Best Christmas Cookie Recipes

Top 7 Christmas Cookie Recipes To Bake This Season

Christmas cookies are more than just desserts, they’re traditions passed down from generation to generation, shared at holiday parties, gifted to neighbors, and baked with family on cozy winter nights. As we head into Christmas 2025, classic flavors with festive twists add whimsy to holiday baking. From peppermint meltaway cookies to gingerbread men and chocolate mint delights, these cookies capture everything we love about the Christmas season.

Below are the Top 7 Best Christmas Cookie Recipes curated by Marneys Tidbits for 2025, known for their popularity, flavor, and holiday appeal. These simple, tried and true recipes are sure to be a hit.

Peppermint Meltaways

Best Peppermint Candy Cookie

Peppermint Meltaways are delicate, buttery cookies that literally melt in your mouth. We love these Christmas cookies because they are coated in powdered sugar and lavished with crushed candy canes, they’re festive, elegant, and perfect for holiday cookie trays.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp peppermint extract
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2 tbsp heavy cream
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar for glazing
• 1/4 cup crushed candy canes or peppermint candies
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract for glazing

(Do you know about the legend of the candy cane?)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Cream butter and powdered sugar until fluffy.

3. Mix in peppermint extract.

4. Add flour, cornstarch, and salt.

5. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on baking sheet.

6. Bake 12–14 minutes until set but not browned.

7. Whisk together the remaining powdered sugar, heavy cream, and peppermint extract to create a smooth glaze.
8. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies and top with crushed peppermint candies for that perfect peppermint touch. Allow the glaze to set before serving.

Christmas Gingerbread Cookies

Classic Christmas Favorite

Gingerbread cookies are the ultimate holiday cookie staple thanks to their warm spices, cuteness, and nostalgic charm. Gingerbread man cookies are perfect for decorating or enjoying fireside, with whipped cream, and Christmas hot cocoa.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ¾ cup molasses
• ¾ cup butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp clove
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Cream butter and brown sugar.

2. Add egg and molasses.

3. Mix dry ingredients separately and combine.

4. Chill dough for 1 hour.

5. Roll out and cut shapes, such as gingerbread men or snowflakes.

6. Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes.

7. Cool and decorate if desired.

Christmas Sugar Cookies

Best Cookie for Decorating

Soft, sweet, and versatile, sugar cookies are the focal point of Christmas baking. They can be shaped into stars, bells, Christmas trees, angels, snowflakes and wreaths then decorated with frosting, sprinkles or colored sugars. Some of my favorite childhood memories include decorating these sweet treats.  Traditional sugar cookies stay tender and hold their shape beautifully. Nothing quite says Christmas like a beautifully decorated and delicious sugar cookie. Here’s a quick link to sugar cookie decorating supplies, including Christmas cookie cutters and Christmas cookie decorations.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2½ cups flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Cream butter and sugar.

2. Add egg and vanilla.

3. Mix dry ingredients and combine.

4. Chill dough for 30 minutes.

5. Roll and cut shapes.

6. Bake at 350°F for 9–11 minutes.

7. Cool before icing or decorating

Chocolate Mint Christmas Cookies

Best Chocolate Christmas Cookie

Chocolate mint cookies combine rich cocoa flavor with cool peppermint, making them an irresistible treat during the holidays. I could sit by the Christmas tree, and eat a whole plate of these cookies, with a warm cup of tea.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp peppermint extract
• 1½ cups flour
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• Chocolate chips or Andes mint pieces

Instructions:

1. Cream butter and sugar.

2. Add egg and peppermint extract.

3. Combine dry ingredients and mix in.

4. Fold in chocolate or mint pieces.

5. Scoop onto baking sheet.

6. Bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.

Snickerdoodle Cookies

Best Cinnamon Holiday Cookie

Who doesn’t love snickerdoodles? These are a favorite on Christmas because they are soft, and chewy cookies rolled in cinnamon sugar, bringing warmth and comfort to any Christmas cookie lineup.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter
• 1½ cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2¾ cups flour
• 2 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• Cinnamon sugar (¼ cup sugar + 1 tbsp cinnamon for rolling the dough balls in)

Instructions:

1. Cream butter and sugar.

2. Add eggs.

3. Mix dry ingredients and combine.

4. Roll dough balls in the remaining cinnamon sugar

5. Bake at 375°F for 9–11 minutes.

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Best Sweet-Tart Cookie

These melt in your mouth Christmas cookies are a favorite Christmas treat because they balance creamy white chocolate with tart cranberries for a festive look and delicious flavor contrast.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 2¼ cups flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup white chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Cream butter and sugars.

2. Add egg and vanilla.

3. Mix dry ingredients and combine.

4. Fold in cranberries and chips.

5. Bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Most Nostalgic Christmas Cookie

No holiday cookie platter is complete without iconic peanut butter blossoms topped with chocolate kiss.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup peanut butter
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1¾ cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• Sugar for rolling
• Chocolate kisses

Instructions:

1. Cream butter, peanut butter, and sugars.

2. Add egg and vanilla.

3. Mix in dry ingredients.

4. Roll in sugar and bake at 375°F for 8–10 minutes.

5. Press chocolate kiss into warm cookie.

Christmas Cookies 2025 – Final Thoughts

The best Christmas cookies of 2025 blend tradition, flavor, and festive flair. Bake a few of these holiday cookie recipes, or all seven, then place your delicious works of art on a beautiful Christmas cookie stand. Whether you’re baking peppermint meltaways for elegance, gingerbread cookies for nostalgia, or decorating your holiday cookies with edible flowers, these recipes are your guaranteed holiday cookie hits.

FAQs On Christmas Cookies

How do you make organic Christmas cookies?

Making organic Christmas cookies starts with choosing certified organic ingredients, including organic flour, butter, eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract. Swap conventional white sugar for organic cane sugar or coconut sugar, and use organic baking powder or baking soda. Many bakers also choose organic spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger for richer flavor. The process is the same as traditional baking, but organic ingredients reduce exposure to pesticides and additives while delivering a more natural, wholesome holiday treat.

How do you decorate Christmas cookies with ornate toppings?

Ornate cookie decorating focuses on layering textures, colors, and details. Start with a smooth base layer of icing, then add decorative elements such as edible gold dust, sanding sugar, sprinkles, pearl dragees, or dried edible flowers. Use fine-tipped piping bags to create borders, lace patterns, or raised accents. Allow each layer to dry before adding the next to avoid smudging. Ornate toppings elevate Christmas cookies into edible art, perfect for gifting or festive displays.

How do you decorate Christmas cookies with royal icing?

Royal icing is ideal for detailed Christmas cookie designs because it dries hard and smooth. Begin by outlining the cookie with thicker icing, then “flood” the center with thinner icing. Use a toothpick or scribe tool to spread icing evenly and remove air bubbles. Once dry, add details like dots, lines, or lettering with thicker icing. Royal icing allows for crisp designs, vibrant colors, and stacked decorations that hold their shape beautifully.

How do you make frosting for Christmas cookies?

Christmas cookie frosting is typically made by mixing powdered sugar, butter or shortening, vanilla extract, and a small amount of milk or cream. Beat the mixture until smooth and fluffy, adjusting liquid for the desired consistency. For color, add natural food coloring or plant-based dyes. Frosting can be spread with a knife for a soft, creamy look or piped for decorative designs. This versatile frosting works well for sugar cookies, gingerbread, and festive holiday treats.

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