40 Christmas Cookie Recipes You'll LOVE

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

Deck the Halls with Christmas Cookies using our insanely delicious list, which contains every holiday cookie you could ever hope for.

There’s nothing I love more than a festive day in the kitchen preparing all my favorite Christmas cookies while playing Christmas music or a cheesy Hallmark movie in the background.

I love to prep a bunch of Christmas cookie varieties, freeze the dough, and then bake the cookies as I need them throughout the Christmas season.

Not only have I compiled a list of my 40 favorite Christmas cookies (yes, 40!), but I’ve also added some helpful Baking Science tips and article links, as well as cookie box creation and shipping recommendations, to help your holiday prep flow effortlessly.

I’ve also included a few of my favorite cookie baking gadgets, just in case you need some inspiration for the cookie lovers in your life this Christmas.

So whether you’re looking for a recipe to bring to a potluck or party, making cookies for Santa, or creating cookie platters to gift to neighbors and friends, you’ll be sure to find a new fave on this list of my best Christmas cookies!

For even more Christmas recipes, be sure to visit my Christmas Headquarters here.

soft and chewy M&Ms studded Christmas cookies.

Want to prep all your cookies ahead of time, but not sure how? Most cookies can be prepped up to six weeks ahead of time! Learn how to freeze Cookie Dough (& bake from frozen!) here!
Trouble with overspreading cookies? The fix might be simpler than you think! Learn more about creaming your butter and sugar and the important role that butter’s temperature plays in baking here.
Wondering which baking pans are best for cookie baking? Your baking pans make a big difference in how your cookies bake! Check out my experiments with baking pans and find out which ones are the best (and the worst!) here.
Hosting a holiday cookie exchange party? Here’s how to host one! (with free printables!)
Cookies didn’t turn out? Learn about the 3 biggest reasons your cookies flop here.
Can I lower the sugar? Sugar plays a bigger role in baking beyond simply sweetening – learn more in my Sugar 101 article here.
Want a great Christmas gift for a cookie lover? I wrote an entire 200+ page cookbook all about COOKIES and the science of cookie baking. Buy your copy here! More gifts for the baker in your life below.

a collage of christmas cut-out sugar cookies, next to soft and chewy sugar cookies, and chai sugar cookies.

Christmas Sugar Cookies

Easy Cut Out Sugar Cookies with Icing
Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies
Chai Sugar Cookies
Chocolate Sugar Cookies (use this recipe and cut out any holiday shape you like!)

Gingerbread Cookies

My Go-To Gingerbread Cookie Recipe
Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Gingerbread Brownies (okay, they’re not cookies exactly – but they have gingerbread cookies IN them!)
Gingerbread Blondies (also not technically cookies – but SO delish!!)

Easy Christmas Cookies

Chocolate Cookies

s'mores cookies on a plate, next to a stack of star-shaped red velvet cookies with cream cheese frosting.

Fun & Festive Christmas Cookies

Gift Ideas for the Bakers in Your Life

a collage of Tessa's favorite gadgets and gift ideas for any baker.

The Ultimate Cookie Handbook – My cookbook contains chapters on baking science, as well as a ton of delicious cookie recipes!
Quality Cookie Scoops – Small | Medium | Large – For easy portioning of cookie dough.
My all-time favorite baking pans – Perfect for baking cookies!
My favorite digital kitchen scale – For ensuring accuracy and precision in measuring.
Oven thermometer – To check that your oven’s temperature is accurate.
Candy thermometer – Ideal for making any candies.
Flour shaker – For dusting down your work surface before rolling out cookies. Super handy for the holiday season!
Zester – Crucial to any baking requiring lemon/orange/lime zest.
OXO dusting wand – The perfect unique stocking stuffer, fantastic for dusting baked goods with a finishing touch of powdered sugar or cocoa powder.
KitchenAid Stand Mixer – The ultimate gift for a baker!

Gifting Christmas Cookies

Get your boxes: Hobby Lobby or Michael’s typically have a great selection of gift boxes – both specifically for baked goods and other creative options like pretty photo boxes. I usually like to buy smaller boxes or cut some cardboard up to make dividers to separate various cookies inside.
Choose your Christmas Cookie Recipes: I usually like to do one cut-out cookie recipe (such as sugar cookies or gingerbread), one colorful recipe (such as jam thumbprints or red velvet cookies), one chocolate chip cookie recipe, and then something different and fun, like a festive brownie or macaroons (made with holiday jimmies).
Make ahead! I will make any drop-style cookie dough ahead of time and freeze the dough, then bake as needed (directions for freezing here). Cut-out cookies can be made ahead and frozen, un-iced. Most candy can be made at least a week ahead of time.

Shipping Christmas Cookies

I’m not sure if there’s anything more fun to receive in the mail than a box of cookies! Packaging cookies properly for shipping can be challenging, and there’s nothing more disappointing than the recipient receiving a box of crushed cookies.

What Types of Cookies are Best to Ship?

Sturdier cookies, like drop cookies (think chocolate chip, oatmeal, peanut butter, etc.). Some sturdier glazed or iced cookies will work, but make sure they’re completely dry before wrapping. Biscotti and cookie bars (wrapped individually) work well, too.

What Types of Cookies Should I Avoid Shipping?

Any cookies that require refrigeration, unless you’re able to use dry ice. Avoid any delicate cookies, or cookies filled with jams/curds, as they’re prone to crumbling and just becoming a gooey mess. Don’t dust anything with powdered sugar; due to moisture in the cookies, the dusting will absorb into your cookies and accelerate their expiration.

How to Ship Christmas Cookies

Keep flavors separated by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap or small resealable bags – you don’t want your peanut butter cookies to end up tasting like peppermint!
Sandwich like-cookies bottom to bottom, wrapped in plastic, for added protection and support from the cookie beneath.
Make sure your cookies are completely cool before wrapping and shipping.
Place larger and heavier cookies on the bottom, with smaller cookies on top.
Fill any gaps in your container with cushioning – any crinkled-up paper works well. Anything to keep those cookies nice and snuggled up.
Use some bubble wrap between each layer. First, place a piece of bubble wrap in the box, then layer the cookies in the box in a single layer, and place bubble wrap between each layer. Add a final piece of bubble wrap on top. For added fun, place some festive tissue paper on top.
Avoid shipping on the weekends, especially during the holiday season, and instead ship your cookies during the week. Choose a shipping option of 1-2 days, even overnight if you can, to allow your recipient to enjoy your cookies at their freshest.