The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without the smell of freshly baked cookies wafting through the house. Whether you’re preparing for a Christmas party, baking gifts for friends and neighbors, or enjoying a cozy night in with family, cookies are a sweet tradition that brings everyone together. To make your holiday baking simpler and more joyful, we’ve gathered 9 quick & easy Christmas cookie recipes that require minimal effort but deliver maximum festive flavor.
First up are classic sugar cookies, the ultimate Christmas treat. Soft, buttery, and perfect for cutting into fun holiday shapes, these cookies are a blank canvas for colorful icing, sprinkles, and creative decorations. Not only do they taste great, but decorating them is a fun activity for kids and adults alike.
Another holiday must-have is gingerbread cookies. Infused with warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, these cookies are bursting with seasonal flavor. Whether you shape them into gingerbread men or build little cookie houses, they add a nostalgic touch to your Christmas celebrations.
If you’re short on time, chocolate crinkle cookies are a go-to option. Rolled in powdered sugar before baking, they develop beautiful crackled tops that look like freshly fallen snow. Soft, fudgy, and rich, they’re a hit with chocolate lovers and bake quickly.
For a nutty and slightly decadent option, pecan snowball cookies are a holiday favorite. These melt-in-your-mouth, buttery cookies are dusted with powdered sugar and look just like little snowballs — making them as pretty as they are delicious.
Those who love simple flavors will enjoy shortbread cookies. With just a few ingredients, these crumbly, buttery cookies are incredibly easy to make and can be dressed up with a drizzle of chocolate or dipped in festive sprinkles for added flair.
For something indulgent, peppermint bark cookies combine the joy of chocolate and peppermint in one bite. Topped with crushed candy canes, these cookies not only taste festive but also look stunning on any holiday cookie platter.
Another crowd-pleaser is peanut butter blossoms, a timeless favorite that pairs chewy peanut butter cookies with chocolate kisses on top. They’re both festive and easy to make, and they always disappear fast at holiday gatherings.
If you’re craving something different, oatmeal raisin cookies with holiday spices bring warmth and comfort to the season. A touch of nutmeg and cinnamon makes them feel extra festive while still being wholesome and chewy.
Finally, no Christmas cookie roundup is complete without red velvet cookies. Soft, vibrant, and full of chocolate flavor, these cookies look festive with their deep red color and taste amazing with a dusting of powdered sugar or cream cheese drizzle.
These 9 quick & easy Christmas cookie recipes prove that you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to whip up something special. Each one captures the spirit of the season, making them perfect for cookie swaps, holiday dessert tables, or enjoying with a warm mug of cocoa by the fire. With these recipes, your holiday baking will be stress-free, fun, and absolutely delicious.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Classic chocolate chip cookies get a fall update by mixing in pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice. Not only are these pumpkin cookies even more flavorful than regular chocolate chip cookies, they’re also oh-so-soft and cakelike. Use chocolate chunks for big gooey bites of chocolate or opt for mini chocolate chips to ensure a bit of chocolate in each bite.
Oatmeal-Coconut Cookies with Cranberries & White Chocolate
Our classic oatmeal cookie recipe gets a flavor twist with coconut, white chocolate chips (which have a more delicate flavor than milk or dark chocolate) and tart dried cranberries. The result is a chewy, sweet treat that’s sure to leave you coming back for more.
Healthy Pumpkin-Oatmeal Cookies
These tender pumpkin-oatmeal cookies have the perfect amount of sweetness from brown sugar and raisins and a slightly nutty flavor from almond butter. Enjoy them as an after-school snack or a healthy dessert. Several testers also said they’d love to eat them with a cup of coffee in the morning.
