25 Simple Christmas Cookie Recipes

I’ll be baking Christmas cookies on repeat for the next few weeks! They’re one of my favorite parts of the holiday season—sweet, festive, and perfect for making with family and sharing as a gift. If you ask me, there’s no better way to spread holiday cheer.

In case you’re ready for holiday baking too, I’ve rounded up my best easy Christmas cookie recipes below. They include traditional Christmas cookies like gingerbread, fun shortbread variations, classic chocolate chip cookies, and more. They’re all great for holiday parties, cookie tins, and baking with loved ones (kids included!). I hope you find some you love!

Gingerbread Cookies

With over 300 5-star reviews, these gingerbread cutouts are our most popular Christmas cookies! They’re some of my personal favorites too—soft, richly spiced, and perfect for decorating.

Mexican Wedding Cookies

Sometimes called snowballs, these buttery pecan cookies practically melt in your mouth.

Christmas Sugar Cookies

These classic cut-out cookies have lightly crisp edges, soft middles, and a warm, buttery flavor. Top them with royal icing and sprinkles for a festive holiday treat!

Thumbprint Cookies

These thumbprints are one of the Christmas cookie recipes I make every single year. They have a delicious almond shortbread dough filled with sweet, tangy apricot and raspberry jam.

Chewy Molasses Cookies

Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe quickly satisfies your Christmas cookie cravings. These cookies have crisp edges, fudgy middles, and a deeply spiced molasses flavor.

Spritz Cookies

These buttery cookies keep well at room temperature for a week, and can be frozen for months, making them ideal for gifting. My family has made them since I was a child!

Pignoli Cookies

Crusted with pine nuts, these cookies add a sophisticated Italian touch to your holiday cookie spread.

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Top with the traditional Hershey’s Kisses, or try mini peanut butter cups for an extra dose of peanut butter flavor.

Shortbread Cookies

These slice-and-bake cookies are tender, buttery, and easy to make with just five ingredients. They’re the perfect Christmas cookies to enjoy with coffee or tea!

Easy Sugar Cookies

Roll these simple drop cookies in colored sugar for a festive holiday treat!

Lemon Cookies

With lightly crisp edges and chewy, fudgy middles, these zesty cookies are absolutely bakery-worthy. They’re delightful all year round, but especially during the holidays.

Orange Shortbread Cookies

Orange zest and a simple orange glaze brighten these delicate shortbread cutouts.

Lemon Shortbread Cookies

This lemony shortbread dough gets an unexpected twist with fresh thyme!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies may not be traditional Christmas fare, but no chocolate lover will complain about them on a holiday cookie plate. This recipe is my favorite—chewy, flavorful, and no stand mixer required!

Cranberry Cookies

Dried cranberries and pistachios give these soft-baked cookies a red and green holiday flair.

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Essentially brownies in cookie form. L&L reader Alyssa recommends adding peppermint extract for a minty depth of flavor!

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

These delicious cookies have lightly crisp edges, soft middles, and plenty of chocolate in every bite—no one would guess they’re made without butter and eggs!

Snickerdoodles

By adding an extra egg yolk, these cookies achieve the perfect soft and chewy texture. While they can be enjoyed year-round, their cinnamon coating makes them especially festive for the holidays.

Perfect Oatmeal Cookies

For a holiday twist on these classic cookies, replace the raisins with a mix of dried cherries and white chocolate chips.

Soft Pumpkin Cookies

These moist, cake-like cookies are delicious on their own, but a layer of tangy cream cheese frosting elevates them to another level.

Best Peanut Butter Cookies

With more peanut butter than most, these cookies are a dream for peanut butter lovers. They strike a perfect balance between sweet and salty.

No-Bake Cookies

If you’re spending a day baking Christmas cookie recipes, your oven might be at max capacity. Free up some space by preparing these no-bakes! Dense and fudgy, they’re a hit on any cookie platter.

Almond Butter Cookies

An almond-y twist on classic peanut butter cookies that will leave you wondering why you didn’t start making these sooner!

Tahini Cookies

Topped with pomegranate arils, these gluten-free cookies have been among my favorite holiday treats for years. The rich, nutty flavor of tahini, combined with warm notes of cardamom and ginger, makes them irresistible.

Matcha Cookies

No food coloring needed! Matcha tea gives these cookies their distinct green hue. I love dipping them in white chocolate and adding black sesame seeds for extra flavor when baking for Christmas.