There’s nothing quite like filling your kitchen with the smell of Christmas cookies. I’ve put together of must-try festive cookie recipes, including some healthy ones to make it feel like the holidays have truly arrived.
Jump to: ℹ️ Overview | 🍪 Traditional Cookies 🥠 Diet Specific Cookies
I wanted to put together some must-try (in my opinion) Christmas cookies because, honestly, I can’t imagine the holidays without a good cookie lineup. Whether you’re all about buttery shortbread, chewy gingerbread, or guilt-free healthy ones, there’s something here for every craving. I’ve included festive classics, creative spins, and diet-friendly options that actually taste amazing. So grab your mixing bowl and get ready to bake your way through Christmas.
Before we continue, you may also want to check out these best Christmas cake pops.
Now, let’s get into this year’s Christmas cookie recipes!
Classic Gingerbread Cookies
These gingerbread cookies have that nostalgic, spicy-sweet kick I look forward to all year. They’re crisp around the edges, soft in the middle, and look adorable all dressed up in icing. Recipe from Love & Lemons.
Soft Gingerbread Cookies With Maple Glaze
If you’re team soft cookie, these gingerbread beauties are it. The maple glaze adds just the right cozy sweetness, like wrapping up in a cookie-shaped blanket. Recipe from Pinch Of Yum.
Christmas Sugar Cookies
Crisp edges, soft centers, and so much buttery flavor, these sugar cookies are pure holiday joy. They hold their shape perfectly for decorating, if you’re feeling fancy. Recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction.
Sour Cream Sugar Cookies
This collection is like a cookie buffet… everything from thumbprints to peppermint bark cookies. I love the variety; it’s basically Christmas magic in a baking tray. Recipe from The Modern Proper.
Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
These chocolate peppermint cookies are my go-to when I want something festive that smells like a candy cane factory in the best way. Rich, fudgy, and minty-fresh, they’re basically Christmas in cookie form—gluten-free and easy to whip up too!
Christmas Monster Cookies
Loaded with M&Ms, oats, and peanut butter, these cookies are pure chaos in the best way. I call them the “everything but the sleigh” cookie. Recipe from Half-Baked Harvest.
Spitzbuben (German Christmas Cookies)
These delicate sandwich cookies with jam in the middle are my European holiday obsession. Buttery, crumbly, and just the right amount of fancy. Recipe from Days Of Jay.
Christmas Shortbread Cookies
Shortbread is that simple, buttery friend that never disappoints. These are melt-in-your-mouth delicious and super easy to gift (if you don’t eat them first). Recipe from The Café Sucre Farine.
Red & Green Striped Meringue Cookies
Light as air and colorful as Christmas lights, these meringue cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat. No butter, no guilt, just holiday flair. Recipe from Salt & Lavender.
Gingerbread Christmas Tree Cookies
These spiced little trees are as cute as they are wholesome. Made lighter with a SkinnyTaste touch, so you can sneak in seconds without side-eyeing the cookie tin. Recipe from SkinnyTaste.
Christmas M&Ms Cookies
This cookie roundup has something for every mood… chewy, chocolatey, or classic. I use it when I can’t decide what to bake (which is always). Recipe from Celebrating Sweets.
Italian Christmas Cookies
Tender little bites glazed in sweet icing and rainbow sprinkles, these Italian Christmas cookies are pure happiness. Nonna would totally approve. Recipe from The Kitchn.
Crinkle Cookies
Soft, fudgy, and dusted in sugar, these are the cookie version of a snow day. These crinkles get me every time. Recipe from Extreme Couponing Mom.
Christmas Lights Cookies
These sugar cookies literally light up your plate, with colorful candy “lights” on creamy frosting. Fun, festive, and guaranteed smiles. Recipe from Half-Baked Harvest.
Easy Cranberry Shortbread Cookies
Tart cranberries meet buttery shortbread in this simple but special holiday treat. They look so fancy but come together in no time. Recipe from An Italian In My Kitchen.
Oreo Cookie Christmas Ornaments
Okay, how cute are these? Oreos dressed up like ornaments. No baking stress, just fun, festive, and totally Instagrammable. Recipe from SugarHero.
Diet Specific Cookies
Gluten-Free Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
These cookies are gluten-free, but you’d never guess it. They’re soft, flavorful, and hold their shape beautifully. Perfect for decorating with the kids. Recipe from Cotter Crunch.
Healthy Christmas Cookies
Made with oats, nut butter, and natural sweetness, these cookies make you feel like you’ve hacked dessert. No refined sugar, all the cozy feels. Recipe from Hungry Healthy Happy.
Healthy Holiday Sugar Cookies (Grain-Free, Gluten-Free)
Crispy outside, chewy inside, and made with almond flour, these healthy holiday cookies are shockingly good. Grain-free and gluten-free, so everyone can dig in. Recipe from Fit Foodie Finds.
Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies
Soft and buttery, these cookies taste just like the real deal. No one will guess they’re gluten-free. Roll, cut, bake, decorate, repeat! Recipe from Mama Gourmand.
Keto Christmas Cookies
Low-carb never looked so good. These keto cookies hit that holiday craving spot without sending your blood sugar into orbit. Recipe from The Big Man’s World.
Keto Snowball Cookies
Buttery, nutty, and rolled in sweet dust, these little snowballs melt in your mouth and fit right into a low-carb lifestyle. Recipe from Sweet As Honey.
Paleo Sugar Cookies (Grain-Free)
These paleo sugar cookies bring the nostalgia without the gluten or dairy. Chewy, simple, and made with real ingredients. Recipe from Paleo Running Momma.
Paleo Christmas Chocolate Crinkles (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
Rich, fudgy, and dusted in snowy sweetness, these paleo crinkle cookies are the healthier twist I didn’t know I needed. Recipe from Simply Jillicious.
Paleo No-Bake Christmas Cookies
No oven, no problem. These paleo no-bake cookies come together fast, packed with nutty crunch and chocolatey bliss. Recipe from I Heart Umami.
Keto Sugar Cookies
Soft, sweet, and made with almond flour, these cookies are keto-friendly but still festive enough for Santa’s plate. Recipe from Life Made Sweeter.
Vegan Sugar Cookies
Crispy edges, soft centers, no dairy in sight, these vegan sugar cookies make everyone happy, plant-based or not. Recipe from Nora Cooks.
Vegan Gingerbread Cookies
All the spice and chew of classic gingerbread, minus the eggs and butter. These vegan gingerbread cookies are pure cozy in every bite. Recipe from Domestic Gothess.
Vegan Santa’s Trash Cookies
Think pretzels, chocolate, and sprinkles all in one cookie — pure fun. These vegan “trash” cookies are chaotic in the best holiday way. Recipe from Rabbit And Wolves.
Fluffy 1-Bowl Sugar Cookies (Vegan + GF)
One bowl, no fuss, all the joy. These vegan and gluten-free sugar cookies are fluffy, soft, and foolproof. Recipe from Minimalist Baker.
Eggless Sugar Cookies
These eggless sugar cookies are tender, buttery, and great for decorating. No eggs, no problem, just pure holiday cheer. Recipe from Shweta In The Kitchen.
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