25 Easy Christmas Cookies: Recipes You’ll Love to Bake!
This guide brings together 25 simple, heart-warming Christmas cookie recipes.
Some of these recipes are inspired by my life in Greece, some by my travels, and others by pure holiday spontaneity.
Posts may include affiliate links to products or services. I might earn a commission if you make a purchase.
December always begins the same way at my house: a cold morning, a warm mug between my hands, and the sudden urge to bake something — anything — as long as it fills the air with butter, spice, and a little magic.
Christmas cookies aren’t just recipes; they’re tiny rituals. Tiny joys.
This guide gathers 25 no-stress Christmas cookies you can bake on a slow afternoon, a busy weekday, or right before guests arrive. Most need one bowl, simple ingredients, and a little seasonal love.
1. Classic soft sugar cookies
The most versatile cookie of the season!
These cookies are a Christmas tradition in themselves — simple, buttery, and soft enough that they almost bend in your hand. They hold any shape you dream up, from tiny stars to intricate snowflakes, without losing their tender texture.
The dough comes together quickly and rolls out easily, making this the perfect recipe for decorating days. They are fabulous if you want a minimalist look with no icing at all, or you love going all out with colorful royal icing and sprinkles. They stay soft for days and taste even better on day two.
I love baking them on slow December mornings, when the house is quiet and the only sound is the cutter pressing into the dough. It’s the kind of recipe that turns even the most ordinary day into a celebration.
Ingredients: Butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, flour, baking powder, a pinch of salt.
Check out the full recipe here
2. Almond butter snowballs
Soft, melt-in-the-mouth cookies.
These tiny almond cookies crumble gently at the first bite, then dissolve completely, leaving behind a warm almond sweetness. Rolling them in powdered sugar while they’re warm creates that snowy finish — so soft it dusts your fingertips.
There’s something beautifully old-fashioned about snowball cookies. The recipe is simple, but the flavor is extraordinary thanks to the almond flour, which gives them an almost marzipan-like aroma without being overly sweet. They look stunning in cookie boxes, especially piled high like a little edible snowdrift.
Make them once, and they’ll become a permanent part of your December ritual.
Ingredients: Almond flour, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, salt.
3. Chocolate chip espresso bites
Small, caffeinated cookies that keep holiday energy alive.
These cookies might be tiny, but their flavor is huge. Espresso powder deepens the chocolate and gives aroma to the dough — the kind that wakes you up even before the first bite. The result is a soft, slightly chewy cookie with pockets of melted chocolate and just enough coffee flavor.
I love making these when December gets busy and the to-do list starts to take over. One or two cookies alongside a cup of tea or hot chocolate is enough to recharge you for another round of gift wrapping, decorating, or late-night movie watching.
Ingredients: butter, sugar, brown sugar, egg, flour, espresso powder, chocolate chips, baking soda, a pinch of salt.
4. Greek melomakarona (honey cookies)
Soft, syrup-soaked, fragrant Greek Christmas perfection.
Melomakarona are the heart of Greek Christmas. These cookies are scented with orange, cinnamon, and clove — the holy trinity of winter aromas. Once they’re baked, they’re dipped into warm honey syrup that soaks deep into the cookie, giving them a texture that is completely irresistible.
Crushed walnuts sprinkled on top add just the right amount of crunch, balancing all that syrupy softness. They’re the kind of treat that tastes even better the next day, making them ideal for preparing ahead.
If Christmas had a flavor in Greece, this would be it — a true Greek holiday experience.
Ingredients: Flour, olive oil, sugar, orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon, clove, baking powder, honey syrup, walnuts.
Here is the full recipe
5. Cinnamon swirl thumbprints
Tiny cinnamon rolls disguised as cookies.
These taste like bite-sized cinnamon rolls — soft vanilla-scented dough on the outside, a warm cinnamon-brown sugar swirl right in the center. When they bake, the swirl caramelizes slightly, making the whole kitchen smell like Christmas morning.
They look adorable on holiday platters and pair beautifully with tea or spiced cider. If you’re someone who loves cinnamon above all other spices, this will instantly become your favorite December cookie.
Ingredients: Butter, sugar, egg, vanilla extract, flour, cinnamon powder, and brown sugar.
Learn how to make them here.
6. Brown butter shortbread
A luxurious twist on a timeless classic.
Brown butter changes everything. It turns simple shortbread into something elegant and unforgettable. As the butter melts and foams, your kitchen fills with the smell of caramel.
Mixed with sugar and flour, the dough becomes sandy, fragrant, and ready to bake into delicate cookies. They crumble the moment you bite into them, melting into a tasty, nutty finish.
Ingredients: Browned butter, sugar, flour, a pinch of salt.
7. Chocolate and almond Cretan cookies
Topped with almonds and chocolate chips, these are inspired by Crete.
These cookies were inspired by the flavors of Crete but dressed up for the holidays. The base is soft and lightly sweet. Toasted almonds add crunch and warmth, while chocolate chips make each bite feel indulgent without being heavy.
What makes them special is the topping: instead of mixing everything into the dough, the almonds and chocolate sit on top, creating a rustic, bakery-style look. Some versions include a thin chocolate base for extra richness, but they’re never fully dipped — just kissed with chocolate, not drowned in it.
They’re perfect for anyone who wants a cookie that feels traditional but still festive.
Ingredients: Optional melted chocolate for the base, butter, sugar, egg, flour, baking powder, almonds, and chocolate chips.
Here’s the full recipe
8. Orange & olive oil cookies
If you’re looking for a traditional Greek cookie, this is the one you’ll bake over and over.
A Mediterranean winter in cookie form. These biscuits are crisp along the edges, soft inside, and beautifully perfumed with bright orange zest and often decorated with sesame seeds.
The olive oil makes them tender and subtly fruity — a flavor that feels refreshing in a season full of butter-heavy treats. They’re simple, honest, and perfect if you love lighter Christmas cookies.
Ingredients: Olive oil, sugar, orange zest & juice, flour, baking powder, vanilla extract, sesame seeds.
9. Cranberry white chocolate drops
Bright, sweet, and festive little cookie bites.
Cranberry cookies remind you of Christmas in color and in taste. The cookie is soft, ot’s a mix of chewy, creamy, and slightly tangy —an irresistible trio.
These are ideal for cookie boxes, because the bits of red and white make them look like ornaments. They store well, travel well, and taste even better the next day. If you want a cookie that brings color to a platter and joy to anyone who tries it, these drops are perfect.
Ingredients: Butter, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, flour, dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, vanilla extract, baking soda.
10. Chocolate crinkle cookies
Soft, brownie-like cookies.
A chocolate crinkle cookie is winter comfort in dessert form. The dough is almost like brownie batter—dark, rich, and deeply chocolatey. When you roll it in powdered sugar and bake it, something magical happens: the outside sets, the inside stays soft, and the top cracks open, creating that iconic snowy pattern.
They’re chocolate-forward, cozy, and the kind of cookie that makes the whole house smell like a warm bakery. If you’re baking with kids, they will love sprinkling them with powdered sugar once they’ve cooled down.
Ingredients: Cocoa powder, flour, butter, eggs, brown sugar, powdered sugar, baking powder, vanilla, dark chocolate.
11. Hazelnut crunch cookies
These feel like a walk through a winter market.
Toasted hazelnuts bring warmth and crunch, while the soft buttery dough wraps everything together. They smell incredible while baking — nutty, sweet, slightly caramelized.
If you love the flavor of chocolate-hazelnut spreads, this is the cookie you reach for. Bonus: they stay crisp for days.
Ingredients: Butter, sugar, flour, chopped hazelnuts, vanilla, baking powder.
12. Peanut butter chocolate kiss cookies
Soft, nutty cookies with a chocolate center.
These cookies are everything you want in a holiday treat: A peanut butter base with a chocolate kiss right in the middle. The dough is soft, holding just enough structure to cradle the chocolate without overpowering it. Every bite is the perfect combination of salty and sweet — pure winter comfort.
They’re simple to make, but every bite feels indulgent. Children love pressing the chocolate kiss into the center, adults love sneaking an extra one before dinner.
If you want a cookie that’s completely irresistible, these are the ones to make first.
Ingredients: Peanut butter, butter, sugar, egg, flour, baking soda, chocolate kisses.
13. Rum raisin Christmas cookies
Soft, spiced cookies with plump rum-soaked raisins.
These cookies capture the Christmas spirit. The raisins soak in rum (or orange juice for a non-alcoholic version), giving bursts of fruit inside every bite. The dough itself is fragrant with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, evoking the scents of holiday baking.
They’re soft, tender, and almost cake-like in texture, but perfectly sized for gifting or snacking. The subtle rum flavor makes them feel sophisticated without being overpowering.
Ingredients: Butter, sugar, egg, flour, raisins, rum or orange juice, cinnamon, baking powder.
14. Traditional scones
English-style scones dusted with a sprinkle of icing sugar.
These classic scones are tightly sweet, perfect for afternoon treat. The dough bakes into soft rounds, and a dusting of icing sugar adds a touch of festive charm.
I love them warm, fresh from the oven, with tea or coffee. Simple, comforting, and timeless — they’re a perfect holiday indulgence.
Ingredients: Flour, butter, sugar, baking powder, salt, milk, icing sugar.
15. Lemon snow drizzles
Bright, zesty cookies topped with a delicate glaze.
This cookie dough carries a bright citrus flavor that cuts through all the richer holiday cookies. Once baked, they’re drizzled with a thin lemon glaze, giving them a snowy, festive look.
I bake these when I want something light, fresh, and aromatic on a busy cookie tray. They balance beautifully against heavier chocolate or spice cookies.
Ingredients: Butter, sugar, eggs, flour, lemon zest, lemon juice, powdered sugar.
16. Maple pecan butter cookies
Nutty cookies with a hint of maple sweetness.
These cookies are tender, yet the toasted pecans give them a wonderful crunch, while the maple adds warmth and subtle sweetness without overpowering the buttery base.
They’re the kind of cookie you savor slowly with a cup of coffee on a quiet winter morning.
You can sprinkle a few extra chopped pecans on top before baking to look festive and rustic.
Ingredients: Butter, sugar, eggs, flour, maple syrup, pecans, vanilla.
17. Traditional gingerbread cookies
Soft, warmly spiced cookies perfect for decorating.
Classic gingerbread is a holiday essential. The dough has ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and molasses. Rolled out and cut into stars, trees, or gingerbread men, they’re perfect for decorating with icing or leaving plain to enjoy the spices.
Baking them fills your home with the unmistakable scent of Christmas. I love letting the dough chill for a few hours — it makes the cookies slightly firmer and easier to cut, yet they remain soft when baked.
If you want a cookie that feels timeless, this is your recipe.
Ingredients: Flour, butter, sugar, molasses, egg, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, salt.
18. Orange cinnamon drop cookies
Soft, fragrant cookies with a hint of citrus and warm spice.
These cookies are tender and lightly sweet, with the aroma of fresh orange zest. Each bite has a subtle chewiness that makes them feel homemade. The citrus balances perfectly with the sweet, spiced dough.
I love baking these and letting the orange-cinnamon scent fill the kitchen. They’re easy to make, perfect for cookie trays, or simply enjoyed with a warm cup of tea by the window.
If you want a simple, cozy, and lightly spiced cookie that feels like winter sunshine, these are the ones to bake.
Ingredients: Butter, sugar, egg, flour, orange zest, cinnamon, baking powder, vanilla, salt.
19. Coconut vanilla cookies
Soft, airy cookies with shredded coconut and warm vanilla.
These cookies are light, almost cloud-like, with vanilla undertones. Shredded coconut adds texture and a natural sweetness that evokes tropical warmth. The edges crisp slightly while the centers remain soft and chewy thanks to the coconut.
. I love rolling them in extra coconut once they’ve cooled down for a snowy, festive look.
Ingredients: Butter, sugar, eggs, flour, shredded coconut, vanilla, salt.
20. Spiced hot cocoa cookies
Chocolate cookies that taste like a cup of hot cocoa in bite form.
These cookies are soft, fudgy, and lightly spiced with cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg.
I love baking them for chilly evenings and letting the aroma fill the house. They’re perfect if you love chocolate with a hint of festive spice. If you want a cookie that warms you from the inside out, this is the one.
Ingredients: Butter, sugar, eggs, flour, cocoa, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg.
21. White chocolate pistachio cookies
Tender cookies studded with white chocolate and bright green pistachios.
These cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious. The white chocolate offers sweetness, while pistachios give crunch and a festive color pop. They’re soft in the center with slightly crisp edges and their nutty flavor that balances perfectly with the chocolate.
They’re simple to make but look and taste special.
Ingredients: Butter, sugar, eggs, flour, white chocolate, pistachios, vanilla, baking powder.
22. Traditional oat cookies
Chewy, rustic cookies with oats and a hint of spice.
These oatmeal cookies are simple. They’re soft, chewy, and sweet, with a rustic texture that comes from oats. A touch of cinnamon or nutmeg gives them a festive aroma, while optional raisins, chocolate chips, or nuts add extra bursts of flavor.
Baking them reminds you of classic holiday baking. They’re perfect for family baking days, packing in cookie boxes, or enjoying with a glass of milk by the fire.
If you want cookie everyone loves, these are fabulous (and healthy).
Ingredients: Butter, sugar, eggs, flour, oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins (optional), chocolae chips (optional) baking soda.
23. Double chocolate fudge cookies
Ultra-rich chocolate cookies that stay soft.
These cookies are heaven for chocolate lovers. The dough is packed with cocoa and chocolate chips, creating pockets of molten chocolate with every bite. They bake into soft, fudgy rounds with slightly crisp edges, filling your kitchen with the irresistible smell of deep chocolate.
I love baking a batch and enjoying one warm from the oven while the chocolate is still melting. They’re perfect for anyone who wants indulgence in every bite.
Ingredients: Butter, sugar, eggs, flour, cocoa powder, chocolate chunks, baking powder.
24. Chocolate peppermint cookies
Chewy chocolate cookies with crushed peppermint candy.
These cookies combine chocolate with the crunch of peppermint. Soft, slightly chewy, and aromatic, they capture the essence of holiday desserts. The crushed candy canes on top add a festive look and a minty snap, balancing the sweetness beautifully.
They’re always the first to disappear: They’re indulgent yet playful, making them a seasonal favorite for kids and adults alike.
Ingredients: Butter, sugar, eggs, flour, cocoa, chocolate chips, peppermint extract, crushed candy canes, baking soda.
25. Molasses spice cookies
Deeply spiced, chewy cookies with rich molasses flavor.
These classic molasses cookies are fragrant, soft, and slightly chewy, with warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Molasses gives them a dark, rich color and an unmistakable holiday flavor. Rolled in sugar before baking, they crackle beautifully on top, creating a rustic, festive look.
I love the way the aroma fills the house while they bake. They’re perfect for holiday platters, gift boxes, or enjoying with a warm drink.
Ingredients: Flour, molasses, butter, sugar, egg, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, salt.
Baking these cookies fills the home with warmth, joy, and the unmistakable magic of the season, and each bite is a little celebration of Christmas!
Pin for later!
Pick a section and read on:
About me:
I have lived in Chania, Crete, since 2016. As a local, I have an intimate knowledge of the island. I host culinary and concierge tours and experiences in Crete and write about the island for several travel media. I have helped many travelers plan the perfect holiday in Crete. I co-authored DK Eyewitness Top 10 Crete and had more glasses of frappe than any regular person could ever handle.
