22 Best Christmas Cookie Recipes for 2026

Christmas cookie recipes are part of what makes holiday baking special. From buttery spritz cookies and soft gingerbread to colorful sugar cookies and chocolate peppermint treats, there’s something for every kind of holiday dessert tray.

If you’re planning a cookie exchange, preparing homemade gifts, or looking for something fun to bake with the family, this collection brings together 24 Christmas cookie ideas worth adding to your holiday baking list.

I’ve grouped the recipes by style so you can find what you’re looking for more easily. You’ll find classic buttery cookies, decorated holiday favorites, chocolate treats, and options for vegan and special-diet baking.

Choose a few favorites, gather your baking essentials, and start planning your Christmas cookie tray.

 

I. Classic Christmas Cookies & Buttery Favorites

These are the familiar holiday cookies that work for almost any occasion. They’re lovely for cookie exchanges, dessert platters, and homemade Christmas gifts.

1. Italian Christmas Cookies

Photo Credit: pipandebby.com

Italian Christmas cookies are soft, tender little treats finished with a sweet glaze. Their simple shape and colorful sprinkles make them a pretty addition to a Christmas cookie tray.

They’re also a practical choice when you need a batch of cookies for sharing. The dough uses familiar baking ingredients, and the finished cookies are easy to arrange in gift boxes or on a serving platter.

Serving idea: Add red and green sprinkles to the glaze for a festive finish. Arrange them in paper liners if you’re preparing a holiday cookie box.

Shop the baking setup →

• Cookie scoop for evenly sized portions

• Wire cooling rack

• Small sprinkle assortment

Get the recipe: Pip and Ebby

 

2. Jingle Bell Bites (Holiday Shortbread Cookies)

Photo Credit: seededatthetable.com

These little shortbread cookies are buttery, crisp, and dotted with red and green nonpareils. Their small size makes them especially useful for holiday treat bags and cookie exchanges.

Shortbread is a good option when you want a cookie with a simple ingredient list and a delicate texture. The colorful sprinkles give the cookies a festive look without requiring complicated decorating.

Serving idea: Package a few in clear treat bags or small cookie boxes tied with ribbon.

Get the recipe: Seeded at the Table

 

3. Snowball Cookies (Christmas cookie recipes)

Photo Credit: dinneratthezoo.com

Snowball cookies are tender, round cookies traditionally coated in powdered sugar. This version includes pecans and chocolate chips, giving the familiar holiday treat extra texture.

Their snowy appearance makes them a natural fit for Christmas dessert trays. They also travel well when packed carefully in a single layer.

Serving idea: Roll the cookies in powdered sugar once more after they cool for a fresh white coating.

Shop the baking setup →

• Fine-mesh powdered sugar sifter

• Cookie scoop

• Airtight cookie storage containers

Get the recipe: Dinner at the Zoo

 

4. Classic Spritz Cookies

Photo Credit: twosisterscrafting.com

Spritz cookies are buttery little cookies pressed into decorative shapes using a cookie press. Their delicate designs make them a traditional addition to holiday cookie trays.

You can use different discs to create wreaths, trees, stars, and other seasonal shapes. A few colors of decorating sugar or sprinkles add a festive finish without much extra work.

Serving idea: Arrange the different shapes together on a flat platter or pack them into a divided cookie tin.

Shop the baking setup →

• Cookie press with seasonal discs

• Decorating sugar

• Rimmed baking sheets

Get the recipe: Two Sisters

 

5. Homemade Thin Mints

Photo Credit: designeatrepeat.com

These homemade Thin Mints combine chocolate and mint in a crisp cookie coated with chocolate. They’re a good choice for anyone who enjoys the familiar chocolate-mint combination during the holidays.

The finished cookies also make a nice addition to a mixed cookie box because their darker chocolate coating contrasts with lighter sugar and shortbread cookies.

Serving idea: Chill the coated cookies until the chocolate sets, then arrange them in small paper cups for gifting.

Get the recipe: Design Eat Repeat

 

II. Decorated Christmas Cookies for Gifting & Cookie Exchanges

If you enjoy decorating cookies, these ideas offer plenty of room for creativity. From stained-glass centers to reindeer faces and festive pinwheels, they bring color and variety to a holiday dessert table.

6. Lofthouse-Style Snowman Sugar Cookies

Photo Credit: cookingclassy.com

These soft snowman sugar cookies have the tender texture associated with Lofthouse-style cookies. Their snowman design makes them especially appealing for family baking and Christmas parties.

The decorated tops give you a chance to use frosting, sprinkles, and other simple details to create individual expressions.

Serving idea: Display the cookies on a white platter or arrange them in a single layer inside a clear holiday cookie box.

Shop the baking setup →

• Snowman cookie cutters

• Piping bags and decorating tips

• White and colored icing

Get the recipe: Cooking Classy

 

7. Easy Stained Glass Cookies

Photo Credit: cakewhiz.com

Stained glass cookies have a colorful candy center that becomes translucent when baked. The effect makes them especially pretty when held up to the light or displayed near a window.

These cookies are also fun to make with children because the cutout shapes and candy centers give everyone a chance to help with the decorating.

Serving idea: Use a small hole near the top if you want to hang the cookies as edible decorations. Make sure the cookies are fully cooled and handle them carefully.

Shop the baking setup →

• Holiday cookie cutter set

• Crushed hard candies

• Parchment paper or silicone baking mat

Get the recipe: Cake Whiz

 

8. Easy Reindeer Cookies (Christmas cookie recipes)

Photo Credit: tasteofhome.com

These reindeer cookies use familiar ingredients such as pretzels and chocolate candies to create playful holiday faces. The combination of a cookie base, pretzel antlers, and candy details makes them easy to recognize.

They’re a good choice for family baking because the decorating is simple enough for children to help with.

Serving idea: Arrange the finished reindeer in rows on a large platter, or package them individually for school and holiday parties.

Shop the baking setup →

• Mini pretzels

• Candy-coated chocolates

• Edible decorating eyes

Get the recipe: Taste of Home

 

9. Easy Frosted Sugar Cookies

Photo Credit: recipegirl.com

These frosted sugar cookies are a classic holiday baking project. The cookies provide a simple base for colorful icing, sprinkles, and seasonal decorations.

You can keep the designs traditional with red and green icing or use white and silver for a more understated Christmas cookie tray.

Serving idea: Let the frosting set completely before stacking or packaging the cookies. This helps prevent the decorations from smudging.

Shop the baking setup →

• Cookie cutters

• Piping bags and decorating tips

• Gel food coloring

Get the recipe: Recipe Girl

 

10. Pinwheel Christmas Cookies

Photo Credit: yellowblissroad.com

Christmas pinwheel cookies feature swirls of red, white, and green cookie dough. Their spiral pattern makes them stand out on a holiday platter, even without additional frosting or decorations.

The colors are part of the appeal, so these cookies work particularly well when you want something festive without spending extra time decorating each one.

Serving idea: Slice the chilled dough evenly so the spiral pattern stays visible in every cookie.

Shop the baking setup →

• Rolling pin

• Baking sheet

• Parchment paper

Get the recipe: Yellow Bliss Road

 

11. Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies (Christmas cookie recipes)

Photo Credit: cookingclassy.com

These soft Christmas tree cookies use a sugar-cookie-style base with buttery frosting and green decorations. Their tree shape makes them a natural choice for holiday dessert tables.

They’re also a good baking activity for children because the finished cookies can be decorated with sprinkles and small candy details.

Serving idea: Use small colorful sprinkles as ornaments and arrange the cookies in a single layer so the frosting stays intact.

Shop the baking setup →

• Christmas tree cookie cutters

• Star piping tip

• Christmas sprinkles

Get the recipe: Cooking Classy

 

12. Holiday Cut-Out Butter Cookies

Photo Credit: onceuponachef.com

These cut-out butter cookies have a tender, crisp texture and hold their shapes during baking. They’re ideal for decorating with icing and making different holiday designs.

Unlike softer cookies that spread in the oven, cut-out cookies are useful when you want defined shapes for stars, trees, snowflakes, and other seasonal designs.

Serving idea: Use several cookie cutter shapes and keep the icing colors coordinated for a polished cookie assortment.

Shop the baking setup →

• Stainless-steel holiday cookie cutters

• Small offset spatula

• Royal icing decorating supplies

Get the recipe: Once Upon A Chef

 

13. Christmas Sugar Cookies (Video Tutorial)

This video tutorial offers another way to prepare and decorate classic Christmas sugar cookies. Sugar cookies are versatile because you can use the same basic dough for different shapes, colors, and decorating styles.

They work well for cookie exchanges and family baking days, especially when you set out icing and sprinkles so everyone can decorate their own.

Serving idea: Bake the cookies in different shapes, then group them by color or design when arranging your platter.

Watch the original Tasty video for the tutorial.

 

III. Chocolate, Peppermint & Rich Holiday Cookies

These cookies bring deeper flavors to your Christmas assortment. They’re especially good alongside lighter shortbread, sugar cookies, and other buttery favorites.

14. Vegan Chocolate Chunk Cookies with Peppermint (Christmas cookie recipes)

Photo Credit: cottercrunch.com

These vegan chocolate chunk cookies combine rich chocolate with peppermint for a festive holiday flavor. They’re also gluten-free and egg-free, making them an option for guests with certain dietary preferences, depending on the ingredients used.

Their fudgy texture and chocolate pieces make them a nice contrast to lighter, crisp Christmas cookies.

Serving idea: Add a little crushed peppermint on top before baking if the recipe calls for it, or finish with a light chocolate drizzle after cooling.

Get the recipe: Cotter Crunch

 

15. Hot Chocolate Cookies

Photo Credit: averiecooks.com

Hot chocolate cookies bring the familiar flavors of a winter drink into a soft, rich cookie. This version includes gooey marshmallows and dark chocolate, making it a fitting choice for Christmas dessert trays.

They’re especially appealing for casual holiday gatherings and evenings when you want a cookie that feels a little more indulgent.

Serving idea: Serve with hot cocoa or coffee. Allow the cookies to cool enough for the marshmallow centers to set before arranging them on a platter.

Get the recipe: Averie Cooks

 

16. Fresh Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies (Christmas cookie recipes)

Photo Credit: omgchocolatedesserts.com

Fresh cranberries and white chocolate give these cookies a sweet-tart flavor and a festive appearance. The cream cheese cookie base creates a soft texture, while the cranberries add a little brightness.

These cookies are a useful addition to a holiday tray because their red and white colors look seasonal without requiring extra decoration.

Serving idea: Arrange them alongside chocolate cookies and buttery shortbread for a balanced dessert assortment.

Get the recipe: Oh My Goodness Chocolate Desserts

 

IV. Vegan & Special-Diet Christmas Cookies

A holiday cookie assortment feels more welcoming when it includes a few options for different dietary needs. These recipes offer vegan, gluten-free, or other ingredient-conscious alternatives. Always check the full recipe and ingredient labels to confirm suitability for your guests.

17. One-Bowl Vegan Sugar Cookies

Photo Credit: minimalistbaker.com

These vegan sugar cookies are made in one bowl, which helps keep preparation and cleanup simple. They offer a familiar sugar-cookie flavor and a tender texture without traditional dairy or eggs.

They’re a useful option when you want a classic holiday cookie that fits a vegan menu.

Serving idea: Use festive cookie cutters and finish with vegan icing or colored sanding sugar.

Get the recipe: Minimalist Baker

 

18. Vegan Gingerbread Stained Glass Cookies

Photo Credit: wallflowerkitchen.com

These vegan gingerbread cookies combine warm holiday spices with colorful stained-glass centers. The candy details add a decorative finish, while the gingerbread flavor gives them a familiar Christmas character.

They work particularly well as homemade gifts because the finished cookies look attractive when arranged in clear bags or small boxes.

Serving idea: Choose a few different cookie cutter shapes and keep the candy colors coordinated.

Get the recipe: Wallflower Kitchen

 

19. Gluten-Free & Vegan Sugar Cookies with Matcha Icing (Christmas cookie recipes)

Photo Credit: simplyquinoa.com

These gluten-free and vegan sugar cookies are finished with green matcha icing. The natural green color makes them a fitting choice for Christmas, especially if you prefer a different look from traditional red-and-white decorations.

They’re also a useful alternative for guests who follow certain dietary preferences, provided the recipe and ingredients meet their individual needs.

Serving idea: Arrange the cookies on a white platter so the green icing stands out.

Get the recipe: Simply Quinoa

 

20. Soft Gingerbread Cookies

Photo Credit: tastesbetterfromscratch.com

Gingerbread cookies are a Christmas staple, with their warm spices and familiar holiday flavor. This soft and chewy version is suitable for decorating or enjoying plain.

You can use the dough to make gingerbread people, trees, stars, and other seasonal shapes.

Serving idea: Add simple white icing details for a traditional finish, or leave the cookies plain for a more rustic presentation.

Shop the baking setup →

• Gingerbread cookie cutters

• Rolling pin with thickness guides

• Piping bags and small decorating tips

Get the recipe: Tastes Better from Scratch

 

IV. Fun Christmas Cookies for Kids & Family Baking

These final ideas are especially useful when you want a little hands-on decorating or a no-bake option. They’re good choices for a family baking afternoon or a casual holiday activity.

21. Easy No-Bake Grinch Cookies (Christmas cookie recipes)

Photo Credit: noshingwiththenolands.com

These no-bake Grinch cookies are a fun holiday project, especially for children. Their bright green color and little heart decorations give them a playful connection to the familiar Christmas character.

Since they don’t require traditional oven baking, they’re a useful alternative when you want a simpler activity.

Serving idea: Add a small red heart candy to each cookie and arrange them in a single layer on a festive tray.

Shop the baking setup →

• Green food coloring or suitable green coating

• Heart-shaped candies

• Parchment-lined tray

Get the recipe: Noshing with the Nolands

 

22. Christmas Pinwheel Cookies (Video Tutorial)

This video shows how to create red, white, and green pinwheel cookies using simple sugar-cookie dough. The spiral design looks detailed but relies on arranging colored dough before slicing.

It’s a useful visual reference if you want to try a pinwheel design for a cookie exchange or Christmas dessert tray.

Watch the original video tutorial.

 

V. A Few Baking Essentials for Your Christmas Cookie Collection

You don’t need a separate tool for every recipe. A few dependable baking supplies will help with several of the cookies in this collection.

The Christmas Cookie Baking Edit

• Cookie cutters: Useful for gingerbread, sugar cookies, stained-glass cookies, and holiday shapes.

• Cookie press: Helps create consistent spritz cookies in different designs.

• Piping bags and decorating tips: Useful for frosting, icing details, and decorative finishes.

• Rimmed baking sheets: A reliable base for baking different cookie styles.

• Parchment paper or silicone baking mats: Helps with cleanup and makes transferring cookies easier.

• Wire cooling racks: Allow cookies to cool before icing, stacking, or packaging.

• Cookie boxes and treat bags: Useful for gifting and cookie exchanges.

Shop the Christmas Cookie Baking Edit →

Choose products you’ll use across several recipes instead of buying a separate gadget for each cookie. A good set of baking sheets, a cooling rack, and a few decorating tools will cover most holiday baking needs.

 

VI. How to Plan a Christmas Cookie Tray

You don’t need to bake all 22 recipes to create a beautiful holiday assortment. A smaller selection with different flavors, textures, and colors will look more balanced.

Here’s a simple way to put together a cookie tray:

For a classic Christmas assortment:

• Italian Christmas cookies

• Spritz cookies

• Snowball cookies

• Gingerbread cookies

For a colorful cookie exchange:

• Reindeer cookies

• Stained-glass cookies

• Pinwheel cookies

• Frosted sugar cookies

For a chocolate-focused assortment:

• Homemade Thin Mints

• Hot chocolate cookies

• Chocolate peppermint cookies

• Cranberry white chocolate cookies

For a family decorating day:

• Snowman sugar cookies

• Christmas tree cookies

• Gingerbread cookies

• No-bake Grinch cookies

 

A few practical baking tips

• Bake in stages. Prepare doughs that need chilling ahead of time, then bake different varieties in batches.

• Let cookies cool completely. This helps prevent frosting from melting and keeps stored cookies from becoming soggy.

• Keep flavors separate when storing. Strongly flavored cookies, such as peppermint or gingerbread, are best stored separately from delicate buttery varieties.

• Use airtight containers. Store cookies according to each recipe’s instructions and freeze suitable varieties if you need to prepare them well ahead.

• Package with care. Place delicate decorated cookies in a single layer or separate layers with parchment paper.

 

Which Christmas Cookie Recipes Will You Bake This Year?

From classic spritz and Italian Christmas cookies to colorful stained-glass designs, chocolate peppermint treats, and no-bake Grinch cookies, there are plenty of ways to make your holiday baking feel special.

Choose a few recipes that suit your schedule, add a mix of flavors and textures, and prepare some batches ahead for gifting or entertaining. A thoughtfully arranged cookie tray doesn’t need dozens of varieties to look festive.

 

 

More Christmas inspiration:

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• 20 Delicious Christmas Lunch Ideas You Can Meal Prep
• Christmas Decor Ideas That Are Perfect for Small Spaces
• 12 Mother’s Day Cookies That Are Sure to Make Her Day
• 41+ Kid-friendly DIY Christmas Crafts You Need To Try Now!

 

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