and the scene is illuminated by soft natural light that highlights the red tones and the luminescent appearance of the powdered sugar.

Bold, bright, and a little dramatic—these red velvet crinkles are the star of any Christmas cookie tray.

Soft and chewy with a hint of cocoa, they’re rolled in powdered sugar for that beautiful snowy effect.

Serve them warm and watch everyone swoon after the first bite.

12. Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies

Peppermint bark cookies 3 of 6 — Source:sugarspunrun.com

If peppermint bark and cookies had a baby, this would be it.

A rich chocolate base is topped with melted white chocolate and sprinkled with crushed candy canes.

They’re festive, fun, and oh-so-pretty.

Perfect for cookie swaps, gift boxes, or sneaky late-night snacking.

13. Oatmeal Cranberry Spice Cookies

A photo of a white ceramic plate filled with oatmeal cranberry spice cookies on a bright plain white kitchen countertop. Each cookie is golden brown with visible oats, bright red cranberries, and hints of orange zest. The natural light softly illuminates their textured surfaces, highlighting their hearty, rustic appearance. The cookies appear thick and chewy, their edges glistening slightly under the sunlight.

Think of these as oatmeal cookies dressed up for the holidays.

Cinnamon, cloves, and orange zest mingle with tart dried cranberries for a cozy, fragrant bite.

They’re hearty yet festive—a cookie that feels like a warm hug.

Great with tea, or even for breakfast (no judgment).

14. Almond Spritz Cookies

A white porcelain gray round plate holds an assortment of almond spritz cookies shaped like trees, wreaths, and stars, decorated with colorful sugar sprinkles. The plate rests gracefully on a bright plain white kitchen countertop bathed in natural light. The light catches the subtle shine of the buttery cookies and reflects off the sugar crystals, giving them a delicate sparkle.

These classic pressed cookies are buttery, crisp, and delicately flavored with almond extract.

Use a cookie press to make festive shapes—trees, wreaths, or stars—and top with colored sugar.

They’re charmingly old-school and look like they came straight from Grandma’s kitchen. Always a hit!

15. Molasses Spice Cookies

A photo of a white plate on a white kitchen countertop. The plate holds a stack of molasses spice cookies with deep brown color and slightly cracked tops. The cookies have soft centers and a glossy finish. There's a cinnamon stick and a sprinkle of cloves near the cookies. The light enhances the rich tone of the cookies, making them appear freshly baked and aromatic.

Soft, chewy, and packed with deep flavor, these cookies taste like the essence of Christmas.

Molasses brings a rich caramel note, while ginger and cloves add that cozy spice.

They fill the house with the most comforting aroma—and disappear faster than Santa’s cookies on Christmas Eve.

16. Pistachio Thumbprint Cookies

A photo of a glossy white plate placed on a white kitchen countertop. The plate contains rows of pistachio thumbprint cookies. Each cookie has a greenish hue and a ruby-red jam center. The crushed pistachios along the edges are clearly visible. A few crumbs are scattered nearby, suggesting the cookies were freshly baked. The natural light illuminates the scene, catching the glossy jam and creating tiny reflections that make each cookie sparkle.

Pretty enough for a cookie exchange and fancy enough for gifting, these pistachio thumbprints are a holiday gem.

The green hue from the nuts looks gorgeous against ruby-red jam centers.

They’re buttery, nutty, and slightly crisp around the edges—a perfectly elegant bite that feels as festive as it looks.

17. Brown Butter Toffee Cookies

Brown butter toffee cookies 12 of 12 — Source: sugarspunrun.com

If cozy had a flavor, it would taste like these cookies.

The brown butter gives a nutty, caramel depth, while bits of toffee melt into golden sweetness.

Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top to make them extra special.

They’re warm, rich, and impossible to forget after one bite.

18. Candy Cane Kiss Cookies

A round white ceramic plate rests on a bright, uniformly white kitchen countertop. Several candy cane kiss cookies are arranged on the plate, each topped with a red-and-white striped Hershey’s Kiss, and the cookies themselves are rolled in sparkling red and white granulated sugar. Fine, reflective particles of sugar cover the surfaces of both the cookies and the candy kisses, creating tiny highlights. A subtle pattern of shadows appears along the edges of the plate and around the base of each cookie, indicating a soft light source above.

These cheerful little cookies are as fun to look at as they are to eat.

Soft sugar cookie dough gets rolled in sparkling red and white sugar, then crowned with a peppermint Hershey’s Kiss.

They’re sweet, minty, and the definition of Christmas joy—ideal for baking with kids.

19. Stained Glass Window Cookies

A white porcelain plate on a bright plain white kitchen countertop displays vibrant stained glass window cookies in festive shapes—stars, bells, and trees—with colorful translucent centers. The cookies are illuminated by natural light, which passes through the candy centers, casting faint tinted reflections onto the countertop. The golden cookie edges glimmer under the sunlight creating a bright, magical, and truly festive kitchen scene.

These cookies are pure Christmas magic!

Sugar cookie dough is cut into festive shapes, and the centers are filled with crushed hard candies that melt into “stained glass” when baked.

Hang them on the tree or package them in clear bags—they’re edible art that sparkles like holiday lights.

Christmas Cookie Recipes

Marigold Banks

Marigold Banks is a food writer at Guyo's Guide. With a rich background as a chef and event planner, she brings a unique culinary perspective and flair for detail to her articles. Marigold's passion for food and expert insights make her a valued voice on our blog.