50 of the Best Holiday Cookies

50 of the Best Holiday Cookies that must be devoured this Christmas season. Bake up a batch and spread some holiday {cookie} cheer.

Happy Holidays, friends! It’s time to go and grab a glass of milk, then dunk in a few of these bad boys. I know Santa would enjoy a few of these Christmas Cookies, too!

While all the other desserts of cakes, pies, and fudge are lovely, cookies are the best way to celebrate the holidays. Usually more straightforward to make, assemble, and eat, the best way to bring the jolly into your “ho ho ho” is a dozen or two of one of these cookies.

Of course, I had to put in the traditional favorite cookie recipes like Cut-Out Sugar Cookies, Ginger, Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Laced Cookies and Peanut Butter Blossoms. I had to add a few that may not be known as holiday cookies, but they are the best. Like German Chocolate Cake Cookies, Pecan Pie Cookies and Mint Brownie Cookies.

Seriously, I love all 50 of these holiday cookies. All of them are perfect for cookie platters and a cookie exchange. Sadly, it was even hard to limit it to 50! My friends are rock star bakers, making selecting from such cookie amazingness difficult.

Holiday Baking Tips

Baking cookies this holiday season? Here are some tips for making and storing the best holiday cookies! If you’re making batches for a cookie swap or to giveaway, these tips will make things easier.

How do you keep cookies soft after baking them?

Once your cookies are cool, put them in an airtight container, such as Tupperware. Then, you can place a piece of bread or a moist paper towel into the container with the cookies (but not directly on them) and seal the container with a lid.

How long can you keep cookie dough in the fridge before baking?

Most cookie dough can be refrigerated well-sealed, for three to five days before you bake them. You can make them even further in advance and freeze the dough.

Can you freeze sugar cookies with icing?

I highly recommend for any cookie that requires frosting, such as sugar cookies, to just freeze the cookies unfrosted and make the frosting fresh right before you want to serve. The exception would be my German Chocolate Cake Cookies – these cookies freeze so well.

Pin this collection of 50 of the Best Holiday Cookie Recipes to your favorite Pinterest board for later.

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are the perfect holiday treat, combining rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint flavors in every bite.

What’s more perfectly festive than German Chocolate Cake Cookies? Our customers say these cookies always help spread holiday cheer. They’re soft, chewy chocolate cookies with decadent caramel, coconut, and pecan frosting.

Holiday Cut-Out Sugar Cookies & Easy Icing, Sally’s Baking Addiction | My kids love decorating Cutout Sugar Cookies over Christmas. Are cutouts a tradition in your home? Check out one of our favorite recipes here.

Chocolate Peppermint Kiss Cookies are a delightful holiday treat: bite-sized cookies with the classic combination of chocolate and peppermint. They are festive and delicious.

Our Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies blend two classic flavors: chocolate and peanut butter. You’ll love this holiday recipe if you’re a fan of either or both.

 Oatmeal Laced Cookies, Add A Pinch | I love how pretty these delicate Christmas tree cookies are. These crunchy crisp cookies are so unique and perfect for Christmas.

Ginger Snap Cookies, A Dash of Sanity | Gingernaps are a true holiday classic. We’ve made ginger cookies in our home as long as I could remember a tradition now for 3 generations.

 

Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies, Something Swanky | These Red Velvet cookies with a cheesecake filling look so festive and delicious!

Pecan Pie Cookies, Spend with Pennies | I love these beautiful Pecan Pie cookies, a bite-sized twist on the classic Thanksgiving pie.

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies, Dash of Sanity | A combination of white chocolate, orange, cranberries & macadamia nuts makes these cookies incredibly festive & beautiful. 

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, Rasa Malaysia | These brownie-like Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are so pretty. They fudgy cookies are coated in confectioners sugar – They make a delicious gift for your friends and neighbors.

Lemon Drop Cookies, Dash of Sanity | Light, fluffy Italian cookies that are soft and cake-like. They’re topped with a sweet lemon glaze, combining the best of a lemon tart and cake into one delicious bite.

Mint Brownie Cookies, Chelsea’s Messy Apron | These Mint Brownie Cookies made from a brownie mix with a festive green mint frosting will add such a fun pop of color to your Christmas cookie tray.

Grandma’s Ginger Cookies, A Dash of Sanity | Nothing will ever beat my Grandma’s Ginger Cookies. These are one of my all-time favorite holiday cookies.

Candy Cane Kiss Cookies, Sally’s Baking Addiction | Aren’t these the most festive bite-sized cookies? These Candy Cane Kiss Cookies with peppermint Kisses are so fun to make and just as delicious.

White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Cookies, Cooking Classy | I love how elegant these White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Cookies look on my cookie tray. They are simple but festive and delicious.

The Perfect Gingerbread Cookies, Sweetapolita | Aren’t these just the cutest?! These really are The Perfect Gingerbread Spice Cookies. The kids love decorating their own gingerbread men with sprinkles and icing.

Amazing Soft Sugar Cookies, A Dash of Sanity | This is my favorite Sugar Cookie recipe. I love how amazingly soft they are. It is so fun to decorate them with festive sprinkles and icing for the holidays!

Candy Cane Cookies, Kitchn | These classic Candy Cane Cookies are perfect with a glass of milk. Kids will love rolling their own dough and twisting them into candy canes.

Peanut Butter Buckeyes, Shugary Sweets | You will love these Peanut Butter Buckeyes. They are simple with a soft peanut butter filling dipped in chocolate. They taste just like Reeses but better!

M&M Cookies, Dash of Sanity |These cookies have the perfect combination of chewy edges and soft centers, and they’re packed with M&Ms. This recipe comes together quickly and easily – no chill time required!

Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies, Julie’s Eats and Treats | Everyone will love these simple Peanut Butter Ritz Sandwich Cookies. With sweet almond bark coating salty crackers and peanut butter, these are perfect for the holidays.

Red Velvet Cake Cookies, A Dash of Sanity | This recipe for Red Velvet Cookies is easy and requires only a few ingredients. Chewy & filled with chocolate chips, this makes a great holiday goodie.

Sugar Cookie Christmas Wreath Cookies, I Am Baker | These Christmas Wreath Cookies are classic and beautifully simple. They are a perfect festive addition to your Christmas dessert table.

Rainbow Chip Cookies, I Am Baker | The kids love to help me make these adorable Rainbow Chip Cookies. They are so simple but fun shortbread cookies that anyone will love to eat.

Chocolate Pecan Pie Cookies, A Dash of Sanity | Chocolate Pecan Pie Cookies are a delicious twist on traditional pecan pie filling. I love the chocolatey flavor with the caramel and pecans.

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies, The Slow Roasted Italian | These are super fun and festive Christmas cookies. I love how creative these are!

Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies, Center Cut Cook | Look how soft and fluffy these Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies are! They are a perfect combo of these delicious fall flavors.

White Chocolate Caramel Snickerdoodles, Dash of Sanity |Classic soft & chewy Snickerdoodle cookie dipped in white chocolate caramel sauce with a dash of salt. You won’t be able to eat one.

Gooey Salted Caramel Vanilla Butter Cookies, Kevin and Amanda | Soft Vanilla Butter Cookies filled with ooey-gooey Salted Caramel, these buttery cookies are absolutely mouth-watering.

Caramel Stuffed Brown Sugar Cookies, Carlsbad Cravings | Using browned butter to make sugar cookies is simply amazing! I love the rich flavor with the gooey caramel center.

Turtle Ritz Cookie Sandwiches, The Gunny Sack | Another delicious sweet and salty treat, these make perfect gifts for the holidays. Turtle Ritz Cookies are filled with rich caramel, dipped in almond bark, and topped with pecans.

Thin Mint Cookies, Sally’s Baking Addiction | I’m obsessed with these Homemade Thin Mint Cookies. They taste just like the real thing, so they perfectly satisfy any Thin Mint craving.

Best Ever Soft Peanut Butter Cookies, Dash Of Sanity | These Peanut Butter Cookies have gone viral on Pinterest. With hundreds of reviews and pictures, this recipe can’t be beaten!

 Salted Caramel Turtle Thumbprint Cookies, Cooking Classy | Just look at how gorgeous these Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies are. All the flavor of classic chocolate turtles, but in rich chocolate cookie form.

Best Ever Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies, Dash of Sanity | Soft, chewy and just like what you would get from a corner bakery but better because they come straight from your oven.

 Sprinkle Chocolate Chip Cookies, Two Peas and Their Pod | These Sprinkle Chocolate Chip Cookies are such a fun twist on the classic cookie. The kids will love rolling these in colorful or festive sprinkles.

Lemon Snowball Cookies, Crazy for Crust | These classic Lemon Snowballs are so light and unique. They’re inspired by Mexican wedding cookies and will be a refreshing addition to your holiday spread.

Cherry Pie Cookies, The Recipe Critic | These Cherry Pie Cookies are like bite-sized versions of a classic holiday dessert and thumbprint cookies. They are so pretty and simple to make.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies, Dash of Sanity | Easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies combine a classic cookie with the best fall flavors. Soft and irresistible, these are a must-make!

Oreo Peppermint Crunch Cookies, Inside BruCrew Life | Oreo Peppermint Crunch Cookies are loaded with an amazing combo of Oreos, Andes Peppermint Crunch candies, and dark chocolate chips. These are perfect for Christmas!

No Bake Cookies, Dash of Sanity | Easy No Bake Cookies just like you remember but better. We make these easy no-bake oatmeal cookies on repeat and soon you will, too.

Apple Pie Cookies, OMG Chocolate Desserts | I love this idea! Bite-size, easy-to-make Apple Pie Cookies taste just like the classic pie but without the baking time or mess.

Oatmeal Pecan Cookies, Chelsea’s Messy Apron | Oatmeal Cookies with pecans are stuffed with rolled oats, chocolate chips, and chopped pecans. If If you love soft and chewy cookies, this is a simple recipe you won’t want to miss.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Snickerdoodles, The Recipe Critic | Combining three favorite fall treats, these Pumpkin Cheesecake Snickerdoodles are so flavorful and will please anyone.

Maple Cinnamon Sugar Cookies, Design Eat Repeat | These Maple Cinnamon Sugar Cookies with Maple Cream Cheese Icing are full of delicious fall flavors, making them perfect this time of year.

Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies, Buns In My Oven | This combination of two classic cookies hits the spot. Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies are a great twist to add to your cookie jar.

Peppermint Patty Cookies, A Treats Affair | These Double Mint Peppermint Patty Cookies are so addictive. They are the perfect winter treat.

Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies, Julia’s Album | These adorable Chocolate Cookies with sprinkles are so simple yet soft and tasty. They are a perfect bright addition to your holiday spread.

Easy No-Bake Avalanche Cookies, Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts | My kids are obsessed with No-Bake cookies, so these Easy No-Bake Avalanche Cookies are their favorite winter treat. Simply mix Rice Krispies, marshmallows, white chocolate, and peanut butter.

Easy Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies, Sugar and Soul | I love these crisp buttery Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies. Add the lemon glaze and these are perfect for serving at parties.

Rocky Road Cookies, Let’s Dish Recipes | Based on the classic ice cream flavor, these Rocky Road Cookies are addictive. Chocolate cookies topped with almonds, marshmallows, and drizzled with more chocolate.

Blueberry Cream Cheese Cookies, Dash of Sanity |Cream Cheese Cookies with Blueberries are soft, easy to make, and a great way to use fresh fruit in a delicious cookie recipe.

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, The Recipe Critic | Using Brown Butter in classic Chocolate Chip Cookies takes them to another level of rich flavor. That makes these perfect for holiday treats.

This list is full of the best Christmas cookie recipes – I hope you find some new favorites to make this year. Have a fantastic holiday season! XOXO San