25 Christmas Cookie Recipes to Make This Holiday Season

I love doing a bit of Christmas baking once we get into the colder months. There’s just something about having cookies baking in the oven that makes the house feel a bit more Christmassy, even if the kitchen ends up looking like a complete mess afterwards.

I’ve got 25 Christmas cookie recipes to share here and there’s a real mixture of ideas. Some are proper homemade cookies, then there are lots of fun ones with reindeer, snowmen, penguins and Grinch treats too. There are plenty of easy ones in here as well, especially if you want something you can make with the kids.

They’re lovely for Christmas parties, cookie boxes, homemade gifts or just to have in the house over Christmas. I always think a big plate of different Christmas cookies looks so good on the table too, especially when you’ve got all the different colors and festive designs together.

1. Christmas Cake Batter Cookies

These are such fun cookies for the holidays, with plenty of Christmas sprinkles, white chocolate chips and that lovely cake batter flavor. The frosting on top makes them feel that little bit more special too.

GET THE RECIPE

2. Crumbl Gingerbread Cookies

I’m a sucker for anything gingerbread once Christmas is on the way, so these are right up my street. They’re soft, full of spice and that thick layer of frosting on top makes them even better.

GET THE RECIPE

3. Christmas Tree Oreos

These are one of those Christmas treats that look like you’ve made loads of effort when actually they’re really simple. It’s just Oreos, candy melts and a few sprinkles, and they’re a good one to get the kids involved with too.

Servings: 12

Ingredients:

• 12 Oreo cookies
• 1 cup green candy melts
• 1/2 cup white candy melts
• 12 Star sprinkles
• 1 tsp nonpareils sprinkles

Instructions:

1. Melt the white candy melts according to the package directions until smooth, then melt the green candy melts in a separate bowl.

2. Dip the bottom half of each Oreo into the melted white candy, tapping gently on the edge of the bowl to remove excess, and place on a baking sheet or plate.

3. Transfer the melted green candy into a piping bag and drizzle over the top of each Oreo in a zigzag pattern to resemble a Christmas tree.

4. While the green candy is still wet, add a star sprinkle to the top of each tree and decorate with nonpareils sprinkles.

5. Let the cookies set completely, or place them in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to speed up the process, then carefully remove and serve.

4. Melted Snowman Christmas Cookies

I think these little melted snowmen are super cute, and they’re a bit different from the usual Christmas cookies. They’re really easy to put together with Nutter Butters, white chocolate and a few decorations too.

GET THE RECIPE

5. Mint Blossom Cookies

I love the green color of these for Christmas, especially with the Hershey’s Kiss sitting right in the middle. The cookies themselves are soft and chewy with a peppermint flavor, so they look really festive without needing loads of decorating.

GET THE RECIPE

6. Reindeer Oreo Balls

I have a bit of a thing for reindeer treats at Christmas and these are definitely one of my favorites. I love the little pretzel antlers and red noses, and anything made with Oreos and covered in chocolate is always going to go down well in our house.

GET THE RECIPE

7. Ginger Maple Glazed Cookies

I could quite happily sit down with a couple of these and a hot coffee at Christmas. The ginger and maple work so well together, and that glaze on top just makes them even better.

GET THE RECIPE

8. Christmas Ornament Oreos

I love how something as simple as an Oreo can be turned into a little Christmas ornament. The mini Reese’s Cup on top is such a cute idea, and of course I’m never going to complain about adding extra chocolate.

GET THE RECIPE

9. Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

I always think thumbprint cookies look lovely on a Christmas cookie tray. These are nice and chocolatey with that little chocolate-filled center, and they’re simple enough to make without spending all afternoon in the kitchen.

GET THE RECIPE

10. Grinch Nutter Butter Cookies

I have to admit, I love all the Grinch treats that start popping up around Christmas. These little green Nutter Butters are really easy to make and the tiny red heart finishes them off perfectly.

GET THE RECIPE

11. Cinnamon Sugar Cookies

I’m a big fan of cinnamon anyway, but I seem to want it in everything once Christmas comes around. These are lovely simple cookies rolled in cinnamon sugar, and I know I’d end up eating far too many of them.

GET THE RECIPE

12. Christmas Ritz Nutella Cookies

I’m not sure you can really go wrong with Nutella and chocolate at Christmas. I love that these use Ritz crackers too, so you get that little bit of saltiness with all the sweet stuff, then plenty of Christmas sprinkles on top.

GET THE RECIPE

13. Polar Bear Oreos

I think these might be some of the cutest ones in the whole list. They’re such a simple way to dress up Oreos for Christmas, and I love their little polar bear faces.

GET THE RECIPE

14. Double Dark Chocolate Pecan Drop Cookies

These are a good one when I’m in the mood for something really chocolatey. I love the little bit of crunch from the pecans, and they make a nice change from all the decorated cookies I tend to make around Christmas.

GET THE RECIPE

15. Snowman Oreos

These are such an easy one to make but they always turn out really cute. I just love the little snowman faces, and they’re a fun one to make when I want something Christmassy without doing loads of actual baking.

GET THE RECIPE

16. Bourbon Cookies

These are a bit more grown-up than some of the other cookies in this list, and I really like having something different mixed in with all the cute Christmas ones. The bourbon gives them a lovely flavor without making them overly sweet.

GET THE RECIPE

17. Reindeer Nutter Butter Cookies

I seem to end up making reindeer out of everything at Christmas, but these are just too cute not to include. Nutter Butters are the perfect shape for the little faces, then you just need some antlers and a red nose to finish them off.

GET THE RECIPE

18. Cannoli Cookies

These are a nice change from all the really Christmassy-looking cookies in this list. I love the cannoli flavors in cookie form, and they’re a good one to have on a cookie tray when you want something a little different.

GET THE RECIPE

19. Chocolate Mallow Cookies

These are one of those cookies that are hard to leave alone once you’ve made them. You’ve got the chocolate cookie with the soft marshmallow on top, and I love how gooey they are when they’re still a little warm.

GET THE RECIPE

20. Grinch Oreos

I clearly have a bit of a thing for Grinch treats at Christmas, but these are too easy not to make. A bit of green coating and that tiny red heart turns a regular Oreo into something much more fun for Christmas.

GET THE RECIPE

21. Penguin Oreos

These little penguins always make me smile when I make them. They’re really simple to put together, but once you’ve added the little faces and feet they look so cute on a Christmas cookie tray.

GET THE RECIPE

22. Cornmeal Cookies

I like having a few simple cookies mixed in with all the chocolate and decorated ones at Christmas. The cornmeal gives these a slightly different texture, and they’re really good with a cup of coffee when I want something sweet.

GET THE RECIPE

23. Reindeer Oreos

These are always a fun one to make at Christmas, especially if the kids want to help. I love how a few little decorations turn an ordinary Oreo into a reindeer, complete with antlers and a cute red nose.

GET THE RECIPE

24. Air Fryer Almond Butter Cookies

I love having a few really easy recipes like this up my sleeve at Christmas when the oven seems to be constantly in use. These are made in the air fryer instead, and the almond butter gives them a lovely nutty flavor.

Servings: 18 cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Creamy Almond Butter
• ¾ Cup White Granulated Sugar
• 1 Large Egg

Items Needed:

• Air Fryer
• Small Cookie Scoop (1.2 tablespoons)
• Parchment Paper
• Fork

Instructions:

1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine almond butter, sugar, and the egg. Stir until everything is fully blended.

2. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit your air fryer basket. Make sure it’s only one layer and avoid having the parchment paper flap up the sides, as it could cause the cookies to flip.

3. Use a small cookie scoop to portion out four cookies onto the parchment paper, spacing them about 2 inches apart, if possible.

4. Lightly press a fork into the top of each cookie, first in one direction, then again in the opposite direction. Be gentle when lifting the fork off the cookie to avoid making a mess, and don’t press too deep—just enough to flatten them a bit.

5. Air fry at 370°F for 6.5-7 minutes. Once done, carefully remove the basket and let the cookies rest for 10 minutes without disturbing them.

6. Gently transfer the cookies to a fresh sheet of parchment paper to cool completely.

7. Repeat the process until all the cookies are baked. Enjoy!

25. Christmas M&M Cookies

I make M&M cookies quite a lot anyway, so swapping in the red and green ones at Christmas is an easy win. They look really festive without me having to mess about decorating them, which I’m always happy about.

GET THE RECIPE

I don’t think you can have too many Christmas cookie recipes, and there are definitely a few here that I’ll be making again this year. I love having a mixture of proper homemade cookies and the fun decorated ones, especially when the kids are around and want to get involved.

They’re great for filling up a Christmas cookie tray, taking along to a party or just keeping in the kitchen for everyone to help themselves to. Although in our house, I’m not sure many of them would last long enough to make it onto a tray.