The 12 Best Christmas Cookie Recipes

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and that means it’s cookie season!  Every December, my family spends a few solid days cranking out hundreds of Christmas cookies to give to people we love and appreciate – neighbors, friends, family, teachers, etc.  It has become one of my favorite traditions, and a great way to spend time with my kids.  Over the years I’ve scoured cookbooks and the internet, weeding out recipes that didn’t go over so well, and finding new ones to perfect the roster.  Here’s a list of [mostly] tried and true favorites that we keep coming back to.

Sugar Cookies

The Christmas cookie classic.  I use this recipe for delicious cookies that hold their shape, and this icing for bakery-quality cookies.

Cranberry Bliss Bars

This copycat recipe of Starbucks’s famous winter treat is always a hit during the holidays! The problem is trying not to eat the whole thing.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies

I’ve been making these for years, and they are always a favorite.  Except I cheat and use store bought peanut butter cookie dough.

Almond Joy Cookies

These are new to us this year, but we made them today.  They are ridiculously good and will be added to our annual cookie list.

Fudge

Not technically a cookie, but this recipe is impossibly easy and delicious.

Christmas Crack

This “crack” is aptly named and this recipe will keep you coming back for more.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have to hide these from my husband so that they can actually make it into our cookie tins.

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are the minty sister of the basic chocolate chip cookie and is sure to be a crowd pleaser!

Turtles

I live in the south, where we use pecans to show we care.  Use this recipe for a semi-homemade version (nobody will ever know you didn’t make the caramel from scratch.

Oreo Truffles

I made these cake pops for all of my kids’ birthday parties.  At Christmas, I forego the sticks and call them truffles.

Espresso Oreo Cookie Truffles

There’s a never ending supply of ideas for fun twists on this old classic and for this mama, espresso seems like the right way to take these up a notch.

Peppermint Bark Cookies

Nothing says Christmas like peppermint.  Why choose between cookies or candy canes when this recipe lets you have both?