14 Christmas Cookies That Make the Holidays Extra Sweet

Christmas baking has a way of setting the holiday mood long before the tree lights up. The smell of butter, sugar, and spice fills the kitchen, and suddenly, you’re eight years old again, sneaking warm cookies off the tray. This list brings together 14 Christmas cookies that blend tradition, flavor, and a touch of magic. From buttery classics to spiced surprises, each one adds its own sparkle to the season. So preheat the oven, grab your mixing bowls, and let the holiday baking begin.

1. Classic Sugar Cookies

Nothing says Christmas quite like a plate of soft, buttery sugar cookies dusted with colorful sprinkles. These are the cookies you can shape into stars, trees, or snowflakes and decorate with icing that sets into a shiny finish. They hold their shape beautifully and taste just as good plain as they do dressed up. The best part is how customizable they are. You can tint the dough, switch extracts, or add zest for a personal touch. Make them early in the season because they keep well, and everyone always asks for seconds.

2. Gingerbread Men

Gingerbread men are the heart of Christmas baking traditions. Their warm blend of molasses, ginger, and cinnamon creates that signature spicy aroma that instantly feels like the holidays. Rolling and cutting them out is half the fun, especially when you bring kids into the kitchen. Once baked, you can pipe simple icing faces or go all out with tiny candy buttons. They’re sturdy enough for gifting or hanging as edible ornaments. With every bite, you get that perfect mix of crisp edges and chewy centers that keeps you coming back for more.

3. Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

These cookies strike the right balance between rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint. The crackled tops dusted in powdered sugar look snow-kissed and festive, making them a showstopper on any cookie tray. Each bite gives you deep cocoa flavor with a cool hint of mint that lingers. They’re soft and fudgy inside, almost like brownies in cookie form. If you chill the dough before baking, you’ll get a perfect texture and those signature cracks. Serve them with hot cocoa, and you’ll have an instant holiday favorite.

4. Snickerdoodles

Snickerdoodles might seem simple, but their charm is in that crackly cinnamon-sugar coating and slightly tangy bite from cream of tartar. They puff up beautifully and settle into soft, chewy cookies that melt in your mouth. You can’t rush them; letting the dough rest ensures the perfect texture. Snickerdoodles are often the first to disappear from the cookie platter because they pair so well with coffee, cocoa, or even milk. They’re also freezer-friendly, so you can make them ahead and still serve them warm on Christmas morning.

5. Thumbprint Cookies with Jam

These cookies bring color and variety to your holiday spread. Each one has a soft, buttery base with a little well in the center filled with jam-raspberry, apricot, or strawberry, all work beautifully. As they bake, the jam turns glossy and slightly chewy, giving every bite a mix of textures. They’re delicate yet rich and easy to personalize. You can roll them in nuts before baking or drizzle them with icing once cooled. Their festive look makes them perfect for gifting or stacking in cookie tins.

6. Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread

Shortbread alone is buttery perfection, but dip it in melted chocolate, and it becomes something special. The contrast between the crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth cookie and smooth chocolate coating is irresistible. You can sprinkle crushed nuts, coconut, or sea salt over the chocolate for extra flavor. They’re elegant enough for a holiday party yet simple enough to bake in big batches. Store them in airtight containers, and they’ll stay fresh for days, making them ideal for both gifting and snacking.

7. Linzer Cookies

Linzer cookies feel like something out of a European Christmas market. These sandwich-style cookies feature a tender almond dough filled with jam, often raspberry or currant, peeking through a small cutout on top. The powdered sugar dusting gives them a snowy look, while the nutty base adds a depth of flavor that stands out from typical sugar cookies. They take a little patience to assemble, but the result is worth every minute. Linzers make any dessert table look festive and taste even better the next day.

8. Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies

Oatmeal cranberry cookies bring a cozy, rustic touch to the holiday spread. The oats add a hearty chew, while dried cranberries bring sweetness and a pop of tart flavor. You can mix in white chocolate chips for an extra treat or swap cranberries for cherries if you want variety. These cookies feel homemade in the best way and fill the kitchen with the smell of cinnamon and butter. They’re the kind of cookie you eat warm with tea after decorating the tree or wrapping gifts.

9. Eggnog Cookies

If you love the creamy, spiced flavor of eggnog, these cookies capture it perfectly. The dough is infused with nutmeg and a hint of rum extract, then topped with a light glaze that adds sweetness without overpowering the flavor. The texture is soft and cake-like, making them a pleasant surprise among traditional crisp cookies. They taste festive and nostalgic all at once. Serve them alongside a glass of actual eggnog for the ultimate holiday pairing.

10. Peanut Butter Blossoms

Peanut butter blossoms are the cookies that somehow always vanish first. The chewy peanut butter base, paired with a chocolate kiss pressed into the center, hits every craving at once. They’re easy to make, and the combination of salty and sweet is timeless. The trick is to press the chocolate in while the cookies are still warm, so it softens slightly but holds its shape. Whether it’s your first or fiftieth Christmas baking batch, this cookie always feels right at home.

11. Snowball Cookies

Also known as Russian tea cakes or Mexican wedding cookies, these powdered sugar-coated rounds look like tiny snowballs. Inside, they’re rich and buttery with finely chopped nuts that add flavor and texture. They crumble delicately when you bite into them, leaving that signature dusting of sugar on your fingers. They’re not overly sweet, which makes them perfect for balancing out richer desserts on the table. Store them in tins, and they’ll stay fresh through the whole season.

12. Coconut Macaroons

Coconut macaroons bring tropical flavor to winter baking. They’re chewy, golden, and filled with the natural sweetness of shredded coconut. You can dip the bottoms in dark chocolate for contrast or drizzle some on top for decoration. These cookies are gluten-free by nature, so they’re great for sharing with friends who have dietary restrictions. They store well and taste even better after a day or two when the flavors deepen. They’re proof that simple ingredients can still taste indulgent.

13. Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies

These cookies combine everything you love about peppermint bark in a soft, chewy form. A chocolate base is topped with melted white chocolate and crushed candy canes that harden into a beautiful, crackly layer. They look festive and taste like a mix of brownie and candy. Each bite has sweetness, crunch, and that cool peppermint finish. They’re fun to make, especially when you want something that looks impressive but doesn’t require complicated steps.

14. Molasses Cookies

Molasses cookies bring old-fashioned flavor to the modern cookie tray. The dark, rich sweetness of molasses pairs perfectly with ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. They bake up soft and slightly chewy, with crackled tops that glisten with sugar. These cookies taste like nostalgia and fill the air with deep, spicy warmth. They stay moist for days, so they’re great for mailing or gifting. Pair them with hot tea or coffee, and they’ll instantly become your cozy winter favorite.