It’s beginning to smell a lot like Christmas, don’t you think?
And you know what that means—time to dust off those cookie cutters and channel your inner Martha Stewart.
Seriously, is there anything more magical than the aroma of fresh-baked cookies wafting through the house during the holidays?
I swear, baking Christmas cookies isn’t just a tradition; it’s a love language.
But let’s be real, as much as we all adore the classics (hello, sugar cookies!), sometimes you want to shake things up and try something that feels a little extra.
That’s why I’ve rounded up 37 holiday-inspired Christmas cookie ideas that’ll make your dessert table the star of the season. Think festive, fun, and utterly irresistible.
So, whether you’re team peppermint everything or a sucker for gooey chocolate, I’ve got something here that’ll have you grabbing your apron in no time.
1. Frosted Eggnog Cookies
Eggnog in cookie form? Oh yes, please! These soft, spiced beauties taste like Christmas in every bite. They’ve got that perfect hint of nutmeg and cinnamon, topped with creamy frosting that feels as luxurious as a cashmere sweater. Even if you’re meh about eggnog, don’t sleep on these, you’ll find yourself sneaking one more before anyone notices.
2. Penguin Cookies
These little guys might just steal the show and your heart! Who knew cookies could be so cute? They’re dressed in chocolatey tuxedos with tiny candy eyes, making them almost too adorable to eat. Almost. Kids will love them, but let’s be real—you’ll be grinning ear to ear when you bite into one, too.
3. White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
Sweet, tart, chewy, crunchy—these cookies have it all! The tangy cranberries and creamy white chocolate are like the ultimate holiday duo (move over, Hallmark movies). Plus, the oatmeal adds a little wholesomeness so you can totally pretend they’re healthy. Go ahead, have two.
4. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
You know those cookies that look like they took way more effort than they actually did? Yup, these are it. Crackly on the outside, fudgy on the inside, they’re basically brownies disguised as cookies. And when that powdered sugar dusting splits open into crinkly little snowflakes? I’m swooning every time. Pro tip: eat them warm. You’re welcome.
5. Melted Snowman Cookie
These cookies are chaotic in the best way possible—melty marshmallow snowmen sprawled on sugar cookies like they just couldn’t take the heat. I mean, how can you not laugh while decorating these little guys? Kids love them, adults love them, and I’m just here for the chaos.
6. Apple Pie Cookie Cups
Imagine apple pie, but make it bite-sized. That’s exactly what these cookie cups are tiny buttery shells filled with warm, spiced apples that’ll make your house smell like heaven. I made these last year, and they barely lasted an hour.
7. 3D Stacked Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
Is it a cookie or a centerpiece? Honestly, it’s both! These stacked sugar cookies form the cutest little Christmas trees, and dusting them with powdered sugar “snow” just makes them magical.
8. Cake Batter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Imagine your favorite birthday cake crashed a holiday party, and voilà you get these cookies. They’re soft, chewy, and bursting with chocolate chips and sprinkles. Every bite is like a little celebration, and they’re guaranteed to put a smile on your face faster than you can say Santa’s coming!
9. Peppermint Kiss Cookies
There’s something so satisfying about the combo of cool peppermint and rich chocolate, right? These cookies hit that sweet spot with a soft chocolate base topped by a peppermint Hershey’s Kiss. The minty burst will wake up your taste buds, and let’s be honest they look super festive on a cookie tray.
10. Christmas Snowglobe Cookie
If you’re into cookies that double as works of art, this one’s for you. These snowglobe cookies have a clear candy center that looks like frosty glass, with tiny sprinkles or candy inside to create a winter scene.
11. Chocolate Spritz Cookies
Simple, buttery, and just the right amount of chocolatey goodness, spritz cookies are a classic for a reason. But let’s add some flair with chocolate dough! These little guys are piped into festive shapes think stars and trees and they melt in your mouth with every bite.
12. Polar Bear Cookies
Soft cookies shaped like polar bears? Yes, and they’re as cute as they sound! These cookies are the perfect mix of sweet and fun, with candy details that make them look like they walked straight off the North Pole. Plus, they’re the kind of cookie that makes kids giggle.
13. Frosted Red Velvet Cookies
Red velvet: the flavor that’s basically a love letter to your taste buds. These cookies are soft, rich, and topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting that’s practically irresistible. The deep red color makes them festive without even trying, and they’ll stand out on any dessert table. Be prepared these will disappear fast!
14. Peanut Butter Blossoms for Christmas
Classic with a Christmas twist! These peanut butter cookies are soft and chewy, topped with a chocolate kiss that melts into perfection. Swap out the usual Hershey’s Kiss for a festive one—like peppermint or dark chocolate and suddenly these classics feel fresh and new. Warning: they’re highly addictive.
15. Raspberry Linzer Cookies
These cookies look like something you’d see in a fancy bakery window, but they’re totally doable at home. Buttery cookies sandwiched with tart raspberry jam, then dusted with powdered sugar like fresh snow. I always feel like a holiday baking queen when I make these, and they taste as good as they look. Bonus: they make the prettiest gifts!
16. Apricot Kolacky Cookie
I’m all about the old-school holiday cookies, and Kolacky cookies are a staple in my house. Tender, buttery dough folded around a sweet apricot filling and every bite tastes like pure nostalgia.
17. Grinch Chocolate Covered Oreos
These cookies are too easy not to make. Dip Oreos in green candy melts, add a little red heart, and bam—you’ve got yourself a Grinch cookie! They’re perfect for last-minute holiday treats, and they always get a laugh. Plus, they’re no-bake, which means less time in the kitchen and more time watching holiday movies.
18. Hot Chocolate Cookies
Biting into a cookie that tastes exactly like your favorite mug of hot cocoa. That’s what these cookies are. They’re chocolatey, gooey, and loaded with marshmallows that get all melty and perfect. I like to sprinkle a little sea salt on top to balance the sweetness and it’s a total game-changer.
19. Amazing Meltaway Cookies
If you’ve never had a meltaway cookie, let me just say: you’re missing out. These cookies literally dissolve in your mouth. They’re buttery, light, and dusted with powdered sugar, which makes them feel extra special. I could eat a dozen without even realizing it and they’re that good.
20. Festive Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
These swirly, colorful cookies are pure holiday joy. The red and green spirals look so fun, and they’re surprisingly easy to make. I love how they brighten up any cookie tray, and the buttery, vanilla flavor? Chef’s kiss.
21. Christmas Wreath Cookies
No-bake and totally adorable, these wreath cookies are made with cornflakes, marshmallows, and a whole lot of holiday spirit. I love how simple they are to throw together, and the green color with red candy “berries” makes them pop.
22. Sugar Sprinkled Lemon Snowflake Christmas Cookies
Sometimes you need a break from all the chocolate, and these lemony cookies are exactly that. Light, zesty, and shaped like snowflakes, they’re refreshing but still festive. I love how they brighten up a cookie tray, and that citrusy kick? It’s like a little burst of sunshine in the middle of winter.
23. Cut Out Sugar Cookies
You can’t have Christmas without cut-out sugar cookies, right? I love breaking out all the cookie cutters—stars, trees, snowflakes and going crazy with the decorating. Icing, sprinkles, edible glitter—you name it. Sure, my kitchen looks like a glitter bomb went off afterward, but it’s totally worth it.
24. Whipped Shortbread Cookies
These are the kind of cookies that melt in your mouth like butter. They’re so light and airy, you almost forget they’re cookies… until you’ve eaten five. I like to add festive sprinkles or a little jam in the center to give them that extra holiday flair. Trust me, they’ll disappear fast.
25. Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Cinnamon rolls, but make them cookies? Yes, please. These swirly delights taste exactly like a warm cinnamon roll but in cookie form, and that drizzle of icing on top? Chef’s kiss.
26. Chewy Gingerbread Cookie Bars
If gingerbread men are too much work, these bars are the lazy baker’s dream. All the same warm spices, but baked into chewy, soft bars that you can cut into squares. I like to frost mine with cream cheese icing, and honestly, they might be better than the traditional kind.
27. Chocolate Covered Butter Cookie With Sprinkles
These cookies are the definition of simple yet stunning. You start with a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookie, dip half of it in rich chocolate, and then go wild with the sprinkles. I love how easy these are to make, but they look like you bought them from a fancy bakery.
28. Simple Reindeer Cookie
Let’s be real, anything with a Rudolph nose is an instant win. These cookies are so fun to make, with pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and a bright red M&M for that signature nose. They’re ridiculously easy, but they look like you spent hours in the kitchen. Plus, they’re always the first to disappear at cookie swaps. Trust me, everyone loves a cute reindeer.
29. White Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
These cookies taste like Christmas wrapped in a blanket. The rich chocolate base is dipped in smooth white chocolate, then sprinkled with crushed peppermint candy for that perfect holiday crunch. They’re minty, sweet, and totally irresistible. I dare you to stop at just one. Spoiler: you can’t.
30. Gingerbread Man Cookie
No holiday season is complete without these little guys! Spiced just right and decorated with icing smiles, gingerbread men are a classic for a reason. I always make a big batch, and decorating them is half the fun. Plus, there’s something so satisfying about biting off a gingerbread man’s head (too dark? Nah, it’s the holidays!).
31. Christmas Lights Cookie
These cookies are straight-up festive vibes on a plate. A simple sugar cookie base gets decorated with colorful “lights” made from icing and mini M&Ms or candy. Honestly, who wouldn’t want to munch on edible Christmas lights?
32. Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
These cookies have everything but the kitchen sink, and that’s exactly why I love them. Chocolate chips, pretzels, toffee bits, maybe even a sprinkle of holiday magic it all works. Perfect for those of us who can’t decide which cookie to bake.
33. Salted Caramel Coconut Thumbprints
A chewy coconut base cradles a gooey salted caramel center, and the combo is downright addictive. I love how fancy they look, but they’re surprisingly easy to make. Warning: these will disappear fast, so maybe make a double batch if you’re planning to share.
34. White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Cookies
If you love the warm, spicy flavor of ginger cookies but want to level up, these are the way to go. Dipping them in white chocolate adds a creamy sweetness that perfectly balances the spice. I like to sprinkle crushed pistachios or dried cranberries on top for a little extra flair.
35. Butter Pecan Cookies
These cookies are buttery, nutty perfection. Toasted pecans give them a rich, warm flavor, and the texture is that perfect balance of crisp edges and soft centers. Honestly, they taste like a warm hug from your favorite aunt.
36. Christmas Colors Spritz Cookies
Spritz cookies are the MVPs of any holiday cookie tray. They’re buttery, delicate, and so easy to customize with festive colors and shapes. I use a cookie press to make little trees, stars, and wreaths, then sprinkle them with red and green sugar.
