Christmas Cookies

With over 20 yummy recipes for Christmas cookies and bite-sized treats, you’re sure to find a new favorite! Enjoy healthier versions of traditional Christmas cookies, the best chocolate chip cookie recipes, and classic cookie flavors.

When it comes to food traditions around the holidays, some things just go together.

A traditional Easter meal has ham and potatoes.

Thanksgiving means turkey and Pumpkin Pie.

And in December? There’s nothing quite like the combo of Christmas and cookies.

CHRISTMAS AND COOKIES

I don’t typically buy extra ingredients for one recipe. It goes against my frugal nature! And cookie recipes are no different – all of my holiday Christmas cookies use pretty standard baking ingredients that you’re likely to have on hand:

• All purpose flour (here’s the best flour for cookies!)
• Pure vanilla extract
• Homemade brown sugar
• Unsalted butter, room temperature
• Large eggs
• Molasses
• Baking soda
• Salt (this salt is AMAZING!)

All of these are the usual ingredients plus a few extras like sprinkles and peppermint candies to make each recipe unique!

We no longer use processed sugar, but that doesn’t mean we never have sweet treats! Instead, I’ve taken our favorite Christmas cookies and tweaked them so that they’re a little bit better for you.

Whether you’re looking for a healthier version of a classic or a new flavor to try, I’ve got plenty of recipes for Christmas cookies for you!

CHRISTMAS COOKIES FOR CHRISTMAS

Some cookies just NEED to be part of the traditional baking and decorating day. Make these Christmas cookies for Christmas baking (or throughout the holiday season)!

Healthier Sugar Cookies. This sugar cookie recipe makes light but firm cut-out cookies that keep their shape. Perfect for your traditional cookie decorating day, these healthier sugar cookies with a simple icing are just sweet enough!

Healthier Candy Cane Cookies. Candy cane cookies are a festive Christmas treat! Get classic peppermint and vanilla flavor, plus extra sweetness and crunch from the candy cane topping, without a sugar overload.

Almond Thumbprint Cookies. These thumbprint cookies are sweet, nutty, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious! Bite-sized and filled with jam, they’re perfect for Christmas baking!

Chewy Gingersnaps. This is the best recipe for warm and chewy gingersnaps! Slightly different from gingerbread cookies, with just the right balance of spices, they’re so easy to make and just as healthy as they are delicious.

Snickerdoodle Cookies. This snickerdoodle recipe makes buttery cinnamon cookies with a hint of tangy flavor. You’ll love this classic cookie treat!

HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS COOKIES: CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

When you think of your favorite cookies, chances are some variation of chocolate chip cookies makes that list. These chocolate chip cookies are perfect for the holidays or any time of year!

Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies. This easy recipe for healthy chocolate chip cookies is low in sugar, uses whole grains, and is vegan-friendly! Simple tweaks make irresistible cookies that taste great and are better for you.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. These sweet and salty peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are so easy to make and have my favorite peanut butter and chocolate flavor combination! Go ahead and make a double batch!

Vanishing Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. These are the BEST soft and chewy chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies! Inspired by the Quaker oatmeal cookies recipe on the box (but BETTER!), these cookies vanish before they cool!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies. These lightly sweetened oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies with rich dark chocolate chunks are the perfect treat to say yes to! With almond flour and oats, and no refined sugar, they’re the healthier version of a classic.

Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies. These decadent cranberry white chocolate chip cookies turn out perfectly chewy, tart, and sweet using less sugar, so you can indulge without the guilt!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. These pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are warm and gooey and perfect for cold weather! Make a double batch and freeze some for later…if you have any left!

CLASSIC COOKIE RECIPES

These might not be the first cookie recipes that come to mind when you think holiday Christmas cookies, but they’ll definitely be winners!

Chocolate Unbaked Oatmeal Cookies. These chocolate peanut butter no-bake cookies have that classic peanut butter and chocolate flavor and rich fudgy texture. Stir up a batch for the holidays or as a quick and simple dessert any day of the week!

Healthy No Bake Cookies. These easy no bake cookies are naturally vegan, gluten-free, low in sugar, and made with just a handful of pantry ingredients. You’ll make this irresistible family favorite again and again!

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies. These gluten-free peanut butter cookies are bursting with peanut butter flavor. With the signature crisscross fork marks, they turn out smooth and creamy and have the perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Shortbread Cookies. Whether you make shortbread recipes cookies or bars, you’ll want to try this shortbread cookie recipe for a buttery, soft, and chewy cookie with simple ingredients and classic sweet flavor.

Pumpkin Cookies with Naturally Sweetened Cream Cheese Frosting. These warm and inviting pumpkin spice cookies with naturally sweetened cream cheese frosting are full of pumpkin spice flavor for an indulgent treat!

BONUS BITE-SIZED TREATS

If you go to a holiday cookies Christmas party, you know that sometimes the best treats that people bring aren’t actually cookies at all! These yummy treats also work for a Christmas cookie exchange.

Chocolate Covered Pretzels. Make these easy chocolate covered pretzels with your favorite chocolate chips and toppings. Follow this method for the prettiest sweet and salty treat to enjoy yourself or share for parties and gifts!

Peanut Butter Fudge. This easy peanut butter fudge only looks like you spent hours in the kitchen. It’s creamy, smooth, and irresistibly delicious, plus it’s crazy fast to make!

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups Recipe. Make homemade peanut butter cups that are a healthy copycat of Reese’s cups! With just 3 ingredients, this peanut butter cup recipe is a real food treat that’s gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and dairy-free. And they’re so yummy!

White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge. This 5-ingredient white chocolate peppermint fudge recipe makes for a perfect winter treat! It is dairy-free, gluten-free, and tastes better than old-fashioned fudge.

5-Ingredient Pumpkin Fudge. Ever want a dessert that’s quick and easy and guilt-free and tastes 100% like fall, but DOESN’T require the oven? That’s when you reach for this simple pumpkin fudge!

No-Bake Brownie Bites. These little bite-sized brownies don’t require any baking! Super addicting, with a rich chocolatey flavor, whip up a quick batch for a treat any time!

BAKING TOOLS FOR HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS COOKIES RECIPES

Having the right tools for baking your holiday Christmas cookies is key! Here are some of my favorites:

• Kitchen Aid mixer with paddle attachment (here are more ways I use my mixer every day!)
• Rolling pin
• Cookie scoops
• Measuring cups
• Cookie cutter shapes (for classic Christmas sugar cookies!)
• Baking sheets
• Measuring spoons
• Parchment paper or silpat baking mats
• Wire racks
• Plastic wrap
• Airtight containers

HOLIDAY COOKIES CHRISTMAS FAQS

YUMMY HOLIDAY BEVERAGES

What goes best with Christmas cookies? A delicious holiday beverage! Try one of these:

• Homemade Eggnog
• Peppermint Mocha Latte
• Gingerbread Latte
• Pumpkin Spice Apple Cider
• Crockpot Hot Chocolate
• Cinnamon Dolce Latte