150 Best Christmas Cookie Recipes: Decorative, Delicious & Perfect for the Holidays
cookies - November 29, 2025

Updated: November 2025

The holiday season is finally here — and that means it’s time for cozy kitchens, crackling fireplaces, and cookie trays piled high with festive treats. Whether you’re baking for a cookie exchange, filling your holiday dessert table, or making memories with the kids, this list has the perfect cookie for every baker.

I rounded up 150 Christmas cookie recipes—from classic sugar cookies to no-bake treats, kid-friendly decorating cookies, vegan and gluten-free options, and beautifully decorated creations that look straight out of a holiday bakery.

Let’s jump in!

Table of Contents

🧑‍🍳 Classic Christmas Cookies

These are the cookies everyone expects on a holiday tray — nostalgic, comforting, and always the first to disappear.

Examples:

🎄 Cut-Out & Decorated Christmas Cookies

Perfect for gifting, cookie exchanges, and decorating with kids.

Includes:

  • Royal Icing Sugar Cookies
  • Christmas Tree Cut-Out Cookies
  • Stained-Glass Candy Window Cookies
  • Frosted Snowflake Cookies
  • Ornament Cookies
  • Elf Hat Cookies
  • Gingerbread People
  • Sprinkle-Covered Cut-Out Cookies

Decorating Tips:

  • Chill dough at least 1 hour to prevent spreading
  • Use gel food coloring for brighter colors
  • Outline with stiff icing, flood with thin icing
  • Add sprinkles immediately so they stick

❄️ No-Bake Christmas Cookies

Short on time? No oven? These cookies save the day.

Fan Favorites:

  • No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls
  • Chocolate Dipped Ritz Cookies
  • Coconut Snowball Cookies
  • No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies
  • Peppermint Bark Cookies
  • Caramel Pretzel “Reindeer Bites”

Great for:
Kids
Busy families
Last-minute baking

Check out 50 Easy No Bake Recipes

Minimal ingredients, simple steps, and quick cleanup.

Great options:

🍫 Chocolate Christmas Cookies

For the chocolate-obsessed holiday baker.

Top picks:

  • Double Chocolate Fudge Cookies
  • Hot Cocoa Cookies with Marshmallows
  • Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
  • Triple Chocolate Chunk Cookies
  • Chocolate Orange Cookies
  • White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

🌱 Vegan, Gluten-Free & Keto Holiday Cookies

Diet-friendly cookies that everyone will love.

Includes:

Tip:
Use plant-based butter sticks for best texture (not tub spreads).

🌍 International Christmas Cookies

Bring global holiday traditions to your table.

Try these:

These add beautiful variety and texture to any cookie tray.

Check out Cookies From Around the World

🎅 Kid-Friendly Christmas Cookies

Fun, festive, and easy to decorate.

Kids love:

Check out Top 35 Edible Christmas Crafts; DIY Crafts You Can Eat

❄️ Make-Ahead & Freezer-Friendly Cookies

Perfect for busy holiday schedules.

Best for freezing:

  • Sugar cookie dough
  • Gingerbread dough
  • Chocolate chip dough
  • Shortbread dough
  • Snowballs / Russian Tea Cakes

How to Freeze Cookie Dough:

  1. Scoop or shape dough
  2. Freeze on a tray 1–2 hours
  3. Move to a freezer bag
  4. Bake straight from frozen (add 2 minutes)

🍽 What You’ll Need for Holiday Baking

Most Christmas cookie recipes use simple tools you likely already own.

Essentials:

❓ Christmas Cookie FAQs

How far ahead can I make Christmas cookies?
Most cookies store 3–5 days; dough freezes 2–3 months.

What is the easiest Christmas cookie for beginners?
M&M cookies, cake mix cookies, and sugar cookie bars.

How do I keep cookies soft?
Store with a slice of bread in an airtight container.

What’s the best cookie for a cookie exchange?
Anything sturdy: gingerbread, shortbread, crinkles.

🎁 Let’s Get Bakin’!

Whether you’re a seasoned holiday baker or just getting started, this list of 137 decorative and delicious Christmas cookies has something for every holiday moment — cozy nights in, class parties, cookie exchanges, and everything in between.

Here’s a list for inspiration:

Christmas Cookies

A list of fun, Holiday and Christmas cookies

Let’s put the best Christmas cookie recipes to the ultimate taste test, my favorite part since I was a little girl!

Christmas Pudding Recipes

Amazing DIY Christmas Gifts that Everyone Will Love

Valentine’s Cookie Pops Using Girl Scout Cookie Thin Mints

Birds Nest Cookies for Easter

Social

Newsletter

* indicates required