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There is something special about baking Christmas cookies the old-fashioned way. The smell of ginger, cinnamon, peppermint, and butter filling the kitchen is one of my favorite parts of the holiday season.
When I think about Christmas baking, I think about plates of homemade cookies, holiday tins filled with treats, and sharing something sweet with friends and neighbors.
Some cookies are classics that have been around for generations, while others are newer favorites that still have that nostalgic homemade feel.
If you’re looking for Christmas cookies to make from scratch this year, I’ve gathered 12 delicious recipes.
Whether you’re baking for your family, putting together a Christmas cookie exchange, or making homemade gifts, there’s something here for everyone.
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Classic Gingersnap Cookies
Gingersnap cookies are one of those old-fashioned Christmas favorites that never go out of style. Made with molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, these cookies have a wonderful warm spice flavor.
Depending on how long you bake them, you can make them crisp and snappy or a little softer in the middle.
They’re delicious with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and make a wonderful addition to a Christmas cookie platter.
Get the Classic Gingersnap Cookies Recipe
Traditional Thumbprint Cookies
These pretty little cookies are a classic for Christmas baking. Buttery cookie dough is rolled in ground almonds, pressed in the center, and filled with a little bit of sweet jam.
I especially love using homemade raspberry or strawberry jam for these cookies. They’re simple to make and look beautiful on a holiday cookie tray.
Get the Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Peppermint Meltaway Cookies
If you love peppermint during the holidays, these cookies are a must-try. They’re soft, buttery, and literally melt in your mouth. A sweet peppermint frosting and crushed candy canes make them especially festive.
These cookies are also great for making ahead because they freeze well. You can bake a batch early in the holiday season and have them ready when you need them.
Get the Peppermint Meltaway Cookies Recipe
Cranberry Orange Swirl Cookies
These beautiful slice-and-bake cookies have a buttery orange-flavored dough with a sweet cranberry filling. The red cranberry swirls make them especially pretty for Christmas.
You’ll want to prepare the dough ahead of time so it has plenty of time to chill before slicing and baking. They’re worth the extra effort and make a lovely addition to a holiday cookie exchange.
Get the Cranberry Orange Swirl Cookies Recipe
Old Fashioned Gum Drop Cookies
These are a fun old-fashioned holiday treat! Unlike traditional round cookies, gum drop cookies are baked in a pan and cut into squares. They’re made with brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped gum drops.
This is a fun recipe to make when you want something a little different from the usual Christmas cookies. They also freeze well, making them perfect for holiday baking ahead of time.
Get the Gum Drop Cookies Recipe
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
Pinwheel cookies are such a pretty addition to a Christmas cookie tray.
These buttery cookies have a colorful swirled design that’s created by layering and rolling the cookie dough before slicing it into individual cookies.
One of the best things about this recipe is that you can prepare the dough ahead of time and keep it refrigerated or frozen until you’re ready to bake.
Get the Pinwheel Cookies Recipe
Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies
These buttery shortbread cookies have little pieces of maraschino cherries and chocolate chips throughout. They’re pretty, delicious, and have a wonderful cherry flavor.
The dough is shaped into a log and refrigerated before slicing and baking, which makes these cookies easy to prepare ahead of time.
Get the Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies Recipe
Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
Not every Christmas cookie needs to come out of the oven! These old-fashioned peanut butter no-bake cookies are made with simple pantry ingredients, including peanut butter, sugar, milk, and old-fashioned oats.
They’re quick to make and especially handy when you’re baking several different kinds of cookies for the holidays and need something easy to add to the mix.
Get the Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies Recipe
Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies
If you love chocolate covered cherries, you’ll want to try these cookies. They have a rich chocolate cookie base, a sweet maraschino cherry in the center, and a delicious chocolate topping.
These cookies look beautiful on a Christmas dessert tray and are a fun choice when you want something a little more special for holiday entertaining.
Get the Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies Recipe
Festive Christmas Jello Cookies
These colorful cookies are a fun addition to Christmas baking. They’re made with just a few simple ingredients, including butter, powdered sugar, and flavored Jello.
You can use different Jello flavors to create a variety of colors and flavors. They’re easy to make, freeze well, and are especially fun to share at Christmas cookie exchanges.
Get the Christmas Jello Cookies Recipe
Almond Joy Cookies
If you love coconut, chocolate, and almonds, these cookies are for you! Inspired by the classic Almond Joy candy bar, this recipe uses just four ingredients.
They’re wonderfully easy to make and a little different from traditional Christmas cookies. They’re also a great option when you need something quick for holiday gift boxes or cookie trays.
Get the Almond Joy Cookies Recipe
Candy Cane Kiss Cookies
These festive cookies are made with a buttery sugar-cookie-style dough and topped with a peppermint chocolate kiss. They’re pretty, delicious, and perfect for the holidays.
They’re also a fun cookie to make with kids. Have them help unwrap the candy kisses and press one into each warm cookie after baking.
Get the Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe
Tips for Making Christmas Cookies Ahead of Time
One of my favorite things about Christmas baking is being able to prepare cookies ahead of time. You don’t have to make everything during the busy week before Christmas!
Here are a few tips for getting a head start on your holiday baking.
Freeze baked cookies. Many homemade cookies freeze beautifully. Let them cool completely before placing them in airtight containers or freezer bags. Separate layers with parchment paper to keep them from sticking together.
Freeze cookie dough. Slice-and-bake cookies, pinwheel cookies, and many other cookie doughs can be prepared ahead of time and frozen until you’re ready to bake.
Choose a variety of cookies. When making a Christmas cookie tray, I like to include different shapes, colors, and flavors.
Combine chocolate cookies, buttery shortbread, fruit-filled cookies, and spiced cookies for a nice variety.
Package cookies for gifting. Homemade cookies make wonderful Christmas gifts. Arrange several different kinds in a holiday tin or gift box, add a little ribbon, and you have a thoughtful homemade gift.
More Christmas Baking Ideas
If you’re looking for even more inspiration for your holiday baking, take a look at my Christmas cookie exchange recipes.
You’ll find more ideas for sharing homemade treats with family, friends, and neighbors.
Christmas baking doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes the simplest recipes are the ones that become family favorites year after year.
I hope you find a few new favorites to add to your Christmas baking traditions this year!
Happy baking!
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