Alright, friend, it’s that magical time of year again — when cookies become a legit food group, and the kitchen smells like a sugar-coated dream. If you’re like me, you want your Christmas cookie game strong without turning your kitchen into a flour bomb site or spending three days baking. So, I’ve rounded up 10 easy festive Christmas cookies that are not only delicious but also ridiculously doable. Think festive, think fun, and yeah, think “I’ll definitely eat half the batch before they even make it to the cookie jar.” Let’s get baking!
1. Classic Sugar Cookies with a Festive Twist
Why It’s Awesome
Because who can resist a sugar cookie? But we’re not talking basic here — we’re adding that holiday sparkle with colorful sprinkles and a buttery, soft center.
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups white sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional, but trust me)
- Colored sprinkles or sanding sugar for decorating
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
- Beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract.
- Gradually add dry ingredients until combined.
- Roll dough into balls, flatten slightly, and sprinkle with colorful sugar.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden. Cool before devouring.
Why You’ll Love It
These cookies hit that perfect balance between soft and crisp. The almond extract is a little game-changer—makes them taste like you hired a fancy bakery. Plus, decorating with sprinkles is a perfect excuse to get your hands messy. Win-win!
2. Peppermint Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Why It’s Awesome
Peppermint and chocolate: basically a holiday love story baked into a cookie. Plus, chunks > chips any day.
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg + 1 yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks
- ½ cup crushed peppermint candies
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix melted butter, sugars, egg, yolk, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add flour mixture, then fold in chocolate and peppermint.
- Scoop dough onto parchment-lined sheets.
- Bake 10-12 minutes until golden but still soft.
Why You’ll Love It
These cookies have that chewy center and crispy edge that’s basically cookie perfection. The peppermint pieces add a little crunch and a festive zing. IMO, crushed candy beats peppermint extract because it feels more legit—like you’re actually biting into Christmas.
3. Gingerbread Men (No Roll-Out Required!)
Why It’s Awesome
You get all the gingerbread flavor with none of the hassle of rolling and cutting. These soft little dudes are perfect for cookie newbies.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
- Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and molasses.
- Gradually add dry ingredients.
- Drop spoonfuls onto baking sheet, flatten slightly.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes and cool on racks.
Why You’ll Love It
These are soft, spicy, and basically melt in your mouth. I swapped molasses for honey once—never again. The real deal is where it’s at. Plus, they’re super quick to make and perfect for impatient cookie eaters (hello, me).
4. No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Why It’s Awesome
No oven? No problem. These cookies come together in minutes and still feel like a festive treat.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 3 cups quick oats
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
- In a saucepan, melt butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa over medium heat until boiling. Boil 1 minute.
- Remove from heat; stir in peanut butter, oats, and vanilla.
- Drop spoonfuls onto wax paper and let cool until set.
Why You’ll Love It
They’re fast, chocolatey, and just messy enough to be fun. Also, FYI, peanut butter haters can sub almond butter, but peanut butter’s got that classic charm no one beats.
5. Eggnog Snickerdoodles (Yes, Really)
Why It’s Awesome
Snickerdoodles get a festive makeover with a splash of eggnog and extra cinnamon sugar love.
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp cream of tartar
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup eggnog
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup sugar (for rolling)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
- Beat butter and sugar; add egg and eggnog.
- Gradually add dry ingredients.
- Roll dough into balls, then in cinnamon sugar.
- Bake 8-10 minutes; cool on racks.
Why You’ll Love It
Eggnog lovers, this one’s for you! It adds a rich, cozy flavor that makes snickerdoodles feel like a hug in cookie form. They’re soft with a little crisp edge, perfect for dunking in your holiday coffee.
6. White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Why It’s Awesome
Tart cranberries and sweet white chocolate make this cookie a festive flavor bomb that’s surprisingly elegant.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Beat butter and sugars until fluffy; add egg and vanilla.
- Add dry mix gradually, then fold in white chocolate and cranberries.
- Drop by spoonfuls onto baking sheet.
- Bake 10-12 minutes until edges golden.
Why You’ll Love It
These cookies bring the perfect sweet-tart combo that’s just classy enough for fancy holiday parties but still comfy for couch cookie munching. Plus, cranberries add that pop of festive color—win for the ‘gram.
7. Soft Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Why It’s Awesome
Pumpkin spice isn’t just for lattes! These soft cookies are like autumn and winter had a sweet baby.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin spice.
- Beat butter and sugar; add pumpkin, egg, and vanilla.
- Gradually mix in dry ingredients.
- Drop by spoonfuls on baking sheet.
- Bake 12-15 minutes; cool completely.
Why You’ll Love It
They’re soft, moist, and packed with cozy spice. I tried adding nuts once—meh, too crunchy for my liking. These are best all smooth and tender. Perfect with a hot cup of cocoa or wine… your call 😉
8. Almond Joy Cookies (Because Coconut is Life)
Why It’s Awesome
Coconut, almonds, and chocolate get together in a cookie form that’s basically a mini tropical vacation. Minus the sand.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup chopped almonds
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla.
- Combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to wet ingredients.
- Fold in coconut, almonds, and chocolate.
- Scoop dough onto baking sheet.
- Bake 10-12 minutes until golden.
Why You’ll Love It
These cookies satisfy the craving for something nutty, chocolatey, and tropical all at once. Perfect for those “I want a cookie but also want to pretend I’m on vacation” moments.
9. Mini Cheesecake Stuffed Chocolate Cookies
Why It’s Awesome
Because sometimes you just want a cookie and cheesecake in one bite. Who says no?
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Beat butter and sugar, add egg and vanilla.
- Mix flour, cocoa, and baking soda; add to wet ingredients.
- For filling, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Scoop cookie dough, flatten, add a dollop of cheesecake filling, and fold dough around it.
- Bake 12-14 minutes. Cool completely.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s like the fancy dessert you didn’t know you could make at home with almost no effort. Rich, creamy, and chocolatey — basically a Christmas miracle.
10. Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies
Why It’s Awesome
Citrusy orange zest meets tart cranberries in buttery shortbread that’s just plain classy.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- Pinch of salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Beat butter and powdered sugar until creamy.
- Mix in flour, orange zest, cranberries, and salt.
- Shape dough into a log, wrap in plastic, chill 1 hour.
- Slice into rounds, bake 15-18 minutes until edges turn golden.
Why You’ll Love It
These cookies feel fancy but bake-up easy. The orange zest gives a fresh kick that’s not too overpowering, and the cranberries add a sweet-tart surprise. Great for gifting or just treating yourself because, duh, you deserve it.
Wrapping It Up
There you have it—10 festive Christmas cookies that mix tradition with a little twist, zero stress, and maximum yum. Whether you want classic sugar cookies or something a bit wild (hello, cheesecake-stuffed chocolate cookies), these recipes make holiday baking fun, approachable, and delicious. So, grab your apron, put on some cheesy Christmas tunes, and get ready to bake your way to cookie heaven. Your taste buds will thank you (and so will Santa, probably).
Happy baking! 🎄🍪