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30 Christmas Cookie Recipes - Dinner at the Zoo

A collection of festive Christmas cookie recipes including favorites like molasses cookies, stained glass cookies, chocolate crinkle cookies and other sweet treats.

These cookie recipes are perfect for baking exchanges, gift giving and parties.

A collection of festive Christmas cookie recipes like thumbprint cookies, sugar cookies and molasses cookies.

There’s nothing more satisfying than a warm cookie and some hot chocolate or coffee on a cold day. The holidays are full of magic, and in my own personal opinion, a good cookie only adds to that magic. I suppose just about any cookie could be made into a holiday cookie, however, there are some cookies that just scream Christmas for me.

I’ve listed some of my favorite cookies, along with some other holiday treats that I would love to make this year. I’m sure you’re just like me and have those holiday cookie recipes you never miss making every year. However, I enjoy finding a new recipe or two to try every year as a tradition of sorts.

Baking cookies is a fun way to unleash your creativity. Whatever recipe you choose, there’s always room to add your own touch and customize them. It’s even fun to get the kids involved!

30 Christmas Cookie Recipes

A collection of images of Christmas cookie recipes such as Christmas wreath cookies, chocolate spritz cookies and sugar cookies.
Brownie Cookies

These brownie cookies are rich, fudgy cookies filled with plenty of dark chocolate chunks. This decadent treat is perfect for all of the chocolate lovers in your life!

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Brownie cookies on a serving plate, topped with chocolate chunks.
Cake Mix Cookies

These cake mix cookies are a 5 ingredient dessert that can be made in tons of different flavors and decorated for any occasion. An easy treat that takes just minutes to put together.

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A plate of cake mix cookies rolled in colorful sprinkles.
Chocolate Dipped Gingerbread Cookies

These chocolate dipped gingerbread cookies are the perfect treat for the holiday season!

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Chocolate Covered Oreos

These chocolate covered Oreos are Oreo sandwich cookies dipped in either dark or white chocolate and decorated with colorful sprinkles.

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An image of chocolate covered Oreo cookies in a red gift box.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

These chocolate crinkle cookies are soft, fudgy cookies rolled in powdered sugar and baked to perfection. A super easy treat that’s the perfect dessert for any occasion. 

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A plate of chocolate crinkle cookies.
Christmas Crack Recipe

This Christmas crack is saltine toffee made with crackers, brown sugar, butter, chocolate and holiday sprinkles. A sweet and salty treat that’s addictively delicious and perfect for feeding a crowd!

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Christmas crack toffee topped with holiday sprinkles on a serving plate.
Chocolate Spritz Cookies

These chocolate spritz cookies are buttery cookies piped into decorative designs, then baked to perfection and topped with chocolate and sprinkles. A classic and beautiful holiday cookie that’s a welcome addition to any gathering!

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A plate of chocolate spritz cookies decorated with chocolate and sprinkles.
Christmas Sugar Cookies

These Christmas sugar cookies are roll out cookies that are frosted with an easy vanilla buttercream and decorated with sprinkles. A fun and classic holiday cookie that’s perfect for school parties and gift giving!

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A serving plate of Christmas sugar cookies decorated with frosting and sprinkles.
Dark Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies

The classic combination of chocolate and peppermint make these dark chocolate candy cane cookies the perfect treat for the holidays!

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An image of two dark chocolate candy cane cookies cookies.
Christmas Wreath Cookies

This recipe for no-bake Christmas wreath cookies has just six ingredients and can be made in 10 minutes. These cornflake wreaths are a festive addition to your holiday dessert table! 

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This recipe for no-bake Christmas wreath cookies has just six ingredients and can be made in 15 minutes. These cornflake wreaths are a festive addition to your holiday dessert table!

Can you freeze Christmas Cookies?

Many types of holiday cookies can be made in advance then frozen for future use. If your cookie recipe calls for frosting, I find it’s best to freeze the cookies plain, then frost them after they’ve thawed. Store your cookies in a single layer in resealable freezer bags for up to 2 months.

A group of Christmas cookie recipes including peanut butter blossoms, Italian cookies and eggnog cookies.
Double Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

Double chocolate sandwich cookies are a perfect dessert recipe for the holidays or special occasions. They are super soft chocolate cookies sandwiched around delicious homemade chocolate frosting!

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An image of three stacked double chocolate sandwich cookies.
Eggnog Cookies

These eggnog cookies are soft and chewy cookies topped with a homemade eggnog buttercream frosting. An easy and festive cookie that’s perfect for any holiday party!

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Eggnog cookies topped with frosting and gold sprinkles on a serving plate.
Gingerbread Christmas Cookie Tree

This beautiful Christmas dessert is made from star-shaped gingerbread cookies that form a Christmas tree!

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An image of a tree shaped stack of gingerbread cookies.
Gooey Butter Cookies

These gooey butter cookies are a handheld version of the famous cake.  They’re soft, gooey and totally irresistible! Roll them in sprinkles for a fun and festive look.

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A plate of gooey butter cookies covered in holiday sprinkles.
Nutella Cookies

These Nutella cookies are chocolate cookies filled with a gooey Nutella center, then topped with a drizzle of both dark and white chocolate. An easy and impressive cookie recipe that will have everyone coming back for seconds!

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A serving plate of Nutella cookies with one cut in half.
Italian Cookies

These Italian cookies are soft, almond flavored cookies topped with icing and colorful sprinkles. A classic dessert that’s perfect for the holidays or any other special event.

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A plate of Italian cookies with a bite taken out of one.
Molasses Cookies

These molasses cookies are chewy brown sugar cookies infused with plenty of aromatic spices, then baked to golden brown perfection. A classic holiday cookie that’s easy to make and is sure to get rave reviews!

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Molasses cookies coated in sugar, surrounded by holiday decorations.
Monster Cookies (Christmas Version)

These monster cookies are the classic oatmeal peanut butter cookies all dressed up for Christmas with red and green M&M’s, white chocolate chips and holiday sprinkles. A fun and festive treat for cookie exchanges and gift giving!

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A plate of Christmas monster cookies which are decorated with M&M's, white chocolate and sprinkles.
Oreo Balls

This recipe for Oreo balls is Oreo cookie filled truffles dipped in chocolate, then decorated in a variety of sprinkles. Oreo balls are perfect for gift giving around the holidays and also make great party favors.

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Dark and white chocolate Oreo balls in a gift tin.
Peanut Butter Blossoms

These peanut butter blossoms are chewy sugar coated peanut butter cookies topped with a chocolate kiss. A classic cookie that’s perfect for the holidays, family gatherings or an after school snack.

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A plate with peanut butter blossoms stacked onto it.

How to package Christmas cookies for gift giving

There’s nothing better than a homemade holiday gift, and I love to give cookies to friends and family. You can get creative with the packaging to make your gift extra special.

  • Holiday Tins: I buy festive tins at my local dollar store, then line them with parchment paper.
  • Christmas Plate: I choose a festive porcelain Christmas themed plate at the housewares store, then arrange my cookies on the plate.
  • Cellophane Bags: Pack your cookies into little clear bags, then tie them shut with a festive bow.
  • Mason Jars: Stack your cookies in a glass jar, seal the jar, then tie a ribbon around it.
A collection of images of holiday treats including snowball. stained glass and thumbprint baked desserts.
Peppermint Bark Cookies

A decadent double chocolate cookie topped with white chocolate and crushed candy canes.

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These peppermint bark cookies are fun, festive and simple to make, plus tips for throwing the perfect holiday baking party. #HolidayMoments ad
Pizzelle

This pizzelle recipe is flat crispy vanilla flavored cookies that are baked in an iron, then finished with a dusting of powdered sugar. A classic Italian dessert that’s perfect for parties and gift giving!

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Pizzelle cookies cooked to golden brown and coated in powdered sugar.
Peppermint Cookies

These peppermint cookies are loaded with white chocolate chunks, candy canes and Oreo pieces for a unique holiday cookie that everyone will love!

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A plate of Oreo peppermint cookies filled with white chocolate and candy canes.
Red Velvet Cookies

These easy red velvet cookies start with a cake mix and are loaded with white chocolate chips. A simple yet impressive cookie that yields fabulous results!

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Red Velvet Cookies
Stained Glass Cookies

These beautiful stained glass cookies are buttery sugar cookies with a candy center. A holiday classic that tastes as good as it looks!

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These beautiful stained glass cookies are buttery sugar cookies with a candy center.
Snowball Cookies

These snowball cookies are light and tender cookies studded with pecans and chocolate chips, then rolled in powdered sugar. A melt in your mouth treat that’s perfect for the holidays!

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Snowball cookies coated in powdered sugar and served in a holiday tin,
Twix Cookies

These Twix cookies are rounds of shortbread topped with caramel and milk chocolate. An easy and impressive cookie that tastes even better than the popular candy bar!

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A stack of Twix cookies with a bite taken out of one.
Rocky Road Cookies

Rocky road cookies are a chocolate lover’s dream! They are loaded with melted chocolate and cocoa powder and filled with chocolate chunks, marshmallows and walnuts.

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An image of a rocky road cookie being pulled apart.
Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies

These cream cheese spritz cookies are the best spritz cookie recipe ever! They’re tender, full of flavor and so pretty when dipped in chocolate and sprinkles. A must have for any holiday celebration!

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Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies
Thumbprint Cookies

These thumbprint cookies are soft vanilla cookies filled with fruit jam and baked until golden brown. An easy and classic cookie that’s perfect for parties, after school snacks and special occasions.

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Thumbprint cookies in a tin for gift giving.

Whether you love chocolate, fruit, molasses or other great flavors, these recipes will make your holiday merry and bright! For a festive Christmas try these fantastic cookies.

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