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I’m kind of a cookie fanatic, which is just one more reason why holiday cookies make it the BEST time of the year. Cookies, cookies and more cookies. I can’t get enough!
I recently baked up a cookie storm in my kitchen and today I rounded up my favorite and must-have holiday cookies for this season! Some of my absolute favorites are Gooey Butter Cookies, Snowball Cookies, and My Grinch Cookies! Check them out!
Holiday cookies
Can’t you just smell it? Imagine when you walk into your family party. When you walk through the door, you are overwhelmed by the most amazing smell of HOMEMADE COOKIES. It really doesn’t get any better than that! I mean, I guess the beautiful snow, the view of all the lights, and the family reunion are all great too. But the cookies… That’s where it’s at for me! Holiday baking is my reason for living in December!
It’s not just about cooking while on vacation. It is precisely the cookies. I’ve collected all of my favorite holiday cookies for you to browse in one place! Good luck picking “the one” because they’re all a hit! From sugar cookies and classics like Linzer and Milano cookies to kid-friendly ones like the grumpy cookie… You’re going to have to start early this year to be able to try them all! I know you will love them!!
cooking tips
This year will be YOUR year when it comes to holiday cookies! Once you’ve decided on a recipe to try, read these tips to make sure you’re doing the basics. just right. Then you’ll be absolutely sure to bake the best cookies you’ve ever had!
- Refrigerate AFTER riding: Try rolling sugar cookie dough before you let it cool in the refrigerator. It’s super soft and you can just roll it between a few pieces of parchment paper. Then store it in the fridge!
- Round cookies: If you want your cookies to be perfectly uniform in size and shape, and you don’t have a round cookie cutter, try using an empty paper towel holder. You can use it as a cookie cutter, and all your dough will be exactly the same size! (This is also useful for evenly baking cookies!)
- Granulated sugar: When you’re rolling out cookie dough and need to spread something (usually flour) on the counter so it doesn’t stick, try using powdered sugar instead! It works the same way, except it adds a tiny bit of sweetness to holiday cookies and doesn’t dry them out!
- Bring the baking sheet to room temperature: Before you toss another batch of cookie dough on that hot pan, let it cool to room temperature. (Or you can run it through cold water to cool faster.) This helps prevent your butter from melting before the other ingredients, which will prevent the cookies from spreading.
Christmas tree sugar cookies
If you’re craving a dessert that’s both festive and indulgent, look no further! These Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies will sparkle at any Christmas party!
Ingredients: All purpose flour, salt, baking powder, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, egg yolks, sour cream, vanilla extract, lemon extract, softened cream cheese, softened unsalted butter, vanilla extract, salt, Granulated sugar
Italian Christmas cookies
Italian Christmas cookies are soft, buttery, chewy and deliciously melt-in-your-mouth. Flavored with a hint of vanilla and a sweet frosting, these tasty treats are a perfect holiday treat. Take them to your next cookie exchange, party or just for a fun occasion!
Ingredients: butter, sugar, flour, baking soda, baking powder, ricotta cheese, eggs, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, milk, almond extract, Christmas sprinkles for garnish
Linz cookies
Linzer cookies are a combination of buttery orange infused shortbread and jam that is as good to look at as it is to eat. These festive treats are perfect for any holiday or special occasion.
Ingredients: unsalted butter, caster sugar, orange zest, egg yolk, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, almond flour, kosher salt, cinnamon, jam, powdered sugar for finishing
Homemade Milan cookies
Homemade Milano Cookies have chewy cookies with a lovely crunch sandwiched around a layer of rich dark chocolate in the center! They taste even better than the store bought version!
Ingredients: salted butter, room temperature, powdered sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, room temperature, egg white, room temperature, vanilla extract, all purpose flour, salt, baking soda, dark chocolate, chopped
ginger sliver cookie
Crispy on the outside, warm and chewy on the inside, these gingerbread cookies are everything you want in a holiday dessert! They’re the perfect way to end any holiday meal and leave everyone feeling happy and bright.
Ingredients: butter, granulated sugar, large egg, molasses, all purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, salt
Triple Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Triple Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are soft, chewy cookies that are drizzled with white and dark chocolate. They are topped with crushed candy canes and are the perfect holiday treat!
Ingredients: butter, sugar, egg, peppermint extract, flour, baking cocoa, baking soda, salt, white baking chocolate, semi-sweet baking chocolate, candy canes
White chocolate, cranberry and macadamia nut cookies
White Chocolate Cranberry Macadamia Cookies are the perfect combination of chewy, crunchy, sweet and decadent all wrapped up in one cookie! These amazing cookies have great texture and flavor!
Ingredients: all purpose flour, baking soda, salt, white sugar, packed light brown sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla extract, white chocolate chips, chopped macadamia nuts, dried cranberries
Grumpy Cookies
Grinch cookies are a fun and festive twist on a classic chocolate chip cookie! Inspired by the popular Christmas movie, these soft and chewy cookies are Grinch Green in color and decorated with green and red M&Ms.
Ingredients: softened unsalted butter, sugar, large eggs, vanilla extract, drops of bright green food coloring, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, red and green M&Ms
butter cookies
Buttery, tender and incredibly light, these homemade Danish butter cookies are so much better than the canned version. Loaded with flavor, they literally melt in your mouth and are so easy to prepare.
Ingredients: unsalted butter, softened, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, egg yolk, milk, all-purpose flour, semi-sweet chocolate, melted, Sprinkle if desired.
White Chocolate Oreo Cookies
White Chocolate Oreo Cookies are perfectly soft, chewy cookies loaded with lightly melted white chocolate chips and crushed Oreo cookies. These are warm and delicious cookies with just the right amount of sweetness!
Ingredients: butter, brown sugar, sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, Oreo cookies, white chocolate chips
Chocolate chip cookies
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are classic chocolate cookies that kids of all ages will love. This particular recipe is enhanced with brown butter to give it a more complex flavor that takes these cookies from good to great!
Ingredients: brown butter, granulated sugar, lightly packed brown sugar, cream cheese, large egg, vanilla extract, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, kosher salt, granulated sugar, powdered sugar
Peanut Butter Flower Cookies
Peanut Butter Flower Cookies are a must-have holiday cookie that’s also great for everyday occasions. The classic pairing of peanut butter and chocolate in these cookies will delight chocolate peanut butter lovers and cookie lovers of all ages.
Ingredients: stick of unsalted butter, peanut butter, lightly packed brown sugar, large egg, vanilla extract, flour, kosher salt, baking soda, baking powder, chocolate kisses
The best molasses cookies
The best molasses cookies have a slightly crispy sugar coated edge and a soft, chewy center. These are the perfect holiday cookies!
Ingredients: shortening, sugar, molasses, egg, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, salt, *Optional 1 cup white chocolate chips
Best sugar cookies ever!
You can’t beat homemade sugar cookies with a crispy edge and a soft center. They are the best ! Topped with my favorite cream cheese frosting and sprinkles, these sugar cookies are a tried and tested favorite.
Ingredients: Butter, sugar, egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, all purpose flour, baking powder, salt, cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, food coloring (optional)
Chocolate Peppermint Dipped Shortbread Cookies
Chocolate Peppermint Dipped Shortbread Cookies are melt-in-your-mouth buttery shortbread cookies dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with crushed peppermint. These cookies make the perfect holiday treat!
Ingredients: butter, sugar, salt, flour, bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips, peppermint candy canes
White chocolate and macadamia nut pudding cookies
A delicious and chewy pudding cookie made with classic white chocolate and macadamia nuts!
Ingredients: flour, baking soda, white chocolate instant pudding mix, salt, unsalted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, large eggs, vanilla extract, white chocolate chips, macadamia nuts
Twix Fingerprint Cookies
The buttery shortbread base and a soft caramel center. They just lacked one thing. Chocolate. I drizzled that chocolate as fast as I could and viola! A Twix Thumbprint cookie.
Ingredients: Unsalted butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, all-purpose flour, soft caramel candies, heavy cream, milk chocolate chips
Almond fingerprint cookies with a salted caramel center
Almond Fingerprint Cookies are light, buttery, almond flavored shortbread cookies that melt in your mouth. They are filled with salted caramel and topped with slivered almonds. These cookies will blow your mind!
Ingredients: butter, white sugar, McCormick almond extract, all-purpose flour, caramels: store-bought or homemade heavy and soft cream, sea salt, flaked salt for garnish, slivered almonds for garnish
