It isn't Christmas without an assortment of retro treats on the table! These vintage Christmas cookies have brought joy to holiday gatherings for many years.
26 Vintage Christmas Cookies to Make This Year
Updated on Sep. 27, 2024
1/25
Linzer Tarts
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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. —Mary Maddox, Bellmore, New York
Check out our favorite Christmas cookie cutters.
2/25
Cinnamon Sugar Crackle Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I get lots of compliments on these crunchy cookies. They're always part of my Christmas cookie platter. —Sarah Miller, Wauconda, Washington
3/25
Red Velvet Spritz Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 8-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I had never come across a red velvet spritz recipe, so I decided to create one. The hint of cocoa makes these taste like red velvet cake. Add peppermint flavoring for a little extra kick. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
Should you use Grandma’s vintage cookie press or your new one? Here’s the scoop.
4/25
Chocolate Macadamia Meltaways
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I came up with this recipe by accident one day when I wanted to make some cookies. I decided to use some ingredients already in my cupboard, and these were the delicious result. —Barbara Sepcich, Galt, California
5/25
Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
5-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Five simple ingredients, including fresh rosemary, create these tender, delicate sweets. —Amavida Coffee, Rosemary Beach, Florida
6/25
Chocolate-Covered Cherry Thumbprints
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
When I dig out my best cookie recipes, I'm reminded of baking with my children when they were little. These thumbprints with cherries elicit such sweet memories. –Deborah Puette, Lilburn, Georgia
7/25
Grandma's Raspberry Rugelach
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
about 5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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. —Dalya Rubin, Boca Raton, Florida
8/25
Biscotti Recipe
Total Time
50 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I've learned to bake a double batch of these crisp dunking cookies, because one batch goes too fast! —H. Michaelsen, St. Charles, Illinois
9/25
First-Place Coconut Macaroons
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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. —Penny Ann Habeck, Shawano, Wisconsin
10/25
Christmas Wreath Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cornflakes take the place of traditional rice cereal in these sweet, no-bake Christmas wreath cookies. Dressed up with green food coloring and red candies, they’re a pretty addition to cookie platters and dessert buffets. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
11/25
Pignoli Cookies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Cookies are the crown jewels of Italian confections. I can’t let a holiday go by without baking these traditional almond cookies rolled in mild pine nuts. —Maria Regakis, Saugus, Massachusetts
12/25
Basic Chocolate Pinwheel Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe evolved from several different recipes that I combined into one. I've never received so many compliments on my baking!—Denise Hufford, Midland, Michigan
13/25
Gingerbread Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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. —Christy Thelan, Kellogg, Iowa
14/25
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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. —Maria Groff, Ephrata, Pennsylvania
15/25
Fruitcake Christmas Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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! —Julia Funkhouser, Carson, Iowa
16/25
German Christmas Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This little spice cookie tastes very European and is similar to Pfeffernüsse or “peppernut.” We make ours with cozy spices, anise flavoring, almonds and candied citron. —Carole Mueller, Florissant, Missouri
17/25
Molasses Cookies
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My family always requests these soft molasses cookies. These chewy cookies are also perfect for shipping as holiday gifts or to troops overseas. —Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York
18/25
Pizzelle Cookies
Total Time
20 min
Servings
about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These lovely, golden brown anise pizzelle cookies have a crisp texture and delicate anise flavor. I create them using a pizzelle iron. —Barbara Colucci, Rockledge, Florida
19/25
Rum Balls
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I make these rum balls for special occasions with my wonderful family and friends. The treats are so easy to make and pack a festive punch. — Diane Duschanek, Council Bluffs, Iowa
20/25
Lemon Snowdrops
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I save my snowdrop cookies for special occasions. The crunchy, buttery sandwich cookie has a puckery lemon filling. —Bernice Martinoni, Petaluma, California
21/25
Chocolate Almond Crescents
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
If you like chocolate-covered almonds, you’re in for a treat. These buttery, crumbly cookies make a thoughtful holiday gift. —Vicki Raatz, Waterloo, Wisconsin
22/25
Pecan Sandies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Whenever Mother made this pecan sandies recipe, there never seemed to be enough! Even now when I make it, the cookies disappear quickly. These melt-in-your mouth treats are great with a cold glass of milk or a steaming mug of hot chocolate. —Debbie Carlson, San Diego, California
23/25
Neapolitan Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 11 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My sister shared the recipe for these tricolor treats several years ago. The crisp cookies are fun to eat one section at a time or with all three in one bite. —Jan Mallo, White Pigeon, Michigan
24/25
Sugar Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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. —Helen Wallis, Vancouver, Washington
25/25
Chocolate Lebkuchen
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
about 1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Having lived in Germany, I try to keep my German cooking as authentic as possible. This lovely lebkuchen recipe is a culinary Christmas custom. —Cathy Lemmon, Quinlan, Texas
Don’t miss our other vintage Christmas dishes worth trying today.
