Gingerbread, peppermint and meringue, oh my! Make your holiday a little sweeter with our favorite Christmas cookie recipes.
85 Best Christmas Cookie Recipes
Updated on Nov. 20, 2024
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Buttery Spritz Cookies
Total Time: 30 minutes + coolingMain Ingredients: Butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, flour
Level: Easy
Whether you have a vintage or new cookie press, it’s time to pull it out for these little beauties! Dip them in chocolate and add sprinkles to add a bit of Christmas merriment.
“This tender spritz cookie recipe is very eye-catching on my Christmas cookie tray. The dough is easy to work with, so it’s fun to make these spritz cookies into a variety of festive shapes. This is hands down the best spritz cookie recipe ever.” —Recipe contributor Beverly Launius, Sandwich, Illinois
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Ugly Sweater Cookies
Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Butter, sugar, molasses, flour
Level: Intermediate
If you’re looking to one-up your ugly Christmas sweater from last year, it’s time to break out these ugly sweater cookies. While the gingerbread cookie is a simple cutout, the icing will take a bit of patience. With practice, you’ll be piping out the cutest ugly sweaters of the season.
“Perhaps the most amazing thing about Ugly Sweater Cookies is how cute they are. Try these classic gingerbreads on for size.” —Recipe contributor Christy Thelen, Kellogg, Iowa
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Pecan Tassies
Total Time: 45 minutes + chillingMain Ingredients: Cream cheese, flour, pecans
Level: Intermediate
Pecan tassies are a go-to for those who prefer a nutty flavor to peppermint or gingerbread around Christmastime. A major perk of these cookies is that they can be frozen. Simply bake them when you have free time in your busy holiday schedule, and then thaw them in covered containers when you’re ready to serve.
“These tarts are very good for parties and special occasions. You’ll probably want to double the recipe, because they’ll disappear in a hurry!” —Recipe contributor Joy Corie, Ruston, Louisiana
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Chocolate Lebkuchen Cherry Balls
Total Time: 45 minutes + chillingMain Ingredients: Gingersnap cookies, cream cheese, chocolate chips, almonds
Level: Intermediate
No-bake chocolate desserts could be just what you need around the holidays. This twist on traditional German lebkuchen has a cherry surprise on the inside and requires very few kitchen utensils. (Let’s be real—who doesn’t love a recipe that produces fewer dishes to wash?)
“Here’s my twist on the traditional German holiday lebkuchen—with a surprise inside.” —Recipe contributor Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
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Gingerbread Cutout Cookies
Total Time: 40 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Brown sugar, molasses, ginger, cinnamon, cloves
Level: Intermediate
Your family will linger around the kitchen when these homemade gingerbread cookies are baking. Make your life easier by rolling the dough directly on a piece of parchment dusted with confectioners’ sugar. Use the cookie cutter to create shapes and remove the excess dough. Then, slide the parchment onto the baking sheet and bake away!
“Our two boys linger around the kitchen when these homemade gingerbread cookies are baking. I make this gingerbread cookie recipe throughout the year using a variety of cookie cutters.” —Recipe contributor Christy Thelan, Kellogg, Iowa
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Reindeer Cookies
Total Time: 45 minutes + standingMain Ingredients: Dark chocolate candy coating, Nutter Butter cookies, pretzels
Level: Intermediate
Looking for Christmas cookie ideas that can include the family? Look no further than these easier-than-ever cookies. Set up a workspace on your kitchen table with bowls full of candy eyes, broken pretzels, peanut butter cups and M&M’s. Let the kids get creative decorating their own reindeer faces.
“Gather ’round the tree on Christmas Eve and feast on these adorable reindeer cookies. If you listen closely, you might hear reindeer hoofs on the roof!” —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
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Italian Horn Cookies
Total Time: 40 minutes + chillingMain Ingredients: Butter, flour, vanilla ice cream, cherry cake filling
Level: Intermediate
Check your freezer before starting this recipe. Do you have vanilla ice cream? If so, then bake away. These light, flaky cookies will be great when guests are too stuffed for a decadent dessert but still want a little something sweet at the end of their big holiday meals.
“My family has been making these delicate fruit-filled cookies for generations. They’re light and flaky, with the look of an elegant old-world pastry.” —Recipe contributor Gloria Siddiqui, Houston, Texas
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Gingerbread Men Cookies
Total Time: 50 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Butter, molasses, ginger, dark brown sugar
Level: Intermediate
Gingerbread men are a must-have around the holidays—and they make any run-of-the-mill cookie platter so much more adorable. If you can’t get enough of this spiced holiday treat, combine these cookies with gingerbread house ideas and host a decorating party!
“No holiday treat platter would be complete without gingerbread man cookies! This is a tried-and-true recipe I’m happy to share with you.” —Recipe contributor Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland
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Hot Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Total Time: 40 minutes + coolingMain Ingredients: Peppermint extract, baking cocoa, milk chocolate chips, marshmallow creme, peppermint candies
Level: Intermediate
If you’ve tried all the hot chocolate mixes you can get your hands on and are still looking for more of that rich cocoa taste, you have to try these cookies. To save time before a holiday get-together, bake these cookies ahead and finish the final step once they’ve thawed.
“This is a variation of the cookies my mother made when I was growing up. Now my 13-year-old daughter and I bake them together. They’re always a huge hit! The taste is like rich hot chocolate baked into a scrumptious cookie.” —Recipe contributor Larry Piklor, Johnsburg, Illinois
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Raspberry Ribbons
Total Time: 40 minutes + coolingMain Ingredients: Butter, sugar, raspberry jam, flour
Level: Easy
These biscotti-shaped treats have a sweet surprise in the middle: a strip of raspberry jam spread across the center. Once these Christmas cookies are cooled, drizzle them with a vanilla glaze, let them cool and serve.
“I make these attractive, buttery cookies to serve at our remote guest lodge, and all the cooks in the kitchen are addicted to them!” —Recipe contributor Patsy Wolfenden, Golden, British Columbia
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Tender Pecan Logs
Total Time: 30 minutes + chillingMain Ingredients: Pecans, butter, confectioners’ sugar, flour
Level: Easy
A cookie covered in powdered sugar? Yes, please. When you’re not quite feeling a whole slice of pecan pie but still want a slightly sweet and nutty dessert, these little pecan roll-ups might be just what you’re looking for.
“Folks always ask me to make these tender nutty logs. Not overly sweet, they’re just right with a steaming cup of coffee or tea.” —Recipe contributor Joyce Beck, Gadsden, Alabama
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Swedish Cookies
Total Time: 35 minutesMain Ingredients: Butter, sugar, maple syrup, flour
Level: Easy
There’s a good chance this whole batch will be eaten, but they store well if there are leftovers. You can even freeze them for up to three months. When you’re serving these Christmas cookies, pair them with a hot cup of tea or an after-dinner coffee.
“It’s impossible to eat just one of these treats. Naturally, they’re a favorite with my Swedish husband and children—but anyone with a sweet tooth will appreciate these Swedish cookies. My recipe is ‘well-traveled’ among our friends and neighbors.” —Recipe contributor Sue Soderland, Elgin, Illinois
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Russian Tea Cakes
Total Time: 30 minutes + chillingMain Ingredients: Butter, confectioners’ sugar, flour, nuts
Level: Easy
These Russian tea cakes look just like a pile of snowballs, so they’re perfect if you’re looking for an easy Christmas cookie recipe. Typically, these cookies are made with pecans, but you can swap them out for walnuts, almonds or macadamia nuts if you’re looking for a slightly different flavor.
“I like to present my favorite holiday cookies in a special way. I pile these fresh-baked tea cakes on pretty plates that I buy throughout the year, then wrap them with colored cellophane to give friends.” —Recipe contributor Valerie Hudson, Mason City, Iowa
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Pfeffernuesse Cookies
Total Time: 50 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Molasses, honey, anise extract, spices, flour
Level: Intermediate
Trying cookies from around the world can be a fun way to make your Christmas baking feel more adventurous. These spiced pfeffernuesse cookies are a German holiday tradition and pair well with a warm cup of coffee. Don’t be afraid to tweak this recipe to fit your tastes. For softer cookies, opt for light molasses. If you prefer a bit of a crunch in your sweets, make the cookies with dark molasses.
“A German holiday tradition, these fragrant cookies pack a warm rush of spices in every bite. Also called peppernuts, they go wonderfully with coffee or tea.” —Recipe contributor Joanne Nelson, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
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Hot Chocolate Cookies
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Flour, hot cocoa mix, baking cocoa, vanilla marshmallow bits
Level: Easy
If a warm cup of hot cocoa is your go-to holiday treat, then you’re definitely going to want to try this recipe. The marshmallow bits and hot cocoa mix play up the flavors you love—and they’ll make your cookie jar all the more seasonal. The recipe calls for vanilla marshmallow bits, but if you’re in a pinch, use mini marshmallows. Just keep in mind that mini marshmallows are softer than marshmallow bits, so they will melt while baking and won’t have the same look and texture.
“Using hot chocolate mix and marshmallow bits in the cookie dough really makes these cookies taste like hot cocoa.” —Recipe contributor Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
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Grandma’s Raspberry Rugelach
Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Margarine, heavy whipping cream, flour, raspberry jam
Level: Intermediate
Although rugelach is a Jewish dessert, it often finds its way onto many Christmas cookie platters. For those who don’t love raspberry, try swapping in apricot jam instead. Before rolling up the dough, sprinkle the apricot jam with cinnamon sugar for a touch of spice.
“I remember sitting on my great-grandmother’s couch with a pad and pen in hand as she told me each ingredient and measurement for her special rugelach. Her recipe stands apart because it’s a fun twist from typical versions.” —Recipe contributor Dalya Rubin, Boca Raton, Florida
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Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Sugar, molasses, quick-cooking oats, pecans, chocolate chips
Level: Easy
Oatmeal cookies are ideal for bakers who like experimenting with flavors and add-ins. Have fun with these Christmas cookies by adding dried cranberries or chopped dates. You can use old-fashioned oats or quick-cooking oats.
“I packed chocolate chips, raisins, nuts and cinnamon into my oatmeal cookie recipe. These soft cookies are easy to make. Best of all, our kids love them!” —Recipe contributor Janis Plageman, Lynden, Washington
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Lemon Snowdrops
Total Time: 50 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Butter, lemon extract, lemon zest, lemon juice
Level: Intermediate
Although lemon is often synonymous with spring or summer, these snowdrop cookies add a pleasant tanginess to any Christmas cookie display. To save time, make the cookies ahead and freeze them. When you’re ready to serve, thaw the cookies in covered containers and make the filling fresh. Add a wintery touch by dusting the cookies with confectioners’ sugar.
“I save my snowdrop cookies for special occasions. The crunchy, buttery sandwich cookie has a puckery lemon filling.” —Recipe contributor Bernice Martinoni, Petaluma, California
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Chocolate Cherry Cookies
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Butter, flour, baking cocoa, chocolate chunks, dried cherries
Level: Easy
Looking for small-batch cookie recipes? Consider your search over. These fudgy chocolate cookies are packed with dried cherries and will make just enough to devour in one night (maybe two, if you’re lucky).
“These rich, fudgy cookies are chewy and studded with tangy dried cherries. It’s a good thing the recipe makes only a small batch, because we eat them all in one night!” —Recipe contributor Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
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Fruitcake Christmas Cookies
Total Time: 40 minutesMain Ingredients: Butter, sugar, candied cherries, candied pineapple, nuts
Level: Intermediate
December is full of food holidays, and December 27 happens to be National Fruitcake Day. If you’re still in a food coma from Christmas leftovers and don’t want to bake a cake, try these fruitcake cookies instead.
“As holiday gifts, these rich fruit-and nut-filled cookies are pretty and practical. These are great make-ahead Christmas cookies —the taste actually gets better over time!” —Recipe contributor Julia Funkhouser, Carson, Iowa
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Chocolate Sugar Cookies
Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Butter, baking cocoa, confectioners’ sugar, meringue powder
Level: Intermediate
Classic Christmas cookie recipes are fun to bring back every year, but it’s also fun to get adventurous. These cutouts are similar in look and texture to gingerbread, but they’re made with chocolate.
“Although I love gingerbread cookies, my grandchildren don’t like the ginger flavor. Now I use chocolate and watch them smile as they take that first bite.” —Recipe contributor Nancy Murphy, Mount Dora, Florida
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Cherry Snowballs
Total Time: 40 minutes + coolingMain Ingredients: Butter, maraschino cherries, confectioners’ sugar, shredded coconut
Level: Easy
Maraschino cherries add an effortless garnish to classic cocktails, but have you ever tried them in cookies? These coconut-covered snowballs with a cherry inside will add a bit of sweetness to your Christmas cookie display.
“A juicy maraschino cherry is the secret center tucked inside these special cookies. My mom was inspired to create this by a recipe she clipped out of a newspaper more than 30 years ago.” —Recipe contributor Evy Adams, West Seneca, New York
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Lemon Biscotti
Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes + coolingMain Ingredients: Sugar, lemon extract, lemon zest, aniseed, flour, eggs
Level: Intermediate
Whether you like your daily cup of coffee in the morning or as a post-dinner drink, you’ll have to pair it with these lemon anise biscotti. You can keep them plain if you like a simple cookie to dip in your coffee, or you can drizzle these biscotti with lemon glaze and top with lemon zest. Once cooled and stored in an airtight container, they’ll stay fresh for up to two weeks.
“With the growing popularity of gourmet coffees, cappuccino and espresso, I’m finding lots of people enjoy these classic Sicilian dipping cookies.” —Recipe contributor Carrie Sherrill, Forestville, Wisconsin
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Vanilla-Butter Sugar Cookies
Total Time: 45 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract
Level: Intermediate
It’s hard to beat a buttery sugar cookie. Just be sure to avoid making substitutions when it comes to butter. If you use whipped butter or reduced-fat butter, you might end up with flat, tough cookies.
“These are one of my favorite cookies to bake for Christmas. The dough recipe is versatile and you can use it for other holidays, too. Children like to help with decorating.” —Recipe contributor Cynthia Ettel, Glencoe, Minnesota
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Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Total Time: 25 minutes + chillingMain Ingredients: Chocolate chips, sugar, egg whites, confectioners’ sugar
Level: Easy
For chocolate lovers who like easy recipes, these fudgy crinkle cookies will be your new go-to. To keep the rounded shape of crinkle cookies, remember to leave the dough in a ball shape when you add it to the cookie sheet. Pressing the dough into a flat disk will result in flat cookies that don’t crinkle as they bake.
“When I baked these moist, fudgy cookies for the first time, my three preschool children went wild over them! But I like them because they’re lower in fat and easy to mix and bake.” —Recipe contributor Maria Groff, Ephrata, Pennsylvania
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Linzer Tarts
Total Time: 40 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Butter, confectioners’ sugar, flour, Nutella
Level: Intermediate
Linzer cookies made with Nutella filling instead of jam? Absolutely! Though Linzer cookies require more detailed work than your average cookie, the final result will be worth the effort.
“With a creamy chocolate and hazelnut filling, these decadent Christmas cookies look and taste amazing. Guests will never guess how relatively easy they are to make.” —Recipe contributor Mary Maddox, Bellmore, New York
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Jelly-Topped Sugar Cookies
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Sugar, eggs, lemon extract, flour, jam
Level: Easy
An easy way to spruce up a plain sugar cookie is to add a topping of your favorite jam or jelly. Jam and jelly recipes are easy to make at home, but if you want to save time, you can grab your favorites from a grocery store and get right into the Christmas cookie baking.
“On busy days, I appreciate this fast-to-fix drop sugar cookie. Top each cookie with your favorite flavor of jam or jelly.” —Recipe contributor June Quinn, Kalamazoo, Michigan
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Scottish Shortbread
Total Time: 35 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Butter, brown sugar, flour
Level: Easy
Shortbread always seems to be a hit at Christmas, and it’s no wonder why. With only three ingredients, you can bake a delicious batch of cookies. Don’t forget to prick holes into the tops of these Christmas cookies so the steam from the melting butter has somewhere to escape.
“My mother, who is of Scottish heritage, passed this recipe, along with most of my favorite recipes, on to me. When I entered it at our local fair, it won a red ribbon.” —Recipe contributor Rose Mabee, Selkirk, Manitoba
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Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
Total Time: 20 minutes + chillingMain Ingredients: Baking cocoa, peanut butter, old-fashioned oats
Level: Easy
If you have a Christmas party to attend and don’t want to dirty a dozen dishes, go for a no-bake option. These chocolate peanut butter no-bake cookies can be made a day ahead and left in the fridge to chill and set overnight. If you do want to make these the day of a get-together, make sure the cookies have time to set for at least one hour before serving. This will prevent them from being too gooey.
“These peanut butter chocolate cookies bring back fond memories of my mom. The no-bake recipe was her favorite, and she always made a batch when she knew company was coming.” —Recipe contributor Jacquie McTaggart, Independence, Iowa
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Italian Rainbow Cookies
Total Time: 45 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Almond paste, eggs, almond extract, food coloring, chocolate chips
Level: Intermediate
To make these beautiful Italian rainbow cookies, you’ll need to seek out almond paste and food coloring. But the rest of the ingredients might be things you already have around your kitchen. If you love a dessert that’s more cake-like than cookie-like, then you need to try this Christmas confection.
“My family has made these classic Italian cookies for generations, and this homemade version is so much better than the bakery version. They are always a special treat during the holidays or any time of year!” —Recipe contributor Cindy Casazza, Hopewell, New Jersey
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Christmas Wreath Cookies
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Marshmallows, butter, food coloring, cornflakes
Level: Easy
Kids will love these no-bake marshmallow wreaths, and you’ll love not having to get every mixing bowl and cooking sheet out of the cupboard. To get the shape just right, work quickly once you microwave and mix the ingredients. In about 20 minutes, you’ll have adorable holly-specked wreaths to put in your cookie jar.
“Cornflakes take the place of traditional rice cereal in these sweet no-bake treats. Dressed up with green food coloring and red candies, they’re a pretty addition to cookie platters and dessert buffets.” —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
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Coconut Cranberry Cookies
Total Time: 25 minutes + coolingMain Ingredients: Sweetened condensed milk, shredded coconut, ground almonds, cranberries
Level: Easy
The cranberry bits and flaky coconut texture just can’t be beat during the holidays. The cranberries add just the right amount of tartness.
“When my husband came home from the grocery store with six bags of fresh cranberries, I launched a full-scale effort to creatively use them all. Bursting with tart and sweet flavors, these cranberry coconut cookies are my favorite result from that experiment.” —Recipe contributor Amy Alberts, Appleton, Wisconsin
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Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookies
Total Time: 40 minutes + coolingMain Ingredients: Egg whites, cream of tartar, chocolate chips, baking cocoa
Level: Easy
Meringue cookies are a sweet addition to any Christmas cookie recipe collection. When the cookies are done baking, turn the oven off and leave the cookies to cool in the oven. This will let them gradually come down to room temperature and prevent the meringue from cracking.
“This is one of my most popular recipes. I usually make them as round cookies, but for Valentine’s Day I will pipe them into heart shapes.” —Recipe contributor Debbie Tilley, Riverview, Florida
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Butter Pecan Cookies
Total Time: 35 minutes + chillingMain Ingredients: Pecans, butter, brown sugar
Level: Intermediate
Nutty cookies always seem to go over well around the holidays. If you’re hosting a holiday cookie exchange, whip these up and have some fun with the recipe. You can brown the butter or roll the cookies in sugar to add more texture and sweetness.
“When my daughter was a teen, these cookies earned her blue ribbons from two county fairs. Then a few years ago, her own daughter took home a blue ribbon for the same cookie. Needless to say, these mouthwatering morsels are winners!” —Recipe contributor Martha Thefield, Cedartown, Georgia
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Snowball Cookies
Total Time: 25 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Butter, confectioners’ sugar, pecans, vanilla extract
Level: Easy
Anything covered in powdered sugar has to be delicious, right? Try these pecan meltaways when you want something a little bit sweet and a little bit nutty. Have fun making a few variations of this cookie by adding different types of nuts like almonds or macadamia nuts.
“This sweet, nutty pecan balls recipe is a tradition in our house at Christmastime, but the treats are delightful any time of the year.” —Recipe contributor Alberta McKay, Bartlesville, Oklahoma
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Cranberry Shortbread Stars
Total Time: 35 minutes + chillingMain Ingredients: Butter, flour, dried cranberries
Level: Easy
We have several fun shortbread recipes, but these cranberry shortbread cookies might take the cake for the best wintry version. Dried cranberries are best for this recipe, but with a few adjustments, you can use fresh or frozen if you have them available.
“My family loves shortbread and I love cranberries, so I decided to put the two together. The star shape is a festive addition to my holiday cookie tray.” —Recipe contributor Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
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Snickerdoodles
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Sugar, flour, cream of tartar, cinnamon
Level: Easy
Soft, pillowy snickerdoodles might be one of the coziest Christmas cookies ever. This recipe uses staple ingredients and pairs well with a cup of black tea or coffee.
“The history of these whimsically named treats has been widely disputed, but their popularity is undeniable. Help yourself to one of our soft cinnamon-sugared cookies and see for yourself.” —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
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Grandma’s Star Cookies
Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Butter, orange juice concentrate, confectioners’ sugar
Level: Intermediate
When you need a recipe that will produce a lot of cookies, add these star-shaped stunners to your list. The recipe makes dozens of slightly citrusy cookies that are great for sharing.
“My husband’s grandma would make these butter cutouts only with a star cookie cutter. I use various shapes for celebrations throughout the year.” —Recipe contributor Jenny Brown, West Lafayette, Indiana
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Almond Raspberry Stars
Total Time: 50 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Butter, chopped almonds, almond extract, raspberry jam
Level: Intermediate
Christmas cookie cutters are fun to experiment with during the holidays. Why not use two sizes to create a decorative touch on a simple cookie? If you don’t want to use stars, try a different shape, like snowflakes or Christmas trees.
“The first Christmas that I baked these, I ended up quickly making a second batch! The whole family enjoyed them.” —Recipe contributor Darlene Weaver, Lebanon, Pennsylvania
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Kipplens
Total Time: 35 minutesMain Ingredients: Butter, sugar, flour, pecans
Level: Easy
If one of your favorite Mexican desserts is Mexican wedding cake, then give this similar recipe for kipplens a try. You can’t go wrong with a buttery, nutty cookie covered in powdered sugar that looks like it was made to be a Christmas decoration.
“My Great-Aunt Hilda makes this recipe every Christmas, and everybody loves them! Kipplens taste a lot like Mexican wedding cakes, but I like my aunt’s version better.” —Recipe contributor Susan Bohannon, Kokomo, Indiana
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Gingerbread House Cookies
Total Time: 50 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Shortening, molasses, orange zest, spices, royal icing
Level: Intermediate
We have quite a few tips for decorating gingerbread cookies, and these are just the cookies to put your decorating skills to the test. Make the buttercream icing festive by adding red or green food coloring.
“This is my favorite molasses cookie. I use the recipe not only to create little houses for Christmas but also to make bunnies for Easter and stars for the Fourth of July.” —Recipe contributor Karen Haen, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
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Cashew Cookies
Total Time: 35 minutes + coolingMain Ingredients: Cashews, butter, sugar, half-and-half cream
Level: Intermediate
Dairy runs the show in this recipe for buttery cashew cookies. Perfectly golden and rich in flavor, these cookies will brighten up a tin full of Christmas cookies.
“Some merry dairy snacking is guaranteed when you pass out these cashew-packed goodies! I found the recipe years ago in a flier promoting dairy products. It’s been this farm wife’s standby ever since.” —Recipe contributor June Lindquist, Hammond, Wisconsin
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Hidden Mint Morsels
Total Time: 40 minutes+ chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Peppermint extract, light corn syrup, chocolate chips, baking cocoa
Level: Intermediate
Making copycat Girl Scout cookies is a fun way to enjoy your favorite treats even when they’re not in season. While these minty morsels aren’t an exact match for Thin Mints, they are pretty close. This recipe makes 10 dozen cookies, so bake these when you want to share with loved ones!
“Is it a cookie or a candy? No matter which answer folks choose, they find these minty morsels yummy. The recipe makes so much that you can whip up tons of gifts at once.” —Recipe contributor Adina Skilbred, Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin
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White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
Total Time: 25 minutes + coolingMain Ingredients: Macadamia nuts, white baking chips, butter, sugar
Level: Easy
Our Test Kitchen found the best white chocolate chips, and you might want to grab them the next time you’re at the grocery store. These cookies call for white baking chips and crunchy macadamia nuts. Besides the type of white chocolate, you can also choose your favorite macadamia nut, be it salted, roasted or plain.
“Hawaiian macadamia nuts and white baking chips make a fantastic combination in these buttery cookies.” —Recipe contributor Cathy Lennon, Newport, Tennessee
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Candied Fruit Cookies
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Pitted dates, candied cherries, Brazil nuts, almonds
Level: Easy
If you’ve made snacks like oatmeal date bars before, you’ll know how amazing the texture of dates is in baked goods. These candied cookies are filled with fruits like dates and cherries and sprinkled with bits of nuts for added crunch.
“These no-fuss candied fruit cookies are both nutty and fruity, so they’re always a hit at holiday time.” —Recipe contributor Florence Monson, Denver, Colorado
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Cranberry Cookies
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Dried cranberries, chocolate chips, pecans, English toffee bits
Level: Easy
These little cookies are packed with all sorts of flavors: chocolate chips, cranberries, chopped pecans and English toffee bits. Swap in almond extract instead of vanilla extract for even more of a flavor burst.
“Chock-full of cranberries, chocolate chips and nuts, these cookies are fun to eat. They offer a change of pace from traditional Christmas cookies…but don’t wait until December to make them. My family requests them all year-round.” —Recipe contributor Betty Albee, Buhl, Idaho
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Ricotta Cookies
Total Time: 40 minutes + coolingMain Ingredients: Butter, sugar, eggs, ricotta, vanilla extract
Level: Intermediate
Ricotta cheese recipes are delicious for dinner, but for dessert? That’s a whole new story. These fluffy, soft cookies might just turn into your favorite big-batch Christmas cookies. Keep in mind when baking that lightly salted butter should be used if you want to retain the buttery flavor of the cookie. Unsalted or sweet butter could change the flavor.
“A single batch of these ricotta cheese cookies is never enough. I usually make one to give away and two more to keep at home. The ricotta cheese makes the morsels extra moist.” —Recipe contributor Doris Marshall, Strasburg, Pennsylvania
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Church Window Cookies
Total Time: 20 minutes + chillingMain Ingredients: Chocolate chips, miniature marshmallows, flaked coconut, walnuts
Level: Easy
This is such a simple recipe, and it makes such a cute treat. The best part is that you won’t even have to turn on the oven. Melt chocolate chips, mix in marshmallows and nuts, roll the mixture in coconut, chill and serve. It’s that easy.
“This is a hit with kids—the little ones just love the colored marshmallows!” —Recipe contributor Emmilie Gaston, Wabash, Indiana
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Buttery Ganache Cookie Cups
Total Time: 40 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Butter, orange extract, baking chocolate, heavy whipping cream
Level: Intermediate
There are chocolate cookies—and then there are ganache-filled cookie cups. How could we pass this up for our list of best Christmas cookie recipes? Making homemade ganache is easier than it might seem, and it will taste fantastic with the buttery soft cookie cup.
“Our family wanted to share our love of ganache-filled cupcakes, so we made them into cookies. Even better: we bake the cookies in muffin cups, fill with ganache, and get the best of both worlds!” —Recipe contributor Adela Srinivasan, Parker, Colorado
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Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Total Time: 50 minutes + coolingMain Ingredients: Chocolate chips, baking chocolate, white baking chips, peppermint candies
Level: Intermediate
These merry little cookies are a peppermint and chocolate match made in heaven. The best part is that they are so adaptable to how you like to decorate. You can keep the recipe as is and frost the cookies and top with crushed peppermint, or you can dip the cookies in chocolate and then sprinkle peppermint over the top. However you choose to make these cookies your own, they’re sure to be some of the first to go at the Christmas party.
“Santa is sure to stop by your house if you leave these minty chocolate cookies waiting for him. They’re quick and easy for the whole family to make together.” —Recipe contributor Teresa Ralston, New Albany, Ohio
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Mom’s Buttermilk Cookies
Total Time: 30 minutes + coolingMain Ingredients: Buttermilk, milk, butter, sugar, vanilla
Level: Easy
There are many uses for buttermilk, but one of our favorites has to be when it’s used in Christmas cookies. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can always make a homemade version with white vinegar, lemon juice and milk.
“I treasure my mother’s recipe for these comforting cookie pillows. The tender treats are topped with thick frosting and a sprinkling of chopped walnuts.” —Recipe contributor Jane Darling, Simi Valley, California
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Coconut Drops
Total Time: 35 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Cream cheese, shredded coconut, raspberry preserves
Level: Intermediate
You can stick with raspberry preserves for these coconut Christmas cookies or you can grab different preserves to switch up the color. If you’re not into fruit in your sweets, you can swap the preserves for chocolate.
“Red raspberry preserves add a festive flair to these tender coconut cookies. Perfect for potlucks and cookie exchanges, the shaped cookies never last long when I make them for my husband and two sons.” —Recipe contributor Ellen Marie Byler, Munfordville, Kentucky
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Amish Sugar Cookies
Total Time: 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, cream of tartar
Level: Easy
There are a lot of uses for cream of tartar, but one of the most important ones in baking is that it prevents sugar from clumping together. Since sugar cookies—you know—use a lot of sugar, cream of tartar is a vital ingredient.
“These easy-to-make, old-fashioned sugar cookies simply melt in your mouth! I’ve passed this recipe around to many friends. After I gave it to my sister, she entered the cookies in a local fair and won best of show.” —Recipe contributor Sylvia Ford, Kennett, Missouri
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Meringue Cookies
Total Time: 1 hour + coolingMain Ingredients: Egg whites, cream of tartar, sugar, vanilla extract
Level: Easy
Meringue cookies can be so adorable if you bake them right. If you’ve tried making meringue and are unsure why your cookies look flat, it could be because the egg whites are too cold or because you’ve added the sugar all at once instead of little by little. It takes time to get the hang of meringue!
“These sweet little swirls are light as can be. They’re all you need after a big, special dinner.” —Recipe contributor Jenni Sharp, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies
Total Time: 40 minutes + coolingMain Ingredients: Eggs, baking cocoa, spices, sugar
Level: Intermediate
Spice cookies are extra-comforting around the holidays. This version has chocolate and a glaze that you can use to stick on festive sprinkles.
“I recently found this old family recipe in my mom’s kitchen. I made a few adjustments to streamline the process, and the cookies turned out wonderfully.” —Recipe contributor Shawn Barto, Winter Garden, Florida
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Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, flour
Level: Easy
Homemade cookies are thoughtful gifts for neighbors, and these cream cheese spritz cookies will definitely bring the charm. In one hour, you can have several dozen cookies prepped and ready in cute winter tins to be passed out.
“A hint of orange and cinnamon highlights these Christmastime classics. I like to add colorful sprinkles before baking them. The recipe is from a booklet that came with a cookie press in the 1950s…and I still have the press!” —Recipe contributor Sarah Bedia, Lake Jackson, Texas
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Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
Total Time: 30 minutes + coolingMain Ingredients: Butter, baking cocoa, vanilla extract
Level: Easy
Shortbread cookies are fun and easy to make all year round, but they’re a classic Christmas cookie. This recipe is for a chocolate version that can be spruced up with a layer of icing or turned into a sandwich cookie.
“This recipe has been in my files for a long time…probably from when I first learned to bake. Any chocolate lover will like these melt-in-your-mouth cookies. I make them year-round with variations. They’re even richer with a thin coat of icing or as a sandwich cookie with frosting in the middle.” —Recipe contributor Sarah Bueckert, Austin, Manitoba
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Easy Mint Thins
Total Time: 40 minutes + standingMain Ingredients: Milk or dark chocolate, peppermint extract, Ritz crackers
Level: Intermediate
This Thin Mint copycat recipe will come in so handy during the holidays. And to be honest, they’re even more beautiful than the originals! The chocolate is infused with peppermint extract, and you can add crushed spearmint or sprinkle chopped Andes mints on the top.
“My friends often try to guess the ingredients, but I never tell them how simple they are to make. They taste just like the Girl Scout cookie, and they’re perfect for Christmas and bake sales.” —Recipe contributor Jennifer Setser, Morgantown, Indiana
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Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Butter, creamy peanut butter, chocolate kisses
Level: Easy
We’d be remiss to leave out a peanut butter cookie on this roundup of our favorite Christmas cookies. These blossom cookies are topped with a chocolate kiss and you can use light or dark brown sugar in the dough—whichever one you have on hand.
“Here’s proof that peanut butter and chocolate just belong together. These peanut butter blossoms are an easy family favorite and never fails to make my children smile.” —Recipe contributor Tammie Merrill, Wake Forest, North Carolina
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Lemon Snowflakes
Total Time: 40 minutesMain Ingredients: Lemon cake mix, whipped topping, egg, confectioners’ sugar
Level: Intermediate
Desserts with four ingredients are necessary during busy holiday seasons. These lemon snowflake cookies don’t take a lot of work and produce such a beautiful result. Because the cookies aren’t iced or decorated, they can be stacked in airtight containers for easy travel.
“You’ll need just four ingredients to make these delightful cookies. Confectioners’ sugar highlights the cracked tops to give them their snowflake appearance.” —Recipe contributor Linda Barry, Dianna, Texas
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Elf Cookies
Total Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes + standing and coolingMain Ingredients: Confectioners’ sugar, almond paste, meringue powder, cream of tartar, food coloring
Level: Advanced
Are these the cutest Christmas cutout cookies you’ve ever seen? These little elves are sure to be a showstopper on a dessert table or as a gift for family and friends.
“These rosy-cheeked elf cookies will make a showstopping addition to your holiday cookie tray. Or set them atop cupcakes for an extra-cute treat.” —Recipe contributor Josh Rink, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Dipped Gingersnaps
Total Time: 30 minutes + coolingMain Ingredients: Sugar, eggs, molasses, spices
Level: Easy
Kick your gingersnap baking game up a notch with these dipped versions of a Christmas classic. Because these are gingersnaps, they should be a bit more crunchy than your typical chewy gingerbread cookies. All that means is a bit longer in the oven, and then they’ll be ready to dip once cooled.
“I get tremendous satisfaction making and giving time-tested yuletide treats like these soft, chewy cookies. Dipping them in white chocolate makes much-loved gingersnaps even more special.” —Recipe contributor Laura Kimball, West Jordan, Utah
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Peanut Butter Chews
Total Time: 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Peanut butter, light corn syrup, cornflakes, sugar, vanilla extract
Level: Easy
In only 20 minutes, you can have dozens of these peanut butter balls ready to go. The best part is that they’re a 5-ingredient dessert, so they’re quick to make and the prep time is shorter than a lot of desserts.
“These simple peanut butter cornflake cookies are a snap to make. In fact, I can whip them up in minutes for school lunches. The little treats are a big hit with any crowd—young or old.” —Recipe contributor Marg Mitro, Grafton, Ontario
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Kourabiedes (Greek Butter Cookies)
Total Time: 1 hour + coolingMain Ingredients: Unsalted butter, confectioners’ sugar, flour
Level: Intermediate
These cookies use basic baking ingredients and yield delicious, buttery cookies. You can make the recipe your own by adding chopped nuts or trying out different extracts like almond or orange.
“I had to bake something from my heritage for school. So, I made this heavenly kourabiedes recipe.” —Recipe contributor Rebecca Sprague, St. Louis, Missouri
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Molasses Cookies
Total Time: 45 minutesMain Ingredients: Sugar, molasses, coarse sugar, spices
Level: Intermediate
Bite-sized cookies are cute, but giant molasses cookies add a little more fun to Christmas cookie tins. These cookies travel well and you can adapt the recipe with different types of molasses based on your personal preference.
“My family always requests these soft molasses cookies. These chewy molasses cookies are also perfect for shipping as holiday gifts or to troops overseas.” —Recipe contributor Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York
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Holiday Cornflake Cookies
Total Time: 15 minutesMain Ingredients: Marshmallows, frosted cornflakes, Red Hots, sprinkles
Level: Easy
There are many creative cornflake recipes, but these have to be the cutest ones for Christmas. These are a great option when you have too much going on in the oven and just need a quick stovetop recipe.
“I can’t seem to make enough of these cornflake wreaths around the holidays. The cookies firm up quickly, so you’ll need to place the Red Hots right away.” —Recipe contributor Kathleen Hedger, Fairview Heights, Illinois
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Cuccidati
Total Time: 40 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Raisins, dates, oranges, figs, walnuts, sugar, flour
Level: Intermediate
If you’re tired of making the same recipes every year, it’s time to change things up. These Sicilian cuccidati are filled with delicious fruits and nuts, and you can always get creative and add other flavors like cinnamon and chocolate.
“The compliments from family and friends make these Sicilian cookies worth the effort. It’s the best recipe I’ve found!” —Recipe contributor Carolyn Fafinski, Dunkirk, New York
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Molasses Crinkle Cookies
Total Time: 30 minutes + chillingMain Ingredients: Molasses, white whole wheat flour, confectioners’ sugar, spices
Level: Easy
Many cookie recipes are filled with butter, but these crackle cookies only call for a small amount of canola oil. Unlike sugar cookies or gingerbread, these are meant to crackle a bit as they bake, so don’t worry if the dough separates a bit.
“You can treat yourself to one or two of my crackle cookies without guilt. Most molasses cookies are loaded with butter and have way too much sugar, but not mine. You would never know these are so low in fat.” —Recipe contributor Jean L. Ecos, Hartland, Wisconsin
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Santa Claus Cookies
Total Time: 45 minutes + standingMain Ingredients: Nutter Butter cookies, white baking chocolate, red colored sugar
Level: Intermediate
Nutter Butters, but make them look festive? We’re here for it. You can definitely get the kids involved with decorating these easy cookies. Doesn’t get much better than pre-baked cookies that you just have to dip and sprinkle!
“Store-bought peanut butter sandwich cookies become jolly Santas with white chocolate, colored sugar, mini chips and red-hot candies.” —Recipe contributor Mary Kaufenberg, Shakopee, Minnesota
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Cherry Blossom Cookies
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Butter, maraschino cherry juice, maraschino cherries, chocolate kisses
Level: Easy
Chocolate and cherry are such a delightful mix of flavors for the holidays. The bright red color of these cookies is festive and they only take 10 minutes to bake. For easy cleanup, place parchment paper on your baking sheets before popping these in the oven.
“Topped with a chocolate kiss, these cherry-flavored cookies look super cute on a dessert tray. Share them with family and friends.” —Recipe contributor Joy Yurk, Grafton, Wisconsin
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Touch-of-Gold Christmas Trees
Total Time: 50 minutes + coolingMain Ingredients: Butter, almond extract, Nutella, gold pearl dust
Level: Intermediate
If you’re attending a classy Christmas party, these cookies will be a great dessert to bring. They’re dusted with edible gold and filled with Nutella.
“You can decorate these pretty Christmas trees with other types of sprinkles if you don’t have the gold dust. The filling alone makes the cookies special and so delicious!” —Recipe contributor Linda Sweet, Cornwall, New York
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Oatmeal Coconut Cookies
Total Time: 50 minutes + freezingMain Ingredients: Shortening, sugar, old-fashioned oats, shredded coconut
Level: Intermediate
This recipe calls for old-fashioned oats, so make sure you have those on hand before baking. Different types of oats affect baking textures and consistency, so stick with the recipe for a soft, chewy cookie.
“When my two daughters were young, their great-grandma made them coconut cookies with oats. Thankfully, she shared the recipe.” —Recipe contributor Debra Dorn, Dunnellon, Florida
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Peppermint Meltaways
Total Time: 40 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Peppermint extract, peppermint candies, confectioners’ sugar, butter
Level: Intermediate
These peppermint meltaways are cute and perfect for sharing. These Christmas cookies are best when fresh but can be stored for up to three days if you have any left over.
“This recipe for peppermint meltaways is very pretty and festive-looking on a cookie platter. I put these peppermint cookies in bright holiday containers to give to family and friends. And yes, they really do melt in your mouth!” —Recipe contributor Denise Wheeler, Newaygo, Michigan
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Rum Balls
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Vanilla wafers, rum, confectioners’ sugar, baking cocoa
Level: Easy
Going to an adult Christmas party? Take these rum balls with you and watch them disappear from the cookie platter. You can customize them by rolling them in shredded coconut or cocoa powder instead of confectioners’ sugar.
“I use this recipe for special occasions with my wonderful family and friends. The treats are so easy to make and pack a festive rum punch.” —Recipe contributor Diane Duschanek, Council Bluffs, Iowa
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Sugar Cookies
Total Time: 40 minutesMain Ingredients: Butter, shortening, sugar, vanilla extract
Level: Intermediate
There are many sugar cookie recipes out there, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. This recipe calls for shortening and butter, so make sure you have both in your kitchen before you begin baking.
“This sugar cookie dates back to a Swedish woman born in 1877! Her daughter, Esther Davis, shared the recipe with me and she came up with all the exact measurements, since the original cookies were mixed by feel and taste. These are my favorite cookies and I hope they’ll become yours as well.” —Recipe contributor Helen Wallis, Vancouver, Washington
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Chocolate Lebkuchen
Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes + coolingMain Ingredients: Sugar, almonds, hazelnuts, baking cocoa, spices, baking chocolate
Level: Intermediate
German Christmas cookies have flavors and textures that classic American cookies sometimes lack. These chocolate lebkuchen take a bit of prep time, but they will be completely worth it in the end.
“Having lived in Germany, I try to keep my German cooking as authentic as possible. This lovely lebkuchen recipe is a culinary Christmas custom.” —Recipe contributor Cathy Lemmon, Quinlan, Texas
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First-Place Coconut Macaroons
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Shredded coconut, egg whites, vanilla extract
Level: Easy
Can you ever have enough cookies that remind you of snowballs and winter wonderlands? These coconut macaroons are bite-sized perfection, and the batch size is ideal when baking for a family—not too many and not too few so everyone can enjoy a couple.
“These coconut macaroon cookies earned me a first-place ribbon at the county fair. They remain my husband’s favorites—whenever I make them to give away, he always asks me where his batch is! I especially like the fact that this recipe makes a small enough batch for the two of us to nibble on.” —Recipe contributor Penny Ann Habeck, Shawano, Wisconsin
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Christmas Cutout Cookies
Total Time: 25 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Butter, sugar, tinted frosting, colored sugar
Level: Easy
These Christmas cookies are the ultimate way to get in the spirit and let your creativity run wild in the kitchen. Set up a decorating station with icing, sprinkles and piping tips.
“Rich, buttery sugar cookie cutouts like these never last long at a party. They’re one of my favorite homemade Christmas cookies. I use seasonal cutters to celebrate the holidays tastefully.” —Recipe contributor Lynn Burgess, Rolla, Missouri
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Butterscotch Gingerbread Cookies
Total Time: 25 minutes + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Butter, brown sugar, butterscotch pudding mix, ground ginger
Level: Easy
It can be hard to get creative with classic gingerbread, but this butterscotch variation does the trick. The sweet butterscotch mixed with the spiced gingerbread will make your house smell heavenly!
“Every time I make these wonderful cookies, the spicy aroma takes me back to my childhood. I helped Mom make them and delivered them to neighbors.” —Recipe contributor Kara Cook, Elk Ridge, Utah
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Kolacky Cookies
Total Time: 1 hour + chilling and coolingMain Ingredients: Cream cheese, egg whites, vanilla extract, ground walnuts
Level: Intermediate
Apart from all the health benefits of walnuts, they’re also a tasty addition to cookies around the holidays. If you like to plan ahead, you can make the dough for these Christmas cookies up to two days in advance.
“As a child, I always looked forward to eating these goodies at Christmastime. Now I make them for my own family.” —Recipe contributor Sharon Kurtz, Emmaus, Pennsylvania
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Red Velvet White Chip Cookies
Total Time: 35 minutes + coolingMain Ingredients: Red food coloring, white baking chips, baking cocoa
Level: Intermediate
These cookies are as rich and velvety as Santa’s suit. They’re perfectly chewy for people who don’t like crunchy cookies! If you want to bake these early and freeze them, simply thaw them before serving.
“These cookies are soft, chewy and taste as good as they sound. The first time I baked them, I took them to an aunt’s yard sale. Now they’re my go-to for any special event.” —Recipe contributor Samantha Gstalder, Montoursville, Pennsylvania
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Thumbprint Cookies
Total Time: 35 minutesMain Ingredients: Butter, apricot preserves, sugar, cornstarch
Level: Intermediate
If you’re looking for small-batch cookies, these colorful thumbprint cookies will be perfect. Mix and match the preserves you use, or keep them all uniform.
“These buttery little rounds add beautiful color to a platter of treats. Fill the thumbprint in the center with any fruit preserves you like.” —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
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Date Pinwheel Cookies
Total Time: 40 minutes + chillingMain Ingredients: Dates, nuts, eggs, lemon juice, flour
Level: Intermediate
These Christmas cookies are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. They’re one of those desserts that look harder to make than they actually are. Make sure you save time for chilling: These cookies need to stay in the fridge overnight.
“My granddaughter nicknamed my mother Cookie Grandma because she made wonderful cookies—including these crisp and chewy treats.” —Recipe contributor Donna Grace, Clancy, Montana
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Meringue Kisses
Total Time: 45 minutes + coolingMain Ingredients: Egg whites, cream of tartar, chocolate kisses
Level: Easy
Meringue cookies are a light treat, and they’re nice for when you want just a hint of something sweet after a big meal. These meringue kisses have a surprise chocolate center for people to bite into.
“There’s a nice chocolaty surprise inside these sweet kisses. They’re my husband’s top choice each Christmas.” —Recipe contributor Tami Henke, Lockport, Illinois
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Cranberry Slices
Total Time: 30 minutes + chillingMain Ingredients: Dried cranberries, butter, sugar, flour
Level: Easy
Cranberry recipes are annual favorites for a reason! The small, tart berries are one of those irresistible cookie ingredients. They aren’t overly sweet and add a festive flair to any cookie tray. These bars are a fun shape to package in little gift bags for loved ones at Christmastime.
“The holidays wouldn’t be complete without homemade cookies, and these sturdy treats are perfect for shipping.” —Recipe contributor Stacy Duffy
