Christmas is a time for cozy gatherings, warm drinks, and the delightful aroma of fresh-baked cookies filling your home. Check out these classic Christmas Bakes for the perfect holiday season.
There’s nothing quite like the magic of baking to bring people together, and with so many wonderful Christmas cookie flavors to explore, including old-fashioned Christmas cookies, it’s easy to see why baking remains a treasured holiday tradition.
Whether you’re looking for a cookie cookbook or just some classic Christmas cookie recipes to inspire you, this collection of 20 classic holiday cookies is perfect for both seasoned bakers and beginners. Grab your favorite cookbook for beginners, put on your apron, and let’s bake up some Christmas magic!
1. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
The crackled appearance of Chocolate Crinkle Cookies makes them instantly recognizable as a Christmas classic. These soft, chewy treats are dusted with powdered sugar, giving them the look of freshly fallen snow. A favorite in many cookie cookbooks, they’re easy enough for beginners yet beloved by all ages.
2. Chocolate Diamond Cookies
Chocolate Diamond Cookies are elegant and melt in your mouth. Made with rich cocoa dough and decorated with a simple sugar coating, these treats look like sparkling gems and are one of the most charming classic holiday cookies you can serve this season.
3. Chocolate Salami
Not quite a cookie, but still a fun and vintage Christmas treat, Chocolate Salami combines a mixture of crushed biscuits, nuts, and cocoa to create a unique sliceable dessert. Often featured in any list of cookies, this no-bake delight has all the flavors of the season with minimal effort.
4. Chocolate Snowballs
Chocolate Snowballs are a wonderful blend of cocoa, butter, and powdered sugar that creates a delicious melt-in-your-mouth texture. Rolled in icing sugar to resemble snowballs, these traditional Christmas cookies are simple, sweet, and a definite crowd-pleaser.
5. Christmas Cookies
The simply named Christmas Cookies are beautifully decorated with colorful icing, sprinkles, and festive shapes. Whether you prefer snowmen, Christmas trees, or stars, these cookies are perfect for getting creative and sharing the decorating fun with loved ones.
6. Christmas Macarons
Christmas Macarons bring a touch of elegance to the cookie tray. Light, crisp, and filled with sweet buttercream, they can be flavored and colored to reflect the festive spirit. These beautiful treats are sure to impress anyone looking for the best Christmas cookies to add to their collection.
7. Coconut Snowballs
Coconut Snowballs are a fluffy, sweet delight perfect for lovers of tropical flavors during the winter months. With shredded coconut coating each cookie, they have a light and airy texture that’s ideal for holiday gatherings.
8. Diamond Cookies
Diamond Cookies are crunchy, buttery, and coated in sparkling sugar for a beautiful festive finish. They’re simple to make yet deliver a timeless charm that fits right in among Christmas cookie recipes.
9. Hedgehog Cake Pops
For something a little different, Hedgehog Cake Pops are an adorable addition to the holiday baking list. These cake pops are dipped in chocolate and decorated to resemble little hedgehogs—a cute and playful cookie alternative that’s also a lot of fun for kids to help make.
10. Kipferl Cookies
Kipferl Cookies are Austrian crescent-shaped shortbread cookies that are light, buttery, and flavored with vanilla. A true old-fashioned Christmas cookie recipe, these delicious treats are traditionally rolled in powdered sugar to add a snowy finish.
11. Nantes Cookies
Nantes Cookies, originating from France, is a crisp and slightly nutty treat with a touch of caramel. Their delightful crunch and sophisticated flavor profile make them a welcome addition to your Christmas cookie ideas.
12. Oatmeal Cookies
There’s something very comforting about Oatmeal Cookies during the holidays. With the hearty taste of oats and a touch of cinnamon, these cookies are cozy, warm, and ideal for snowy evenings by the fireplace. Add raisins or chocolate chips for even more flavor.
13. Pecan Roll Cookies
Pecan Roll Cookies are a favorite in many vintage Christmas cookie collections. With a buttery shortbread base and a pecan-filled topping, they offer a delicious blend of textures that’s sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
14. Pine Cone Cookies
Shaped to resemble pine cones, Pine Cone Cookies add a rustic charm to your holiday spread. Flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg, these spiced cookies bring all the comforting flavors of Christmas in a visually striking form.
15. Spiral Cookies
Spiral Cookies are as visually impressive as they are delicious. Alternating layers of colored dough are rolled into a beautiful spiral shape that’s sure to catch everyone’s eye. These cookies are perfect for adding a pop of color to your list of Christmas cookies.
16. Turtle Thumbprint Cookies
Turtle Thumbprint Cookies combine chocolate, caramel, and pecans to create a sweet and salty treat that’s hard to resist. They are one of the best Christmas cookies for anyone who loves decadent flavors.
17. Vanilla Apple Marshmallows
Although not technically a cookie, Vanilla Apple Marshmallows make a sweet addition to any holiday dessert table. Their light texture and unique flavor offer a nice contrast to the other rich Christmas bakes.
18. Vanilla Moon Cookies
Vanilla Moon Cookies are another crescent-shaped delight that’s often featured in cookies. Their light vanilla flavor and delicate powdered sugar coating make them a wonderful choice for a holiday treat.
19. Viennese Chocolate Sable
Viennese Chocolate Sable is a buttery and crumbly chocolate cookie that practically melts in your mouth. This classic treat is loved for its simple yet rich chocolate flavor and light, sandy texture—an absolute must-have among holiday cookies.
20. Walnut Cookies
Walnut Cookies are tender, nutty, and full of rich flavor. With finely chopped walnuts mixed into a soft dough, these old-fashioned Christmas cookies are perfect for enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa or a warm glass of milk.
Conclusion: Embrace the Tradition of Christmas Baking
These 20 classic Christmas cookies are perfect for bringing the spirit of the holiday season to your home.
Whether you’re looking for Christmas cookie ideas to make with family or a recipe that’s been passed down for generations, this collection includes something for everyone.
The comforting flavors, festive shapes, and shared experience of baking these best Christmas cookies make them the ultimate holiday treat. For anyone starting their baking journey, a cookbook for beginners can be a fantastic resource for mastering these traditional recipes.
And for those who are more experienced, experimenting with these cookie flavors is a joyful way to keep traditions alive and create new memories.
So, grab your favorite cookie cookbook, bake up a batch (or two), and let the warmth of Christmas fill your home!