• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Joy the Baker
Joy the Baker
  • Cookies
  • Bread
  • Cakes
  • Pies
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Cookies
    • Birthday Cake Recipes
    • Biscuits
    • Muffins
    • Cupcakes
    • Drinks
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Fruit
    • Nuts
    • Buttermilk
    • Chocolate
    • Vanilla
    • Holiday
    • Healthy
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegan
  • Blog
    • Baking 101
    • Tips
    • Beyond the Kitchen
    • Let It Be Sunday!
    • New Orleans
  • Camp Joy

My 10 Best Christmas Cookie Recipes

December 3, 2021 by Joy the Baker 5 Comments

I always to love get in the kitchen and crank up the oven but there’s something about baking in December that feels extra special to me.  It’s all the chocolate, and all the sprinkles, and all the giving.  I bake so I can GIVE and GIVING is the vibe every December so this might just be my favorite season.  If you’re like me (and you’re here because you surely are) my offering today will serve you. It’s a collection of my very best Christmas cookie recipes. Gather your flour and ingredients. Here’s a taste of the holidays!

First up: Gingerbread People Marshmallows – a double trouble holiday treat of homemade marshmallows and mini, chocolate-dipped gingerbread people as decorations.  These are a labor of love but so rewarding to gift.  I especially like these marshmallows in a mug of hot cocoa. Just fish the molasses ginger cookie out before the marshmallow melts so you have little gingerbread cookies to dip! These aren’t plain ol’ sugar cookies. We’re really going for it.

Peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate and piled on a board.


Let’s talk about the best Christmas cookie recipes that are also peanut butter cookie recipes because for me, the two categories overlap seamlessly.

•  Peanut Butter Cup Christmas Cookies are a variation of my mom’s Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies made with peanut butter cups because more is more when it comes to peanut butter candy. Either way we’re talking about perfect peanut butter cookies.

•  Speaking of MOM!  She really shines come Christmas as evidenced by Mom’s Famous Peanut Butter Balls. Name a better flavor combination. I’ll wait.

•  What could be better than a classic chewy gingersnap cinnamon spice cookie than one made with… you guessed it: peanut butter!  See: Peanut Butter Gingersnap Chews.

•  I LOVE a holiday shortbread cookie during the holiday season and here’s my favorite way:  Confetti Holiday Shortbread. An easy and reliable vanilla shortbread is studded with festive sprinkles (they’re even rolled into the top of the cookies) and cut into small squares.  We’re essentially making shortbread cookies as easy to eat as popcorn!  These cookie bites tuck very nicely into a cupcake paper inside a holiday cookie tin!

For a gluten-free sprinkle cookie, see: Rainbow Cereal Cookies!

Baked Cookies and Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies on a cooling rack


There’s absolutely nothing wrong with putting a classic like Dad’s Best Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies into your holiday baking routine but… ya know, we could jazz it up a bit.

•  These Cookies and Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies are one of the most popular cookie recipes on the site because we’ve baked actual Oreo cookies into chocolate chip cookies with no apologies. It’s cookie inception! (Are we still into that movie?)

•  Browned Butter Cappuccino Cookies  with white chocolate chips are both bitter and sweet which I think is all of life. These cookies have a depth of flavor thanks to brown sugar and instant coffee powder!

Baked mulled wine bars sliced into small squares.

•  In terms of Christmas cookie recipes it doesn’t get more wealthy than Spiced Mulled Wine Fruit Bars.  Pair a buttery press-in crust with red wine soaked dried fruit.  Each slice is rich and indulgent and honestly, my favorite way to enjoy mulled wine because of the jam and cloves. It’s an impressive dessert.

chilled chocolate bark recipe on a platter.


•  This Chocolate Almond Ginger Bark is actually impossible to stop eating one you make it so let this serve as your warming. Make a double – nope – make a triple batch.  You’ll need one batch to consume while you pack the others for gifting. Sliced almonds are my favorite way to add nuts to chocolate bark. They toast so evenly!

•  Classic Black and White Cookies might be my favorite of all the cookies (though it’s impossible to choose). I’ve turned the classic into a little holiday treat with peppermint for these darling Chocolate Peppermint Black and Marble Cookies.

Bonus!  This year I want to make Jon’s Churro Cookies and you might want to scroll through Cup of Jo’s What’s Your Holiday Cookie Showstopper? The comments are full of everyone’s favorites!

And if you’re playing Santa and packing cookies to gift and ship this year, check out how I package my cookie tins for some helpful tips!

Happy Holidays and happy baking, friends!

xo

Previous PostNext Post

Categories: Cookies, Holiday

Previous Post: « Mom’s Famous Peanut Butter Balls
Next Post: »

Reader Interactions

All Comments
I Made This
Questions
  1. Charlotte Quattlebaum

    November 26, 2022 at 4:39 pm

    My favorite is the Dark Chocolate, walnut and golden raison cookie. Pretty, delicious the perfect chocolate on a cookie tray.

    Reply
  2. Eleanor Gaccetta

    January 6, 2022 at 1:46 pm

    Thank you for putting this out there. I agree with your opinion and I hope more people would come to agree with this as well.

    Reply
  3. Mo

    December 12, 2021 at 5:44 pm

    Yay cookies!! but also PLEASE tell where that sweater is from. It’s so happy and unique and looks lovely on you!

    Reply
  4. samantha campanini

    December 10, 2021 at 11:47 am

    I think I’m going to make the chocolate peppermint!

    Reply
  5. Emilia

    December 3, 2021 at 9:00 am

    You forgot one! My favorite recipe of yours to make at Christmas is the Vanilla Bean Confetti Cookies: https://joythebaker.com/2014/10/vanilla-bean-confetti-cookies/.
    I always get tons of compliments on them and they stand out amongst all the red and green.
    Thanks for all the great recipes!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

RELATED POSTS IN Cookies

a stack of white chocolate macadamia nut cookies with a bite taken out of the top one with milk
Classic White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

Get ready to indulge in the ultimate sweet, salty, nutty treat with these irresistible white chocolate macadamia nut cookies! Made with butter and brown sugar, and loaded with chunks of creamy white chocolate and roasted macadamia nuts, these cookies are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth cravings (with a hint of salt for balance). Whether…

Read More

wider shot of lemon bars stacked on a plate with a bite taken out of one lemon bar
My Favorite Classic Lemon Bars Recipe

When life hands you lemons, make lemon bars! This lemon bar recipe is the perfect way to add a bite of sunshine to the day. These bars boast a buttery and lightly spiced shortbread crust, and a creamy smooth lemon filling that’s the perfect combination of tangy and sweet. Indulge in a square (or two)…

Read More

completed recipe close up shot of a blondie so the toasted almonds, chocolate chips, and sea salt can be seen
My Best Classic Blondie Recipe

Don’t think of blondies as brownies without the chocolate – these chewy little squares are sweet like butterscotch and studded with toasted walnuts and melty dark chocolate pockets. I add a generous sprinkle of flaky sea salt to balance the sweetness of the brown sugar, making these bars the best classic blondie recipe to come…

Read More

Primary Sidebar

Fresh baked emails, delivered to your inbox

Jump to Recipe

Receive recipes from Joy the Baker and updates on events at The Bakehouse.

HI! I’M JOY!

Jump to Recipe

Welcome! This has been my little corner of the internet since 2008!

I’m a baker, photographer, cookbook author and teacher.  I live laugh love in New Orleans. 

MORE ABOUT JOY AND THE TEAM

BOOKS + Magazines

Jump to Recipe

2023 CAMP JOY SUMMER ZINE – get it here!

JOY THE BAKER 2022 SUMMER MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2021 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2020 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

HOMEMADE DECADENCE

OVER EASY: SWEET AND SAVORY RECIPES FOR LEISURELY DAYS COOKBOOK

JOY THE BAKER COOKBOOK

MY FAVORITE CAMPING GEAR

Jump to Recipe

SHOP MY FAVORITE GEAR HERE! 

Jump to Recipe
joy the baker on facebook joy the baker on twitter pinterest-social instagram-socialbloglovin-social

DRAKE ON CAKE

Jump to Recipe

Passionate from miles away since 2015.

CHECK IT OUT ON INSTAGRAM

Drake on cake instagram.

 

BREADS YOU’LL LOVE

close up of strawberry shortcake recipe with soft whipped cream

Dad’s Biscuits Make The Best Shortcake

jambalaya buttermilk biscuits in a row

Smoked Sausage Jambalaya Buttermilk Biscuits

inside of warm cinnamon roll on plate

How To Make The Best Single Serve Cinnamon Roll

LET’S MAKE COOKIES!

a stack of white chocolate macadamia nut cookies with a bite taken out of the top one with milk

Classic White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

wider shot of lemon bars stacked on a plate with a bite taken out of one lemon bar

My Favorite Classic Lemon Bars Recipe

completed recipe close up shot of a blondie so the toasted almonds, chocolate chips, and sea salt can be seen

My Best Classic Blondie Recipe

Footer

Instagram

joythebaker

📚Baker, author of books, lover of butter
🎂Creator @drakeoncake
📝Inquiries megan@underscoretalent.com

joythebaker
🥯🥯 for the weekend, babes! Save this no-yeas 🥯🥯 for the weekend, babes! Save this no-yeast bagel magic for your Sunday morning. ⁣
⁣⁣
Two Easy No-Yeast Bagels⁣⁣
1/2 cup self-rising flour⁣⁣
4 tablespoons greek yogurt (plus a teaspoon or two more if needed)⁣
1 large egg, beaten for egg wash⁣⁣
1/3 - 1/2 cup grated gouda or gruyere⁣⁣
Everything bagel seasoning⁣⁣
3 tablespoons baking soda with 2 cups of boiling water. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray the paper lightly with nonstick spray. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
In a small bowl, use a firm spatula to work together the flour and yogurt. Add a few teaspoons of yogurt if it feels dry and knead into a cohesive ball for 5 minutes or so. Sprinkle with a bit more flour if it gets overly sticky. Cover with a damp paper towel and gather your toppings. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Divide dough in two and roll each piece into a roughly 8-inch rope. Bring the ends around and pinch into a circle. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Sprinkle the bottom of the prepared pan with grated cheese in two spots.  Pour boiling water over the baking soda and float each bagel in the water for 20 or so seconds.  Use a slotted spot or spatula to transfer the bagels on top of the cheese.  Brush lightly with egg. Sprinkle with more cheese and everything bagel seasoning. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Bake for 20 - 22 minutes until deeply golden and bubbling.  Allow to cool for 10 minutes before slicing and smearing with cream cheese.
The secret to really great muffins is eating them The secret to really great muffins is eating them warm, with a big smear of butter and a sprinkle flakey sea salt. ❇️ This goes for any muffin but is especially delicious on these a Vegan Carrot Zucchini Harvest Muffins because they have so many veggies they’re basically a salad. ❇️ Full recipe linked in the bio! Xo
This fall the ultimate chocolate chip cookie is pa This fall the ultimate chocolate chip cookie is packed with oats, @guittardchocolate baking wafers, and candy coated chocolate pieces from @traderjoes. ✌️ It’s the perfect weekend bake, babes! Full recipe linked in the profile!
Once September hits it’s all cozy couch dinners Once September hits it’s all cozy couch dinners starting with this creamy tomato Marry Me Chicken. Disclaimer: this chicken has yet to get me hitched. Full recipe linked in the bio, bbs! Xo
This weekend I spent most of my time in a motorcyc This weekend I spent most of my time in a motorcycle seat but there was also boudin stuffed kolaches and @karleesislerflores’s perfect peach butter. Happy Labor Day, friends! Xo
I’ve entered my Kolache Era! First recipe test i I’ve entered my Kolache Era! First recipe test includes kolache dough from @kingarthurbaking (chosen because of the sour cream in the dough) and @karleesislerflores’ peach butter (the perfect blend of summer and fall spices). ⁣
⁣
We’re just a few tweaks away from a recipe. More is more when it comes to boudin and peach butter. That’s what we know. Xo
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Joy the Baker
All rights reserved. Violators will be whupped and sent to bed with no dessert · Privacy Policy

Scroll Up