23 Festive Christmas Cookies That Bring Instant Holiday Cheer

This holiday cookie roundup is packed with fun and flavorful treats perfect for Christmas baking. From classic gingerbread and fudgy crinkle cookies to colorful sugar cookies and festive M&M bars, there’s something for every sweet tooth. These easy recipes make it simple to fill your holiday trays with cozy, crowd pleasing cookies.

Candy Cane Cookies

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Twisted red and white dough forms a playful cane shape. Their texture is soft with slight crispness. A hint of peppermint enhances the theme. Each cookie stands out on festive plates.
Get the Recipe: Candy Cane Cookies

Gingerbread Cookie Recipe

These spiced cookies bake into sturdy shapes ready for icing. Ginger, cinnamon, and cloves add warm flavor. The texture can range from soft to crisp depending on bake time. Each cookie carries traditional seasonal charm.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Cookie Recipe

Fudgy and Chewy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

These cookies bake with a soft, brownie like center. Cracked powdered sugar coating creates a striking pattern. Chocolate flavor stays bold throughout. Each cookie offers rich, tender bites.
Get the Recipe: Fudgy and Chewy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Easy Cut Out Cookies

This dough rolls smoothly for shaping. Cookies bake with clean edges and soft centers. Icing sticks well for decorating. Each cookie holds design details clearly.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cut Out Cookies

Old Fashioned Sour Cream Cookies

These cookies have a soft, cake like texture. Sour cream adds moisture and mild tang. They pair well with frosting or powdered sugar. Each cookie has a nostalgic flavor.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Sour Cream Cookies

Colored Cookie Dough Sugar Cookies

Different colors of dough create lively swirls or patterns. The texture remains soft with slight crisp edges. Designs can vary from marbled to striped. Each cookie adds bold color to dessert spreads.
Get the Recipe: Colored Cookie Dough Sugar Cookies

Grinch Crinkle Cookies

Bright green dough contrasts with a powdered sugar coating. The cookies bake into crackled rounds. Their texture is soft and slightly chewy. Each cookie reflects the playful theme.
Get the Recipe: Grinch Crinkle Cookies

Cake Mix Christmas Cookies

Cake mix gives these cookies tender texture and subtle sweetness. Add ins like sprinkles or chocolate chips create variety. The dough scoops easily into uniform cookies. Each batch bakes quickly and consistently.
Get the Recipe: Cake Mix Christmas Cookies

Small Batch Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Cookies

A plate of chocolate chip cookies sits on a red and white napkin, with a glass of milk and greenery in the background. — Small Batch Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Homemade In The Kitchen.

These cookies blend gingerbread spices with chocolate chips. Their texture is soft with slight chew. Small batch size suits quick baking. Each cookie carries warm spice with bursts of chocolate.
Get the Recipe: Small Batch Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Cookies

Small Batch Gingerbread Cookies with Eggless Royal Icing

A red plate with iced gingerbread cookies in holiday shapes sits on a wooden table next to a glass of milk and a festive red and white napkin. — Small Batch Gingerbread Cookies with Eggless Royal Icing. Photo credit: Homemade In The Kitchen.

These gingerbread cookies bake into crisp, neat shapes. Eggless icing creates smooth decorative lines. The spices deliver classic warmth. Each cookie is ideal for decorating in small quantities.
Get the Recipe: Small Batch Gingerbread Cookies with Eggless Royal Icing

Church Window Candy Cookies

Colorful marshmallows are encased in chocolate for stained glass effect. Texture is chewy with slight firmness from the coating. Sliced pieces reveal vibrant patterns. Each treat adds color and nostalgia.
Get the Recipe: Church Window Candy Cookies

Gingerbread Pizzelle Italian Cookies

Pizzelles are thin, crisp cookies with patterned surfaces. Gingerbread spices bring seasonal flavor to the traditional shape. Their texture is delicate yet sturdy. Each cookie showcases intricate design and warm spice.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Pizzelle Italian Cookies

M&M Holiday Cookie Bars Recipe

These bars are thick and soft with bursts of color from candy pieces. The dough forms a dense base that holds its shape well. Each bite brings a mix of chocolate and buttery sweetness. The bars slice cleanly for easy serving.
Get the Recipe: M&M Holiday Cookie Bars Recipe

Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies with Maple Glaze

Oats create a hearty texture with gentle chew. Raisins add sweetness that pairs well with the maple topping. The glaze sets into a smooth layer. Each cookie blends warm flavors with satisfying texture.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies with Maple Glaze

Oatmeal Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Oats give these cookies chewiness and structure. Cranberries add tart pops of flavor. Chocolate chips bring sweetness and richness. Each cookie has a hearty, festive balance.
Get the Recipe: Oatmeal Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Best Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

These sugar cookies bake into soft, uniform rounds with light sweetness. The dough holds shape well for decorating. Frosting or sprinkles add festive color. Each cookie has a classic flavor that suits any holiday tray.
Get the Recipe: Best Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

These cookies swirl two contrasting colors for a striking look. The dough remains tender with a slight crisp at the edges. Sliced rounds bake evenly for clean spirals. Each cookie brings bold visual appeal.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Rich Chocolate Almond Flour Cookies

These cookies use almond flour for a soft, dense bite. Chocolate adds deep flavor throughout. Their edges remain smooth while the center stays tender. Each cookie feels satisfying and rich.
Get the Recipe: Rich Chocolate Almond Flour Cookies

Buttery Espresso Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread texture gives these cookies a firm yet tender bite. Espresso adds warm depth while chocolate chips bring sweetness. The dough slices cleanly for uniform pieces. Each cookie offers a robust flavor combination.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Espresso Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies

Classic Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

A soft cookie base frames a bright raspberry jam center. The dough bakes into a slightly chewy texture. Jam adds fruity contrast. Each cookie presents a simple, timeless look.
Get the Recipe: Classic Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

Peppermint Snowball Cookies

Snowball cookies crumble gently with each bite. Peppermint adds a cool hint that pairs with the buttery base. Powdered sugar gives them their snowy finish. Each cookie melts softly on the palate.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Snowball Cookies

Christmas Baci di Dama Cookies

These sandwich cookies feature delicate nut based rounds. A chocolate layer connects the halves. Their texture is light with a gentle crunch. Each cookie offers refined holiday flavor.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Baci di Dama Cookies

2-Ingredient Christmas Cookies

These cookies rely on simplicity for quick baking. Their texture is soft and lightly sweet. Decorations add holiday personality. Each batch comes together with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: 2-Ingredient Christmas Cookies