Christmastime is a time for creating special memories with your loved ones. One of the most delightful Christmas traditions is holiday baking. The trouble is, the holiday season can be so busy that it’s hard to make time to bake. So, I’ve picked out 50 easy Christmas cookies that will make it easier for you this Christmas.
These best Christmas cookie recipes are great for sharing with family and friends. They also make great options for a festive party or cookie exchange. These cookies are also inexpensive to make. I hope you enjoy the wonderful aroma of these freshly baked easy Christmas treats as you bake cookies this season!
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Quick and Simple Recipes
These cookie recipes can be ready quickly, allowing you to enjoy more time with friends and family. With straightforward instructions, you can quickly whip up a batch of tasty cookies.
You’ll be freed from too much time in the kitchen so you can focus on savoring the holiday moments with those you love. Check out my easy inexpensive Christmas desserts for more ideas on holiday treats besides cookies.
Inexpensive Christmas Cookie Recipes
To help you stay in your budget, I’ve chosen cookies that are not only easy, but inexpensive to make. These recipes mainly use simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. You won’t have to spend a fortune on fancy ingredients, but still get to indulge in delicious holiday treats.
Staying within your holiday budget is essential to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable season, and for additional tips, be sure to read my post, Holiday Budget: 10 Best Tips to Save Big and Stress Less.

Giving Cookies at Christmastime
Not only are these easy Christmas cookies delightful to eat, but their homemade quality adds a personal touch. You can wrap these Christmas treats in festive, holiday packaging. They make a great gift that will warm the hearts of neighbors, coworkers, and teachers alike.

Family Fun
Involving kids in making easy Christmas cookies enhances their creativity and creates cherished holiday memories. Children delight in helping, such as rolling the dough or adding colorful sprinkles and other toppings. They will love savoring the results of their handiwork.

Cookie Exchange Parties
Hosting a cookie exchange party with friends and family is an excellent way to share these yummy holiday treats and have fun at the same time.
Each person can bring a batch of their favorite cookies, and everyone can swap and trade, creating a variety of cookies for all to enjoy. It’s an easy and budget-friendly way to have fun and get a taste of different Christmas cookie recipes.
Essential Ingredients for Christmas Cookies
Basic cookie ingredients include flour, sugar, butter, and eggs, which form the base of most traditional Christmas cookie recipes.
Here’s a basic ingredients list:
- Basic Ingredients: All-purpose flour, granulated sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla extract, baking powder, and powdered sugar
- Holiday Flavors: Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, peppermint extract, chocolate, etc.
- Fun Add-ins: Sprinkles, colored frosting, crushed candy canes, chocolate chips
- Decorating Tools: Cookie cutters, piping bags for decorating
- Baking Supplies: parchment paper, baking sheets, cooling racks
Top 50 Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes
Here are my 50 simple and delightful cookie recipes to make your holiday baking rewarding and stress-free:
1) Crushed Candy Cane Oatmeal Cookies

These pretty cookies combine the rich sweetness of brown sugar with the refreshing minty taste of crushed candy canes.
2) Chocolate Peppermint Christmas Crinkles

The addition of peppermint makes these chocolate crinkles a must-try.
3) Chocolate Dipped Gingersnaps

This delicious cookie recipe pairs gingersnaps’ warm, spiced taste with the luxurious coating of melted white chocolate for a truly irresistible holiday treat.
4) Eggnog Gooey Butter Cookies

You will enjoy eggnog’s holiday flavor with these gooey butter cookies.

This zesty lemon curd cookies recipe has a refreshing burst of citrus flavor.

These delicious peppermint snickerdoodles combine the classic cinnamon-sugar coating of traditional snickerdoodles with a festive hint of peppermint.
7) Dairy Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

This dairy-free chocolate chip cookie recipe delivers the classic taste and chewy texture of traditional chocolate chip cookies without dairy.

This cake mix cookies recipe is easy to make and has a vibrant color and rich chocolatey flavor.

Oatmeal M&M cookies provide a delightful mix of chewy oats and colorful, crunchy candy-coated chocolates.
10) Gingersnaps (Just Like Grandma’s!)

You will enjoy the spice of this gingersnaps recipe, crafted to mimic the comforting flavors of a grandmother’s kitchen.
11) 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms

This is an easy Christmas cookie recipe with only three simple ingredients.
12) Easy Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies (From Sugar Cookie Mix)

This recipe offers a decadent, creamy twist on a Christmas classic. It utilizes a sugar cookie mix for convenience.
13) Gluten-Free Shortbread Cookies

This gluten-free shortbread recipe is a buttery, crumbly delight without gluten. You can decorate them with melted chocolate and fun toppings.
14) Chewy Sugar-Coated Molasses Crinkle Cookies

Chewy, sugar-coated molasses crinkle Cookies offer a delightful twist on classic cookies.

Sweet empanada cookies are a delicious fusion of flavors, blending a traditional pastry with a sugary twist.
16) Reindeer Cookies

This easy recipe makes a fun and festive treat that kids will love.
17) Easy Dipped Sugar Cookie Sticks

This easy dipped sugar cookie sticks recipe is a delightful treat to eat and decorate.
18) Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies

Christmas sprinkle sugar cookies are decorated festively with red and green sprinkles.
19) 3-Ingredient Buttery Shortbread Cookies

These 3-ingredient buttery shortbread cookies can be decorated with Christmas sprinkles for a festive and colorful holiday treat.

20) Chocolate Cherry Blossom Cookies

Chocolate cherry blossom cookies offer a unique flavor combination, making them a must-try in any cookie recipe collection.
21) Easy Snowball Cookies [Various Flavors]

This easy recipe is versatile and can be made in different ways.
22) Nutella cookies

If you love Nutella, you’ll love these rich and creamy cookies.
23) Christmas Tree Linzer Cookies

Christmas tree linzer cookies are an elegant addition to any holiday dessert table. They feature layers of buttery cookies filled with sweet jam and lightly dusted with powdered sugar.
24) Gluten-Free Snickerdoodles

It’s difficult to tell that these snickerdoodle cookies are gluten-free.
25) Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

These vibrant Christmas pinwheel cookies are perfect for adding festive colors to your holiday dessert spread.

Chocolate crinkle cookies are cake-like cookies that will melt in your mouth.
27) Easy Christmas Meringue Cookies

This delightful recipe for easy Christmas meringue cookies will guide you through creating this light and airy treat.
28) Vegan Hot Chocolate Cookies

Vegan hot chocolate cookies offer a delightful blend of rich chocolate flavor with hints of marshmallow.

Christmas spice cookies are packed with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
30) Eggnog Cookies

Eggnog cookies capture the creamy, spiced flavor of the classic holiday beverage.

This French toast cookie recipe combines cinnamon, vanilla, and a hint of maple, just like French toast.

Condensed milk cookies are incredibly soft and chewy. They combine condensed milk with a hint of vanilla flavor.

Chocolate swirl cookies feature a beautiful marbled pattern. They combine chocolate and vanilla for a visually stunning and delicious treat.
34) Buttery Cinnamon Shortbread Cookies

These cut-out cookies use a classic shortbread recipe infused with warm cinnamon, creating a tender, buttery cookie that’s perfect for any occasion.
35) Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies with Peppermint Buttercream Frosting

Christmas sugar cookies with peppermint buttercream frosting combine a classic sugar cookie base with a refreshing peppermint-infused frosting.

This easy Christmas cookie recipe features a soft, buttery base topped with a sweet peppermint-flavored chocolate kiss.
37) Chunky Peanut Butter Cookies

These cookies are sure to please those who love peanuts.
38) Walnut Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Walnut chocolate chunk cookies offer a delightful combination of crunchy walnuts and chocolate chunks.
39) Hershey’s Kiss Sugar Cookies

Hershey’s kiss sugar cookies are a delightful blend of chewy sugar cookies and smooth milk chocolate.

This peppermint mocha cookies recipe combines peppermint with rich mocha flavors.
41) Soft, Chewy Gingerbread Men

These gingerbread cookies are a timeless holiday classic, blending warm spices that will melt in your mouth.
42) Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

This chocolate peppermint cookies recipe offers a delightful fusion of rich chocolate and fresh peppermint flavors.
43) Rosette Cookies

Rosette cookies are delicate and crisp. They are traditionally made using a special iron to achieve their beautiful, intricate pattern.

Almond Christmas cookies are subtly sweet with a nutty almond flavor.
45) Chewy Cocoa Molasses Cookies

Chewy cocoa molasses cookies blend rich cocoa and molasses’ deep, complex sweetness.
46) Swedish Tea Rings – Jam Thumbprint Cookies

This recipe yields delightful treats with soft centers and a fruity jam flavor.

LemonpPizzelle cookies are light and crisp, infused with a refreshing citrus zest. They are made using a special pizzelle iron.
48) Traditional Spritz Cookies

Traditional spritz cookies are a cherished holiday treat made using a simple recipe incorporating butter, sugar, and vanilla to produce a delicate cookie. These cookies are made with a special cookie press. The cookies are shaped into many different festive designs. Top them with maraschino cherries or other dried fruit and sprinkles.
- Creates consistent cookies with the press of a lever
- Durable, stainless steel disks in 12 classic and custom designs
- Non-slip base keeps Cookie Press steady. BPA Free
- Clear body shows how much dough is left
- Large, non-slip lever is comfortable for repetitive use
49) Grinch Cookies

Grinch cookies are whimsical, green-colored cookies that capture the playful spirit of the holiday season. They have a hint of vanilla and are decorated with a red heart.

These crock pot no bake cookies are simple and perfect for when you’re short on time.
Time-Saving Tips
Time-saving cookie baking tips:
- Make Your Cookie Dough Ahead of Time: Prep your cookie dough and freeze it later.
- Batch Baking: Bake multiple cookie recipes in one day to save time.
- Quick Decorating Tips: Use pre-made icing or colored sugar for quick decorations.
Fun Cookie Decorating Ideas
Ideas for decorating your Christmas cookies:
- Themed Cookie Cutters: Christmas trees, snowflakes, Santa hats, etc.
- Decorating with Kids: Let kids add their creative touch.
- Colorful Icing and Sprinkles: Make frosting in different colors and get sprinkles in different colors.

Storing and Christmas Cookies as Gifts
Properly storing your Christmas cookies and choosing creative gift packaging can make all the difference.
How to Store Cookies
Store your Christmas cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh and delicious. For more extended storage, consider placing them in the freezer and separating the layers with wax paper to prevent sticking. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.
Creative Packaging
Creative packaging adds a personal touch to your Christmas cookies and makes the gift even more memorable.
Mason jars are a great option for packing cookies for gifting. They offer a rustic charm; you can decorate the jar with ribbons and tags for a personalized touch. Festive tins provide a classic holiday feel and keep cookies fresh, while holiday-themed boxes offer a variety of designs to match the spirit of the season.

Cookie Success Tips
Use these tips to ensure your easy Christmas cookies come out perfectly every time:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- Properly Measuring Ingredients: Use measuring cups and spoons or a kitchen scale for accurate measurements.
- Preheat Your Oven: Always preheat your oven for even baking.
- Let Cookies Cool Completely: Allow cookies to cool fully on a wire rack to ensure they are correctly set before storing or decorating.
- For Softer Cookies: If you prefer softer cookies, try taking them out of the oven when slightly underdone. They will continue to cook as they cool, resulting in a tender and chewy texture.
- Using Parchment Paper: Utilize parchment paper on your baking sheet to prevent cookies from sticking and to ensure an even bake.
- Don’t Skip the Chill Time: Chilling your cookie dough for recipes calling for it is essential for perfect texture and flavor.
- Use a Piping Bag for Precision: A piping bag can help add intricate designs and detailed patterns when decorating cookies.

Cookie Baking Supplies
Having essential cookie-baking supplies on hand can make baking smoother and more enjoyable. Here are some must-haves for any cookie baker:
- Mixing Bowls: A set of mixing bowls in various sizes for different recipes.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurately measure ingredients for perfect cookies.
- Electric Mixer: Makes mixing dough or batter easier and faster.
- Stand Mixer (getting a refurbished one saves money): An even more convenient option for mixing dough or batter.
- Baking Sheets: Essential for baking cookies, choose a non-stick option for easy clean-up.
- Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and prevents them from becoming soggy on the bottom.
- Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat: Prevents cookies from sticking to the pan and makes for easier clean-up.
- Rolling Pin: A rolling pin is used to roll out the dough for cut-out cookies.
- Cookie Cutters: Add different shapes and designs to your cookies.
- Piping Bags or Ziploc Bags: Decorate cookies with icing or melted chocolate.
- Spatulas: Remove cookies from the baking sheet and transfer them to a cooling rack.
- Cookie scoop: For evenly sized cookies.
- Flour Sifter: Ensures dry ingredients are clump-free for smooth and fluffy dough.
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Conclusion to Easy Christmas Cookies
Christmas cookies are special treats, reminding us of cherished memories and nostalgic flavors. These easy Christmas cookies are often a favorite among cookie enthusiasts.
Everyone has their favorite cookies. Some prefer the comforting taste of chocolate chip cookies, while others may gravitate towards the zesty zing of lemon cookies. No matter your preference, the joy of baking and sharing these simple cookies remains a universally satisfying tradition.
Recap of Easy Christmas Cookies
Sharing easy Christmas cookies is a special way to spread holiday cheer during the Christmas season. Whether at holiday parties or on Christmas Day, these treats bring people together, creating warm memories and adding an extra sweetness.
Encouragement to Try These Recipes
I hope you have found some easy Christmas cookies from my top 50 picks. Try experimenting with different flavors and decorations, and have fun making these freshly baked cookies! Have a merry Christmas, and enjoy your cookies!
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These holiday cookies look amazing gret post!
Thanks!
These all look so good! Cookies are my favorite part of Christmas, so I can’t wait to make these!
Awsome, Beth! Enjoy your cookies!
You ALWAYS present such tasty cookies! Gaah! I need to try several of these recipes! Thank you for being awesome!
Thank you, Sasha! I hope you make and enjoy some cookies!
All of these look so good and I want to try out so many. I am interested in the red velvet crinkle and cream cheese sugar cookies. We love red velvet anything in my family and seriously, you cannot go wrong with anything cream cheese! So good.
That’s a good choice, Maureen! Enjoy some red velvet crinkles!
Excellent post! I am definitely trying the peppermint snickerdoodles. Thanx so much for sharing!
You’re welcome, Amy! Enjoy!
Oh wow! These 50 Easy Christmas Cookies: Best Cheap Holiday Recipes list is amazing. I can’t decide: Peppermint oatmeal cookies or mocha peppermint cookies. I think there’s a theme here for me
Those are two good choices, Kristine! Enjoy!
So many delicious-looking cookie options! I love making cookies during the holidays and I can’t wait to try out a few new ones.
Yes, it’s fun to make cookies! Enjoy!
You had me hooked straight away with two words cookies and Christmas lol Some of these ideas are amazing and I love making cookies for that bake smell and when people visit the house xx
Christmas Cookies are the best, Melanie! Enjoy!
I want to try lemon curd cookies because I love lemon desserts. And grinch cookies look so fun, my kids will love them!
I love lemon desserts too, Olga!
These cookie ideas are so fun for the holidays and would make great gift ideas.
Thanks, Matt!
Christmas cookies bring so much joy! I can’t wait to try your top picks and experiment with decorations. The flavours and memories associated with treats like classic chocolate chip cookies or bright lemon cookies really enhance the holiday spirit.
Yes, Christmas cookies do bring joy, Sonia! Enjoy!
Those eggnog butter cookies are calling out to me.
That’s a good choice, Laurie!
Nnniicceeee…the chocolate peppermint cookies are it, for me! Would it be bad if I started making them now?
No, it wouldn’t be bad at all to make them now! 🙂
I love these lists of your Christmas cookie recipes. They are so cute and I am sure they are all delicious. For me, you can never go wrong making and sending cookies as a gift.
You’re right! Almost everyone loves cookies!
What a delicious list of Christmas cookies! I could start my holiday baking with just this post. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, Karen! Enjoy the cookies!