17 Best Christmas Cookies
The smell of cookies baking during Christmas?
Nothing beats it.
For me, Christmas cookies aren’t just desserts. They’re memories. Decorating sugar cookies with my family as a kid. The mess we’d make with frosting everywhere. The pure joy of sneaking warm cookies before dinner.
I’ve spent years baking my way through dozens of Christmas cookie recipes. Some were disasters (let’s not talk about the burnt gingerbread incident). But others? Absolute perfection.
These 17 recipes are the ones that made the cut.
Each cookie on this list has earned its spot. Some are classics I grew up with. Others are new favorites I discovered recently. I’ve baked most of these multiple times, tweaking them here and there to get them just right.
Whether you’re planning a cookie exchange, need gifts for neighbors, or just want to stuff your face with something sweet… you’ll find what you need here.
Let’s get baking.
1. Christmas Santa Suit Sugar Cookies
First up are the Christmas Santa Suit Sugar Cookies from Dessert Hungry. What I absolutely love about these festive cookies is how adorable they look! Decorated to resemble Santa’s iconic red suit, these cookies are both delicious and so much fun to make.
You really can’t go wrong with this one! The cookies turn out soft and buttery, and decorating them is enjoyable for kids and adults alike. Here’s a little tip from my own experience: use royal icing for the decorations because it dries beautifully and creates that perfect, professional-looking finish.
These cookies never fail to bring smiles to everyone at holiday gatherings!
2. Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
Next, let’s talk about the Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies from Dessert Hungry. If you’re craving a cookie that feels like a warm hug, this is absolutely it! The combination of buttery dough and melty chocolate chips creates pure happiness in every single bite.
What I adore most about these cookies is their soft, chewy texture—they’re simply heavenly! I always serve them warm from the oven because the chocolate gets extra gooey and delicious. Trust me on this one, once you taste them, you’ll be making them all season long!
3. Christmas Butter Swirl Cookies
Now, let’s indulge in the Christmas Butter Swirl Cookies from Dessert Hungry. These gorgeous cookies have become a staple in my holiday baking, thanks to their rich, buttery flavor and that stunning swirl design.
I personally love enjoying these cookies with a cup of hot cocoa on cold winter evenings. They’re absolutely perfect for cookie exchanges or holiday parties! One tip I’ve learned—the swirl pattern looks even more beautiful when you use festive red and green food coloring.
4. Christmas M&M Cookies
Colorful and festive, the Christmas M&M Cookies are a must-try from Modern Honey. I’m honestly obsessed with how fun and cheerful these cookies are! Just toss in some red and green M&Ms into your favorite cookie dough, and you’ve got a treat that screams Christmas.
What makes these cookies so fabulous is their wonderfully soft texture and those little pops of chocolate from the M&Ms! Kids go absolutely crazy for them, and they’re incredibly easy to make. I’m warning you now—these cookies disappear within minutes at any holiday party!
5. Christmas Sugar Cookies
Next up, the Christmas Sugar Cookies from Modern Honey. These cookies are the perfect blank canvas for all your holiday creativity! This classic recipe is just right for cutting into festive shapes and decorating however your heart desires.
I love how beautifully these cookies hold their shape when baked, which makes them ideal for decorating with icing and sprinkles. Just a friendly warning—decorating these is so enjoyable that you might completely lose track of time! Not that I’m speaking from experience or anything.
6. Hot Cocoa Cookies
Now let’s warm up with the Hot Cocoa Cookies from Modern Honey. There’s something incredibly comforting about these cookies—they literally taste just like your favorite cup of hot chocolate in cookie form!
The rich chocolate cookie base topped with toasted marshmallows makes these an absolute showstopper at any holiday gathering! While baking, keep a close eye on them so the marshmallows get perfectly golden and toasted. I love pairing them with actual hot cocoa for the ultimate cozy winter experience.
7. Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
For those of you who love the classic holiday flavor combination, try the Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies from Modern Honey. These cookies are not only delicious but also packed with that refreshing, cool mint flavor!
What’s incredible about these cookies is how perfectly the mint and chocolate complement each other. The combination feels festive and tastes amazing, making them a guaranteed hit at any Christmas party. You’ll feel so happy taking that first bite of these refreshing treats!
8. Cheesecake Stuffed Red Velvet Cookies
A must-bake for any serious cookie lover is the Cheesecake Stuffed Red Velvet Cookies from Modern Honey. These cookies are like getting two incredible desserts in one!
What I really appreciate about this recipe is the delightful surprise hiding inside. The cookies are soft and rich, and that creamy cheesecake filling adds an unexpected element that’s absolutely wonderful. It’s truly a slice of heaven in cookie form, trust me on this!
9. White Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
Next is the stunning White Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Chocolate Cookies from Modern Honey. The combination of chocolate and peppermint is absolutely perfect for Christmas, and these cookies make it so easy to enjoy both!
You’ll love the rich, deep chocolate flavor while savoring that cool peppermint. The white chocolate dip adds such an elegant touch that makes these cookies look like they came straight from a fancy bakery. If you’re a peppermint lover like me, these will quickly become your new favorite!
10. Mrs. Claus Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Moving on to the Mrs. Claus Chocolate Peppermint Cookies from Modern Honey. This one honestly checks all the boxes for me: festive, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make!
The cookies are incredibly rich with chocolate and peppermint taste, which is always a huge plus in my book. I often recommend making an extra batch because they disappear so fast. These cookies are absolutely perfect for leaving out for Santa on Christmas Eve!
11. Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
If you’re up for something loaded with all sorts of goodies, try the Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies from Modern Honey. These cookies literally have everything but the kitchen sink thrown into them!
I adore how every bite is a little different with all the amazing mix-ins like chocolate chips, pretzels, and candies. These cookies are big, wonderfully chewy, and absolutely satisfying. They’re perfect for people who can never decide on just one flavor—why choose when you can have it all?
12. Levain Bakery Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Also noteworthy are the Levain Bakery Chocolate Peppermint Cookies from Modern Honey. These bakery-style cookies are thick, rich, and incredibly indulgent.
What really excites me about this recipe is how the cookies turn out tall and wonderfully soft in the middle with those slightly crispy edges. I always eat them while they’re still warm for the absolute best experience. You definitely won’t regret making these!
13. Christmas Monster Cookies
Next is the super fun Christmas Monster Cookies from Modern Honey. Think of them as the ultimate holiday treat loaded with all your favorite things!
The combination of peanut butter, oats, chocolate chips, and M&Ms gives these cookies such a fantastic flavor and texture. They’re ideal for feeding a crowd and always get rave reviews from everyone! I strongly suggest making a double batch right from the start because they disappear so quickly.
14. Best Monster Cookies
If you love monster cookies, you’ll definitely want to check out the Best Monster Cookies from Modern Honey. These cookies are chewy, loaded with incredible flavor, and absolutely perfect for the holiday season.
The combination of ingredients creates such a delightful texture in every bite! They’re an excellent treat for Christmas cookie trays or for packaging up as homemade gifts. Just remember to hide some for yourself before they all vanish!
15. Italian Ricotta Cookies
How about trying something a little different? The Italian Ricotta Cookies from Modern Honey are soft, cake-like cookies with a delicious sweet glaze on top.
I love how unique these cookies are compared to your traditional Christmas cookies. The ricotta makes them incredibly soft and tender—almost cloud-like—and the sweet glaze adds the perfect finishing touch. These are wonderful for adding some variety to your cookie collection!
16. Red Velvet Cookies
Another treat is the Red Velvet Cookies from Modern Honey. I could honestly go on and on about how fantastic these cookies are!
The beautiful red color and subtle chocolate flavor make them absolutely perfect for Christmas. You’ll love how soft and chewy they turn out, and they look so festive on any cookie platter. Fair warning—everyone will be asking you for this recipe!
17. Pistachio Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies
Wrapping things up are the Pistachio Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies from Modern Honey. As unique as they sound, these cookies are an absolute hidden gem!
The combination of pistachios, toffee, and chocolate chips delivers such a sophisticated flavor that feels special and festive. You will absolutely adore how every bite has different textures and flavors playing together. It’s a wonderful choice when you really want to impress your guests!
Conclusion
So there you have it—these 17 best Christmas cookies bring a fantastic variety of flavors, textures, and holiday cheer to your baking adventures. From classic sugar cookies to creative flavor combinations, there’s truly something here for everyone. I have to say, I have an absolute soft spot for the Cheesecake Stuffed Red Velvet Cookies—they’re pure indulgence in every single bite!
Now, I’d really love to hear from you: which Christmas cookie recipe from this list are you most excited to try? Drop a comment below and let me know, and happy baking!
