11 Festive Cookie Recipes Everyone Will Love

Christmas cookie season is here, and this collection is packed with festive recipes that make holiday baking easy and fun. Whether you are baking for a cookie exchange, filling gift boxes, or simply enjoying a cozy day in the kitchen, these cookies are perfect for the season. With a mix of traditional favorites and creative twists, these Christmas cookie recipes offer something for every taste and baking style. Simple steps, delicious results, and plenty of holiday cheer make this roundup a must for your holiday baking plans.

Whipped Shortbread Cookies

A stack of four sugar cookies with red and green sprinkles on a white plate; one cookie with a bite taken out rests against the stack. — Whipped Shortbread Cookies. Photo credit: Cincy Shopper.

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These cookies are made by whipping butter until light and fluffy. The dough bakes into tender, melt in your mouth rounds. They hold decorative shapes well. A simple topping adds visual appeal.
Get the Recipe: Whipped Shortbread Cookies

Walnut-Shaped Cookies with Caramel Cream

A plate of small, oval-shaped sandwich cookies dusted with powdered sugar, arranged closely together with a sprig of greenery. — Walnut-Shaped Cookies with Caramel Cream. Photo credit: Chef’s Pencil.

These cookies are molded to resemble walnuts. The shells bake crisp and light. Caramel cream fills the center smoothly. Once assembled, they look polished and festive.
Get the Recipe: Walnut-Shaped Cookies with Caramel Cream

Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars

Square sugar cookie bars with white frosting, topped with red, green, and white sprinkles and holiday-themed decorations, arranged on parchment paper. — Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars. Photo credit: My Rad Kitchen.

These bars bake soft and thick in a single pan. Frosting spreads easily across the surface. The texture stays tender after slicing. Bars cut cleanly into even squares.
Get the Recipe: Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars

Almond Flour Crescent Cookies-grain free w/ vegan & keto option

A plate of crescent-shaped almond cookies dusted with powdered sugar, with sliced almonds and a sifter on the side. — Almond Flour Crescent Cookies-grain free w/ vegan & keto option. Photo credit: Whole New Mom.

These crescent shaped cookies bake tender with a fine crumb. Almond flour gives them structure and flavor. The shape holds during baking. A light coating adds sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Almond Flour Crescent Cookies-grain free w/ vegan & keto option

No Chill Sugar Cookies

A plate of decorated Christmas cookies, including a green tree with red, white, and green sprinkles, and a red stocking-shaped cookie with white icing trim. — No Chill Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Cincy Shopper.

This dough rolls smoothly without resting time. Cut edges remain sharp after baking. The cookies bake flat and even. They are easy to decorate once cooled.
Get the Recipe: No Chill Sugar Cookies

How the Grinch Stole Christmas Cool Whip Cookies

Green crinkle cookies dusted with powdered sugar, each topped with a small peppermint candy, arranged on a decorative plate. — How the Grinch Stole Christmas Cool Whip Cookies. Photo credit: The Crafty Blog Stalker.

These cookies use a simple mixed dough. The texture stays soft after baking. Bright color makes them stand out. They are easy to make in batches.
Get the Recipe: How the Grinch Stole Christmas Cool Whip Cookies

Traditional German Almond Christmas Cookies

A basket lined with a white cloth holds several round cookies topped with almond flakes, placed on a light wooden surface. — Traditional German Almond Christmas Cookies. Photo credit: Little Nomad’s Recipes.

Almond based dough bakes into crisp edges with tender centers. The cookies hold classic shapes. Flavor stays balanced and lightly sweet. They pair well with coffee or tea.
Get the Recipe: Traditional German Almond Christmas Cookies

Cherry White Chocolate Chip Cookies

A stack of cookies with visible white chocolate chips and pieces of maraschino cherries beside a small bowl of whole maraschino cherries. — Cherry White Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: The Short Order Cook.

Dried cherries add chewiness throughout the dough. White chocolate melts slightly during baking. The cookies bake thick and soft. Flavors stay evenly distributed.
Get the Recipe: Cherry White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Chip Cookie Sticks

A white rectangular plate with biscotti, some dipped in chocolate and covered with sprinkles or nuts, surrounded by Christmas ornaments and a red holiday cloth. — Chocolate Chip Cookie Sticks. Photo credit: 365 Days Of Baking And More.

These cookies bake into stick shapes rather than rounds. The texture stays soft inside. Chocolate chips are spread evenly. They are easy to stack for serving.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookie Sticks

Reindeer Linzer Cookies

These sandwich cookies feature decorative cutouts. Filling shows through the top layer. The cookies stay crisp but tender. They look festive on a cookie tray.
Get the Recipe: Reindeer Linzer Cookies

Classic Gingerbread Man Recipe | Easy Cookies for the Holidays

Eight gingerbread cookies decorated with white icing are arranged on a black cooling rack against a light blue background. — Classic Gingerbread Man Recipe | Easy Cookies for the Holidays. Photo credit: Seasons In The Kitchen.

Gingerbread dough cuts cleanly into shapes. Cookies bake with defined edges. Spices stay balanced and warm. They are easy to decorate once cooled.
Get the Recipe: Classic Gingerbread Man Recipe | Easy Cookies for the Holidays