The holiday season wouldn’t feel complete without a tray full of cookies—colourful, chewy, chocolatey, spiced, and everything in between. Whether you’re gearing up for a cookie exchange, planning treats for school parties, or simply filling your home with that cosy December aroma, this collection brings together some of the most irresistible Christmas cookie recipes from around the web.
From classic gingersnaps and sugary snowflakes to Italian favourites, Nutella delights, and even cookies made with pretzels and potato chips, there’s something here for every baker and every sweet tooth. You’ll find quick 3-ingredient options, gluten-free goodies, festive bars, and beautifully decorated showstoppers—perfect for gifting, sharing, or sneaking straight from the cooling rack.
Grab your mixing bowl and pick your favourites, because these Christmas cookies might just become your new family traditions.
Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
Looking for the perfect Holiday cookie recipe? Try these festive Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies, loaded with all your favorite mix-ins like chocolate chips, M & M’s, pretzels, and even crushed potato chips. A soft, chewy, salty, and sweet cookie perfect for any Christmas cookie plate!
Get recipe: Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies
Tetú or toto, is the Sicilian name for these delicious Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies. They are soft chocolatey cookies flavored with warm spices including cinnamon and clove and topped with a simple glaze. Every bite will reward you with chocolate chips, nuts, and fruit. These cookies are a holiday season favorite in Italian homes!
Get recipe: Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies (Tetú or Toto)
Gingersnap Cookie Recipe
Chewy, spicy gingersnap cookies belong on every cookie table and dessert tray. These are an easy drop cookie made festive with spices and colored sanding sugar.
Get recipe: Ultimate Gingersnap Cookie Recipe: A Holiday Must-Bake
Christmas Cookie Bars
These Christmas cookie bars are packed with red and green M&M’s, chocolate chips, and sprinkles, making the buttery cookie bars a fun and festive Christmas dessert.
Get recipe: Christmas Cookie Bars
Merry & Bright Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies
The holiday season is upon us, and there’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked goodies wafting through the air. What better way to spread holiday cheer than with a batch of delightful Merry and Bright Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies. These cookies are a sight to behold, with their golden-brown edges and perfectly soft centres that simply melt in your mouth. These cookies also make for a thoughtful and heartfelt gift for your friends and family, spreading joy and cheer in a way that only homemade treats can.
Get recipe: Merry & Bright Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies
Cherry Almond Cookies
These Cherry Almond Cookies are a traditional cookie often served on Italian cookie platters at Christmas time. Of course these lovely little cherry cookies with white chocolate drizzle are great anytime of year and are popular around Valentines day and for family gatherings year round.
Get recipe: Cherry Almond Cookies – Traditional Cookies with Step-by-Step Directions
Cake Mix Christmas Cookies
These Cake Mix Christmas Cookies are soft, chewy and packed with colorful M&Ms for a festive twist on a classic treat. Made with just four simple ingredients, a box of cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs and candy. This easy cookie recipe comes together in under 20 minutes and will be on repeat in your kitchen all year long.
Get recipe: Cake Mix Christmas Cookies
3-ingredient Nutella Cookies
These delicious easy 3-ingredient Nutella cookies are like a cake in cookie form! They’re soft with crisp edges, have a rich chocolate flavor and are so fragrant! Simple ingredients and no stand mixer needed.
Get recipe: 3-ingredient Nutella Cookies (Easy)
Peppermint Bark Cookies
These Peppermint Bark Cookies are gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-free! Made with a soft and chewy chocolate brownie cookie, dipped in sweet dairy-free white chocolate, and sprinkled with crushed peppermint candy canes! These fudgy chocolate peppermint Christmas cookies are quick and easy to make, with all the holiday flavors of your favorite no-bake Christmas candy!
Get recipe: Peppermint Bark Cookies (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Stained Glass Cookies
These Stained Glass Cookies are a showstopping festive treat that goes down well with kids and grown ups alike. A soft sugar cookie base with a melted candy centre, you can use these treats as edible Christmas tree decorations too, plus they are perfect for your holiday cookie exhange. A fun and delicious Christmas treat that is very easy to make with only 6 ingredients.
Get recipe: Stained Glass Cookies
Chocolate Dipped Gingersnaps
Chocolate dipped gingersnaps are the perfect chewy cookies with the sweetness of white chocolate to make for a delectable treat. Make these yummy cookies as a delicious treat for Santa to enjoy on Christmas Eve or perfect to serve with hot chocolate at a Christmas party.
Get recipe: Chocolate Dipped Gingersnaps: Best Christmas Cookie Recipe
Snowflake Cookies
Snowflake Cookies are the perfect holiday cookies for Christmas and Winter. Decorated with royal icing, this sugar cookie dough perfectly balances buttery goodness and almond flavoring. You’ll love sharing them at parties and Christmas cookie exchanges or decorating with the kids for Santa.
Get recipe: Snowflake Cookies (Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing)
Skillet Snickerdoodle Cookie
Skillet Snickerdoodle Cookie brings sweet, warm childhood memories back with its tangy, cinnamon flavors and its chewy goodness.
Get recipe: Skillet Snickerdoodle Cookie
Cranberry Orange Cookies
Perfect for your holiday baking needs, these Cranberry Orange Cookies only require 6 ingredients and starts with a sugar cookie mix! This super easy shortcut recipe for cranberry orange cookies is ideal for winter holidays and cookie swaps but great any time of the year!
Get recipe: Cranberry Orange Cookies
Nutellotti
Nutellotti – Nutellotti are delicious, rich, soft, and chocolatey Italian cookies made with Nutella. With just a few ingredients, they are quick to whip up and make the perfect treat for Christmas!
Get recipe: Nutellotti (Italian Nutella Cookies)
