The Best Last Minute Christmas Cookies (25+ Recipes!)
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Whether you’re short on time or lacking a variety of ingredients, this roundup of last minute Christmas cookies is sure to have something you can make with what you have! Included in this post are 25+ cookie recipes that use common pantry ingredients that you can make quickly.
We’ve all been there…
• an event we forgot we said we’d bring a cookie to
• last-minute family who decided they actually WILL come for Christmas this year
• or simply “I’m all out of the patience to do something fancy— what can I do with the ingredients I have?”
Fear not my friend, I’ve got you covered.
The recipes that follow are all no chill cookie doughs (though you’ll find a section for cookies that need chilling, but only 1 hour or less!), yield anywhere from 8-24 cookies, and use pretty standard baking pantry ingredients.
And lucky for you, I’ve included a really easy mini sprinkle chocolate chip cookie recipe. I prefer to use a mini cookie scoop, but fun fact: you can get this done with a teaspoon measure.
To make this post easy to navigate, I’ve organized the cookies below into categories based on their main add-in.
Most recipes assume you have the staples:
• all-purpose flour
• baking soda and/or baking powder
• salt
• unsalted butter at room temperature
• sugar and/or brown sugar
• eggs at room temperature
• vanilla extract
To soften butter quickly: slice your butter into Tablespoon pieces and place on a plate. Heat a measuring cup full of water for 2 minutes in the microwave. Remove the water, then place the butter inside the microwave, then close the door. Butter will be ready in about 10-15 minutes.
To warm eggs quickly: place eggs in a cup or bowl of hot water for 10-15 minutes to bring to room temperature.
Below, you’ll find pictures of cookies you can make with these ingredients and a call-out of what additional ingredients you’d need to make them. I hope that this resource is helpful for you if you’re in a pinch or just want some quick recipes so you can get back to the big stuff!
NO CHILL COOKIE RECIPES
In this section, you’ll find all of my favorite no chill cookie recipes. If your butter is at room temperature, most of these will be ready to eat, warm from the oven, within 30 minutes.
CHRISTMAS CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
Extras you’ll need: mini chocolate chips (any flavor), sprinkles
Yield: 32 mini cookies
SMALL BATCH CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
Extras you’ll need: standard size chocolate chips, any flavor
Yield: 7 standard size cookies
CHOCOLATE COVERED PRETZEL COOKIES
Extras you’ll need: chocolate covered pretzels, mini or standard size
Yield: 18 standard size cookies
GRAHAM CRACKER COOKIES
Extras you’ll need: graham crackers, cornstarch
Yield: 22 standard size cookies
ANDES MINT COOKIES
Extras you’ll need: Andes Mints or creme de menthe chips
Yield: 16 standard size cookies
SALTED CARAMEL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
Extras you’ll need: caramel sauce, chocolate chips
Yield: 18 standard size cookies
FLOURLESS PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
Extras you’ll need: creamy or crunchy peanut butter
Yield: 14 standard size cookies
VANILLA DROP-STYLE SUGAR COOKIES
Extras you’ll need: vegetable oil, powdered sugar
Yield: 24 standard size cookies
BONUS: if you have buttercream frosting or want to make some, you can turn these into frosted sugar cookies!
FUNFETTI SPRINKLE SUGAR COOKIES
Extras you’ll need: vegetable oil, powdered sugar, festive sprinkles
Yield: 24 standard size cookies
M&M SUGAR COOKIES
Extras you’ll need: vegetable oil, powdered sugar, mini or standard m&m’s
Yield: 24 standard size cookies
DROP-STYLE CHRISTMAS SUGAR COOKIES
Extras you’ll need: vegetable oil, powdered sugar, colored sanding sugar
Yield: 24 standard size cookies
SNICKERDOODLES WITHOUT CREAM OF TARTAR
Extras you’ll need: vegetable oil, powdered sugar, ground cinnamon
Yield: 24 standard size cookies
PEPPERMINT WHITE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
Extras you’ll need: vegetable oil, powdered sugar, candy canes, white chocolate chips
Yield: 24 standard size cookies
LEMON SUGAR COOKIES
Extras you’ll need: vegetable oil, powdered sugar, lemons
Yield: 24 standard size cookies
LEFTOVER PIE CRUST COOKIES
Extras you’ll need: chilled pie dough
Yield: varied depending on how much dough you have
COOKIES WITH UNDER 1 HOUR CHILL TIME
If you have a little more time on your hands, these cookies have a quick bake after a 1 hour (or less) chill time.
CLASSIC PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
Extras you’ll need: creamy peanut butter, optional ground cinnamon
Yield: 24 standard size cookies
ULTIMATE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
Extras you’ll need: crunchy peanut butter, peanut butter chips, optional ground cinnamon
Yield: 24 standard size cookies
FLUFFERNUTTER COOKIES
Extras you’ll need: creamy peanut butter, marshmallow fluff
Yield: 12 large cookies
PEANUT BUTTER BLOSSOMS
Extras you’ll need: creamy peanut butter, Hershey’s Kisses, optional ground cinnamon
Yield: 24 standard size cookies
RICH & FUDGY DARK CHOCOLATE COOKIES
Extras you’ll need: Dutch processed or natural cocoa powder
Yield: 24 standard size cookies
CHOCOLATE WHITE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
Extras you’ll need: Dutch processed or natural cocoa powder, white chocolate chips
Yield: 24 standard size cookies
WORLD PEACE COOKIES
Extras you’ll need: cocoa powder, chocolate bar or chocolate chips
Yield: 36 small cookies
