25 Traditional Christmas Cookies Made Simple for the Holidays

Holiday baking always feels easier when the cookies are familiar and the results are predictable. These are the recipes that show up every December because they rely on simple ingredients, steady timing, and flavors people recognize right away. I tend to reach for these when the calendar fills up and baking needs to stay manageable. This collection brings together 25 traditional Christmas cookies that keep the season moving without unnecessary fuss.

Christmas Date Cookies

Christmas Date Cookies are filled cookies with a soft exterior and a dense, sweet date center. They take about 60 minutes using dates, butter, sugar, flour, and warm spices. The flavor is deep, gently spiced, and not overly sweet. They store well and keep their chew for several days.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Date Cookies

Gluten Free Hershey Chocolate Kiss Cookies

Gluten Free Hershey Chocolate Kiss Cookies are soft cookies finished with a chocolate candy center. They take about 40 minutes using gluten-free flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and Hershey’s Kisses. The flavor is familiar and chocolate-forward. They keep their shape after cooling.
Get the Recipe: Gluten Free Hershey Chocolate Kiss Cookies

Chocolate Linzer Cookies

Chocolate Linzer Cookies are sandwich-style cookies with crisp chocolate layers and a smooth filling. They take about 60 minutes using cocoa powder, butter, flour, sugar, and cream cheese. The flavor is rich with a mild tang that balances sweetness. They hold together well once assembled and chilled.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Linzer Cookies

White Chocolate Chip Cookies

White Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft cookies dotted with creamy white chocolate pieces. They take about 35 minutes using butter, sugar, flour, eggs, and white chocolate chips. The flavor is sweet and buttery without heaviness. They stay tender after cooling and transport easily.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies are structured cookies with a peanut butter base and a set candy topping. They take about 45 minutes using peanut butter, flour, butter, sugar, and chocolate or toffee. The flavor is nutty with light sweetness and salt balance. They pack cleanly for gifting.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

Strawberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies

Strawberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies are soft-centered cookies built on a tender almond base with a visible jam center. They take about 45 minutes to make using butter, almond flour, sugar, and strawberry jam. The flavor is lightly nutty with balanced fruit sweetness throughout. They cool firm enough to stack neatly without losing texture.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookies are soft cookies with a lightly crisp edge. They take about 30 minutes using peanut butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. The flavor is rich and nut-forward. They remain chewy after cooling.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Cookies

Christmas Cookies with MMs

Christmas Cookies with MMs are soft cookies filled with colorful candy pieces. They take about 35 minutes using butter, sugar, flour, eggs, and chocolate candies. The flavor is classic and sweet with crunch. They bake evenly every time.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Cookies with MMs

Kolacky

Kolacky are tender pastry-style cookies filled with poppy seed or fruit filling. They take about 60 minutes using flour, butter, cream cheese, and sweet filling. The flavor is lightly sweet with a delicate, flaky texture. They are commonly baked ahead for holidays.
Get the Recipe: Kolacky

Glazed Sugar Cookies

Glazed Sugar Cookies are soft cookies finished with a smooth sugar glaze. They take about 60 minutes using butter, sugar, flour, eggs, and powdered sugar. The flavor is clean and lightly sweet. The glaze sets firm for stacking.
Get the Recipe: Glazed Sugar Cookies

Italian Ricotta Cookies

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

Italian Chocolate Pizzelle Cookies

Italian Chocolate Pizzelle Cookies are thin, crisp cookies made with a waffle-style iron. They take about 45 minutes using flour, eggs, sugar, butter, and cocoa. The flavor is light and chocolate-forward. They stay crisp when stored dry.
Get the Recipe: Italian Chocolate Pizzelle Cookies

Shortbread Christmas Cookies

Shortbread Christmas Cookies are tender cookies with a crumbly texture. They take about 40 minutes using butter, flour, sugar, and salt. The flavor is rich and buttery. 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 deep sweetness. They take about 45 minutes using molasses, flour, butter, sugar, and spices. The flavor is gently spicy and balanced. They keep their chew for days.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Molasses Cookies

Almond Crescent Cookies

Almond Crescent Cookies are soft cookies shaped into traditional crescents with a delicate crumb. They take about 45 minutes using almond flour, butter, and sugar. The flavor is mild, nutty, and lightly sweet. They remain tender when stored properly.
Get the Recipe: Almond Crescent Cookies

Sugar Christmas Cookies

Sugar Christmas Cookies are soft cookies made from a simple dough. They take about 60 minutes using butter, sugar, flour, eggs, and holiday toppings. The flavor is lightly sweet and clean. They decorate and store well.
Get the Recipe: Sugar Christmas Cookies

Pecan Thumbprint Cookies

Pecan Thumbprint Cookies are buttery cookies rolled in nuts and filled with jam. They take about 50 minutes using butter, brown sugar, pecans, flour, and preserves. The flavor is rich and lightly sweet. The centers stay intact after baking.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Thumbprint Cookies

Christmas Butter Cookies: Southern Holiday Funfetti Bites

Christmas Butter Cookies are small, tender cookies baked into festive bite-size pieces. They take about 60 minutes using butter, sugar, flour, and sprinkles. The flavor is buttery with light sweetness. They hold their shape well when stored.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Butter Cookies: Southern Holiday Funfetti Bites

Hershey Kiss Cookie

Hershey Kiss Cookie is a peanut butter cookie topped with a chocolate candy center. It takes just under 60 minutes using peanut butter, flour, sugar, butter, and chocolate kisses. The flavor blends nutty richness with smooth chocolate. They freeze and thaw cleanly.
Get the Recipe: Hershey Kiss Cookie

Chewy Gingersnap Cookies Recipe

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

Easy Italian Christmas Cookies

Easy Italian Christmas Cookies are soft cookies shaped and decorated simply. They take about 50 minutes using butter, flour, sugar, eggs, and almond extract. The flavor is lightly sweet with gentle almond notes. They adapt well to different decorations.
Get the Recipe: Easy Italian Christmas Cookies

Cool Whip Cookies

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

Candy Cane Sugar Cookies

Candy Cane Sugar Cookies are twisted sugar cookies shaped for the season. They take about 60 minutes using butter, sugar, flour, eggs, and food coloring. The flavor is classic and lightly sweet. They bake evenly without spreading.
Get the Recipe: Candy Cane Sugar Cookies

Classic Gingerbread Men Cookies

Classic Gingerbread Men Cookies are firm cookies flavored with warm spices and brown sugar. They take about 60 minutes using molasses, flour, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. The flavor is bold and spiced. They keep their shape for decorating.
Get the Recipe: Classic Gingerbread Men Cookies

Christmas Thumbprint Cookies

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