28 Easy Christmas Cookies for Your Holiday Cookie Tray

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Christmas baking is my favorite kind of kitchen chaos: flour everywhere, holiday music on, and a cooling rack that never stays full for long. Over the years I have built a cookie tray that has something for everyone, from soft sugar cookies and pretty thumbprints to peppermint treats, gluten-free options and a few no-bake shortcuts for the busiest weeks.

Pick four or five recipes below, mix the flavors and textures, and you have a cookie box worth gifting.

Classic Christmas Cookies

1

Best Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies

Kitchen sink Christmas cookies loaded with all the festive mix-ins.

Check out this recipe

2

Mini Sugar Cookies

Mini sugar cookies, ready in about 25 minutes and perfect for decorating.

Check out this recipe

3

White Chocolate Dipped Maple Cinnamon Cookies

Maple cinnamon cookies dipped in white chocolate.

Check out this recipe

4

Peanut Butter Shortbread Cookies

Melt-in-your-mouth peanut butter shortbread cookies.

Check out this recipe

5

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Cookies

Soft cinnamon cream cheese cookies in about 25 minutes.

Check out this recipe

Crinkle Cookies

6

Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

Red velvet crinkle cookies with a snowy powdered sugar coat.

Check out this recipe

7

The Best Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Fudgy chocolate crinkle cookies, a Christmas classic.

Check out this recipe

8

Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Bright lemon crinkle cookies for a fresh, zesty bite.

Check out this recipe

9

Chewy Gingerdoodle Cookies

Chewy gingerdoodles: part gingerbread, part snickerdoodle.

Check out this recipe

Thumbprints, Kisses & Blossoms

10

Jam Thumbprint Cookies

Jam thumbprint cookies with a buttery crumble.

Check out this recipe

11

Chocolate Thumbprint Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut butter thumbprints filled with chocolate.

Check out this recipe

12

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

Peanut butter kiss cookies, the ones that disappear first.

Check out this recipe

13

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Soft, chewy peanut butter blossoms.

Check out this recipe

14

Coconut Macaroon Chocolate Blossoms

Coconut macaroon chocolate blossoms with a fun twist.

Check out this recipe

Snowballs & Peppermint Treats

15

Peppermint Snowball Cookies

Peppermint snowball cookies that melt in your mouth.

Check out this recipe

16

Irresistible Cherry Snowball Cookies

Cherry snowball cookies, festive pink and buttery.

Check out this recipe

17

Mint Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Mint double chocolate chip cookies for chocolate lovers.

Check out this recipe

18

Candy Cane Kiss Brownie Bites

Candy cane kiss brownie bites for your dessert table.

Check out this recipe

Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies

19

Gluten-Free Thin Mint Cookies

Homemade gluten-free thin mint cookies.

Check out this recipe

20

Paleo Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies

Lemon curd thumbprint cookies that are gluten-free and paleo.

Check out this recipe

21

Paleo Cranberry Almond Biscotti

Gluten-free cranberry almond biscotti, lovely for gifting.

Check out this recipe

22

Classic French Meringue Cookies

Light, crisp meringue cookies, naturally gluten-free.

Check out this recipe

23

Gluten-Free Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies

Chewy gluten-free brown sugar cookies in about 25 minutes.

Check out this recipe

24

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Gluten-free chocolate chip cookies everyone will love.

Check out this recipe

No-Bake Treats & Easy Bars

25

Magic Cookie Bars

Magic cookie bars: layered, gooey and easy to cut for a crowd.

Check out this recipe

26

Christmas Rice Crispy Treats

Christmas rice crispy treats, a fun one to make with kids.

Check out this recipe

27

Grinch Oreo Truffles

No-bake Grinch truffles, bright green and festive.

Check out this recipe

28

White Chocolate and Cherry Christmas Traybake

An easy Christmas traybake with cherries and white chocolate.

Check out this recipe

My Christmas Cookie Baking Tips

• Bake in batches: most cookie doughs can be made a few days ahead and kept chilled, or frozen for later baking.
• Store by type: keep soft and crisp cookies in separate airtight containers so the crisp ones stay crunchy.
• Build a balanced tray: mix one chocolate, one fruity, one spiced, one peppermint and one gluten-free cookie.
• Gift them: sturdy cookies like biscotti, shortbread and crinkles travel best in cookie boxes.

Christmas Cookies FAQ

How far ahead can I bake Christmas cookies?

Most baked cookies keep well for several days in an airtight container at room temperature, and many freeze well for longer. Freeze them undecorated, then thaw and add icing or toppings before serving.

Which Christmas cookies are gluten-free?

The thin mints, lemon curd thumbprints, cranberry almond biscotti, meringues, brown sugar cookies and chocolate chip cookies in the gluten-free section are all made without wheat flour.

Still baking for Thanksgiving too? See my healthier Thanksgiving desserts and browse all of my Christmas recipes.

More Holiday Recipe Collections

• Complete Healthy Thanksgiving Menu
• Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes
• Healthier Thanksgiving Desserts
• Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes
• Easy Holiday Appetizers & Dips
• Christmas Dinner Ideas