18 Christmas Cookie Recipes to Bake This Holiday Season
There are a lot of ways to celebrate Christmas, but very few of them involve standing in a warm kitchen that smells like cinnamon, butter, and vanilla while a tray of something magical bakes in the oven. Christmas cookie baking isn’t just about the cookies — it’s the ritual. The playlists. The flour on your apron. The moment the timer goes off and the whole house smells like the holidays.
This list brings together 18 Christmas cookie recipes that cover every style, every skill level, and every occasion the holiday season throws at you. There are elegant linzer cookies for the cookie exchange, easy chocolate chip cookies for the kids, showstopper decorated sugar cookies for the dessert table, and stuffed cookies with surprises inside that make people light up when they bite in.
Whether you’re planning a full holiday baking weekend, looking for something quick for a school party, or building the most impressive cookie tin anyone on your gift list has ever received — this list has exactly what you need.
Preheat the oven. Let’s get baking.
1. Christmas Santa Suit Sugar Cookies
The most festive cookie on this entire list. These sugar cookies are decorated to look exactly like Santa’s iconic red suit — complete with the belt buckle, the white trim, and the full holiday regalia. They look like they belong in a bakery window display, but you can absolutely make them in your own kitchen, and the results are genuinely stunning.
Set these out at any holiday gathering and watch everyone reach for their phones before they reach for the cookie. They’re the centerpiece of any Christmas cookie platter and the kind of bake that makes kids genuinely believe the magic of the season is real.
Style: Decorated sugar cookies Skill level: Intermediate Best for: Cookie exchanges, Christmas parties, gifting, impressing absolutely everyone
2. Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
A Christmas twist on the most beloved cookie in the world. These aren’t just regular chocolate chip cookies — they’ve been given the full holiday treatment with festive mix-ins, seasonal colors, or Christmas-themed decorations that make them feel special and seasonal without messing with the perfect chocolate chip cookie formula underneath.
Because here’s the truth: not every holiday cookie needs to be complicated. Sometimes the most popular cookie on the tray is just a really, really good chocolate chip cookie dressed up for the occasion. This is that cookie.
Style: Classic drop cookies with holiday twist Skill level: Easy Best for: Kids’ baking, school parties, everyday holiday baking, cookie tins
3. Christmas Butter Swirl Cookies
Buttery, delicate, melt-in-your-mouth swirl cookies piped into festive shapes and finished with a dusting of colored sugar or sprinkles. These are the cookies that look impossibly elegant and fragile — the ones that make people say “did you really make these yourself?” — but they’re more approachable than they appear.
The key is the butter. Good quality butter makes these cookies taste like they came from a European patisserie, and the swirled shape holds beautifully in the oven. These belong on every Christmas cookie platter, full stop.
Style: Piped butter cookies Skill level: Intermediate Best for: Cookie exchanges, gift tins, elegant holiday gatherings, dessert platters
4. Peppermint Oreo Crunch Cookies
Thick, chewy chocolate cookies loaded with crushed candy cane Oreos and bits of peppermint — these are the cookies for anyone who loves the chocolate-peppermint combination that defines Christmas flavors. Every bite has that satisfying crunch from the Oreo pieces and a hit of cool peppermint that feels exactly like the holidays.
These are also incredibly easy to make, which is exactly what you need when your holiday baking list is already a mile long. Big flavor, minimal effort, maximum Christmas energy.
Style: Loaded chocolate drop cookies Skill level: Easy Best for: Cookie swaps, school parties, quick holiday baking, peppermint lovers
5. Peppermint Bark Snowballs
Soft, pillowy snowball cookies rolled in powdered sugar and packed with crushed peppermint bark pieces inside. They look like little snowballs dusted with fresh snow, and the peppermint bark hidden inside makes every bite a cool, minty, chocolatey surprise.
Snowball cookies are already one of the most iconic Christmas cookies in existence — the peppermint bark version takes that classic foundation and makes it unmistakably, irresistibly Christmas. They also hold up beautifully in a tin, which makes them one of the best cookies for gifting.
Style: Snowball / powdered sugar cookies Skill level: Easy Best for: Gifting, cookie tins, Christmas cookie platters, peppermint fans
6. White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Chewy, golden drop cookies studded with tart dried cranberries and creamy white chocolate chips — these are the most elegant “easy” cookie on this list. The red cranberries and white chocolate chips look naturally festive without any extra decoration, and the flavor combination is perfectly balanced — sweet, tart, rich, and completely irresistible.
These are the cookies for people who want something that looks thoughtful and seasonal without spending hours decorating. They come together in one bowl in under 30 minutes and they look beautiful on any holiday platter.
Style: Drop cookies Skill level: Easy Best for: Last-minute holiday baking, cookie exchanges, gifting, any occasion
7. Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies
Gingerbread flavor in crinkle cookie form — these are soft, chewy, deeply spiced gingerbread cookies rolled in powdered sugar before baking, so they come out of the oven with that beautiful crackled white surface. They taste exactly like traditional gingerbread but with a texture that’s far more satisfying than a flat cutout cookie.
The crinkle pattern is created naturally as the cookie spreads in the oven, which means zero decorating required. The powdered sugar coating does all the work visually, and the warm spiced gingerbread smell that fills your kitchen while these bake is reason enough to make them.
Style: Crinkle cookies Skill level: Easy Best for: Everyday Christmas baking, cookie tins, gifting, gingerbread lovers
8. Raspberry Almond Snowballs
A sophisticated spin on the classic snowball cookie — these delicate little bites have a buttery almond base with a hidden raspberry jam center, all rolled in powdered sugar until they look like perfect little snowdrifts. The almond flavor is subtle and nutty, and the bright pop of raspberry jam inside makes every bite feel like a small surprise.
These are the cookies that people pick up expecting something simple and then look genuinely delighted when they discover the raspberry center. They’re elegant, they’re festive, and they pack beautifully in a tin layered between sheets of parchment.
Style: Filled snowball cookies Skill level: Easy to intermediate Best for: Cookie exchanges, gift tins, elegant holiday entertaining, anyone who loves almond
9. Chocolate Snowball Cookies with White Chocolate Center
The dark and dramatic cousin of the classic snowball. Rich, deeply chocolatey cookies rolled in powdered sugar to look like snow-dusted truffles, with a creamy white chocolate center melted inside. When you bite in, the white chocolate center gives this cookie a molten, truffle-like quality that makes it feel far more decadent than a cookie has any right to be.
They look gorgeous on a platter alongside lighter colored cookies — the contrast between the dark chocolate crinkle and the white powdered sugar coating is visually striking in the best way.
Style: Filled chocolate snowball cookies Skill level: Easy to intermediate Best for: Cookie platters, gift tins, chocolate lovers, elegant holiday entertaining
10. Marshmallow Stuffed Molasses Cookies
Thick, chewy, deeply spiced molasses cookies with a whole marshmallow stuffed inside that melts into a gooey, sticky, magnificent center as the cookie bakes. The outside is perfectly crisp with a crinkled surface rolled in sugar, and the inside is soft, warm, and slightly stretchy from the melted marshmallow.
These are the cookies that cause audible reactions when people bite into them. The marshmallow center is completely unexpected and completely magical — a holiday cookie trick that never stops being impressive no matter how many times you make it.
Style: Stuffed spiced cookies Skill level: Easy Best for: Christmas cookie trays, gifting, wow-factor baking, anyone who loves molasses
11. Caramel Stuffed Snickerdoodle Cookies
The beloved snickerdoodle — that classic cinnamon sugar cookie — gets a serious upgrade with a soft, gooey caramel center baked right inside. When you pull these apart, the caramel stretches out in the most satisfying way, and the warm cinnamon cookie surrounding it is the perfect frame for all that sweet, buttery caramel goodness.
These are the cookies that make people ask “what IS this?” in the best possible way. Snickerdoodles are already a holiday staple, and this caramel stuffed version turns a familiar classic into something genuinely extraordinary.
Style: Stuffed cinnamon sugar cookies Skill level: Easy to intermediate Best for: Cookie exchanges, gifting, snickerdoodle lovers, anyone who loves caramel
12. Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies
Striking red velvet cookies with a thumb indentation filled with a creamy, tangy cream cheese filling — these are Christmas colors in cookie form. The deep red of the red velvet base against the white cream cheese center looks exactly like a miniature Christmas ornament, and the flavor combination of cocoa-tinged red velvet and tangy cream cheese is absolutely perfect.
These are one of the most visually impressive cookies on this list with surprisingly straightforward execution. The thumbprint technique is simple, the red velvet base is easy to make, and the results look like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Style: Thumbprint cookies Skill level: Intermediate Best for: Christmas cookie platters, gift boxes, elegant entertaining, red velvet fans
13. Irresistible Cherry Thumbprint Cookies
Buttery shortbread thumbprint cookies with a bright, glossy cherry filling nestled in the center — these are classic Christmas cookies that have earned their place on holiday trays for generations. The cherry filling pops in color and flavor against the pale, crumbly shortbread base, and they look genuinely beautiful even with minimal effort.
Every Christmas cookie tin needs a thumbprint cookie, and the cherry version is the most festive and universally loved of the bunch. They’re also one of the best make-ahead cookies — they hold up beautifully for days and only get better as they rest.
Style: Thumbprint cookies Skill level: Easy Best for: Classic Christmas cookie trays, gifting, make-ahead baking, universally loved
14. Raspberry Linzer Cookies
The most elegant cookie on this entire list. Two delicate, buttery almond shortbread cookies sandwiched around a layer of bright raspberry jam, with a little cutout window on top that shows the jam peeking through. They look like they belong in a Viennese pastry shop window and taste every bit as refined as they look.
Linzer cookies are the cookies you make when you want the gift tin to look genuinely impressive — these are the ones that make the recipient think you went to a bakery. They take a little more time than a drop cookie, but the result is so beautiful and so delicious that every minute is completely worth it.
Style: Sandwich cookies with jam Skill level: Intermediate to advanced Best for: Cookie exchanges, gift tins, elegant holiday entertaining, impressing everyone
15. Pizzicati Italian Pinch Cookies
A traditional Italian cookie that deserves far more attention than it gets outside of Italian households. These delicate, buttery pastry cookies are pinched into a crescent or bow shape and filled with jam or chocolate — the “pizzicati” (meaning “pinched”) technique creates a beautiful, distinctive shape that looks like it requires professional skill but is actually quite approachable.
Adding an Italian cookie to your Christmas baking lineup is a wonderful way to bring something genuinely different and historically interesting to the table. These have been made in Italian kitchens at Christmas for generations, and one bite will tell you exactly why.
Style: Traditional Italian shaped cookies Skill level: Intermediate Best for: Cookie exchanges, unique holiday baking, gift tins, anyone wanting something different
16. Irish Butter Shortbread Cookies
Simple, classic, and completely perfect. Three ingredients — butter, sugar, flour — transformed into the most tender, crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies you’ve ever had. The Irish butter makes all the difference here: its higher butterfat content and richer flavor elevates a basic shortbread into something genuinely extraordinary.
These are the cookies for the person on your list who appreciates quality over theatrics. No decorations, no stuffing, no swirls — just perfect butter cookies that taste like they were made with love and the best possible ingredients. Which they were.
Style: Classic shortbread Skill level: Easy Best for: Gifting to those who appreciate quality, elegant tins, pairing with tea or coffee
17. Harry Potter Butterbeer Cookies
The most magical cookie on this list — literally. These cookies taste like the beloved Butterbeer from the wizarding world: butterscotch, caramel, and a hint of something warm and mysterious that makes them completely unlike any other Christmas cookie on the table. They’re the conversation starter, the icebreaker, and the first one everyone reaches for once someone mentions what they are.
These are absolutely perfect for anyone on your list who loves Harry Potter, but honestly, even non-fans become fans after one bite. The flavor is warming, nostalgic, and deeply satisfying — perfect for a cold winter holiday.
Style: Themed flavored cookies Skill level: Easy Best for: Harry Potter fans, unique gift tins, cookie exchanges, kids and adults equally
18. Orange Ricotta Cookies
Soft, pillowy, cloud-like cookies made with ricotta cheese that gives them a texture completely unlike any other cookie you’ve ever had — light, tender, and almost cake-like, with a bright orange flavor that feels fresh and unexpected among all the warm winter spices on the holiday table.
Italian in origin and absolutely beloved by anyone who tries them, orange ricotta cookies are the sleeper hit of every holiday cookie tray. People try them not knowing what to expect and end up eating four. The simple vanilla glaze on top and the orange zest inside make them feel both simple and sophisticated at the same time.
Style: Soft cake-like drop cookies Skill level: Easy Best for: Cookie exchanges, gift tins, anyone who wants something unique and unexpected
How to Build the Perfect Christmas Cookie Tin
If you’re making several of these recipes to package as gifts, here’s how to build a cookie tin that looks thoughtful and professionally curated.
Aim for variety in texture. Include at least one crispy cookie (shortbread), one chewy cookie (chocolate chip or snickerdoodle), and one delicate cookie (linzer or snowball). Texture variety makes each cookie feel distinct and makes the whole tin more interesting.
Vary the shapes. Mix round drop cookies with sandwich cookies, cutout cookies, and shaped cookies. A tin with all the same shape looks monotonous; variety creates visual interest that makes it feel truly curated.
Layer with parchment. Place a sheet of parchment or wax paper between cookie layers to prevent sticking and keep delicate cookies like linzers and snowballs intact during transport.
Package the most fragile cookies on top. Linzer cookies, snowballs dusted with powdered sugar, and any decorated cookies should always go on the top layer where they won’t get crushed.
Add a little card. A handwritten card inside the tin listing the cookies and their flavors is a thoughtful touch that costs nothing and makes the whole gift feel more personal and special.
The Ultimate Christmas Cookie Baking Schedule
Holiday baking is so much more enjoyable when you plan it out rather than trying to do everything in one chaotic day. Here’s a suggested schedule:
2 weeks before Christmas — Make and freeze the dough: Cookie doughs for the Christmas Butter Swirl Cookies, Irish Butter Shortbread, and Caramel Stuffed Snickerdoodles freeze beautifully. Make large batches now and bake fresh later.
1 week before Christmas — Bake the keepers: Cookies that improve with age go first: Raspberry Linzer Cookies, Cherry Thumbprint Cookies, Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies, Pizzicati Italian Pinch Cookies, and Orange Ricotta Cookies. Store in airtight tins at room temperature.
3–4 days before Christmas — Bake the middle batch: White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies, Marshmallow Stuffed Molasses Cookies, Peppermint Bark Snowballs, and both snowball varieties.
1–2 days before Christmas — Fresh bake: Christmas Santa Suit Sugar Cookies, Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies, Harry Potter Butterbeer Cookies, and Peppermint Oreo Crunch Cookies.
Ready to Fill Your Kitchen with Christmas Magic?
From the dramatic Christmas Santa Suit Sugar Cookies to the elegantly simple Irish Butter Shortbread to the completely unexpected Orange Ricotta Cookies — every recipe on this list brings something unique and delicious to the holiday table.
Pick three for your gift tins, pick five for your cookie exchange, or clear your schedule for a full weekend and make all eighteen. However you approach your holiday baking this year, save this list and come back to it every December. These are the cookies worth making again and again.
Share this with your fellow Christmas bakers, pin your favorites, and tell us in the comments which one you’re making first this year.
Happy baking, and happy holidays. 🎄
Looking for more holiday inspiration? Browse all our Christmas recipes on Dessert Hungry.