The Christmas countdown is ON and if you haven’t made multiple batches of Christmas cookies yet, what are you waiting for?!
I’ve compiled some of my favorite Christmas cookie recipes from the Handle the Heat archives and from my favorite trusted bloggers all below. I’ve organized the cookies by flavor or ingredient themes to make it easy to find just what you’re craving. We’ve got classic sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, chocolate cookies, easy Christmas cookies, festive cookies, peppermint cookies, and even healthy & allergy-friendly cookies. I’ve also included some helpful tips for you so that holiday baking is a breeze this year!
So whether you’re finding a recipe to bring to a potluck or party, a new family favorite, or making cookies for Santa, you’ll definitely find a new staple from this list of best Christmas cookies!
For even more Christmas recipes, be sure to visit my Christmas Headquarters here.
Which cookie recipe will YOU make first?
My Best Cookie Baking Tips:
- Want to bake cookies ahead of time? Here’s how to freeze Cookie Dough (& bake from frozen!)
- Need help cookie decorating? I’ve got step by step photos and a video for Easy Cookie Icing!
- Wondering which baking pans are best for cookie baking? Check out my favorites here!
- Hosting a holiday cookie exchange party? Here’s how to host one! (with free printables!)
- Cookies didn’t turn out? These are the 3 biggest reasons your cookies flop!
- Want a great Christmas gift for a cookie lover? I wrote an entire 200+ page cookbook all about COOKIES and the science of cookie baking. Buy your copy here!
Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipes
Easy Cut Out Sugar Cookies with Icing from Handle the Heat
Chai Sugar Cookies from Handle the Heat
Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookies from Baking a Moment
Stained Glass Cookies from Cooking Classy
Sugar Cookie Turtle Pudding Bites from Chelsea’s Messy Apron
Gingerbread Cookies
My Go-To Gingerbread Cookie Recipe from Handle the Heat
Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies from Handle the Heat
Frosted Gingerbread Cookies from Baker by Nature
Gingerbread Linzer Cookies from Broma Bakery
Chocolate Cookies
Hot Cocoa Cookies from Handle the Heat
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies from Handle the Heat
Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies from Handle the Heat
German Chocolate Cookies from Handle the Heat
Soft Batch Double Chocolate Cookies from Handle the Heat
Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Cookies from Handle the Heat
Slice n’ Bake Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Cookies from Half Baked Harvest
Chocolate Espresso Thumbprint Cookies from Half Baked Harvest
Easy Christmas Cookies
No Bake Cookies from Two Peas and Their Pod
Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies from Live Well Bake Often
Easy Slice n’ Bake Vanilla Bean Christmas Cookies from Half Baked Harvest
Festive Christmas Cookies
Turtle Thumbprint Cookies from Handle the Heat
Gingerdoodle Cookies from Handle the Heat
Crispy Gingersnaps from Handle the Heat
Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies from Handle the Heat
Cookie Cutter Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting from Handle the Heat
Butter Pecan Cookies from Baker by Nature
Chewy White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies from Baker by Nature
Snowball Cookies from Live Well Bake Often
Peppermint Cookies
Homemade Milano Cookies from Handle the Heat
Peppermint Mocha Cookies from Baker by Nature
Peppermint Crinkle Cookies from Broma Bakery
Chocolate Mint Chip Cookies from Two Peas & Their Pod
Peppermint Meltaway Cookies from Cooking Classy
Soft Peppermint Sugar Cookies from Chelsea’s Messy Apron
Healthy & Allergen Friendly Christmas Cookies
Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies (dairy free) from Handle the Heat
Peppermint Mocha Crinkles (Gluten Free & Vegan) from Heather Christo
Paleo Gingerbread Cookies from Ambitious Kitchen
Healthy Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies from Baker by Nature
Healthy Christmas Sugar Cookies from Fit Foodie Finds
How to Put Together a Christmas Cookie Gift Box:
1. Get your boxes.
Hobby Lobby or Michael’s typically have a great selection of gift boxes, both specifically for baked goods and others you can get creative with, such as pretty photo boxes. I usually like to buy smaller boxes or cut up cardboard to make dividers to separate various cookies inside.
2. Choose your recipes.
I usually like to do 1 cut out / cookie cutter recipe (such as sugar cookies or gingerbread), 1 colorful recipe (such as jam thumbprints or red velvet cookies), 1 chocolate chip recipe, and then 1 candy recipe to add some variety. Usually chocolate truffles or marshmallows.
3. Get baking!
I will make any drop-style cookie dough ahead of time and freeze, then bake as needed (directions for freezing here). Cut out cookies can be made ahead and frozen, un-iced. Most candy can be made weeks ahead of time. Then anything else I’ll make day of.
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About Tessa...
I share trusted baking recipes your friends will LOVE alongside insights into the science of sweets. I'm a professionally trained chef, cookbook author, and cookie queen. I love to write about all things sweet, carb-y, and homemade. I live in Phoenix, Arizona (hence the blog name!)
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© Handle the Heat - handletheheat.com
As a trained chef and cookbook author, I share trusted baking recipes your friends & family will love alongside insights into the science of sweets. I help take the luck out of baking so you *always* have delicious results! Learn more here.
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Hi Tessa,
Your cookies look amazing. Love your website. Wondering if your sugar cookie recipe can be cut in half?
Thank you and Merry Christmas,
Brenda
Hi Brenda, that should work! Enjoy!
I have made several attempts to claim my Free 10 Christmas Cookie Recipes download and never received said recipes. HELP!
Charlotte (charlko@aol.com)
Hi Charlotte! Please email support@handletheheat.com and they’ll be able to help you sort this out!
Delicious cookies…
Thanks so much, Nancy!
a very helpful set of categories, thank you, peppermint gets it’s own, and tips too, much appreciated plus even allergen friendly