Christmas Cookies Recipes

You’ll create perfect Christmas cookies with these nine essential recipes that cover every holiday craving. Start with classic sugar cookies decorated with royal icing, then move to spiced gingerbread men and buttery shortbread stars. Don’t miss chocolate crinkle cookies dusted in powdered sugar, peppermint bark brownies, and cinnamon-rolled snickerdoodles. Round out your collection with jam-filled thumbprint cookies and Italian biscotti. Master the right techniques and you’ll transform basic ingredients into showstopping holiday treats.

Key Takeaways

• Classic sugar cookies require chilling dough for 2 hours, rolling to quarter-inch thickness, and baking at 350°F for 8-10 minutes.
• Gingerbread cookies feature warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, and molasses, requiring 2-hour chilling before rolling and shaping.
• Shortbread maintains a 3:2:1 flour:butter:sugar ratio for perfect texture, needing 30 minutes chilling before cutting into festive shapes.
• Snickerdoodles combine cinnamon-cardamom coating with slightly sticky dough, requiring only 15 minutes rapid chilling before baking.
• Chocolate crinkle cookies need 2-hour chilling and double powdered sugar coating to achieve signature cracked appearance with fudgy centers.

Classic Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing

When you’re looking for a foolproof holiday treat that’ll impress everyone from toddlers to grandparents, classic sugar cookies with royal icing can’t be beaten.

You’ll need basic pantry staples: flour, butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and baking powder. Mix your dry ingredients first, then cream butter and sugar until fluffy.

Add eggs and vanilla, gradually incorporating the flour mixture until you’ve formed a smooth dough.

Chill the dough for at least two hours before rolling it to a quarter-inch thickness. Cut shapes using festive cookie cutters and bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until edges turn golden.

For the royal icing, whisk powdered sugar with meringue powder and water until you achieve royal piping consistency.

Divide into bowls and add food coloring as desired.

Once you’ve decorated your cookies, sprinkle edible glitter while the icing’s still wet for extra sparkle that’ll make your treats truly memorable.

Traditional Gingerbread Men and Houses

Rolling out spiced gingerbread dough fills your kitchen with the warm aromas of cinnamon, ginger, and molasses that define the holiday season. You’re creating more than cookies—you’re building cherished family rituals that span generations. Gingerbread symbolism dates back centuries, representing warmth and prosperity during winter celebrations.

Transform your holiday traditions with these essential techniques:

1. Perfect dough consistency: Chill your dough for two hours before rolling to prevent spreading during baking
2. Structural stability: Add extra flour when constructing houses—you’ll need firmer dough for walls and roofs
3. Royal icing cement: Use thick-consistency icing as “glue” for assembling gingerbread houses

You’ll find these creations become centerpieces at cookie swaps, where friends marvel at intricate decorations. Whether you’re piping buttons on gingerbread men or adding candy windows to houses, you’re crafting edible art.

Store finished pieces in airtight containers for up to two weeks, though they’ll likely disappear much sooner.

Buttery Shortbread Stars and Snowflakes

You’ll need just four basic ingredients for perfect shortbread: butter, sugar, flour, and a pinch of salt.

Once you’ve mixed your dough and chilled it properly, roll it to an even quarter-inch thickness and use cookie cutters to create crisp stars and delicate snowflakes.

The key to professional-looking shapes is pressing firmly with your cutter and transferring the cookies carefully to prevent warped edges.

Essential Shortbread Ingredients

The magic of perfect shortbread lies in its remarkably simple ingredient list.

You’ll need just a handful of pantry staples to create these buttery delights.

Understanding the baking chemistry behind each component ensures you’ll achieve that signature crumbly-yet-tender texture every time.

Your essential ingredients include:

1. Butter – Use unsalted European-style for higher fat content (82-85%)
2. Flour – All-purpose works best; avoid bread flour’s high protein
3. Sugar – Superfine dissolves quickly, creating smoother dough

Region variations influence these basics—Scottish recipes often add rice flour for extra crispness, while French versions incorporate almond flour.

You’ll find some bakers add vanilla or salt, but they’re optional.

The key is maintaining the classic 3:2:1 ratio of flour to butter to sugar.

This formula guarantees shortbread that melts on your tongue.

Shaping Perfect Cookies

Once your shortbread dough has rested and chilled for at least 30 minutes, you’re ready to transform it into festive stars and delicate snowflakes.

Roll the dough to an even quarter-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. For extra-flaky texture, try dough laminating—fold the rolled dough in thirds, roll again, and repeat twice.

Press cookie cutters firmly through the dough, twisting slightly for clean edges. You’ll get sharper details using metal cutters instead of plastic ones. For intricate snowflakes, consider using cookie molds—dust them with flour first, then press dough firmly inside.

Transfer shaped cookies to parchment-lined baking sheets using a thin spatula. Space them one inch apart since shortbread won’t spread much. Re-roll scraps immediately while they’re still cool.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Dust your hands with powdered sugar and prepare for one of the most visually stunning cookies in your holiday lineup. Chocolate crinkle cookies deliver rich cocoa flavor with their signature cracked appearance that reveals snowy white peaks against dark chocolate valleys.

You’ll achieve the perfect crinkle effect by following these essential steps:

1. Chill the dough thoroughly – refrigerate for at least 2 hours to prevent spreading
2. Roll generously in powdered sugar – don’t skimp on coating for dramatic contrast
3. Bake at high temperature initially – start at 400°F for 4 minutes, then reduce to 350°F

These cookies adapt beautifully to dietary needs. Create gluten free crinkles by substituting almond flour or a 1:1 gluten-free blend.

For vegan chocolate crinkles, you’ll replace eggs with flax eggs and use plant-based butter. Both variations maintain that irresistible fudgy center and crispy exterior that makes these cookies disappear from your cookie platter first.

Peppermint Bark Brownies

You’ll need basic brownie ingredients plus white chocolate chips and crushed candy canes for these festive treats.

Start by baking your favorite brownie recipe in a lined 9×13 pan, then immediately after removing from the oven, scatter white chocolate chips on top to melt.

Once the chocolate spreads into a smooth layer, sprinkle crushed peppermint candies over the surface and let everything cool completely before cutting into squares.

Ingredients and Equipment

Before you begin making these decadent peppermint bark brownies, you’ll need to gather a few essential ingredients and tools. You’ll require dark chocolate, butter, eggs, cocoa powder, flour, and peppermint extract for the brownie base. For the bark topping, grab white chocolate chips and crushed candy canes.

Essential equipment includes:

1. An 8×8 inch baking pan lined with parchment paper
2. A sturdy mixing bowl and electric mixer
3. A double boiler or microwave-safe bowl for melting chocolate

Consider seasonal substitutions like using crushed peppermint Oreos instead of candy canes or adding espresso powder for depth. You can replace all-purpose flour with almond flour for a gluten-free version. Plan your storage solutions ahead—these brownies stay fresh in an airtight container for five days or freeze beautifully for up to three months.

Baking and Assembly

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, preheat your oven to 350°F and start melting the butter and dark chocolate together in your double boiler until smooth. Check your oven calibration with a thermometer since accurate temperature ensures fudgy brownies.

Mix the melted chocolate with sugar, then beat in eggs one at a time. Fold in flour and salt until just combined.

Pour batter into your lined pan and bake for 28-30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Cool completely before starting your assembly workflow.

Melt white chocolate and spread it over the brownies. Immediately sprinkle crushed peppermint candies on top, pressing gently. Refrigerate for 20 minutes until set, then cut into squares.

No-Bake Christmas Cookie Recipes

When time runs short during the busy holiday season, no-bake Christmas cookies come to the rescue with their simple preparation and delicious results. You’ll discover that these treats require minimal effort while delivering maximum flavor for your holiday gatherings.

Transform your kitchen into a cookie workshop without turning on the oven. Create decadent no-bake truffles by mixing crushed cookies with cream cheese and coating them in chocolate. You can also whip up nutty energy bites combining dates, almonds, and festive spices for a healthier option.

Here’s what you’ll need for success:

1. Quality ingredients – Use fresh nuts, premium chocolate, and real vanilla extract
2. Proper chilling time – Allow treats to set completely in the refrigerator
3. Clean workspace – Keep surfaces sanitized since you’re working with raw ingredients

These cookies stay fresh longer than baked varieties and travel well to parties. You’ll save precious time while creating impressive treats everyone will love.

Snickerdoodles With Holiday Spices

You’ll transform classic snickerdoodles into festive showstoppers by mastering three key elements. First, you’ll create an essential holiday spice blend that goes beyond basic cinnamon, then you’ll learn the dough texture tips that ensure perfectly chewy centers with crisp edges.

Finally, you’ll discover the cinnamon sugar coating technique that gives these cookies their signature crackled appearance and irresistible sparkle.

Essential Holiday Spice Blend

The secret to exceptional snickerdoodles lies in crafting your own holiday spice blend that goes beyond basic cinnamon sugar. You’ll transform ordinary cookies into festive masterpieces by combining warm spices that complement each other perfectly.

Your essential blend should include:

1. Base Layer – Mix 2 tablespoons cinnamon with 1 teaspoon cardamom for warmth
2. Depth Builder – Add ½ teaspoon each of nutmeg and allspice, plus a pinch of holiday molasses powder
3. Brightness Factor – Incorporate ¼ teaspoon ground ginger and spiced citrus zest powder

Store this blend in an airtight container for up to three months. You’ll use it throughout the season, rolling cookie dough balls generously before baking.

The complex flavor profile creates snickerdoodles that taste like Christmas in every bite.

Perfect Dough Texture Tips

Creating that special spice blend is only half the battle—achieving the ideal dough texture separates good snickerdoodles from extraordinary ones. You’ll need room temperature butter for proper creaming with sugar, which creates tiny air pockets that give snickerdoodles their signature tender crumb. Beat them together for exactly three minutes until the mixture looks pale and fluffy.

Don’t overmix once you’ve added flour—stop immediately when ingredients just combine. The dough should feel slightly sticky but hold together when pressed. Here’s the crucial step: rapid chilling for 15 minutes in your freezer prevents spreading and ensures those characteristic crinkly tops form.

Roll chilled dough balls firmly to compress the texture, then coat generously in your cinnamon-sugar mixture. You’ll know you’ve nailed it when the cookies puff slightly, then settle with perfect cracks across their surface.

Cinnamon Sugar Coating Technique

After you’ve shaped your dough balls perfectly, the coating technique determines whether your snickerdoodles achieve that irresistible sparkly crust and concentrated spice flavor. You’ll want to work quickly while the dough’s still slightly sticky.

Mix your coating blend using:

1. Three tablespoons of granulated sugar
2. Two teaspoons ground cinnamon
3. Half a teaspoon of cardamom or nutmeg

Roll each ball twice in the mixture—don’t just dip them. The double-coating ensures proper sugar crystallization during baking. Press gently to help the coating adhere, creating tiny pockets where oven caramelization will develop those signature cracks.

Place coated dough balls two inches apart on your baking sheet. The heat transforms the coating into a crispy shell while keeping the interior soft. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges look set but centers remain puffy.

Thumbprint Cookies With Jam Centers

Press your thumb into a ball of buttery dough, and you’ll create the perfect well for a jewel-like dollop of jam—that’s the simple magic behind thumbprint cookies.

These holiday thumbprints transform basic ingredients into festive treats that’ll disappear from your cookie platter first.

Start with room-temperature butter creamed with sugar until fluffy. Mix in egg yolk and vanilla, then fold in flour until just combined.

Roll tablespoon-sized portions into balls and place them on parchment-lined baking sheets. Press your thumb firmly into each ball’s center, creating a deep indent that won’t disappear during baking.

Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes, then remove and re-press the centers if they’ve puffed up. Fill each indent with your favorite jam filling variations—raspberry, apricot, or strawberry work beautifully.

Return to the oven for 5-7 more minutes until edges turn golden. You can also experiment with lemon curd, chocolate ganache, or caramel for unique twists on this classic cookie.

Italian Christmas Cookies and Biscotti

Anise-scented pizzelles, almond-studded biscotti, and rainbow-sprinkled anginetti fill Italian homes each December with centuries-old tradition. You’ll discover these treats showcase Italy’s regional diversity through distinct flavors and textures that’ve been passed down through generations.

Italian biscotti requires double-baking to achieve its signature crunch. You’ll slice the dough log after the first bake, then return pieces to the oven until golden. This method creates the perfect coffee-dunking cookie that stays fresh for weeks.

Transform your holiday spread with these authentic favorites:

1. Pizzelles – Press thin wafers in specialized irons, dust with powdered sugar
2. Struffoli – Deep-fry dough balls, drizzle with honey, and add festive sprinkles
3. Sicilian cannoli – Fill crispy shells with sweet ricotta, garnish with pistachios

You can’t go wrong adding fig-filled cuccidati or wine-infused taralli to your collection. Each recipe connects you to Italy’s rich culinary heritage while creating new memories in your own kitchen this Christmas season.

Cookie Decorating Tips and Techniques

Whether you’re working with sugar cookies or gingerbread, mastering basic decorating techniques will transform simple treats into stunning holiday centerpieces.

Start by perfecting your icing consistency—you’ll need three types: flood (thin), medium, and stiff. Flood icing spreads smoothly across surfaces, medium works for outlining, and stiff holds its shape for detailed piping techniques.

Practice your piping techniques with a steady hand. Hold the bag at a 45-degree angle for outlining and 90 degrees for flooding. Let each layer dry completely before adding details—rushing ruins your design.

Create dimension with fondant accents like tiny holly leaves or miniature snowflakes. Roll fondant thin, cut shapes with small cutters, and attach with a dab of icing.

For that magical sparkle, apply edible glitter while the icing’s still wet. Dust it over specific areas or mix directly into your icing.

Store decorated cookies in single layers between parchment paper to preserve your handiwork.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Can I Store Christmas Cookies Before They Go Stale?

You can store Christmas cookies for 1-2 weeks at room temperature or up to 3 months frozen.

Your cookies’ shelf life depends on their type and packaging.

You’ll want to use airtight containers to prevent humidity from making crisp cookies soft or causing mold.

Don’t mix different cookie types together, as they’ll transfer moisture and flavors.

For best results, you should separate layers with parchment paper.

Can I Freeze Cookie Dough Ahead of Time for the Holidays?

Yes, you can freeze cookie dough for up to three months before the holidays.

You’ll want to use proper freeze methods like wrapping dough logs in plastic wrap or portioning drops on baking sheets before transferring to freezer bags.

For best results, consider thaw timing carefully – most doughs need 30 minutes to 2 hours in the refrigerator before you’re ready to bake them into perfect holiday treats.

What’s the Best Way to Ship Christmas Cookies Without Breaking Them?

You’ll want to use layered packaging to protect your cookies during shipping.

Start by wrapping each cookie individually in plastic wrap, then place them between parchment paper layers in a sturdy tin or box.

Fill empty spaces with bubble wrap or crumpled paper to prevent movement.

Seal the container tightly, place it in a shipping box with additional padding, and don’t forget to label all sides as fragile to ensure careful handling.

How Many Cookies Should I Make per Person for a Party?

You’ll want to plan for 3-4 cookies per person for a party. Consider your serving sizes carefully – if you’re offering multiple desserts, reduce to 2-3 cookies each.

For cookie exchanges or dessert-only events, increase to 5-6 per guest. Your portion planning should account for variety too. If you’re making three different types, prepare 1-2 of each kind per person.

Always make 10-15% extra since some guests might take seconds.

Can I Substitute Gluten-Free Flour in Traditional Christmas Cookie Recipes?

Yes, you can substitute gluten-free flour in your recipes, but you’ll need to make smart gluten swaps for success.

You’ll typically use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that contains xanthan gum. Expect some texture tweaks since gluten-free dough behaves differently – it’s often crumblier and spreads more.

You’ll want to chill your dough longer and sometimes add an extra egg white to improve binding and structure.

Conclusion

You’ve discovered nine delightful Christmas cookie recipes that’ll transform your holiday baking. From classic sugar cookies to elegant biscotti, you’re now equipped to create a stunning cookie spread. Remember to plan ahead, prep your decorating supplies, and don’t be afraid to experiment with flavors and techniques. Whether you’re baking for a cookie exchange or family gathering, these treats will spread joy and create lasting memories. Now grab your apron and start baking!