13 Best Holiday Cookies You’ll Absolutely Love This Season

I still remember the first time I tried one of my favorite Holiday Cookie Recipes since it was a snowy December afternoon and the kids wanted to help so we made a mess with flour everywhere and some cookies came out too crisp while others were too soft yet when we decorated them with frosting and sprinkles no one cared about the imperfections and I realized that holiday cookies are about memories laughter and love not perfect shapes.

Now I make Holiday Cookie Recipes all the time because they’re fun simple and always bring everyone together whether it’s chocolate chip or gingerbread or sugar cookies or thumbprints with jam and even when I burn a few edges or drop too many sprinkles it still feels cozy and homemade and every bite tastes like celebration and happiness.

When I serve Holiday Cookie Recipes I like pairing them with other festive treats that make the dessert table sparkle such as fudge or brownies or truffles or peppermint bark or hot cocoa or even slices of fruitcake and sometimes I add a mug of warm milk or spiced tea on the side so every combination makes the holiday cookies even more magical and turns an ordinary moment into something truly sweet.

13. Classic Gingerbread Cookies

These classic gingerbread cookies are a must-try for the holiday season because they bring warmth and joy and they are easy to make with family and friends and they are perfect for decorating and sharing as gifts and they are one of the best holiday cookies you can enjoy with a cup of hot cocoa or tea.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground cloves
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ⅓ cup molasses
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy and then add egg, molasses, and vanilla and mix well.
  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients until dough forms.
  5. Roll dough and cut into shapes and place on a baking sheet.
  6. Bake for 8–10 minutes until edges are firm.
  7. Let cool and decorate if desired.

12. Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies

These peppermint chocolate chip cookies are chewy and chocolatey and have a festive peppermint flavor and they are one of the best holiday cookies you can bake quickly for parties and they bring a fresh twist to classic chocolate chip cookies and they are loved by kids and adults alike and perfect for holiday celebrations.

Ingredients

  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • ½ cup crushed peppermint candies

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
  3. Beat butter and sugars until creamy and then add eggs and vanilla.
  4. Gradually add dry ingredients.
  5. Stir in chocolate chips and peppermint candies.
  6. Scoop onto a baking sheet.
  7. Bake 10–12 minutes and let cool.

11. Snickerdoodle Cookies

Snickerdoodle cookies are soft and cinnamon-sugary and they are simple to make and perfect for sharing and they are one of the best holiday cookies because they offer a nostalgic flavor and everyone enjoys them with milk or hot drinks and they make holiday baking easy and fun.

Ingredients

  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp cream of tartar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 tbsp sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon for coating

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy then add eggs and vanilla.
  4. Mix in dry ingredients until dough forms.
  5. Roll dough balls and coat in cinnamon-sugar mixture.
  6. Place on baking sheet.
  7. Bake 8–10 minutes and cool.

10. Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are soft and buttery and they are perfect for cutting into festive shapes and they are one of the best holiday cookies because they are easy to decorate with icing and sprinkles and they bring holiday cheer to cookie platters and gift boxes and they are loved by all ages.

Ingredients

  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp almond extract

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Combine flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
  3. Beat butter and sugar until creamy then add egg, vanilla, and almond extract.
  4. Gradually mix in dry ingredients.
  5. Roll dough and cut into shapes.
  6. Place on baking sheet.
  7. Bake 8–10 minutes and decorate.

9. Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread cookies are buttery and tender and they melt in your mouth and they are one of the best holiday cookies because they are easy to make and they pair perfectly with tea or coffee and they are ideal for gift-giving and they stay fresh for days and can be decorated with chocolate or nuts.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
  2. Beat butter and sugar until smooth then add vanilla.
  3. Mix in flour and salt.
  4. Form dough into a log or press into a pan.
  5. Cut into shapes or squares.
  6. Bake 20–25 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
  7. Cool and serve.

8. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Chocolate crinkle cookies are soft and fudgy and coated in powdered sugar and they are one of the best holiday cookies because they look festive and are easy to make and they have a rich chocolate flavor that everyone loves and they are perfect for cookie swaps or parties and they bring joy to holiday baking.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup powdered sugar for coating

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Mix flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Beat sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla.
  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients.
  5. Chill dough for 2 hours.
  6. Roll into balls and coat in powdered sugar.
  7. Bake 10–12 minutes and cool.

7. Linzer Cookies

Linzer cookies are delicate and buttery and filled with sweet raspberry jam and they are one of the best holiday cookies because they look elegant and festive and they are fun to make with cookie cutters and they bring color and flavor to your holiday cookie platter and everyone enjoys them with tea or coffee.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup raspberry jam
  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Mix flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Beat butter, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
  4. Combine dry and wet ingredients to form dough.
  5. Roll dough and cut shapes with small cutouts.
  6. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are golden.
  7. Let cool, spread jam on the bottom cookie, sandwich with top, dust with powdered sugar.

6. Peanut Butter Blossoms

Peanut Butter Blossoms are soft and chewy and topped with a chocolate kiss and they are one of the best holiday cookies because they combine peanut butter and chocolate in a perfect bite and they are quick to make and loved by kids and adults and they are festive for cookie exchanges and holiday parties.

Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Chocolate kisses

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Beat butter, peanut butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla until creamy.
  4. Gradually add dry ingredients.
  5. Roll dough into balls, place on baking sheet, bake 8–10 minutes.
  6. Press chocolate kiss into center of each cookie while warm.
  7. Cool and serve.

5. Snowball Cookies

Snowball cookies are buttery and nutty and coated in powdered sugar and they are one of the best holiday cookies because they look like little snowballs and they are simple to make and perfect for holiday trays and gifting and they melt in your mouth and everyone enjoys their soft texture and sweet flavor.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
  • Additional powdered sugar for coating

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Beat butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
  3. Mix in flour and nuts to form dough.
  4. Roll into balls and place on baking sheet.
  5. Bake 12–15 minutes until lightly golden.
  6. Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar.
  7. Let cool and coat again before serving.

4. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Oatmeal raisin cookies are soft and chewy and full of warm spices and they are one of the best holiday cookies because they are hearty and comforting and easy to bake in batches and they combine oats, cinnamon, and raisins for a classic taste and they are perfect for snacking during the holidays with coffee or milk.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 3 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup raisins

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Beat butter and sugars until creamy, then add eggs and vanilla.
  3. Mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
  4. Combine dry and wet ingredients, then stir in oats and raisins.
  5. Drop spoonfuls onto baking sheet.
  6. Bake 10–12 minutes until golden.
  7. Cool and serve.

3. Almond Joy Cookies

Almond Joy cookies are rich and chocolatey and filled with coconut and almonds and they are one of the best holiday cookies because they are inspired by the candy bar everyone loves and they are easy to make in batches and festive for cookie trays and they are chewy and nutty and perfect for chocolate lovers.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
  • ½ cup chopped almonds
  • ½ cup chocolate chips

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Beat butter and sugar until creamy, then add egg and vanilla.
  3. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt, then combine with wet ingredients.
  4. Stir in coconut, almonds, and chocolate chips.
  5. Drop spoonfuls on baking sheet.
  6. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
  7. Cool before serving.

2. White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

White chocolate cranberry cookies are soft and fruity and sweet and they are one of the best holiday cookies because they combine tart cranberries with creamy white chocolate for a festive flavor and they are visually beautiful and easy to make for holiday baking and everyone will love them on your cookie tray.

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Beat butter and sugar until creamy, then add eggs and vanilla.
  3. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt, then mix with wet ingredients.
  4. Stir in cranberries and white chocolate chips.
  5. Drop spoonfuls on baking sheet.
  6. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are firm.
  7. Cool and serve.

1. Triple Chocolate Fudge Cookies

Triple chocolate fudge cookies are rich and chocolaty and soft and they are one of the best holiday cookies because they are perfect for chocolate lovers and easy to make in batches and they combine dark, milk, and white chocolate for maximum flavor and they are decadent and irresistible for holiday celebrations and cookie exchanges.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup dark chocolate chips
  • ½ cup milk chocolate chips
  • ½ cup white chocolate chips

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Beat butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla until creamy.
  3. Mix flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients.
  5. Fold in all chocolate chips.
  6. Drop spoonfuls on baking sheet.
  7. Bake 10–12 minutes, cool, and enjoy.

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