23 Classic Christmas Cookies Families Bake Every Single Year

Christmas baking always circles back to the same familiar favorites, the ones everyone expects to see on the table every December. These cookies show up year after year because they are dependable, familiar, and built around flavors that feel tied to the season. I always notice how these recipes disappear first, long before anyone reaches for the newer experiments. This collection brings together 23 classic Christmas cookies that feel comfortable to bake, easy to share, and worth repeating.

Gluten Free Hershey Chocolate Kiss Cookies

Gluten Free Hershey Chocolate Kiss Cookies are soft cookies topped with a classic chocolate kiss. They take about 40 minutes to make using gluten-free flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and chocolate candies. The flavor is rich and familiar with a smooth chocolate finish. They hold their shape well after baking.
Get the Recipe: Gluten Free Hershey Chocolate Kiss Cookies

Christmas Date Cookies

Christmas Date Cookies are soft, filled cookies with a lightly spiced dough wrapped around a rich date filling. They take about 1 hour to prepare using dates, butter, sugar, flour, and warm spices. The flavor is deep and gently sweet with a chewy center and tender exterior. They freeze well and hold their texture through several days of storage.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Date Cookies

Chocolate Linzer Cookies

Chocolate Linzer Cookies are sandwich cookies with crisp chocolate layers and a smooth cream cheese filling. They take roughly 1 hour to make using cocoa powder, butter, flour, sugar, and cream cheese. The taste is rich with a slight tang that balances the chocolate. Once assembled, they hold together well for holiday trays.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Linzer Cookies

Strawberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies

Strawberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies are soft-centered cookies with a tender almond base and a jam-filled center that holds its shape. They take about 45 minutes to make using butter, almond flour, sugar, and strawberry jam as the main ingredients. The flavor is lightly nutty with a gentle fruit sweetness that stays balanced. They stack cleanly and store well, making them practical for holiday tins.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies

Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies are sturdy cookies with a soft peanut butter base and a firm candy topping. They take about 45 minutes to make using peanut butter, butter, sugar, flour, and chocolate or toffee pieces. The flavor is nutty and slightly salty with balanced sweetness. Their structure makes them reliable for gifting.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

White Chocolate Chip Cookies

White Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft cookies with creamy white chocolate pieces throughout. They take about 35 minutes to prepare using butter, sugar, flour, eggs, and white chocolate chips. The flavor is sweet and buttery without being heavy. They bake evenly and stay tender after cooling.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Kolacky

Kolacky are tender pastry-style cookies filled with fruit or poppy seed filling. They take about 1 hour to prepare using flour, butter, cream cheese, and sweet filling. The flavor is lightly sweet with a delicate, flaky texture. They are commonly baked ahead and served throughout the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Kolacky

Glazed Sugar Cookies

Glazed Sugar Cookies are soft cookies topped with a thin, smooth glaze. They take about 1 hour to prepare using butter, sugar, flour, eggs, and powdered sugar. The flavor is simple and sweet with a slight crisp edge. They dry well after glazing for stacking.
Get the Recipe: Glazed Sugar Cookies

Christmas Butter Cookies: Southern Holiday Funfetti Bites

Christmas Butter Cookies are crisp-edged, tender cookies baked into small festive bites. They take about 1 hour to prepare using butter, sugar, flour, and colorful sprinkles. The flavor is buttery and lightly sweet. They hold their shape well for sharing.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Butter Cookies: Southern Holiday Funfetti Bites

Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookies are soft cookies with a lightly crisp exterior. They take about 30 minutes to make using peanut butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. The flavor is rich and nut-forward without being heavy. They remain chewy after cooling.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Cookies

Candy Cane Sugar Cookies

Candy Cane Sugar Cookies are twisted sugar cookies shaped for the season. They take about 1 hour to make using butter, sugar, flour, eggs, and food coloring. The flavor is classic and lightly sweet. They bake evenly and keep their shape.
Get the Recipe: Candy Cane Sugar Cookies

Shortbread Christmas Cookies

Shortbread Christmas Cookies are tender cookies with a crumbly texture. They take about 40 minutes to make using butter, flour, sugar, and salt. The flavor is rich and buttery without heaviness. They hold up well in tins.
Get the Recipe: Shortbread Christmas Cookies

Chewy Molasses Cookies

Chewy Molasses Cookies are soft cookies with warm spices and a dark sweetness. They take about 45 minutes to prepare using molasses, flour, butter, sugar, and spices. The flavor is deep and slightly spicy. They stay chewy for days when stored properly.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Molasses Cookies

Cool Whip Cookies

Cool Whip Cookies are soft, crackled cookies made from a simple batter. They take about 30 minutes to prepare using cake mix, whipped topping, and eggs. The flavor is sweet and light with a soft interior. They bake quickly and are easy to batch for parties.
Get the Recipe: Cool Whip Cookies

Sugar Christmas Cookies

Sugar Christmas Cookies are soft cookies made from a simple dough. They take about 1 hour to prepare using butter, sugar, flour, eggs, and festive toppings. The flavor is clean and lightly sweet. They decorate and store well without drying out.
Get the Recipe: Sugar Christmas Cookies

Almond Crescent Cookies

Almond Crescent Cookies are soft, crescent-shaped cookies with a delicate crumb. They take about 45 minutes to make using almond flour, butter, and sugar. The flavor is mild, nutty, and lightly sweet. They stay tender and are easy to store in sealed containers.
Get the Recipe: Almond Crescent Cookies

Hershey Kiss Cookie

Hershey Kiss Cookies are peanut butter cookies finished with a chocolate candy pressed into the center. They take just under an hour to make using peanut butter, flour, sugar, butter, and chocolate kisses. The flavor combines nutty richness with smooth chocolate. They freeze well and reheat cleanly.
Get the Recipe: Hershey Kiss Cookie

Christmas Cookies with M&Ms

Christmas Cookies with M&Ms are soft cookies studded with colorful candy pieces. They take about 35 minutes to make using butter, sugar, flour, eggs, and chocolate candies. The flavor is classic and sweet with a slight crunch. They bake evenly and store easily.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Cookies with M&Ms

Pecan Thumbprint Cookies

Pecan Thumbprint Cookies are buttery cookies with a nutty coating and jam center. They take about 50 minutes to make using butter, brown sugar, pecans, flour, and fruit jam. The flavor is rich with a balanced sweetness. The centers stay intact after baking.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Thumbprint Cookies

Chewy Gingersnap Cookies Recipe

Chewy Gingersnap Cookies are soft-centered cookies with crisp edges. They take about 45 minutes to prepare using molasses, butter, sugar, flour, and spices. The flavor is warm, slightly spicy, and sweet. They stay chewy after cooling.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Gingersnap Cookies Recipe

Christmas Thumbprint Cookies

Christmas Thumbprint Cookies are soft cookies rolled in nuts and filled with jam. They take about 50 minutes to prepare using butter, sugar, flour, nuts, and fruit preserves. The flavor is balanced between nutty and sweet. The jam centers stay glossy after baking.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Thumbprint Cookies

Italian Ricotta Cookies

Italian Ricotta Cookies are cake-like cookies with a soft, tender texture. They take about 50 minutes to make using ricotta cheese, flour, sugar, butter, and eggs. The flavor is mild and lightly sweet. They stay moist longer than most cookies.
Get the Recipe: Italian Ricotta Cookies

Classic Gingerbread Men Cookies

Classic Gingerbread Men Cookies are firm cookies flavored with warm spices and brown sugar. They take about 1 hour to make using molasses, flour, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. The flavor is bold and spiced without bitterness. They keep their shape well for decorating.
Get the Recipe: Classic Gingerbread Men Cookies