25 Festive Christmas Cookies

Is it Christmas without Christmas cookies? We don’t think so. These festive Christmas cookie recipes are perfect to make with kids to give as teacher gifts, for a cookie exchange, as part of the dessert table, and, of course, placed on a plate for Santa.

Christmas Vanilla Butter Cutouts

Christmas Vanilla Butter Cutouts

"I have been using this recipe for my Christmas cookies for over 20 years. They are so yummy with lots of vanilla flavor." - Nancy
Chocolate Stuffed Snickerdoodles

Chocolate Stuffed Snickerdoodles

"Snickerdoodles with a little chocolate twist!" - Ilean Maite
Peppermint Triple Chocolate Shortbread

Peppermint Triple Chocolate Shortbread

"There’s still plenty of time for some more holiday baking and you really can’t go wrong with buttery shortbread, especially not chocolate shortbread!" - Kevin
Double Dark Chocolate Mint Cookies

Double Dark Chocolate Mint Cookies

"Two of my favorite things are dark chocolate and peppermint so I combined them into a cookie... Double Dark Chocolate Mint Cookies. These cookies are seriously what Christmas dreams are made of. Take one bite and you will swear Santa’s elves sprinkled a little Christmas magic on them. Rich dark chocolate with peppermint infused in the cookie and the white chocolate coating." - Debbie
Chewy Molasses Cookies

Chewy Molasses Cookies

"Soft and chewy, with a good spicy molasses flavor. These cookies are a harbinger of the holidays. Yes, you can make them any time of the year, but to me, they scream Christmas!" - Hope
Butter Cookies (Swedish)

Butter Cookies (Swedish)

"These were a staple of holiday cookies at my childhood. My great grandmother, grandmother, mom & I would make them together. As the child, I had the job of using a thimble to make the perfect dent to fill with sparkling jellies." - Wendy
Gingersnap Cookies

Gingersnap Cookies

"Soft and chewy gingersnap cookies that are crispy around the edges. The ginger and molasses flavour combo works so well in cookie form creating some cookies that are so addictively good!" - Kevin
Mommy Sugar's Pepper Nuts-Pfeffernusse-Pebernodder

Mommy Sugar's Pepper Nuts-Pfeffernusse-Pebernodder

"This is a very old recipe from Germany. These cookies are usually served with coffee or tea and enjoyed mainly at Christmastime. There is no shortening or butter in this recipe. Traditionally these cookies are bite-size nuggets, but our family makes them into cookies." - Beth
Hungarian Cookie Treasures

Hungarian Cookie Treasures

"My husband is 1/2 Hungarian and I was the lucky recipient of a lot of his family recipes because I liked to bake. This was one that I've changed up a bit to make it my own. It is so simple with only 6 ingredients. And you can add the jam or preserves of your liking, or sub a nut filling too. Dress it up with powdered sugar, frosting, or serve them plain. No matter what, you can bet they will get rave reviews with their buttery taste." - Donna
Gingerbread (House or Men)

Gingerbread (House or Men)

"These gingerbread cookies are soft with a wonderful molasses and spice flavor. They're slightly sweet with just the perfect amount of holiday spices. While they're baking, the whole house smells like Christmas." - The Kitchen Crew
Soft Christmas Sugar Cookies

Soft Christmas Sugar Cookies

"These cookies are very special to me as my grandmother gave it to me in 1974. She would have been 101 years old this year. Grandma used to give these cookies as Christmas gifts to all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren." - Kathy
Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

"There are so many things we love about this Christmas cookie cutout recipe. The cookie itself is sweet, tender, buttery and has a richness thanks to the cream cheese." - The Kitchen Crew
Snowballs (Russian Tea Cakes)

Snowballs (Russian Tea Cakes)

"My grandmother used to make these every Christmas and, since then, I have made them every holiday season. They used to be my very favorite Christmas cookie when I was a child which is saying a lot since she used to make dozens of different types. I like to think I am passing along the tradition." - Sea
Italian Fig Cookies

Italian Fig Cookies

"In our family, Christmas cookies are kind of a big deal. The famous ones are my grandparents Gigi struffoli (I have no clue where Gigi came from but its what we call them) and my mom's seven layers. These are a bit time consuming but they turn out delicious and beautiful. The cookie is bite-size, soft & tender and the filling slightly sweet. Finished off with a little glaze & non-pareil sprinkles!" - Angela
Three Ingredient Cookie Butter Truffles

Three Ingredient Cookie Butter Truffles

"Three Ingredient Cookie Butter Truffles are literally what dreams are made of! Sweet and creamy cookie butter is elevated to superior status with the addition of confectioners’ sugar and decadent white chocolate." - Paula
Marion's Spritz Cookies

Marion's Spritz Cookies

"We love making spritz cookies during the holidays. You don't have to bother with cookie cutters. The cookie press does the work and you can make different shapes. They're fun to decorate too. This recipe makes buttery and sweet spritz cookies." - The Kitchen Crew
Virginia's Molasses Cookies- Recipe 100 Years Old

Virginia's Molasses Cookies- Recipe 100 Years Old

"My grandmother, Virginia, was a culinary instructor until her passing at over 100 years. This recipe was one of her signatures and remains a family favorite four generations later. Hope they become one of your family's favorites, too!" - Family Favorites
Grandma Lu's Vanilla Anisette Christmas Cookies

Grandma Lu's Vanilla Anisette Christmas Cookies

"Growing up in an Italian family, our kitchen was always filled with family, food, and fun. But during the holidays it was simply magical! The kitchen was filled with incredible aromas and every inch of space was filled with spectacular desserts. My favorite cookies were my grandmother's vanilla anisette which I would help her make every year. To this day I make her cookies, carry on the traditional and, transform my kitchen into that very special magical place I always loved as a child." - Nancy
Christmas All Butter Sugar Cookies

Christmas All Butter Sugar Cookies

"Not only are they pretty they are delicious too! Easy to make and they bake up flat without warping in shape." - Susan
German Linzer Christmas Cookies

German Linzer Christmas Cookies

"The cookie itself is thin, crisp, and buttery. It pairs wonderfully with the dusting of powdered sugar and tart currant jam. These are classic and beautiful Christmas cookies." - The Kitchen Crew
Danish Butter Cookies

Danish Butter Cookies

"Really easy and delicious traditional holiday recipe. If you can find them, alternate between red and green cherries for Christmastime!" - Annelise
Chocolate Dipped Orange Butter Cookies

Chocolate Dipped Orange Butter Cookies

"My husband gives these his seal of approval! Nice orange flavor to these cookies; they'd be good even without the chocolate. Ok... who am I kidding? EVERYTHING is better with chocolate, right?" - Traci
Christmas Cherry Balls

Christmas Cherry Balls

"Another traditional Christmas cookie recipe. They're good for any time of year, but they are a must on our cookie platter. This is a combination of many recipes, suited to my oldest daughter's taste. She's the fussy one in the family!" - Val
Cherry Cordial Cookies

Cherry Cordial Cookies

"My dad is a huge cookie fan and he wanted me to create a cookie that was reminiscent of one of his favorite holiday treats - Cherry Cordials. This is what I came up with. It has turned out to be a VERY popular cookie with family and friends." - Noelle
Butternuts

Butternuts

"These are my most requested cookie. I usually make at least 500 of these at Christmas. Its a very simple recipe but packed with lots a flavor!" - Denise