19 Christmas Cookies That Hold Their Shape and Charm

Christmas cookies work best when they look just as good on the plate as they did coming out of the oven. These recipes focus on dependable doughs and steady methods that keep edges crisp and shapes intact. Each cookie holds up through baking, cooling, and serving without losing its appeal. When cookies behave like this, the rest of the baking tends to fall into place.

Rose Pistachio Hamantaschen

Rose Pistachio Hamantaschen bake into neat, triangular cookies with defined edges and a filled center that stays put. Made with flour, pistachios, rose water, sugar, and butter, they take about 45 minutes. The flavor is lightly floral with nutty depth. They hold their shape well and look polished on cookie trays.
Get the Recipe: Rose Pistachio Hamantaschen

Spiced and Chewy Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Spiced and Chewy Pumpkin Spice Cookies bake into evenly rounded cookies with soft centers and steady edges. Made with pumpkin puree, flour, sugar, and warm spices, they take about 25 minutes. The flavor is gently spiced and balanced. They stay intact and appealing even after cooling.
Get the Recipe: Spiced and Chewy Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Gluten Free Hershey Chocolate Kiss Cookies

Gluten Free Hershey Chocolate Kiss Cookies bake into uniform rounds topped neatly with chocolate. Made with gluten-free flour, cocoa, sugar, butter, and chocolate kisses, they take about 30 minutes. The flavor is classic and chocolate-forward. They keep their structure well for gifting and stacking.
Get the Recipe: Gluten Free Hershey Chocolate Kiss Cookies

Almond Tuile Cookies

Almond Tuile Cookies bake into thin, curved cookies that keep their delicate shape once cooled. Made with almonds, egg whites, sugar, and butter, they take about 30 minutes. The flavor is lightly nutty and gently sweet. They stay crisp and visually elegant on dessert plates.
Get the Recipe: Almond Tuile Cookies

Orange And Date Gluten Free Hamantaschen Cookies

Orange And Date Gluten Free Hamantaschen Cookies bake into tidy triangles with defined seams. Made with gluten-free flour, dates, orange zest, and sugar, they take about 45 minutes. The flavor is citrusy with deep fruit sweetness. They hold their form well without spreading.
Get the Recipe: Orange And Date Gluten Free Hamantaschen Cookies

Walnut And Chocolate Cookies

Walnut And Chocolate Cookies bake into sturdy cookies with visible nut pieces throughout. Made with walnuts, cocoa, flour, eggs, and sugar, they take about 30 minutes. The flavor is rich with nutty balance. Their structure stays firm without crumbling.
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Easy Gingerbread Cookies

Easy Gingerbread Cookies bake into clearly defined shapes that stay crisp at the edges. Made with flour, molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and butter, they take about 35 minutes. The flavor is warm and familiar. They are reliable for cut-out designs and decorating.
Get the Recipe: Easy Gingerbread Cookies

White Chocolate Chip Cookies

White Chocolate Chip Cookies bake into soft, evenly shaped cookies with minimal spread. Made with flour, butter, sugar, and white chocolate chips, they take about 30 minutes. The flavor is creamy and mild. They stack neatly without losing form.
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Pistachio Cranberry Cookies

Pistachio Cranberry Cookies bake into balanced rounds with visible fruit and nuts. Made with pistachios, dried cranberries, flour, and butter, they take about 30 minutes. The flavor blends sweet and slightly tart notes. They keep a clean shape once cooled.
Get the Recipe: Pistachio Cranberry Cookies

Lemon Sugar Cookies

Lemon Sugar Cookies bake into smooth-edged cookies with light cracking on top. Made with flour, sugar, butter, lemon zest, and juice, they take about 25 minutes. The flavor is bright but restrained. They hold their size and shape reliably.
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Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies

Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies bake into firm slices with crisp edges. Made with flour, butter, sugar, lemon zest, and rosemary, they take about 40 minutes. The flavor is buttery with subtle herb notes. They remain tidy and sliceable after baking.
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Best Prune Vegan Hamantaschen Recipe

Best Prune Vegan Hamantaschen Recipe produces structured, triangular cookies without eggs or dairy. Made with flour, prune filling, sugar, and oil, they take about 45 minutes. The flavor is deep and lightly sweet. They keep their folds intact throughout baking.
Get the Recipe: Best Prune Vegan Hamantaschen Recipe

Ann’s Snickerdoodle Recipe

Ann’s Snickerdoodle Recipe bakes into soft, evenly rounded cookies coated in cinnamon sugar. Made with flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and cinnamon, they take about 25 minutes. The flavor is classic and balanced. They maintain their shape without spreading thin.
Get the Recipe: Ann’s Snickerdoodle Recipe

Butter Pecan Cookies

Butter Pecan Cookies bake into sturdy cookies with a consistent shape and visible pecans. Made with butter, flour, sugar, and toasted pecans, they take about 30 minutes. The flavor is rich and nutty. They hold together well for packaging.
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Spicy Gingerbread Granola Cookies, Or My Take On Russian Pryaniki

Spicy Gingerbread Granola Cookies bake into thick, structured rounds with a firm exterior. Made with oats, honey, spices, and flour, they take about 35 minutes. The flavor is warmly spiced and slightly sweet. They stay compact and durable once cooled.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Gingerbread Granola Cookies, Or My Take On Russian Pryaniki

Caramel Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Caramel Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies bake into defined cookies with a centered well that stays intact. Made with flour, cocoa, butter, sugar, and caramel, they take about 35 minutes. The flavor balances rich chocolate and sweetness. The shape remains clean and intentional.
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Air Fryer Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Air Fryer Chocolate Chunk Cookies cook into evenly shaped cookies with soft centers in about 12 minutes. Made with flour, butter, sugar, and chocolate chunks, the flavor is classic and rich. The edges set quickly without spreading too far. They keep their structure despite the fast cook time.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Gooey S’mores Cookies

Gooey S’mores Cookies bake into thick cookies that keep their round form. Made with flour, chocolate, marshmallows, and butter, they take about 25 minutes. The flavor is sweet and familiar. They stay sturdy enough to handle once cooled.
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Easy Cake Mix Christmas Cookies

Easy Cake Mix Christmas Cookies bake into consistent, evenly sized cookies with minimal effort. Made with cake mix, eggs, and oil, they take about 20 minutes. The flavor is mild and adaptable. They hold their shape well for decorating and sharing.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cake Mix Christmas Cookies