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    Home » Trending

    25 Christmas cookie recipes that make the Season sweeter

    Published: Dec 3, 2025 by Kristen Wood · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Running low on ideas for something sweet this season? Here comes a list of 25 fun and festive cookies ready to bring extra cheer. Each one brings color, crunch, or a cozy bite that fits right into any holiday moment. Nothing says celebration like a table full of homemade treats.

    Double Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies

    Chocolate cookies with chocolate chips, surrounded by powdered sugar-covered ginger chunks on a dark surface.
    Double Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Chocolate cookies are always the first to vanish, but these take it a step further. The spiced twist in Double Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies makes them a little unexpected and totally welcome on any holiday plate. You might want to make a double batch before guests show up.
    Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies

    Gingerbread Cookies

    A line of gingerbread man cookies on a wooden plate.
    Gingerbread Cookies. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

    Every cookie tray needs a classic, and these quietly anchor the whole spread. Gingerbread Cookies bring the right balance of spice and sweetness without demanding much attention. You’ll notice they disappear even when no one’s talking about them.
    Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Cookies

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    3D Stacked Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies

    Stacked sugar cookies with green frosting form a Christmas tree shape, topped with a star cookie and dusted with powdered sugar, on a marble surface.
    3D Stacked Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Some cookies are baked for fun as much as flavor. Layered and lightly frosted, 3D Stacked Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies are a hit at cookie swaps and office trays alike. You won’t find any leftovers when these show up.
    Get the Recipe: 3D Stacked Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies

    Gingerbread Molasses Chocolate Chunk Cookies

    Three gingerbread molasses chocolate chunk cookies stacked on a white plate coated in sugar.
    Gingerbread Molasses Chocolate Chunk Cookies. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

    Rich, bold, and full of texture, these bring more than just spice to the table. Gingerbread Molasses Chocolate Chunk Cookies have depth from the molasses and that unmistakable bite from big chocolate pieces. They’re the kind of cookie that gets talked about long after dessert.
    Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Molasses Chocolate Chunk Cookies

    Christmas Sugar Cookies

    Overhead view of Christmas sugar cookies on a white plate, with cookies on the side as well.
    Christmas Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

    Whether you're decorating with kids or keeping it low-key, these work every time. Christmas Sugar Cookies hold their shape, take frosting well, and don’t overcomplicate anything. They’ve earned their place on every cookie tray for a reason.
    Get the Recipe: Christmas Sugar Cookies

    Gluten-Free Molasses Cookies

    Four sugar-dusted chocolate cookies are arranged on a light surface, with one cookie broken in half. A wooden spoon with a dark liquid is in the background.
    Gluten-Free Molasses Cookies. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    There’s a reason molasses cookies show up every December, and it’s not just nostalgia. Gluten-Free Molasses Cookies keep that soft, deep flavor people expect without the flour. Friends who eat gluten-free will finally get a version that holds its own.
    Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Molasses Cookies

    Easy Gingerbread Man Cookies

    A decorated gingerbread cookie with icing and candy buttons on a plate, with more cookies and kitchen utensils in the background.
    Easy Gingerbread Man Cookies. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Some traditions are simple, and that’s what makes them stick. Easy Gingerbread Man Cookies are easy to dress up or leave plain, and either way they end up being part of the memory. You’ll usually find a few missing limbs and frosting smiles by the end of the night.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Gingerbread Man Cookies

    Holiday Butter Cookies

    A close-up view of holiday butter cookies on a white plate.
    Holiday Butter Cookies. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

    You know the ones with the colored sprinkles in a tin that somehow vanish before Christmas morning? That same magic happens with Holiday Butter Cookies, only these feel even more homemade. They fit easily into tins, trays, or last-minute gift boxes.
    Get the Recipe: Holiday Butter Cookies

    3D Gingerbread Tree Cookies

    Three gingerbread cookies shaped and decorated like Christmas trees with white icing, displayed on a white surface with festive decorations in the background.
    3D Gingerbread Tree Cookies. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    These don’t just sit on the plate, they stand tall. 3D Gingerbread Tree Cookies bring a whole new level of fun to the table and double as edible decorations. People can’t help but comment when they see one.
    Get the Recipe: 3D Gingerbread Tree Cookies

    Chai Spiced Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Five chocolate chip muffins on a round cooling rack, with a yellow textured cloth partially visible in the lower left corner.
    Chai Spiced Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Warm spices and familiar chocolate chips make a solid team here. If you're looking for something a little different that still hits the comfort zone, Chai Spiced Chocolate Chip Cookies are the move. You’ll probably end up adding these to your regular rotation after the holidays.
    Get the Recipe: Chai Spiced Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Italian Fig Christmas Cookies – Cucidati

    A plate of sliced cookies filled with a nut and fruit mixture, topped with white icing drizzle, sits on a light surface near a small holiday decoration.
    Italian Fig Christmas Cookies – Cucidati. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Some cookies carry history in every bite, and these are one of them. Packed with fruit, nuts, and a hint of spice, Italian Fig Christmas Cookies – Cucidati bring an old-world feel to any holiday table. They’re often the first ones grandparents recognize and grandkids are curious to try.
    Get the Recipe: Italian Fig Christmas Cookies – Cucidati

    Reindeer Cookies

    A cookie decorated to look like a reindeer, with pretzel antlers, chocolate chip eyes, and a red candy nose. A candy cane is visible in the background.
    Reindeer Cookies. Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

    Kids know exactly which ones they want on the tray, and it’s usually these. Reindeer Cookies are playful, easy to spot, and add instant cheer without needing much effort. They make holiday tables feel a little more fun without trying too hard.
    Get the Recipe: Reindeer Cookies

    Grinch Heart Cookies - Stained Glass Window

    A white plate holds green heart-shaped cookies with red jelly centers, surrounded by festive holiday decorations in red, green, and white.
    Grinch Heart Cookies - Stained Glass Window. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Bright colors and a clear center always grab attention. That’s exactly why Grinch Heart Cookies – Stained Glass Window never get passed over. Kids go straight for them, and adults take one out of curiosity.
    Get the Recipe: Grinch Heart Cookies - Stained Glass Window

    Easy Gluten-Free Linzer Cookies

    Round sandwich cookies dusted with powdered sugar, each with a star-shaped cutout revealing dark jam filling in the center.
    Easy Gluten-Free Linzer Cookies. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Not every cookie has to be fussy to feel festive. With simple ingredients and a clean finish, Easy Gluten-Free Linzer Cookies check all the holiday boxes without any extra effort. There’s something about the jam peeking through that always looks right on the plate.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Gluten-Free Linzer Cookies

    Peppermint Mocha Cookies

    Peppermint Mocha Cookies. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    There’s always room for something minty when the dessert tray comes around. Peppermint Mocha Cookies hit that coffeehouse flavor combo with just the right amount of holiday energy. They pair up well with hot drinks and festive playlists.
    Get the Recipe: Peppermint Mocha Cookies

    Linzer Cookies

    An overhead image of three Linzer cookies on a plate.
    Linzer Cookies. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

    Even without icing or sprinkles, some cookies manage to stand out. The cut-out shape and jam center in Linzer Cookies always draw a few compliments from anyone near the dessert table. That balance of simple and special is why people keep bringing them back.
    Get the Recipe: Linzer Cookies

    The BEST Chocolate Sugar Cookie Cut-Outs

    The BEST Chocolate Sugar Cookie Cut-Outs. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    You don’t have to choose between decorating and flavor here. The BEST Chocolate Sugar Cookie Cut-Outs hold their shape for icing and still taste rich enough on their own. These are the ones that always get eaten first, decorations or not.
    Get the Recipe: The BEST Chocolate Sugar Cookie Cut-Outs

    Salted Chocolate + Almond Butter Coconut Flour Thumbprint Cookies

    Salted Chocolate + Almond Butter Coconut Flour Thumbprint Cookies. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    Some cookies surprise people the second they bite in. The balance of salty chocolate and rich almond butter in Salted Chocolate + Almond Butter Coconut Flour Thumbprint Cookies makes them hard to forget. These get requested again before the season’s even over.
    Get the Recipe: Salted Chocolate + Almond Butter Coconut Flour Thumbprint Cookies

    Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Classic chocolate chip cookies get a small upgrade with a nutty twist. The green from the pistachios in Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies also adds just enough color to feel seasonal without looking overdone. Expect a few people to ask what’s in them.
    Get the Recipe: Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Snowflake Date Cookies

    Side view of three cookies on a dark plate.
    Snowflake Date Cookies. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

    Every cookie box needs one that feels familiar without being too sweet. Snowflake Date Cookies have a soft center, light coating of sugar, and just enough texture to keep things interesting. These tend to become the quiet favorite on crowded platters.
    Get the Recipe: Snowflake Date Cookies

    Gingerbread Linzer Cookies

    Gingerbread Linzer Cookies. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Combining two classics never hurts during the holidays. Gingerbread Linzer Cookies bring jammy sweetness into a warmly spiced cookie, and the result feels like something new without losing that traditional feel. Guests tend to remember these more than you’d expect.
    Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Linzer Cookies

    Gluten-Free Chocolate Cranberry Crinkle Cookies

    Gluten-Free Chocolate Cranberry Crinkle Cookies. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

    That contrast of tart cranberry with sweet chocolate works better than you'd expect. Crackly on the outside and soft inside, Gluten-Free Chocolate Cranberry Crinkle Cookies bring color and variety to every tray. They hold up well whether you're gifting or just baking ahead.
    Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Chocolate Cranberry Crinkle Cookies

    Biscoff Reindeer Linzer Cookies

    Biscoff Reindeer Linzer Cookies. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    Some cookies are just more fun to make, especially when they look like reindeer. Between the buttery layers and cookie cutter shapes, Biscoff Reindeer Linzer Cookies land somewhere between playful and polished. Kids love them, but adults sneak them too.
    Get the Recipe: Biscoff Reindeer Linzer Cookies

    Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies

    A tray of cookies with rosemary sprigs on it.
    Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

    If you’re tired of everything being sugar-forward and want something a little brighter, these might hit the spot. Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies bring a crisp, balanced flavor that’s great alongside tea or coffee. They’re subtle in the best way.
    Get the Recipe: Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies

    Grinch Crumbl Christmas Sugar Cookies

    Grinch Crumbl Christmas Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: xoxobella.

    The color makes these instantly recognizable, but it’s the soft bite that gets people. Grinch Crumbl Christmas Sugar Cookies feel like a holiday party in cookie form, with just enough cheer to lighten any mood. One look and everyone knows what they’re grabbing.
    Get the Recipe: Grinch Crumbl Christmas Sugar Cookies

    About Kristen Wood

    Kristen Wood is a writer, photographer, world traveler and cookbook author. Her work has been featured in various publications both online and in print, including Elle, Forbes, NBC, Chicago Sun-Times, Martha Stewart, Food Drink Life, Arizona Highways Magazine, New York Daily News, and more. She is also a syndicated writer for The Associated Press.

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