22 Christmas Party Cookies Ideas
Christmas is like a warm oven on a cold night — it fills your home with the kind of magic you can taste.
And nothing says “holiday spirit” quite like a plate full of cookies that look like they were baked by Santa’s personal chef.
1. Classic Gingerbread Men
You can’t have Christmas without gingerbread men — it’s practically a holiday rule. These spiced cookies, packed with molasses, cinnamon, and ginger, are like tiny edible storytellers from Christmas past.
Pro tip: Chill the dough before rolling it out. It keeps the shapes crisp and helps prevent spreading. Decorate with royal icing or melted white chocolate for that “fresh out of a Hallmark movie” look.
Fun fact: Gingerbread cookies date back to the 16th century and were once shaped like flowers and birds before people decided tiny cookie people were more fun.
2. Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
These are the showstoppers of any cookie platter — dark chocolate cookies rolled in powdered sugar that “crinkle” as they bake, like snow-capped mountains.
Add crushed candy canes into the mix for a festive peppermint crunch. The balance of bittersweet chocolate and cool mint is basically Christmas in a bite.
Pro tip: Slightly underbake them for that soft, fudgy center. No one ever complained about a gooey cookie.
3. Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
If cookies had a blank canvas, it would be the classic sugar cookie. They’re buttery, simple, and perfect for decorating. You can shape them into stars, stockings, reindeer — whatever fits your holiday mood.
Make sure you use royal icing (made from powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water) for a glossy finish. Pipe intricate designs, or let your kids go wild — either way, they’ll be the cookies everyone takes pictures of before eating.
4. Snickerdoodles with a Christmas Twist
Take your classic snickerdoodle and give it a holiday glow-up. Roll the dough in red and green cinnamon sugar, or stuff them with a little cream cheese filling for a surprise center.
Snickerdoodles are chewy, cozy, and a little nostalgic — like the cookie version of a warm blanket.
Did you know? The word snickerdoodle likely came from a misinterpretation of the German word “Schneckennudel,” which literally means “snail noodle.” Don’t worry — there are zero snails involved.
5. Hot Cocoa Cookies
Think of your favorite mug of hot chocolate, but in cookie form. These cookies are rich, soft, and studded with mini marshmallows and chunks of milk chocolate.
Top them with a drizzle of melted chocolate and a sprinkle of crushed peppermint. When served warm, they’re pure Christmas comfort.
6. Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies are for people who like their sweets with a little sophistication. The tartness of dried cranberries paired with creamy white chocolate chips hits that perfect sweet-tart balance.
They look festive too — little bursts of red and white that make your cookie tray look like it’s been gift-wrapped in edible joy.
Pro tip: Add a hint of orange zest to the dough for a citrusy sparkle.
7. Eggnog Thumbprint Cookies
These cookies are a holiday secret weapon. A buttery shortbread base with a spiced eggnog glaze nestled in the center — they’re creamy, cozy, and taste like the best parts of Christmas morning.
Dust them with nutmeg for a festive finish. Serve with an actual glass of eggnog for double the cheer.
8. Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
If Christmas had a signature color, it’d be red velvet. These cookies are soft, cakey, and rich, with that signature cocoa flavor and a snow-dusted powdered sugar coating.
Add a touch of cream cheese frosting between two cookies, and you’ve got yourself the ultimate red velvet sandwich cookie.
9. Shortbread Wreath Cookies
Simple yet elegant, buttery shortbread shaped into tiny wreaths and decorated with green icing and sprinkles will make your cookie platter look straight out of a magazine.
They’re not overly sweet, making them a perfect match for hot cocoa or spiced tea.
Fun tip: Dip half in dark chocolate for a two-tone look that’ll make your guests think you hired a pastry chef.
10. Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies
These cookies combine two Christmas icons: peppermint bark and chocolate cookies. Start with a chewy chocolate base, spread melted white chocolate on top, and sprinkle crushed candy canes over it.
Once set, break them into rustic pieces — they’re crunchy, chewy, and disappear faster than presents on Christmas morning.
11. Oatmeal Cranberry Pecan Cookies
Not everyone wants pure sugar overload — these oatmeal cookies bring a nutty, wholesome texture with the tang of cranberries and the crunch of toasted pecans.
They’re hearty but festive and make you feel slightly less guilty about that third cookie (hey, it has oats — that’s basically breakfast).
12. Chocolate-Dipped Biscotti
If your Christmas morning includes coffee, you need biscotti on the table. These twice-baked Italian cookies are crisp, elegant, and perfect for dipping.
Make them extra festive by dipping one end in dark chocolate and sprinkling with crushed pistachios or candy cane bits.
They also make excellent edible gifts — tie them up with a ribbon, and you’re everyone’s favorite guest.
13. Linzer Cookies
A classic European treat, Linzer cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious. Two layers of buttery almond shortbread sandwich a raspberry or strawberry jam filling, with a little cutout window dusted in powdered sugar.
They’re delicate, fruity, and elegant — like something you’d find in a Parisian bakery rather than your kitchen.
Pro tip: Use a tiny snowflake or heart-shaped cutter for that extra “aww” factor.
14. Christmas Tree Sugar Cookie Stacks
These are a total showstopper. Stack three sugar cookies in decreasing sizes with green-tinted frosting between each layer, and you’ve got yourself an edible Christmas tree.
Add a yellow candy star on top, and dust lightly with powdered sugar for the “snow effect.” These cookies aren’t just desserts — they’re conversation starters.
15. Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
No list is complete without the classic peanut butter blossoms — soft, chewy peanut butter cookies topped with a Hershey’s Kiss.
To make them holiday-ready, roll the dough in red and green sugar before baking. The peanut butter-chocolate combo never goes out of style — it’s like the Bing Crosby of cookies.
16. Molasses Spice Cookies
These cookies smell like Christmas the moment they hit the oven. With molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, they’re chewy, warm, and bursting with nostalgic flavor.
They’re the kind of cookie that pairs perfectly with a cozy blanket and your favorite Christmas movie.
Pro tip: Roll the dough balls in coarse sugar before baking for that extra crunch and sparkle.
17. Pistachio Cherry Cookies
If you want something colorful and unexpected, pistachio cherry cookies are your secret weapon. The bright green from the nuts and the red from dried cherries make them pop on any dessert tray.
Flavor-wise, they’re buttery, nutty, and just the right amount of tart. These cookies prove that festive can be fancy.
18. Brown Butter Toffee Cookies
If you’ve never baked with brown butter, this Christmas is your moment. The nutty, caramelized aroma elevates any cookie — and when you fold in chunks of toffee, magic happens.
They’re chewy, buttery, and just sophisticated enough to make you feel like a baking pro.
19. White Chocolate Peppermint Snowballs
These little powdered sugar-coated gems melt in your mouth like snowflakes. Inside, you’ll find white chocolate chips and crushed peppermint, creating a delicate, crumbly texture that’s pure holiday bliss.
They’re light, bite-sized, and perfect for gifting — if you can resist eating them all first.
20. Reindeer Peanut Butter Cookies
Turn your classic peanut butter cookie into a reindeer face with chocolate pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and a red M&M nose.
These are great for baking with kids — it’s messy, fun, and totally worth it for the laughs (and sugar highs).
Bonus tip: Use a small spoon to shape the dough into an oval “face” before baking.
21. Chocolate Orange Cookies
Chocolate and orange are an underrated duo, and these cookies bring them to life. The zesty orange flavor cuts through the richness of the chocolate, making each bite bright and refreshing.
Add a bit of orange zest to your dough and drizzle the baked cookies with a mix of dark chocolate and orange extract glaze. These cookies taste like Christmas in Europe — sophisticated yet comforting.
22. Sugar Cookie Sandwiches with Buttercream Filling
End your cookie lineup with a bang — soft sugar cookies sandwiched together with fluffy buttercream in between.
Tint your frosting red, green, or gold and roll the edges in sprinkles. These cookies are sweet, festive, and satisfy that holiday sweet tooth like nothing else.
Bonus Tip: Hosting a Cookie Exchange Party
Here’s a fun way to make these recipes even more meaningful — host a cookie exchange.
Invite friends and family, ask each guest to bring two dozen cookies, and trade! You’ll go home with a mix of treats, from chewy chocolate chips to fancy Linzers, and maybe even a few new recipes.
Fun stat: According to a 2023 National Baking Survey, 78% of people say that baking cookies during the holidays makes them feel more connected to loved ones. So yes — this is more than dessert. It’s tradition, therapy, and togetherness rolled into one delicious bite.
Conclusion
There you have it — 22 Christmas party cookie ideas that can turn your kitchen into the North Pole’s sweetest workshop.
From the classic gingerbread men to modern twists like brown butter toffee cookies, every recipe here brings something special to your table. Baking isn’t just about following steps — it’s about creating memories, one batch at a time.
So this year, when you’re dusted in flour and the kitchen smells like vanilla and spice, take a deep breath and smile. Because those cookies aren’t just cookies — they’re edible joy, baked with love and sprinkled with Christmas magic.
