Christmas Cookie Ideas (with Foolproof Recipes)
Christmas cookie ideas are often elusive when you need them. Now, you can use this convenient list with wholesome recipes that work for stress-free holiday baking! Simply save this post to refer to when it’s time to bake for the holidays.
Originally published Dec. 10, 2012
This extensive list of Christmas cookie ideas (over 60 recipes) will be one I hope you’ll refer to every year!
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Whether it’s Christmas cookies for family, Santa, neighbors, a cookie exchange, or even holiday gifts, you’ll find a recipe for almost every type of cookie you may want right here. Traditional Christmas cookies, international treats, no bake ideas, gluten free, egg free, dairy free bakes, and vegan recipes are included.
Why are These Christmas Cookie Ideas so Marvelous?
I originally published a post about winning a Christmas cookie recipe contest with the LA Times many years ago. The winning cookies are featured in the photo below the following two of me in the LA Times test kitchen.
“My very own Snow Cookies were chosen as one of the LA Times Top 10 Favorite Cookies this year!” It was one of my very first food contest wins, so as you can see, I was very happy!
I took a platter of my award-winning snow cookies to a food blogger cookie swap. My snow cookies didn’t last long at the event; everyone loved them!
Ever made a yule log? It’s delicious and much easier to make than you think!
Every year, I love to bake treats, cookies, biscotti and more to give to friends and neighbors. Home-baked goods are always so appreciated, especially when they are delicious cookies!
I know good a good cookie recipe (and good food bloggers), so all the recipes I’ve collected and shared on this list are made from whole/real, minimally processed ingredients by trustworthy recipe writers.
You won’t find any boxed cake or cookie mixes, pre-made frostings, or exhorbitant amounts of sugar. Wrapping the cookies can be as simple as a food-safe bag and some ribbon or yarn, or extravagant tins, pretty boxes or festive baskets.
Christmas Cookie Ideas,
and Recipes You’ll be Delighted to Make
If you’re tired of looking for foolproof and delicious Christmas cookie recipes, your quest has come to an end. I’m thrilled to help, which is why I curated this fantastic collection of Christmas cookie recipes. Let me know which of these Christmas cookie ideas you’ll be baking! For ease, I’ve listed them in alphabetical order.
Christmas Cookie Ideas (with Recipes)
Christmas cookie idea list with recipes that will work for stress-free holiday baking.
Chocolate Argentinian Alfajores
Two soft cookies sandwiched together with creamy dulce de leche and covered in melted chocolate. (Nut-free)
Almond Bread (Australian Almond Biscuits or Biscotti)
Super crunchy biscotti that apparently are from Australia.
Berliner Kranz Cookies - traditional recipe
Berliner Kranz translates into “Berlin Wreaths” which, surprisingly, are Norwegian Christmas Cookies.
Brown Sugar Pecan Cookies
Who can resist brown sugar and pecans on a soft cookie?
Christmas Candy Cane Cookies Recipe
Cute, minty cookies in the shape of candy canes.
Caramel Currant Oat Crisps
A chewy, lacey cookie that is sandwiched together with a Port buttercream! (Egg and nut free)
Chai Tea Cookies
These chai tea cookies are made in the shape of a teabag, complete with string and tag! (Egg free)
Chai Spice Cookies with Chocolate
Spicy chai and chocolate cookies. (Nut free)
Christmas Pudding Cookies
Delightfully festive cookies that look like little Christmas puddings are one of my favorite Christmas cookie ideas! (Nut free)
Chewy Date Cookies with Pecans
Dates and pecans come together beautifully in this delightful cookie.
Tuile Cigar Cookies (Pirouettes)
Thin, crisp, crunchy and simply delicious!
Coconut Macaroons (How to Make them Like the French)
Simple coconut macaroons just like they're made in France! (Gluten and nut free)
Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies (Gluten-Free)
Minty, chocolatey and also gluten free!
Homemade Custard Creams
A traditional and classic British biscuit (cookie in the US) which melts in your mouth and just tastes so good! (Egg and nut free)
Chocolate Eggnog Cookies
Creamy eggnog and rich chocolate flavor in one pillowy soft cookie. (Nut free)
Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread with a chocolate twist! (Nut free)
Christmas Crescent Cookies
Buttery, nutty bites of powdered sugar coated deliciousness. (Egg free)
Coconut Macaroons: Cookies and Sandwiches (Nut free)
A super easy macaroon recipe which requires no beating egg whites until stiff.
Danish Butter Cookies- Festive & Delicious
Buttery cookies with a long life (if you can hide them long enough) and sprinkles! (Nut free)
Danish Fedtebrod - Coconut Cookie Slices with Rum Glaze
Short buttery cookies packed with coconut and topped with a rum glaze. (Egg and nut free)
Elisenlebkuchen
German gingerbread, the King of Lebkuchen. (Gluten and dairy free)
Empire Biscuits
A classic Scottish biscuit topped with icing and filled with raspberry jam is another of my most made Christmas cookie ideas (make them into Christmas shapes). (Nut free)
European Gingerbread Cookies
Classic European Gingerbread with a Light Glaze. (Nut free)
Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies
These gingerbread crinkle cookies are a beautiful addition to your Christmas cookie platter.
Florentine Cookies
Lacy, crisp and sweet, these cookies are simply addictive! (Egg free)
Ginger Chip Spice Cookies
Ginger x 3 in these soft and spicy cookies! (Nut free)
Hallon Cookies
Raspberry jam cutout cookies no one can resist. (Nut free)
Hojarascas (Mexican Shortbread Cookies)
Mexican shortbread cookies covered in a sweet cinnamon and sugar coating. (Egg and nut free)
4-Ingredient Hazelnut Cookies
Easy to make with only 4 ingredients; perfect for nut lovers! (Egg free)
Honey Lemon Sable Biscuits
A delightful honey and lemon flavored cookie everyone will love. (Nut free)
Italian Butter Cookies
A classic Italian-immigrant cookie recipe that's perfect for any Christmas event! (Nut free)
Lemon Ricotta Cookies (Biscotti alla Ricotta Morbidi)
A soft, cake-like cookie with a tart and lemony sweet icing. (Nut free)
Homemade Maple Leaf Cookies
Maple flavored, leaf-shaped sandwich cookies filled with maple butter frosting and are perfect for gift-giving.
Melomakarona (Greek Christmas Honey Cookies)
These traditional Greek butter cookies are easy to make, studded with roasted almonds and always a favorite during the Christmas season. (Egg and dairy free)
Melting Moments - Mini Oat Cookies
Oaty cookies that are easy to make and melt in your mouth. (Egg free)
No Suet Mincemeat Pinwheels
Easy to make puff pastry mincemeat pinwheels are a unique and delicious way to use mincemeat. (Egg free)
Mostaccioli Cookies
Traditional Neapolitan chocolate cookies served at Christmastime. (Egg and dairy free)
Moravian Molasses Cookies
Moravian Molasses cookies are wafer thin, crispy and spicy, and make a great packable cookie.
Norwegian Butter Cookies (Serinakaker)
Superb butter cookies from Norway.
Orange Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies
Three festive flavors come together in these buttery cookies.
Peanut Butter Cookies (Gluten Free)
Such a delicious tasting cookie, no one will ever guess that there is no flour in the recipe.
Peppermint Christmas Wreath Cookies
Peppermint fans will love these beautiful wreath cookies.
Pfeffernusse
Another famous German Christmas cookie filled with spice.
Rugelach Cookie Recipe {with a Gluten-Free Option}
Soft cream cheese dough with a cinnamon laced filling shaped into crescents are a classic cookie loved by many.
Scottish Snowballs
A traditional Scottish treat with that great coconut and raspberry flavor combination!
Shortbread (Recipe from Scotland)
Classic and authentic Scottish Shortbread recipe containing only three ingredients: flour, butter and sugar.
Simple Almond Cranberry Crunch Cookies
If you love granola, these almond and cranberry cookies are for you.
Snowballs - No Bake Coconut Bites
No bake treats for coconut lovers.
Snow Cookies - Holiday Cookie Bakeoff Favorite (Winner)
Two buttery cookies sandwiched together with raspberry jam, iced and sprinkled with finely shredded, unsweetened coconut.
Soft Amaretti Cookies: Tested until Perfect!
Classic Italian almond cookies. (Gluten and dairy free)
Stained Glass Cookies
This delicious sugar cookie recipe adds hard candies to make cookies that look like stained glass!
Taralli dolci, or “Nana’s Cookies”
Sweet Italian cookies (but not too sweet) that are perfect for breakfast or in the afternoon with a cup of coffee.
Taylor Swift Chai Cookies
Deliciously simple with warming spices, these cookies will be a favorite for the season.
Tuile Cookies (Tuiles aux Sesame)
Thin, deliciously crisp wafers with sesame seeds.
Vegan Speculoos Cookies (Homemade Biscoff)
Vegan speculoos cookies are full of cinnamon and spice flavor that everyone loves. (Vegan)
Zimtsterne: German Cinnamon Stars
A light, sweet, gluten free German cookie delight that is popular at Christmastime.
Giftable: Cookie Mix in a Jar (with Free Printable!)
Last, but not least, if you would rather give a non-baked gift to someone, this "Cookies in a Jar" idea, is a fabulous option.
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Your snow cookies look AMAZING!!! Congratulations!!! And what a terrific roundup of holiday cookies!
THanks, Liz!!
Wow – that is the ultimate list of Christmas cookies, Christina. Love this – and thank you so much for being so generous and linking to a few of mine too. Feeling very honoured. Enjoy all the fun and delicious baking!
Wouldn’t be complete without yours, Jill! Thank YOU!
Buon Natale! your listing of recipes has made my life so much easier this year, what a great selection and choices all around the world
alot of my favorites and a few new ones. Enjoy the holidays!!!!
Grazie, Cathy! That makes me so happy! Buon Natale to you, too!
So many amazing festive cookie recipes here, I want to sample them all, especially your snow cookies!
THanks, Camilla! And I want to make your coconut and rum cookie recipe!
Wow, my cup runneth over! So many cookies I don’t know how I couldn’t possibly choose… Hope you have a wonderful holiday season.
Buon Natale to you, too, Frank!