7 Classic Cookie Recipes for Christmas
While these go-to classic cookie recipes are enjoyed year-round, the holidays are an especially great time to return to these classic favorites. These seven recipes are classic cookies many expect to see in a holiday cookie box or Christmas celebration:
Soft-Baked Snickerdoodle Cookies
Recipe by Delicious Little Bites
This recipe requires one less ingredient than traditional Snickerdoodles since it does not include cream of tartar. It is simpler to make while remaining just as delicious as the classic, producing a thicker, soft-baked cookie. These Soft-Baked Snickerdoodles are the perfect dessert, no matter the time of year—but they are a classic addition to any holiday cookie box.
Shortbread Sprinkle Cookies
Recipe by This Farm Girl Cooks
FarmHER Deanne Frieder‘s Shortbread Sprinkle Cookies are the perfect addition to your holiday cookie tray! These buttery shortbread cookies are a take on a traditional whipped shortbread recipe but topped with sprinkles before baking gently in the oven.
Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies with Flaky Sea Salt
Recipe by FarmHER Kitchen
Indulge in the comforting nostalgia of Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies with Flaky Sea Salt, a timeless treat elevated by a hint of modern flair. With golden-brown edges, soft and chewy centers, and generous chunks of semi-sweet chocolate, these cookies balance the rich sweetness of high-quality baking chocolate and the subtle crunch of sea salt that slowly melts in your mouth as you savor each bite.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies
Recipe by Pumpkin ‘N Spice
These Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies bake up soft and thick and taste like hot chocolate. Plus, the tops are frosted with dark chocolate and crushed candy canes, so they are perfect to enjoy all season long!
Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies
Recipe by Kelly Neil
Perfect for gifting, these adorable and easy-to-make Lemon Thumbprint Cookies have a simple, buttery shortbread base filled with classic lemon curd. The recipe includes the ingredients and steps to make a homemade lemon curd in the microwave, but it can also be substituted with store-bought lemon curd for ease and convenience.
Old-Fashioned Ginger Snaps
Recipe by Bake with Jamie
These chewy molasses Old-Fashioned Ginger Snaps cookies are so addicting! The combination of the warm spices and the brown and granulated sugar combine to make the perfect cookie. This recipe is a variation of one found in an old church cookbook. Nothing too complicated is needed here! It’s a straightforward, no-frills recipe — perfect for the holiday season!
Homemade Easy Peanut Butter Cookies
Recipe by Cook with Kushi
Homemade Peanut Butter Cookies are a classic for a reason. These are super easy to make, soft and chewy, and full of peanut butter flavor. The hash marks on the top, created using a fork, give them their signature look. I bet this will be the only peanut butter cookie recipe you will ever use again!
6 Christmas Cookies from Around the World
Expand your horizons this holiday season and sample some sweet treats enjoyed at Christmastime all over the world! Many of them have become Christmas classics in homes across America, too. Here are six exciting international cookie recipes you should try:
Italian Rainbow Cookies
Recipe by XOXO Bella
If you’re looking for a cute cookie recipe, these Italian Rainbow Cookies might fit the bill perfectly. They’re almond cookies known as “tri-color” or tricolore cookies inspired by the Italian flag since they reflect Italy’s flag’s red, white, and green. Rainbow cookies are easy to make and look special and festive for the holidays.
Danish Butter Cookies
Recipe by Bonnie Bakery
These homemade Danish Butter Cookies are a holiday season staple, but you may not realize how simple they are to make from scratch. These buttery cookies have the perfect texture and flavor in every bite and are made with simple ingredients you probably already have at home.
Christmas Tree Linzer Cookies
Recipe by Recipes from a Pantry
Linzer cookies hail from Austria but have become a sweet tradition synonymous with the holiday season all around the world. This Christmas Tree Linzer Cookies recipe is a fun twist on the classic Linzer cookie. With the fresh lime zest and juice, they have a refreshing burst of flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet raspberry jam. The festive tree shape makes them a great addition to any holiday cookie tray.
Classic Snowball Cookie Recipe (Italian Wedding Cookies)
Recipe by Saving Dollars & Cents
Italian Wedding Cookies, a.k.a. Snowball Cookies, are another must-make dessert synonymous with the holidays. They are a melt-in-your-mouth delicious cookie studded with chopped walnuts and rolled in sweet powdered sugar. For best results, use real butter (not margarine) and thoroughly chill the dough before rolling in powdered sugar.
Marranitos (or cochinos, or puerquitos, as they are called in some Mexican-American communities) are often called Gingerbread Pigs. The cookie dough is easy to make and comes together in a few short minutes. The combination of molasses, brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice, and ginger will fill your home with delicious scents of childhood Christmas memories. This fun FarmHER spin on gingerbread cookies is perfect for your next holiday party, a gift for your neighbors and friends, or to make and decorate at home with your family.
Indian Ginger Chai Spice Cookies
Recipe by Indiafile
These Ginger Chai Spice Cookies will take you on a journey to India with their delightful flavor and unique geometric icing patterns that celebrate Desi culture. The recipe blends the warm, aromatic spices of chai masala with the charm of gingerbread, making them a perfect treat for festive occasions such as Christmas and Diwali. These cookies are also an excellent choice any time of the year, especially alongside a nice cup of chai tea.
5 Easy Christmas Cookie Crafts to Make with Kids
Baking together is such a wonderful way to spend time as a family, and these recipes make it super easy. With adorable festive shapes, bright colors, and easy-to-follow steps, everyone can join in on the fun. You’ll have a great time mixing, rolling, and decorating, all while creating sweet treats that fill your home with delicious smells and holiday cheer. Plus, the best part? You get to enjoy the yummy cookies you make together! So roll up your sleeves and get ready for some joyful holiday baking. These fun holiday cookie recipes are perfect for kids and make baking a blast for the whole family!
Easy Homemade Christmas Cut-Out Cookies
Recipe by An Edible Mosaic
Homemade Christmas Cut-Out Cookies are a festive treat that adds holiday cheer to your dessert table. With buttery, perfectly shaped cookies and customizable decorations, they’re as fun to make as they are to eat. These cookies are perfect for gifting, family baking traditions, or sharing at holiday gatherings.
Want to make classic cut-out cookies with naturally-colored icing? Check out a similar recipe from The Organic Kitchen!
3-Ingredient Ritz Cracker Cookies
Recipe by Artsy Fartsy Mama
These 3-Ingredient Ritz Cracker Cookies are always a hit at Christmas parties! They only require three simple ingredients: Ritz crackers, peanut butter, and almond bark. To make them extra festive, top them off with a variety of Christmas sprinkles. There’s no baking required, so this is a fun and simple recipe to let the kids help with!
Melted Snowman Cookies
Recipe by Dish ‘N The Kitchen
Combining the warmth of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies with an extra dose of chocolate thanks to the hot cocoa added to the dough. But no doubt, the best part of these cookies is the whimsical touch of adorable marshmallow snowmen. These hot cocoa Melted Snowman Cookies will bring joy and wonder to your holiday table.
No-Bake Reindeer Oreo Cookie Balls
Recipe by Jello Joy
These cute Reindeer Oreo Balls are magical, no-bake Christmas treats. With just two main ingredients, Oreos and cream cheese, they’re easy to whip up in a flash, too – but adding pretzels and Christmas-colored candies turns them into adorable reindeer cookies!
Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups
Recipe by Julie’s Eats & Treats
These Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups are fun, easy, and festive. They’re the perfect cookie for all your holiday parties and cookie trays. Or simply a fun treat to make with the kids this weekend.
5 More Unique Cookie Recipes to Try
When it comes to holiday cookie boxes, of course, you need some classics and others that feature familiar flavors of the season. However, for many home bakers, it can also be an excellent opportunity to test new recipes. We have a great group of unique treats to add flair to your Christmas cookie line-up. Here are five unique cookie recipes to try this Christmas:
Cool Whip Cake Mix Cookies
Recipe by Lamberts Lately
Cool Whip Cake Mix Cookies are shockingly simple to make, requiring only four ingredients (egg, powdered sugar, whipped topping, and cake mix). The best part? This viral cookie recipe is ready in under 30 minutes! These rich, fudgy cookies can be made in many flavors, like lemon, chocolate, strawberry, or red velvet –whatever boxed cake mix you like best!
Soft Pistachio Cookies with Ricotta
Recipe by Little Nomad’s Recipes
Are you tired of cookies that turn out hard and dry? Craving something soft, moist, and irresistibly nutty? These Soft Pistachio Cookies with Ricotta are a game-changer! A stunning addition to your holiday baking, the cookies’ vibrant colors capture the season’s spirit, while their delightful contrast of soft and crunchy makes them irresistible!
Fruitcake Cookies
Recipe by Frugal Mom, Eh!
It’s that time of year when all the holiday baking gets underway in kitchens around the world. If you’re looking for a delicious and classic recipe to add to your cookie repertoire, look no further than these Fruitcake Cookies. They combine all the traditional flavors of holiday fruitcake with the texture and form of a soft and chewy cookie – plus, they look beautiful on platters or trays at festive events.
Taylor Swift’s Chai Sugar Cookies with Eggnog Icing
Recipe by Totally Tailgates
Swifties will remember back in October 2014 when Taylor posted her secret recipe for Chai Sugar Cookies with Eggnog Icing on her Tumblr account. While Taylor started with a basic vanilla cookie recipe from Joy the Baker, she turned it into a smash hit by adding chai tea to the batter and topping each cookie with homemade eggnog frosting. While we always support Taylor’s Version, we typically bake up Joy’s updated recipe, which swaps Taylor’s loose-leaf chai tea with a blend of spices found in chai tea. This means there’s no need to go out and buy tea bags to make the recipe!
Christmas Cookie Bars
Recipe by Deliciously Homecooked
Christmas Cookie Bars are the perfect treat for the holiday season! These easy-to-make bars combine the best flavors of festive cookies in one delicious dessert. Whether serving them at a party or sharing them with family, this fun and easy twist on Christmas cookies will be a hit.
Have a special farm family recipe to share? Submit a Recipe to FarmHER Kitchen for a chance to be featured!
Everybody Eats
At the heart of every meal is a story—a tale of dedication, nurture, and the enduring spirit of those who tend the land. Everybody Eats is the place where the narratives of food and agriculture converge. In partnership with FarmHer, we meet courageous women who embody not just the power of nurturing but also the strength of leading in transforming our food systems. They are the unsung heroes, educators, and compassionate souls who have relentless commitment and extraordinary care embedded in cultivating our food. Feed your curiosity, nourish your understanding, and grow your appreciation for the stewards who make sure that Everybody Eats.
Nationwide, a leading provider in farm and ranch insurance, acknowledges that more than half of all farming operations in the United States have at least one female operator. These women constitute the fastest-growing segment of farmers and are known for their innovative approaches. Given the current challenging circumstances, it is critical to assess your insurance coverages and financial services to ensure comprehensive protection and stability for your farm or ranch operations. Find a Nationwide Agent.