10 Easy Holiday Cookie Recipes to Bake This Season

If you ask me, the holiday season officially begins the moment your kitchen starts smelling like butter, vanilla, and a hint of cinnamon.

You know that warm, cozy scent that instantly makes you want to grab a cookie, wrap yourself in a blanket, and pretend calories don’t count in December? Yeah, that’s the one.

Now, I’ve baked my fair share of cookies over the years—some were Instagram-worthy, while others were, let’s just say, “character-building experiences.”

But through plenty of trial, error, and a few smoke alarms, I’ve collected a list of 10 easy holiday cookie recipes that’ll make you look like a pro baker (even if you’re secretly just in it for the dough).

Whether you’re baking for a cookie exchange, gifting to neighbors, or just hoarding them for yourself (no judgment here), these recipes are guaranteed to bring joy—and probably a little sugar rush—to your holidays.

1. Classic Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

If you only bake one type of cookie this season, make it the classic sugar cookie. It’s festive, fun, and—let’s be honest—half the joy is decorating them like a five-year-old who just discovered sprinkles.

Why They’re a Holiday Must

• They’re easy to roll, cut, and decorate with family or friends.
  
• You can make them look fancy with royal icing or taste amazing with a hint of almond extract.
  
• They stay fresh for days, so you can prep ahead of your holiday party.
  

Pro Tip

Add a touch of cream cheese to the dough for a richer flavor. Trust me, you’ll never go back to the plain version again.

Quick Ingredients

• 2 ¾ cups flour
  
• 1 cup butter, softened
  
• 1 cup sugar
  
• 1 egg
  
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
  
• ½ tsp almond extract
  
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  
• Pinch of salt
  

Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes, let them cool, then unleash your inner artist with royal icing.

2. Chewy Gingerbread Cookies

These cookies are basically Christmas in edible form—molasses, ginger, and cinnamon all in one chewy bite. And the smell while they bake? Unreal.

Why You’ll Love Them

They’re warm, spicy, and nostalgic, like your grandma’s kitchen (minus the unsolicited life advice). Perfect for dunking in coffee or hot cocoa.

Baking Hack

Chill your dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling—it helps the cookies keep their shape and intensifies that deep, molasses-spice flavor.

Flavor Add-Ons

• Dip half in white chocolate for a little fancy flair.
  
• Add a dash of orange zest to brighten the flavor.
  

3. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

These look like little snow-covered mountains, and they taste like pure holiday joy. Soft, fudgy centers wrapped in a crackly, powdered sugar shell—it’s like the cookie version of a brownie and a snowball having a baby.

Why They’re a Hit

They look impressive but are shockingly easy to make. Plus, the “crinkle” effect happens naturally—so you don’t have to try hard to make them pretty (finally, a win for lazy bakers everywhere).

Pro Baker Tip

Roll the dough balls in granulated sugar before powdered sugar—it helps create extra contrast and keeps the powdered sugar from melting away.

4. Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies

You know how mint and chocolate are the ultimate holiday duo? Think of this as your go-to upgrade for the classic chocolate chip cookie. It’s sweet, refreshing, and just the right amount of festive.

Why You Need These

Because regular chocolate chip cookies feel a little too “Tuesday” for December. Peppermint instantly adds that holiday twist without any extra effort.

Make It Fun

Crush up candy canes and sprinkle them on top before baking. It adds a colorful, crunchy finish that makes them pop on any dessert table.

5. Thumbprint Cookies with Jam

Here’s a cookie that’s equal parts cute and classy. Buttery shortbread with a dollop of jam in the center—what’s not to love? They’re basically bite-sized happiness.

Why They’re Foolproof

You can use any jam you have lying around: raspberry, apricot, strawberry—whatever suits your mood.

Quick Pro Tip

If your thumbprints crack when pressing, just smooth the edges with your finger dipped in a little water. Problem solved.

Flavor Variations

• Raspberry + almond extract = perfection
  
• Apricot + orange zest = bright and sunny
  
• Strawberry + vanilla = simple and sweet
  

6. Snowball Cookies (a.k.a. Russian Tea Cakes)

Soft, buttery, and coated in powdered sugar—these little snowballs practically melt in your mouth. They’re light, nutty, and dangerously addictive.

What Makes Them Special

They look fancy but take almost no time to make. The secret is finely chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans work best) that give the cookies their signature texture.

Pro Tip

Roll them in powdered sugar twice—once while warm and once after they cool. That double coat makes them irresistibly snowy and sweet.

Perfect Pairing

A steaming cup of chai or spiced latte. Because balance, right?

7. White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

These cookies are like the Hallmark movie of desserts—classic, cozy, and just sweet enough to make you feel something. The tart cranberries balance the creamy white chocolate perfectly.

Why They Work

The red cranberries and white chocolate chips give them instant holiday flair. No frosting, no sprinkles—just effortless beauty.

Pro Baker Secret

Soak dried cranberries in warm orange juice for 10 minutes before adding them to your dough. It plumps them up and adds a subtle citrus twist.

8. Peanut Butter Blossoms

Let’s be honest, these cookies are everyone’s favorite at the cookie swap. That chewy peanut butter base with a Hershey’s Kiss on top? Iconic.

Why They’re Irresistible

They’re nostalgic, easy, and require minimal decoration (aka perfect for last-minute bakers).

Tips for the Best Blossoms

• Roll the dough balls in sugar before baking for a light crunch.
  
• Press the Hershey’s Kiss in right after they come out of the oven. The warmth helps it stick without melting into a puddle.
  

Fun Twist

Swap the Kiss for a mini Reese’s cup. Trust me, it’s dangerously good.

9. Oatmeal Raisin (But Make It Festive)

Before you scroll past—hear me out. I know oatmeal raisin cookies get a bad rap, but these are not your sad cafeteria version. Soft, chewy, and spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, they’re comfort in cookie form.

Festive Upgrade Ideas

• Add dried cranberries instead of raisins for color and tang.
  
• Throw in white chocolate chips for extra sweetness.
  
• Drizzle with maple glaze for a grown-up twist.
  

Baking Note

Don’t overbake! They should still look slightly underdone when you pull them out—the residual heat finishes the job.

10. Easy No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Clusters

Okay, technically these are “cookies” only by spirit, but let’s not get hung up on definitions when chocolate and peanuts are involved. These no-bake wonders come together in 10 minutes and disappear twice as fast.

Why You’ll Love Them

They’re perfect for lazy bakers or anyone running out of oven space (which, let’s face it, is all of us in December).

How to Make Them

• Melt chocolate chips and a spoonful of peanut butter together.
  
• Stir in roasted peanuts.
  
• Drop spoonfuls onto wax paper and let them set.
  

Simple, sweet, and satisfyingly crunchy.

Bonus: Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Baking

Because let’s be real—holiday baking can turn from “festive fun” to “why is there flour on the ceiling?” real quick. Here’s how to keep your sanity intact:

1. Plan Ahead

Pick your recipes and shop for ingredients early. The last thing you want is to realize you’re out of butter on Christmas Eve (been there, done that).

2. Chill Your Dough

For cookies like sugar or gingerbread, chilling the dough prevents spreading and makes rolling way easier.

3. Use Parchment Paper

It keeps cookies from sticking and saves you from scrubbing trays at midnight. Win-win.

4. Batch Freeze Dough

Freeze cookie dough balls on a tray, then store them in a zip-top bag. You can bake fresh cookies whenever you want—just add 1–2 minutes to the baking time.

5. Keep It Fun

Play your favorite holiday playlist, pour some hot cocoa (or mulled wine, no judgment), and enjoy the process. After all, the holidays are supposed to be sweet—literally.

Final Thoughts

There you have it—10 easy holiday cookie recipes that’ll make your kitchen smell like joy and your friends think you’ve secretly taken a pastry class. Whether you’re team chocolate, team spice, or team “I’ll eat whatever’s warm,” there’s something here for every craving.

Remember, holiday baking isn’t about perfection—it’s about making memories (and maybe a mess). So throw on that apron, preheat the oven, and let’s make this holiday season the sweetest one yet.

Oh, and FYI—cookies taste way better when you share them… but I won’t judge if you keep the best batch for yourself.