I want to make sure your holiday cookie tin is the best because you are the best. This is not a competition, but obviously, if we were to momentarily think of this as a competition – you have to win. I’m giving you only the best – my top 12 Christmas cookie recipes to ensure instant victory at your holiday party. Share these Christmas cookie recipes with people you love the most, and make extra for yourself because we’re out here loving ourselves with mid-afternoon and midnight snacks, too.
Gingerbread Ricciarelli Cookies
My most popular holiday cookie last year were (rather unexpectedly) these Italian Almond Flour Cookies. These holiday cookies are naturally gluten-free and somehow, with the magic of time, get even more chewy and delicious as the days pass. These are ideal for a cookie tin you ship to a friend as they’re sturdy enough to go the distance and unique enough to shine on their cookie platter.
Cheesecake-Stuffed Snickerdoodles
I’m baking “over the top” during this time of year so, naturally, the sheer nerve of adding cheesecake to one of my favorite cookies just make sense and kicks this cinnamon and sugar classic up a notch or two. Tis the Season!
Confetti Holiday Shortbread
If you need an easy, truly simple, “Toby-Baked-Them” Christmas cookie recipe, HERE is your answer. This buttery, crisp, and undeniably poppable shortbread is full of color and decadence. Consider these the festive popcorn of a holiday cookie and a must to add to any Christmas tin.
Peanut butter really gets its due this time of year as well. I eat it by the spoonful, all year round, but peanut butter gets extra love and use come Christmas time. For your PB loving hearts, consider making these Christmas cookie recipes:
Mom’s Peanut Butter Balls
Also known as Buckeyes by the folks in Ohio, I only half dip these balls full of goodness in melted chocolate, but for the record, my Mom DOUBLE dips them in melted chocolate taking the decadence up a notch. A perfectly formed ball of peanut butter and chocolate.
Peanut Butter Cup Christmas Cookies
Imagine a chocolate covered peanut butter cup pressed into a soft and chewy peanut butter cookie. Now imagine having your kids set out a plate for Santa knowing full well you’ll be eating these Christmas cookies come midnight. Yep, pretty sweet right?
Peanut Butter Gingersnap Chews
Something about December has me sprinkling gingerbread spice into just about everything from my morning coffee to on my buttered toast (taking cinnamon sugar toast up a notch, huzzah!) – This soft and chewy holiday cookie is no exception to my love of gingerbread sprinkling this time of year.
How about we throw in some bars for good measure. After all, they could be considered Christmas “Cookies”. I don’t judge! These are two of my favorites in the Christmas cookie recipe category.
Mulled Wine Bars
This recipe calls for dried fruit, red wine, and spices and are quietly decadent treats. In general, I like to bake bars because I don’t have to fuss with a pie and they add variety to my Christmas cookie tin.
Lemon Poppyseed Bars
Adding an unexpected fresh citrus moment to all the chocolate peanut butter madness, I present … Lemon Bars. These zingy delights get an upgrade with the addition of poppyseed and offer a tartness to a typically chocolaty sweet cookie tin.
There is no rule that says Chocolate Chip Cookies don’t have a place in the Christmas cookie tin. I would argue that this cookie is so classic and versatile that YES, OF COURSE they should be added! These Christmas cookie versions below should be made … at once!
Dad’s Best Chocolate Chip Cookie
An undeniable classic and the cornerstone of this website is a recipe which only took a few decades to perfect to legend status.
Cookies and Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies
This Christmas cookie recipe is baked into other cookies with EXTRA chocolate chips added. If that isn’t the epitome of this decadent time of year, I don’t know what is.
Browned Butter Cappuccino Cookies
Be prepared for folks to bite into this holiday cookie and ask, “Do these have coffee in them?” with a sparkle in their eye. The answer is, “Yes! and You’re welcome!”
Gingerbread Marshmallows
If you’re looking for a quintessential Christmas cookie recipe look no further than this sweet baking project. My homemade chocolate dipped gingerbread people on top of bouncy homemade marshmallows. These just put a smile on my face and will be the show stopper at any holiday gathering. Guaranteed!
Honorable mentions for Christmas cookie recipes goes out to these Tahini and Pistachio Biscotti that I’m going to make for my neighbors (without chocolate for packing) and these Blueberry Cobbler Thumbprint Cookies which I love with raspberry jam too. Also, here’s how I pack my holiday cookie tins if you need advice on sending cookies to friends that will arrive fresh and safe!
Happy Baking!
xo, Joy
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12 Responses
I have one to add! I always make your Vanilla Bean Confetti Cookies and they are such a happy, bright distraction from all the red and green. They are the cookies that get the most compliments!
HECK YES to the cookies n cream cookies (a personal fave from your site) and the mulled wine pie bars!!
Made the dads best cookies to go into gift bags I make for some of the bars in my hood I frequent. Everyone loves those!
Ok these are great but I need to know more about gingerbread spice in your coffee! Sounds delicious!
The confetti shortbread is SO EASY and was the surprise hit last year! They should come with a warning label though…they go down too easy.
Ahahah it’s true, I did in fact make the confetti cookies. So you can, too!!
You spelled Christmas wrong on the title, you spelled it Christmas, and forgot the ‘t’ in Christmas. Just thought you might like to update it.
Thanks for sharing the recipes.
Kristine. You spelled the second Christmas with the t which failed to make your excellent point and sharp eye to catch the error.
I never noiced I guess it’s because I’m not perfect either !
Kristine, you spelled CHRISTMAS CORRECTLY! I reread it over and over. Whew!!!
Tomorrow I will attempt to make the blueberry cobbler thumbprints and cappuccino cookies! They look fabulous and I will be sure to update everyone on how they come out! Happy Holidays and thank you so much for sharing
I used to make one of your cookie recipes that was molasses cardamom cookies with chocolate chips. I can’t find the recipe anywhere. Is there anywhere I can find it?