60 Greatest Christmas Cookie Recipes of All Time
Updated: Feb. 15, 2021Planning a Christmas cookie exchange? Here are the recipes for our all-time favourite festive baked treats, sure to get the whole family into the holiday spirit!
Red Velvet Peppermint Thumbprints
Think red velvet cookies and cakes are pretty but wish they had a bigger flavour? These cute thumbprints are infused with a refreshing peppermint pop.
Get the recipe for Red Velvet Peppermint Thumbprints.
Holiday Cutout Cookies
The only limit to these fun cutouts is your cookie cutter collection and your imagination! If you prefer crisp cookies, sprinkle with coloured sugar before baking and skip the frosting.
Get the recipe for Holiday Cutout Cookies.
Chocolate Reindeer Cookies
Add a touch of whimsy to your holiday spread with these chocolaty treats. They’re perfect for getting little ones involved.
Get the recipe for Chocolate Reindeer Cookies.
Citrus Gingerbread Cookies
Orange and lemon zest give gingerbread cutouts a refreshing twist. Brushing a honey glaze over the top adds a subtle shine and an extra touch of sweetness.
Get the recipe for Citrus Gingerbread Cookies.
Cherry Chocolate Chunk Cookies
These rich, fudgy cookies are chewy and studded with tangy dried cherries. It’s a good thing the recipe makes only a small batch, because you’d eat them all in one night!
Get the recipe for Cherry Chocolate Chunk Cookies.
Chocolate-Dipped Meringue Sandwich Cookies
These light, airy morsels are twice as nice with two meringue cookies and velvety ganache in between.
Get the recipe for Chocolate-Dipped Meringue Sandwich Cookies.
Italian Christmas Cookies
A single batch of these mouthwatering cookies is never enough. Adding ricotta cheese to the batter makes the morsels extra moist.
Get the recipe for Italian Christmas Cookies.
Berry-Almond Sandwich Cookies
Almond shortbread cookies cradle a delightful berry filling for this Christmas cookie favourite.
Get the recipe for Berry-Almond Sandwich Cookies.
Salted Caramel Cookie Cups
In need of an item to bring to your office potluck? These salty sweet cookies will do the trick. The best part? Your colleagues won’t be able to decide whether they like the caramel or chocolate the best.
Get the recipe for Salted Caramel Cookie Cups.
Cranberry Shortbread Stars
Shortbread and cranberries are a match made in pastry heaven. The star shape is a festive addition to any holiday cookie tray.
Get the recipe for Cranberry Shortbread Stars.
Walnut-Filled Pillows
Not only will these tender cookie pillows, filled with delicious walnut, be your soon-to-be-favourites, but Christmas won’t be the same without them again.
Get the recipe for Walnut-Filled Pillows.
Molasses Crackle Cookies
Most molasses cookies are loaded with butter and have way too much sugar, but you can treat yourself to one or two of these crackle cookies without guilt. (Hint: they’re low in fat!)
Get the recipe for Molasses Crackle Cookies.
Butterscotch Eggnog Stars
These yellow star-shaped cookies with a “stained-glass” centre are almost too pretty to eat, but they have a rich eggnog flavour that’s irresistible!
Get the recipe for Butterscotch Eggnog Stars.
Buttery Spritz Cookies
This tender spritz cookie recipe is very eye-catching on a Christmas cookie tray. The dough is easy to work with, so it’s fun to make these spritz cookies into a variety of festive shapes.
Get the recipe for Buttery Spritz Cookies.
Chocolate-Strawberry Pretzel Cookies
Who would ever guess how good pretzels are in cookies?
Get the recipe for Chocolate-Strawberry Pretzel Cookies.
Lemon Snowdrops
This crunchy, buttery sandwich cookie has a puckery lemon filling.
Get the recipe for Lemon Snowdrops.
Gooey Caramel-Topped Gingersnaps
The best thing about these desserts? Versatility! If you’d like, you can make variations by changing the cookie base or varying the nuts.
Get the recipe for Gooey Caramel-Topped Gingersnaps.
Snowman Cookies
Wrap these chocolate-topped snowmen in coloured tissue and place them inside holiday containers. Like real snowmen, they disappear fast!
Get the recipe for Snowman Cookies.
Lime Christmas Tea Cookies
Brighten your holiday cookie tray with these tangy frosted fir tree that are flecked with pistachios and flavoured with lime juice and vanilla. The festive treats are almost too pretty to eat!
Get the recipe for Lime Christmas Tea Cookies.
Frosted Anise Sugar Cookies
These soft, cake-like cookies have a pleasant anise flavour that’s distinctive but not overpowering. You can add red and green sprinkles for Christmas, but you could also decorate them to suit any occasion!
Get the recipe for Frosted Anise Sugar Cookies.
Peppermint Biscotti
Dipped in melted chocolate and rolled in crushed peppermint candy, this flavourful biscotti is a surefire hit!
Get the recipe for Peppermint Biscotti.
Folded Hazelnut Cookies
Nutella makes everything better—this holiday recipe is proof enough.
Get the recipe for Folded Hazelnut Cookies.
Scottish Shortbread
Scottish settlers first came to Canada over 150 years ago, passing down delicious and traditional Christmas cookie recipes like this one!
Get the recipe for Scottish Shortbread.
Cannoli Wafer Sandwiches
This simple holiday version of the classic cannoli is best served the same day so the wafers are still nice and crisp!
Get the recipe for Cannoli Wafer Sandwiches.
Gingerbread Sandwich Trees
Fun and festive, these cookie sandwich trees will be a huge hit with kids of all ages. They’re a super-cute holiday treat!
Get the recipe for Gingerbread Sandwich Trees.
Triple-Chocolate Peppermint Treats
Santa is sure to stop by your house if you leave these minty chocolate cookies waiting for him. They’re quick and easy for the whole family to make together.
Get the recipe for Triple-Chocolate Peppermint Treats.
No-Bake Cookie Butter Blossoms
Chewy and sweet, these easy treats mix Rice Krispies, cookie spread and chocolate in this unforgettable spin on an old favourite.
Get the recipe for No-Bake Cookie Butter Blossoms.
Easy Gingerbread Cookies
This dough is perfect for creating people, animals, or just about any shape your child wants to decorate. One of our favourite Christmas cookie recipes!
Get the recipe for Easy Gingerbread Cookies.
Christmas Cookie Snowballs
Show off these snowy treats in a clear plastic box decorated with sticker stars and a raffia ribbon.
Get the recipe for Christmas Cookie Snowballs.
Christmas Cookie Stars
To make these double-decker beauties, you will need both large and small star-shaped cookie cutters.
Get the recipe for Christmas Cookie Stars.
Chocolate Bourbon Balls
Even if mailed across the country, these sophisticated cookies will still be fresh and tasty when they reach their destination.
Get the recipe for Chocolate Bourbon Balls.
Cheesy Penny Wafers
These flaky wafers and cheese straws are lower in fat and cholesterol than their traditional cousins, thanks to the use of reduced-fat cheese.
Get the recipe for Cheesy Penny Wafers.
Coconut Macaroons
Make a sweet gift of macaroons in a transparent plastic envelope with a hole punched through for a ribbon tie.
Get the recipe for Coconut Macaroons.
Christmas Sugar Cookies
“This sugar cookie dates back to a Swedish woman born in 1877! Her daughter, Esther Davis, shared the recipe with me and she came up with all the exact measurements, since the original cookies were mixed by feel and taste. These are my favourite cookies and I hope they’ll become yours as well.” —Helen Wallis
Get the recipe for Christmas Sugar Cookies.
Macadamia Biscotti
These Italian treats make for one delicious snack!
Get the recipe for Macadamia Biscotti.
Classic Gingerbread Cookies
These edible decorations are very sturdy and can be hung on the tree or just about anywhere. But be sure to make the holes before you bake the cookies!
Get the recipe for Classic Gingerbread Cookies.
French Christmas Macarons
Even decorated simply—a sprinkle of sugar, a drizzle of icing—these stylish beauties will be the showstoppers on any cookie tray.
Get the recipe for French Christmas Macarons.
Santa’s Coming Cookie Puzzle
This clever confection is easy to make with store-bought cookie dough and is entirely edible to boot! Blanched almonds make it simple for little hands to grasp the puzzle pieces, which are completely removable.
Get the recipe for Santa’s Coming Cookie Puzzle.
Drizzled Gingerbread Biscotti
Warning: these treats will become an instant obsession at your home.
Get the recipe for Drizzled Gingerbread Biscotti.
Cinnamon Sugar Crackle Cookies
These scrumptious treats will always be a part of your Christmas cookie platter!
Get the recipe for Cinnamon Sugar Crackle Cookies.
Grandma’s Scottish Shortbread
This cookie is a deep bar that is best served with a cup of tea.
Get the recipe for Grandma’s Scottish Shortbread.
Sea Salt Mint White Mocha Cookies
You’ll find that this family recipe tastes like Christmas.
Get the recipe for Sea Salt Mint White Mocha Cookies.
Grandma Brubaker’s Orange Cookies
These delicate orange-flavored cookies are a bright and fresh treat.
Get the recipe for Grandma Brubaker’s Orange Cookies.
Cardamom Spritz
Make a big batch of these cookies for the cardamom-lover in your life.
Get the recipe for Cardamom Spritz.
Cookie Jar Gingersnaps
A tin full of these crisp and chewy gingersnaps is sure to impress any holiday guest.
Get the recipe for Cookie Jar Gingersnaps.
Classic Candy Cane Butter Cookies
“To make cookies that look like candy canes, we color half the dough in classic red and twist away. They’re fun to hang on the side of a coffee mug, or you can devour them on their own.” —Shannon Roum
Get the recipe for Classic Candy Cane Butter Cookies.
Baki’s Old-World Cookies
“My uncles have always called these “cupcake cookies” because of the unique and pretty way they’re baked.” —Marilyn Louise Riggenbach
Get the recipe for Baki’s Old-World Cookies.
Chocolate Chip & Cookie Butter Thumbprints
A festive take on the classic chocolate chip cookie.
Get the recipe for Chocolate Chip and Cookie Butter Thumbprints.
Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
With the perfect hint of rosemary and a classic buttery texture, these easy-to-make cookies look and taste elegant.
Get the recipe for Rosemary Shortbread Cookies.
Jam-Filled Wreaths & Hearts
Dust these beautiful wreath-shaped cookies with powdered sugar for a snowy look and to make the jewel-red centres pop.
Get the recipe for Jam-Filled Wreaths and Hearts.
Grandma’s Star Cookies
Make these butter cutouts with a star cookie cutter for celebrations throughout the year.
Get the recipe for Grandma’s Star Cookies.
Grandma Krause’s Coconut Cookies
“When my two daughters were young, their great-grandma made them coconut cookies with oats. Thankfully, she shared the recipe.” —Debra Dorn
Get the recipe for Grandma Krause’s Coconut Cookies.
Grandma Krause’s Coconut Cookies
For holidays, sprinkle on coloured sugar for a festive touch.
Get the recipe for Great-Grandma’s Oatmeal Cookies.
Cream Wafers
The cute little sandwich cookies are tender, buttery and melt-in-your-mouth good.
Get the recipe for Cream Wafers.
Semisweet Chocolate Pinwheel Cookies
Chocolate and vanilla provide a delightful contrast in their flavour and appearance.
Get the recipe for Semisweet Chocolate Pinwheel Cookies.
Crisp Sugar Cookies
“My grandmother always had sugar cookies in her pantry, and we grandchildren would empty that big jar quickly because they were the best! I now regularly bake these wonderful cookies to share with friends.” —Evelyn Poteet
Get the recipe for Crisp Sugar Cookies.
Date Swirl Cookies
Crispy, chewy and the perfect holiday dessert.
Get the recipe for Date Swirl Cookies.
Mom’s Buttermilk Cookies
The tender treats are topped with thick frosting and a sprinkling of chopped walnuts.
Get the recipe for Mom’s Buttermilk Cookies.
Butterscotch Gingerbread Cookies
You won’t be able to resist the spicy aromas wafting from the oven with these cookies.
Get the recipe for Butterscotch Gingerbread Cookies.
Berry-Cream Cookie Snaps
These cute cookies are crispy on the outside and light and fluffy inside.
Get the recipe for Berry-Cream Cookie Snaps.
Next, discover 99 genius holiday cooking tips for your best festive season ever!