20 Easy Christmas Cookies Ideas
Christmas without cookies is like a Christmas tree without twinkling lights — technically possible, but something feels heartbreakingly incomplete.
Baking cookies during the holidays is more than just mixing flour and sugar. It’s about creating traditions, making the house smell like comfort, and sneaking that first warm bite straight off the baking tray.
If you’re looking for easy Christmas cookie ideas that won’t keep you chained to the oven for hours, you’re in the right place.
1. Classic Sugar Cookies with Icing
If you ask kids what a Christmas cookie looks like, chances are they’ll describe sugar cookies in the shape of trees, stars, or gingerbread men. These are timeless because they’re simple, versatile, and fun to decorate.
The trick here is to chill the dough before cutting shapes. It prevents spreading in the oven, so your stars actually look like stars instead of blobs.
Royal icing works for sharp designs, but buttercream frosting is softer and tastier for kids. You can even set up a decorating station where guests or children decorate their own cookies — it becomes an activity as much as a treat.
2. Gingerbread Cookies
Nothing says Christmas more than the smell of gingerbread baking in the oven. These cookies are spiced with ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, which basically makes your house smell like holiday cheer bottled up.
Roll them into men, houses, or reindeer, and don’t forget the fun decorations with white icing. A personal tip? Add a touch of orange zest to the dough — it lifts the spice flavors and makes them taste brighter.
3. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
These are the “snow-dusted” cookies of the holiday world. You roll chocolate dough in powdered sugar before baking, and as they expand in the oven, cracks appear, creating that magical snowy look.
They’re soft and fudgy on the inside, almost like brownies pretending to be cookies. They look fancy but require very little work, which is why I always bake a double batch. Trust me, they disappear faster than you expect.
4. Shortbread Cookies
Shortbread is like the minimalist cousin of Christmas cookies. Just butter, sugar, and flour — yet somehow, they taste rich and indulgent. Their crumbly texture pairs perfectly with a mug of hot cocoa or tea.
You can make them plain or dip one half in melted chocolate for an elegant upgrade. If you want to get festive, sprinkle crushed candy canes on top before the chocolate hardens.
5. Peanut Butter Blossoms
These are the cookies crowned with Hershey’s Kisses. Soft, peanut-buttery, and finished with that chocolate center, they’re a nostalgic holiday favorite.
The best hack? Roll the dough balls in red and green sanding sugar before baking. It gives them a festive sparkle without adding extra effort.
6. Snickerdoodles
Snickerdoodles might not look like Christmas cookies at first glance, but that cinnamon-sugar coating instantly fits the season. They’re soft, chewy, and taste like a cozy hug in cookie form.
For extra holiday flair, add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the sugar coating. It’s a small tweak that makes them stand out from regular versions.
7. Peppermint Bark Cookies
Take sugar cookies, shortbread, or even chocolate chip bases, then top them with a layer of melted chocolate and crushed candy canes. Voilà — you’ve made peppermint bark cookies.
They’re festive, crunchy, minty, and chocolatey all in one bite. Plus, they look beautiful packaged in clear bags with a ribbon, making them perfect edible gifts.
8. Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
For those who want a slightly “healthier” cookie on the tray, oatmeal cranberry cookies are your friend. The chewy oats combined with tart dried cranberries balance sweetness beautifully.
Add white chocolate chips, and you’ll suddenly have a cookie that feels gourmet without being complicated. These are also great for people who don’t love overly sweet desserts.
9. Thumbprint Cookies
These cookies have a little well in the middle filled with jam, chocolate, or caramel. Traditionally, raspberry jam is the go-to, but at Christmas, you can mix things up.
Try apricot, strawberry, or even a dollop of Nutella. If you want to impress, roll the dough balls in crushed nuts before baking. They look like bakery-level cookies with very little fuss.
10. White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
These are underrated at Christmas but always a hit. The creamy white chocolate pairs perfectly with buttery, crunchy macadamias.
To make them more festive, you can toss in dried cranberries or pistachios for a pop of red and green color. They look seasonal without requiring extra decorations.
11. Molasses Cookies
Soft molasses cookies are deep, rich, and spiced, making them taste like Christmas in every bite. Their chewy centers and slightly crisp edges make them addictive.
Sprinkle them with a bit of sugar before baking for sparkle. A cup of coffee or spiced cider alongside one of these is a holiday moment you’ll want to repeat every year.
12. Chocolate Chip Cookies with Holiday Twist
Why fix what isn’t broken? Chocolate chip cookies are a year-round favorite, but you can easily make them festive. Swap regular chocolate chips for red and green M&M’s.
They’re especially great for kids’ parties because they look bright and playful on a cookie tray. Plus, everyone recognizes them instantly.
13. Linzer Cookies
Linzer cookies look fancy but aren’t as tricky as they seem. They’re essentially two butter cookies sandwiched with jam, with the top cookie cut out so the jam shows through.
They’re delicate, lightly dusted with powdered sugar, and they always make the cookie platter look more sophisticated. A cranberry or raspberry filling makes them feel very Christmassy.
14. Candy Cane Cookies
Shaped into red and white twists, candy cane cookies are fun to make with kids. They’re lightly flavored with peppermint, and the design alone makes them feel festive.
Pro tip: Chill the dough before shaping. It makes twisting the red and white ropes much easier and less sticky.
15. Snowball Cookies
Also known as Russian tea cakes or Mexican wedding cookies, these are buttery little nut-filled balls rolled in powdered sugar until they look like snowballs.
They melt in your mouth and are one of the easiest Christmas cookies you can make. Just keep a napkin nearby because that powdered sugar has a mind of its own.
16. Biscotti with Holiday Flavors
Biscotti isn’t just for coffee shops. At home, you can make cranberry pistachio biscotti or chocolate-dipped almond biscotti.
They’re crunchy, long-lasting, and perfect for gifting in little bags. Dipping half of each piece in chocolate makes them look stunning on a cookie tray.
17. Toffee Bit Cookies
Toffee bits are like hidden treasure inside a cookie. Add them to standard dough, and suddenly you have buttery, caramel-like crunch in every bite.
If you want to go festive, drizzle the tops with melted chocolate and sprinkle crushed candy canes. They become instant holiday favorites.
18. Red Velvet Cookies
Red velvet cake in cookie form? Yes, please. These are soft, chewy, and vibrant red — already looking festive without extra work.
Add white chocolate chips or a cream cheese drizzle for the perfect holiday touch. They stand out beautifully on any dessert table.
19. Spritz Cookies
Spritz cookies are made using a cookie press, which turns dough into little festive shapes like trees, wreaths, or stars. They’re buttery, crisp, and can be decorated with sprinkles.
The press makes dozens quickly, so they’re ideal when you need a big batch for a party. I’ve made these on busy Christmas Eves, and they save so much time compared to hand-cut cookies.
20. No-Bake Cookies
Sometimes you just don’t want to deal with the oven. Enter no-bake cookies, often made with oats, cocoa, peanut butter, and a quick stovetop mix.
They’re fudgy, chewy, and ready in minutes. For a holiday twist, sprinkle crushed peppermint candies on top before they set.
Conclusion On 20 Easy Christmas Cookies Ideas
Christmas cookies don’t have to be complicated to feel magical. From classic sugar cookies to no-bake treats, each of these 20 ideas adds a little sparkle to your holiday traditions without overwhelming you in the kitchen.
The beauty of cookies is how they bring people together — whether it’s decorating sugar cookies with kids, swapping trays at a holiday cookie exchange, or sneaking a warm chocolate crinkle while nobody’s watching.
Pick a few recipes from this list, keep them simple, and remember that it’s the shared laughter and stolen bites that make these cookies truly special. Because at the end of the day, cookies aren’t just dessert — they’re Christmas memories you can taste.
