20 Christmas Cookie Recipes to Sweeten Your Holiday Season

Christmas is the perfect time to enjoy festive treats and bring holiday cheer to your kitchen. These 20 Christmas cookie recipes offer a wide variety of flavors, from the warmth of spiced molasses to the refreshing touch of peppermint and the richness of chocolate. Each recipe includes details on servings, prep and cooking times, ingredients, and expanded steps to help you create picture-perfect cookies that everyone will love. Let’s bake up some holiday magic!

1. Peppermint Snowball Cookies

Servings: 24
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting
• 1 tsp peppermint extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and powdered sugar together, then add peppermint extract.
3. Gradually add flour, mixing until a dough forms.
4. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, place on a baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes.
5. Cool slightly, then roll in powdered sugar and crushed peppermint for a festive finish.

2. Eggnog Thumbprint Cookies

Servings: 20
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 cup eggnog for filling
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar together, then gradually add flour and nutmeg.
3. Roll dough into balls and create an indentation in each with your thumb.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes, then cool and fill each indentation with a spoonful of eggnog.
5. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

3. Cranberry Orange Shortbread

Servings: 24
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar together, then mix in flour and orange zest.
3. Fold in dried cranberries until evenly distributed.
4. Roll dough into a log, slice into rounds, and place on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.

4. Gingerbread Biscotti

Servings: 24
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes, plus 10 minutes second bake

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp cloves

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and brown sugar, then add eggs one at a time.
3. Mix in flour and spices until combined, then shape the dough into a log.
4. Bake for 30 minutes, cool slightly, then slice into 1-inch pieces.
5. Return slices to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes for a crisp finish.

5. Pistachio Cranberry Cookies

Servings: 24
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup chopped pistachios
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar together, then add flour until dough forms.
3. Fold in chopped pistachios and cranberries.
4. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, flatten slightly on a baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes.
5. Let cool and serve for a festive red and green treat.

6. Hot Chocolate Cookies

Servings: 24
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup mini marshmallows

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar together, then add flour and cocoa powder.
3. Shape dough into balls, flatten slightly and press a few mini marshmallows into the top.
4. Bake for 10 minutes, until marshmallows are gooey and cookies are set.
5. Let cool and serve warm for a cozy treat.

7. Maple Pecan Cookies

Servings: 24
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and maple syrup together, then add flour.
3. Fold in chopped pecans, then shape dough into balls.
4. Flatten slightly on a baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes.
5. Let cool and enjoy a sweet maple and nut flavor.

8. White Chocolate Chai Snickerdoodles

Servings: 24
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp chai spice blend
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar, then add flour and chai spices.
3. Fold in white chocolate chips, roll dough into balls, and place on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 12 minutes, until edges are golden.
5. Let cool before serving.

9. Spiced Molasses Crinkle Cookies

Servings: 24
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter, sugar, and molasses, then add flour and spices.
3. Roll dough into balls, coat with sugar, and place on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 10 minutes until crinkled.
5. Cool and enjoy a soft, spiced treat.

10. Almond Joy Cookies

Servings: 24
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup chopped almonds

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar, then add flour, coconut, chocolate chips, and almonds.
3. Shape into balls, flatten, and place on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 12 minutes.
5. Let cool and enjoy the flavor of your favorite candy bar in cookie form.

11. Lemon Rosemary Butter Cookies

Servings: 24
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cups flour
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar together until smooth.
3. Add flour, lemon zest, and rosemary, mixing until dough forms.
4. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, place on a baking sheet and flatten slightly.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden, then let cool.

12. Chocolate-Dipped Orange Biscotti

Servings: 24
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes, plus 10 minutes second bake

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 cup dark chocolate, melted (for dipping)

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar, then add eggs one at a time.
3. Mix in flour and orange zest, forming a dough.
4. Shape dough into a log and bake for 30 minutes.
5. Slice into 1-inch pieces, bake for another 10 minutes, then dip each piece in melted chocolate.

13. Coconut Macaroon Trees

Servings: 20
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Green food coloring

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Mix coconut, condensed milk, vanilla, and a few drops of green food coloring until well combined.
3. Shape the mixture into small tree shapes and place on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 15 minutes until the edges are golden brown.
5. Let cool before serving; add small decorations if desired.

14. Brown Butter Toffee Cookies

Servings: 24
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, browned and cooled
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup toffee bits

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream browned butter and brown sugar together until smooth.
3. Add flour and fold in toffee bits.
4. Roll dough into balls, place on a baking sheet and flatten slightly.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden, then let cool.

15. Cherry Pistachio Biscotti

Servings: 24
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes, plus 10 minutes second bake

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup dried cherries
• 1/2 cup chopped pistachios

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar, then add eggs one at a time.
3. Add flour, dried cherries, and pistachios, mixing well.
4. Shape dough into a log and bake for 30 minutes.
5. Slice into 1-inch pieces, then bake for an additional 10 minutes until crisp.

16. Cardamom Sugar Cookies

Servings: 24
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp ground cardamom

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar until smooth, then mix in flour and cardamom.
3. Roll dough into balls, flatten, and place on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 10 minutes until the edges are golden.
5. Let cool and enjoy the subtle spice of cardamom.

17. Salted Caramel Thumbprints

Servings: 24
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup caramel sauce
• Sea salt for garnish

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar together, then mix in flour to form dough.
3. Roll into balls, make an indentation in each, and bake for 10 minutes.
4. Spoon caramel sauce into each indentation and sprinkle with sea salt.
5. Let cool before serving.

18. Hazelnut Espresso Cookies

Servings: 24
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1/4 cup finely ground hazelnuts
• 1 tsp instant espresso powder

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar, then add flour, hazelnuts, and espresso powder.
3. Shape dough into balls, flatten, and place on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 12 minutes until golden, then let cool.

19. Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Servings: 24
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup icing for drizzle

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar, then add flour to form a dough.
3. Roll dough flat, sprinkle with cinnamon, then roll into a log.
4. Slice and place on a baking sheet, then bake for 10-12 minutes.
5. Drizzle with icing once cool.

20. White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

Servings: 24
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups oats
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar, then add oats and flour.
3. Fold in white chocolate chips and cranberries.
4. Shape dough into balls and place on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 12 minutes, then let cool.

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Conclusion

These 20 Christmas cookie recipes offer a wonderful array of flavors, textures, and festive charm to elevate your holiday celebrations. From the classic warmth of spiced molasses and gingerbread biscotti to unique twists like cardamom sugar cookies and peppermint snowballs, there’s something here for every sweet tooth. Whether you’re baking for a cookie exchange, decorating with family, or simply enjoying the cozy spirit of the season, these cookies are sure to bring joy and festive flavors to your table. Embrace the holiday magic by trying out new recipes, sharing your creations, and savoring each delicious bite. Happy baking, and may your holiday season be filled with sweetness and cheer!