100+ Christmas Cookies

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With more than 200 cookie recipes on my website and a cookie cookbook dedicated to the classics, there is no shortage of choices for Christmas cookies around here. In this collection of 100+ hand-selected cookies, I’ve chosen the best of the best, the ones that have “Christmas” written all over them, and all of my favorites that will turn your cookie spread into one that will be hard to stop nibbling from.

Looking for a comprehensive guide to Christmas cookies? You’re in the right place!

Cookies used to elude me. I always over-baked them, they were never more than “ok,” and I thought I sucked at baking cookies.

It turns out I just needed practice and a really great recipe. And now I teach people how to make beautiful and delicious cookies for a living! Let’s do this right and use these trusted, highly-reviewed cookie recipes to set you up for success. My personal favorite Christmas cookie? These pignoli cookies. No-chill, naturally gluten- and dairy-free, and eyes-rolling-into-the-back-of-your-head delish.

My FAVORITE COOKIE RESOURCES

Looking for an easy, egg-free, 3-ingredient royal icing? Here’s my easy royal icing recipe.

Which tools do I recommend? Here are my favorite cookie baking tools, and here are all of my favorite baking tools for general baking.

Not sure where to start when executing cookie baking day? Here is my favorite guide for creating a stress-free, streamlined holiday baking day.

Want to prepare cookies (and other baked goods) weeks ahead of time? Here is my favorite guide for how to prepare things in advance to save you tons of time.

Like having a physical cookbook? Here is my cookbook dedicated to the classics (my favorite 5 bases and their variations). I also have a digital version.

Are you a paper and pen kind of person? Here is my favorite printable ingredient shopping list that I have laminated and take with me when I shop!

ROOM TEMPERATURE BUTTER

Most cookie recipes call for room temperature butter, and since baking is a science, I have strong feelings about this (with science to support its importance!). Room temperature butter is often cooler than you think, so review my post about room temperature butter before getting your ingredients ready.

WEIGHING INGREDIENTS

I also feel pretty strongly about weighing ingredients, as repeatability is a top priority when I’m creating recipes. Review this post about the importance of weighing your ingredients before starting your recipes.

HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT

I love making my own extract for myself and for gifting. This guide will help you make flavorful, delicious vanilla extract with just a few beans and some alcohol.

Now, let’s get to the cookies!

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MY BEST Cookie Baking Success Tips

Chill the cookie dough: even if the recipe doesn’t tell you to, chilling can be the key to your success. If the cookie dough feels particularly sticky or wet, pop the dough in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes and try again.

Reshape hot cookies with a glass or cookie cutter: hot cookies are malleable and can be forced into perfect circles quite easily. Use the rim of a glass or a 4″ round cookie cutter to go around the edges of cookies to make them perfect circles.

Check your oven temperature: if your oven is too hot or too cool, your cookies may turn out very wrong. Be sure you’re checking the actual temperature of your oven and don’t rely on the digital output!

How to tell when cookies are done: you are looking for set edges and tops that have just lost their sheen. The bake time listed in the recipe is a good place to start, but since every oven is different, it’s best to use visual cues as well so your cookies turn out perfect.

Bake one batch at a time: I never bake more than one kind of cookie in the oven at a time. Only baking one tray at a time of one kind of cookie ensures you have even baking and uniform cookies. This is a great tip to keep in mind when working with cut-out cookies– only one shape and size at a time!

MORE RESOURCES FOR THE HOME BAKER

Be sure to check out my Holiday Gift Guide For Bakers. So many fun ideas for yourself or someone on your list.