Christmas Cookies 101 {Start Here!}

Cut Out Cookies

When you think of Christmas cookies chances are likely you're imagining a classic decorated shaped cookie like a sugar cookie or gingerbread cookie.

Whichever recipe you choose, be sure to grab a set of the best cookie cutters for kids!

Sugar Cookies

This easy sugar cookies recipe was featured in The Ultimate Kid's Baking Book and has been the golden standard cookie recipe for our family for years.

Cut Out Sugar Cookies

This is the best cut out sugar cookies recipe because they make the perfect blank canvas for your creative designs. You can decorate them to match any season or celebration during the year. Try them with a simple cookie glaze or spread your favorite frosting over them and top with sprinkles for a special treat your family will love.

4.53 from 19 votes

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Gingerbread Cookies

Next in line is the best gingerbread cookies recipe you have ever tried. This awesome freezer-friendly cookie recipe was also featured in The Ultimate Kid's Baking Book!

Gingerbread Cookies

These classic gingerbread cookies are just right for baking with kids. The instructions are written for any beginner baker to easily follow, as seen in The Ultimate Kids' Baking Book.

5 from 43 votes

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How to Decorate Cut Out Cookies for Christmas

No matter which shaped cookie recipe you choose, the final step after baking is to decorate them for the holiday.

Beginner bakers will definitely want to check out these awesome easy frosting recipes for cookies.

If you're up for a little more intricate cookie work be sure to grab my easy royal icing recipe and these simple decorating tips:

Homemade Gingerbread House

The most classic, most traditional Christmas cookie of them all has got to be a gorgeous homemade gingerbread house.

If you've never tried this incredible tradition with your kids, be sure to stop by my recipe and see just how easy it can be:

Homemade Gingerbread House

This delicious and completely edible homemade gingerbread house is the perfect Christmas baking day to enjoy with kids. The recipe is specially created to work hand-in-hand with the gingerbread house molds listed below.

5 from 51 votes

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Drop Cookies

Sometimes when you're in the mood for some quick and easy holiday baking, a drop cookie is the best choice.

These simple cookies require a delicious cookie dough to be mixed together and then you just spoon up portions and drop them on a baking sheet. Easy peasy, right??

M&M Cookies with Cornflakes

My kids and I just love the crispy texture of these festive M&M cookies with cornflakes and oats. Be sure to use Christmas colored M&Ms (or the color palette that works with your favorite holiday!)

Festive M&M Cookies

Adorably festive and perfectly crunchy, these delicious M&M cookies have cornflakes and oats for a wonderful texture. Mix and match the colors of candies for any holiday. Bake them ahead and freeze for easy entertaining later.

5 from 34 votes

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Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies

One of the MOST POPULAR cookie recipes on my entire site. This easy Mexican hot chocolate cookies recipe starts with chocolate cookie dough and is rolled in a cinnamon & cayenne pepper mixture. There's heat but I pinky promise they are not too spicy.

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies

These sweet and spicy cookies are an awesome addition to your holiday cookie tray. The kicked-up cayenne powder adds a spicy touch to your sweets.

4.95 from 40 votes

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Peanut Butter Blossoms

You just cannot go wrong with a peanut butter blossoms cookie from Miss Peanut Blossom herself. The cookie that bears my blog name is simply the best.

Easy Peanut Butter Blossoms

This classic peanut butter blossoms recipe is an essential cookie for every baker. The soft and chewy peanut butter cookie base is topped with a sweet chocolate Hershey Kiss. Perfect for Christmas or baking all year round.

4.84 from 56 votes

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Peppermint Bark Cookies

Little kids will have the best time decorating their own peppermint bark cookies with all their favorite Christmas candy decorations.

Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies

These adorable and fun chocolate peppermint bark cookies are so fun to bake with kids. Let them decorate each one with a mix of fun candy toppings.

5 from 1 vote

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Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies

One of the easiest cookies to make festive for any holiday all year long.

Tint the frosting for these easy soft frosted sugar cookies in shades of red, green and white for Christmas or channel your inner Grinch and decorate some in pink with Cindy Lou Who colored sprinkles and some pale green with red heart sprinkles.

Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies

This copycat Lofthouse cookies recipe is just like your favorite store bought soft sugar cookies with frosting and sprinkles. They are a perfect choice for sugar cookie bakers who prefer to skip the cookie cutters!

5 from 41 votes

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

My husband's favorite cookie for years!

This easy chocolate peanut butter chip cookies recipe tastes great chilled from the fridge with a tall glass of milk. The easiest pick for cookies for Santa!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

This chewy chocolate cookies are filled with creamy peanut butter chips. They freeze well if you want to store some for later.

5 from 1 vote

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Freezer Friendly Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies

You can make chocolate chip cookie dough balls for the freezer so you can just bake up a couple of cookies when the mood strikes.

While this classic cookie may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to the Christmas cookie tray, I dare you to add them and watch the chocolate chip walnut cookies disappear first.

Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies

These amazing chocolate chip walnut cookies are based on the DoubleTree cookie recipe and can be prepped for making a small batch of chocolate chip cookies direct from the freezer.

5 from 43 votes

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Christmas Cookie Tray Treats

The very best Christmas cookie tray will have more than just cookies.

If you really want to spoil your family and friends, be sure to add one or two of these simple Christmas treats to the mix.

Mint Oreo Truffles

An easy no bake recipe, I've been rolling these delicious mint Oreo truffles since before I had kids!

Mint Oreo Truffles

These easy mint Oreo truffle no-bake cookies are perfect for adding to a holiday cookie tray.

4.96 from 45 votes

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Saltine Cracker Toffee

This saltine cracker toffee is known as Christmas Crack for good reason. Whip up a batch, break it into bite-sized pieces and it will be gone in a flash.

Saltine Cracker Toffee

Christmas Crack is a classic Christmas cookie tray treat that is super easy and only takes a few minutes of prep work to bake. It is the most addictive sweet at the holidays and your holiday cookie offering will disappear in moments. No one can resist that crispy, buttery cracker toffee topped with creamy milk chocolate.

5 from 39 votes

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Buddy the Elf's Chex Mix

Yes, even a simple holiday Chex mix can be used for a Christmas cookie tray treat.

Simply scoop small portions of Buddy's Chex Mix into cupcake wrappers and nestle them in with your Christmas cookies on the platter.

Buddy's Chex Mix for Christmas

This delicious Chex Mix for Christmas is Buddy the Elf's very favorite! Maple-syrup coated Chex is tossed with marshmallows, candies, and almonds for a treat any elf will love.

4.94 from 49 votes

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Fancy Cookies

If you're really planning an epic Hallmark movie marathon baking session, then maybe you want a fancy cookie that requires just a few more steps to keep you busy as the romance plays out on the screen!

Black and White Cookies

Cakey and utterly delicious, these black and white cookies could easily be decorated for Christmas with a light touch of festive sprinkles on just one side.

Black and White Cookies

This classic New York cookie is actually really easy to make at home with a few simple tricks.

5 from 36 votes

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Peanut Butter Cookie Sandwiches

If one cookie is good, two cookies must be better! That's the idea behind these deliciously crispy peanut butter cookie sandwiches with a light and fluffy peanut butter filling.

Peanut Butter Cookie Sandwiches

Thin and crunchy peanut butter cookies are filled with a sweet peanut butter frosting and turned into the tastiest cookie sandwiches you've ever had! Don't forget a tall glass of milk to go with them. Adapted from The Great Minnesota Cookie Book.

5 from 1 vote

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More Christmas Recipes

Now that you're inspired to get baking with all these delicious Christmas cookies, don't forget to plan the rest of your holiday cooking: