Christmas Cookie Recipes

Christmas Cookies: 50 Festive Recipes for Your Holiday Baking

Discover our collection of 50 homemade Christmas cookie recipes that will fill your kitchen with the warm aroma of holiday baking. From classic gingerbread and sugar cookies to elegant cranberry pistachio pinwheels, these festive treats are perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, and family traditions.

The tradition of baking Christmas cookies dates back to medieval Europe, where spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg were prized ingredients reserved for special occasions. In America, the custom of leaving cookies for Santa Claus became popular in the 1930s during the Great Depression as a way to teach children gratitude.

Whether you’re a beginner looking for easy drop cookies or an experienced baker ready to tackle intricate decorated designs, our step-by-step recipes guide you through every technique. Each recipe includes preparation time, difficulty level, and tips for perfect results every time.

Start your holiday baking tradition today with our curated selection of Christmas cookie recipes — from buttery shortbread to chocolate crinkles, there’s something to delight every taste.

Master (> 1 hr)
Swedish Christmas Cookies

Swedish Christmas Cookies

5.0 1 Review 280 cal
Fast (≤ 30 min)
Chocolate Meringue Cookies

Chocolate Meringue Cookies

5.0 1 Review 82 cal
Fast (≤ 30 min)
Norwegian Christmas Cookies

Norwegian Christmas Cookies

5.0 1 Review 64g cal
Master (> 1 hr)
Cranberry Pistachio Pinwheel Cookies

Cranberry Pistachio Pinwheel Cookies

4.9 16 Reviews 45 cal
Fast (≤ 30 min)
Christmas Tree Cookies

Christmas Tree Cookies

4.9 21 Reviews 83 cal
Master (> 1 hr)
Lemon Shortbread Cookies

Lemon Shortbread Cookies

5.0 18 Reviews 113 cal
Master (> 1 hr)
Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

4.9 18 Reviews 193 cal
Standard (30-60 min)
Ukrainian Scuffles

Ukrainian Scuffles

5.0 24 Reviews 58.5 cal
Master (> 1 hr)
Gingerbread Men

Gingerbread Men

5.0 11 Reviews
Master (> 1 hr)
Chocolate Shortbread Stars

Chocolate Shortbread Stars

4.9 15 Reviews
Fast (≤ 30 min)
Easy Gingerbread Cookies

Easy Gingerbread Cookies

4.9 21 Reviews 124 cal
Standard (30-60 min)
Christmas Shortbread Star Wreath

Christmas Shortbread Star Wreath

4.8 23 Reviews 105 cal
Master (> 1 hr)
The Perfect Dark Chocolate Sugar Cookie

The Perfect Dark Chocolate Sugar Cookie

4.8 23 Reviews 54 cal
Standard (30-60 min)
Italian Nut Cookies (Baci di Dama)

Italian Nut Cookies (Baci di Dama)

4.8 9 Reviews 155 cal
Standard (30-60 min)
Sugar Free Shortbread Cookies

Sugar Free Shortbread Cookies

4.9 17 Reviews
Standard (30-60 min)
Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies

Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies

4.9 18 Reviews 121 cal
Fast (≤ 30 min)
Irish Ginger Cookies

Irish Ginger Cookies

4.9 16 Reviews 121 cal
Standard (30-60 min)
Dutch Pepernoten Cookies

Dutch Pepernoten Cookies

4.9 22 Reviews 39 cal
Master (> 1 hr)
Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies

Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies

5.0 18 Reviews 57 cal
Master (> 1 hr)
Walnut Rugelach

Walnut Rugelach

5.0 13 Reviews 86 cal
Master (> 1 hr)
Russian Tea Cakes-Snowballs

Russian Tea Cakes-Snowballs

4.9 18 Reviews 99 cal
Fast (≤ 30 min)
Chocolate Orange Cookies

Chocolate Orange Cookies

4.9 16 Reviews 110 cal
Master (> 1 hr)
Spiced Chocolate Shortbread Buttons

Spiced Chocolate Shortbread Buttons

5.0 15 Reviews 194 cal
Master (> 1 hr)
Cranberry German Cookies

Cranberry German Cookies

4.9 15 Reviews 49 cal
Fast (≤ 30 min)
Chocolate Mint Crinkle Cookies

Chocolate Mint Crinkle Cookies

4.9 35 Reviews 78 cal
Standard (30-60 min)
Jam-Filled Thumbprint Cookies

Jam-Filled Thumbprint Cookies

4.9 36 Reviews 123 cal
Standard (30-60 min)
Cartellata Cookies

Cartellata Cookies

4.9 32 Reviews 2197 cal
Master (> 1 hr)
Star Anise Cookies

Star Anise Cookies

4.9 10 Reviews 162 cal
Standard (30-60 min)
Finnish Meringue Cookies

Finnish Meringue Cookies

4.9 11 Reviews 161 cal
Master (> 1 hr)
Polish Kolaczki

Polish Kolaczki

4.9 18 Reviews 201 cal
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