Easy Christmas cookie recipes you will love. From peppermint Hershey Kiss Christmas cookies to gingerbread and everything in between it will keep you busy baking this December!
Seriously, I am ALL about baking easy Christmas cookie recipes once it hits December 1st every year!! From gingerbread to peppermint creations, I love baking with my girls and hosting a Christmas cookie exchange too. Here are a bunch of holiday cookies I know you’ll love too. (affiliate links present)
Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes with Few Ingredients
So you have your tree up (ours goes up literally the day after Thanksgiving), lights up, and now it is time for some holiday cookies. Get ready for wonderful smells to fill your house with homemade gingerbread dough and many more goodies here.
I remember baking with my Grandma making the annual batch of lebkuchen (spice cookie) and every time I smell that scent it brings me back to my childhood.
Old Fashioned Christmas Cookie Recipes
Now that I am a parent to 3 girls myself I like to integrate a few new ones each year, but they have to be easy. Anything made in the microwave works like our microwave peppermint bark and fudge.
Recently I have become obsessed with making charcuterie boards for beginners too. They are always a huge hit and I want to share my obsession with all of you, it’s addicting y’all.
I am all about baking that requires just a few ingredients like these cake mix gingerbread cookies. Use a few more for homemade lemon crinkle cookies with cream cheese, or you can make it as a boxed cake mix recipe too.
Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes
We have easy using cake mix to completely homemade like our coffee cake cookies with a crumble topping.
- Cake mix crinkle cookies recipe can be made red and green for Christmas
- Egg nog cookie cups are so fun to make and delish. If you want to make a cake, our egg nog pudding cake is another favorite.
- Want a layered treat? Try pecan shortbread bars with chocolate and a caramel flavor.
Snickerdoodle hot chocolate is fun to make with your treats when serving. Just add flavoring into your Swiss Miss and a great twist on a few favorite holiday flavors. You can dip these 3 ingredient shortbread cookies in chocolate or enjoy them as is.
- Hazelnut cookies are festive and something different to try
- The Best Soft Sugar Cookie Recipe Ever!
- Pecan snowball cookies dusted with sugar are super pretty
How early should I make Christmas cookies?
If you want to start baking a month or more in advance, consider freezing the dough or baked cookies. Freeze the dough in individual portions, or store baked cookies between layers of parchment paper in an airtight container. Defrost at room temperature when you’re ready to decorate or serve.
Shortbread and Sugar Cookies
Make 2-4 weeks in advance. These cookies hold up well over time and often taste better as they age slightly. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature or freeze them to keep them fresh.
Gingerbread Cookies
Make 2-3 weeks in advance. Gingerbread cookies, like sugar cookies, can be made well in advance. They maintain their texture and flavor when stored in an airtight container.
Molasses Cookies
Make 1 week in advance if stored at room temperature. For longer storage, you can freeze these types of cookies to maintain freshness.
Biscotti
Make 2-3 weeks in advance. Biscotti have a longer shelf life because they’re baked twice and are drier by nature, which prevents spoilage. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
You can always throw in another goodie though that isn’t “technically” a cookie. I mean your guests will love some Cookie mix fudge too. Right?? If you want your kids to help along the way I would suggest
If you love all of these easy Christmas cookie recipe ideas you should try making our Christmas tree cupcakes…super easy with sugar ice cream cones dipped in colored melted chocolate with sprinkles that look like lights. A great activity to do together!
So if you are going for super simple with the least prep and cutting required I would go with our No Cookie Cutters Christmas Tree Cookies. You can just make one large circle of dough and use a pizza cutter to slice into triangles resembling trees!! Decorate with some frosting when done and voila.
Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes made with Cookie Cutters
Then make Christmas tree sugar cookies.
Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes
Equipment
- 2 baking sheet
Ingredients
- 1/2 c sugar
- 1 c butter, unsalted and room temperature
- 2 c all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
- 1 tsp vanilla
- sprinkles
- 24-36 Hersheys kisses
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl use a mixer to beat softened butter for a few minutes, then add sugar and beat for another few minutes until fluffy.
- Mix in both extracts. Add flour and beat until mixed. Use a small (1 tablespoon) cookie scoop to make a ball, use your hands to roll and if you want to coat the outside with sprinkles or colored sugar pour that on a plate and roll until coated.
- Set on baking sheet with space in between them. Bake for 9 minutes until outside edges are starting to crack but centers are still a bit undercooked and tender.
- Remove from oven and gently press 1 unwrapped Kiss in the center of each one. Leave on baking pan until completely cooled.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This recipe was really quick and taste phenomenal! My kids ( including myself!) ate 2 batches so fast…I know this my first cake mix cookies I’ve made n definitely many more to come.thank you.