Looking for some awesome recipes for Christmas cookies? The holidays are one of my favorite times to make homemade baked goods, especially cute and colorful cookies. From gingerbread men to easy no bake ideas, we gathered some of our Pinterest favorites as well as creative ideas from top food bloggers. Need a last minute dessert for that holiday party tonight? Never fear, some of these quick cookie recipes can be made in no time. Impress all with these delicious cookies you made yourself!
1. Gingerbread Cookies
cookingclassy
This is my favorite Gingerbread Cookie recipe! It makes perfectly soft and chewy cookies and they have the perfect amount of gingery molasses flavor. Gingerbread men are such a Christmas classic and it’s about time I finally got around to sharing a recipe!I’ve always loved gingerbread cookies but I’m not so much of a fan of the cracker-like ones so I made these to be a slightly softer cookie (just be sure not to over-bake them).
2. Sugar Plum Shortbread Christmas Cookies
wickedgoodkitchen
Classic Christmas flavors, an exceptional shortbread cookie recipe, and an exquisite plum jam turn simple yet scrumptious shortbread cookies into the extraordinary. In a fairytale Christmas fantasy way, these special holiday cookies, sugar plumb shortbread cookies, in the shape of stars, will delight and surprise the senses of both children and adults. They are truly magical. All of our favorite sweet treat holiday flavors are here such as rich and buttery-sweet home-baked shortbread, satisfying earthy notes of toasted pecans, sunny orange citrus, a whisper of holiday spices and a deep berry-red, lightly spiced holiday jam is so dreamy.
3. Christmas Swirl Sugar Cookies
ilovemydisorganizedlife
I had been looking for a Christmas cookie recipe that was as delicious as it was decorative, this recipe fit the bill. I have to say, these Christmas Swirl Sugar Cookies are delicious and although they look rather impressive, they are actually really simple. I would even go as far as to say they are easier to create than traditional sugar cookies with frosting….but that may be because I am not so great at frosting anything!
4. Chocolate Coconut Cookies
cravingsofalunatic
I love chocolate and coconut, having them together in one luscious cookie is a dream come true. These chocolate coconut cookies filled with fluffy coconut cream cheese, and coconut garnish. Simple to make and utterly delicious to munch on. What I love about these cookies is how festive they are. There is just something about coconut this time of the year that just screams holidays. I think it’s that the coconut looks so much like snow. So naturally, it puts you in the Christmas spirit.
5. Cherry Almond Shortbread Cookies
sallysbakingaddiction
These cookies just scream Merry Christmas! The cookies get their holiday color from maraschino cherry juice and their flavor from butter, almond extract, and cherries. Cherry and almond is a divine combination and these have to be one of my best cookies yet! I served them at a Christmas luncheon and everyone loved them, you must try this recipe, it will not disappoint.
Decorating Ideas for Christmas Cookies
6. Gluten Free Stained Glass Cookies
noshtastic
These gluten-free stained glass cookies as they are super cute and easy enough to make with your children or grandchildren. I made the basic cookie dough using my favorite gluten-free recipe and put a Jolly rancher inside each one before baking, they turned out so gorgeous and festive. The hardest part was keeping my boys from eating the hard candy before I had a chance to make the cookies!
7. Toffee Almond Snowball Cookies
cupcakesandkalechips
Toffee Almond Snowball Cookies are the perfect combo, super awesome, but kind of a pain in the butt ? As much as I love Almond Crescents, the chocolate dipping part becomes a little annoying, mainly because the recipe makes so many cookies, and I am slightly obsessive compulsive when it comes to chocolate dipping. I love making the Snowballs for Christmas, but the timing has to be right for the cookies to not be too hot to crumble, but warm enough for the powdered sugar to melt slightly and stick. But all three of these cookies are so yummy that they are worth it. Plus, you know, It’s Christmas and cookies.
8. Peppermint Chocolate Puddle Cookies
fooddoodles
If you are gluten-free, you need some fun Christmas cookies too! So may I introduce these puddle cookies, they are simply amazing. First of all, they are naturally gluten-free. If you can manage to find grain free powdered sugar then they’re grain-free as well! Naturally dairy free too! No added butter or oils. No whipping of egg whites, and no mixer required. Simply stir together the ingredients and bake! So quick and easy, and you will be so impressed with the result.
9. Italian Christmas Cookies
cakescottage
Italian cream cake is my favorite dessert in the whole world, you can’t imagine my excitement when I found this Italian cream cake cookie recipe. One part of the Christmas and New Year’s magic, which gives a special flavor to the holidays is certainly – cookies. Easy to prepare, these colorful cookies, crunchy outside and incredibly soft inside, are an unavoidable and very popular part of the Italian festive cuisine. Their lightly sweet taste is again as most Italian cookies, perfect for dipping in espresso….or wine! Ready to make Italian Christmas Cookies? I thought so.
10. Santa’s Cookies
lecremedelacrumb
When I was a kid, my parents went all-out to make Christmas morning really special. There were hoof-prints in the snow outside our house and every year Santa left a note in place of the cookies we’d put out the night before. We changed our cookie of choice from year to year. Sometimes it was homemade snickerdoodles, sometimes peanut butter blossoms, and I think once or twice we left Oreos on a plate with chocolate milk. This recipe for Santa’s cookies is so quick and easy and is great for the kids to help with.
11. Healthy Almond And Cinnamon Christmas Stars
heavenlynnhealthy
12. Red Velvet Peppermint Thumbprint Cookies
yummyhealthyeasy
13. Thumbprint Snowman Cookies
inkatrinaskitchen
14. Raspberry Filled Christmas Tree Cookies
queenofmykitchen
15. 3 Ingredient Buttery Shortbread Cookies
chewoutloud
16. Christmas Sugar Cookie Truffles
ifyougiveablondeakitchen
17. Christmas Cookie Tree
breadboozebacon
18. Spiced Gingerbread Man Cookies
thecomfortofcooking
19. Melt In Your Mouth Eggnog Cookies
cookingclassy
20. Basket Weave Mitten Sugar Cookies
landolakes
21. Easy Red Velvet Cookies
rachelcooks
22. Christmas M&M Mini Cookies
twosisterscrafting
23. Snowball Cookies
yellowblissroad
24. Candy Cane Sugar Cookies
artandthekitchen
25. Hot Cocoa Marshmallow Cookie Cups
kitchenfunwithmy3sons
26. Holiday Present Cookies
familyfreshmeals
27. Linzer Cookies
mandysrecipeboxblog
28. Easy Christmas Peppermint Patties
momontimeout
29. Grinch Crinkle Cookies
raininghotcoupons
30. Easy Reindeer Sugar Cookies
onelittleproject
31. Chewy Lemon Snowdrop Cookies
wholefully
32. No Bake Christmas Tree Cookies
thereciperebel
33. Peppermint Candy Cane Cookies
selfproclaimedfoodie
34. Christmas Tree Cookie Stacks
bigbearswife
35. Classic Buttery Spritz Cookies
addapinch
36. Peanut Butter Christmas Cookies
myincrediblerecipes
37. Frosted Cranberry Cookies
thenovicechefblog
38. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
kitchenwindowclovers
FAQs
The Iced Sugar Cookie takes the top spot, stealing the show as the most favorite Christmas cookie with classic sweetness and festive decorations. Simple, delicious, and a canvas for creativity- it's the “go-to” for holiday bakers.
What was the first Christmas cookie? ›
History. Modern Christmas cookies can trace their history to recipes from Medieval Europe biscuits, when many modern ingredients such as cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, almonds and dried fruit were introduced into the west.
How many cookies are made at Christmas? ›
The statistic states that approximately 7 billion cookies are baked in the United States each Christmas. This implies that during the holiday season, a substantial number of cookies are prepared in households across the country.
How many Christmas cookies does the average person eat? ›
During the holiday season, people eat an average of 26 cookies, 25 pieces of candy or chocolate, 12 pieces of pie, as well as 13 brownies!
What is the 1 cookie in the world? ›
Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co.
What is the #1 cookie in the United States? ›
The chocolate chip cookie is far and away America's favorite cookie This should come as no surprise to anyone who enjoys the tasty treat. More than 53% of American adults prefer the cookies over the next most popular kind, peanut butter.
What cookie was not invented until 1938? ›
It wasn't until very recently, around 1938, that chocolate chip cookies were first invented. Unlike a lot of other things, the chocolate chip cookie was not invented by accident. During the 1930s, a chef named Ruth Graves Wakefield decided to give something different to her customers.
What cookie does Santa eat? ›
Chocolate Chip cookies
You can never go wrong with these classic, delicious cookies. Santa himself lists these as his favorites, and he prefers them soft and gooey with lots of chocolate chips. If you decide to leave these out for him, make sure there's a glass of cold milk nearby!
What cookie was invented in 1912? ›
On this day in 1912, Oreo cookies were first developed and produced by Nabisco in New York City. It's time to celebrate the iconic crunchy chocolate sandwich cookie with the sweet vanilla cream filling that Americans have enjoyed for over one hundred years. March 6th is National Oreo Cookie Day!
What are the most Googled Christmas cookies? ›
Italian Christmas Cookies grow as top cookie
Zoom in: Italian Christmas Cookies were the top cookie in 13 states, more than double the six states from 2022, Google Trends curator Katie Seaton told Axios. Seaton said the Italian cookies dominated the East Coast both this year and last year.
Santa isn't very picky as he will eat any cookie and drink any milk, but why do we leave milk and cookies out for Santa?
How many days will Christmas cookies stay fresh? ›
Bakery or homemade cookies can be stored at room temperature two to three weeks or two months in the refrigerator. Cookies retain their quality when stored in the freezer for eight to 12 months.
What's the most eaten cookie? ›
Chocolate chip cookies
What is the most popular type of cookie? It might just be this one. Ever the crowd-pleaser, the chocolate chip cookie is renowned for its balance of richness and sweetness.
What is a fun fact about cookies? ›
General Cookie Facts
Over a lifetime, the average American eats 35,000 cookies (we think we can beat that!). Santa Clause eats an estimated 336 million cookies on Christmas Eve. Americans spend $550 million on Oreos each year—it was the best-selling cookie of the 20th century, and it's still going strong!
What is the most common cookie left for Santa? ›
Chocolate Chip Cookies: Make them chewy and chippy. This is definitely his favorite cookie.
What is the most Googled Christmas cookie? ›
Italian Christmas Cookies grow as top cookie
Zoom in: Italian Christmas Cookies were the top cookie in 13 states, more than double the six states from 2022, Google Trends curator Katie Seaton told Axios. Seaton said the Italian cookies dominated the East Coast both this year and last year.
What is the least popular Christmas cookie? ›
On the naughty list of cookies, Americans gave the lowest win records to anise cookies, which only won 29% of its matchups.
What is Santa's second favorite cookie? ›
2. Holiday Candy Cookie Bites – Number two on the list of Santa's favorite cookies is Holiday Candy Cookie Bites, which is a holiday version of the year-round favorite, Chocolate Chip Cookies. Instead of traditional chocolate chips, these cookies are studded with red and green candies and white baking chips.
What is Santa Claus's favorite cookie? ›
Chocolate Chip cookies
You can never go wrong with these classic, delicious cookies. Santa himself lists these as his favorites, and he prefers them soft and gooey with lots of chocolate chips. If you decide to leave these out for him, make sure there's a glass of cold milk nearby!