Close
Photo: Sara Haas
Almost nothing says “holidays” like cookies. Baking them warms the kitchen and fills the house with aromas of cinnamon and ginger, nuts and chocolate. These festive recipes like our Chocolate Polvorones (Mexican Wedding Cookies) and Spritz Cookies will definitely make your holidays merry and bright. Be sure to try all of these tasty cookies, and share them with friends and family this season.
01of 24Spritz CookiesView RecipeIt’s time to break out your spritz cookie press for these festive Christmas spritz cookies! These easy Christmas cookies can be decorated with sprinkles or flavored with citrus, spices or sweet sugar glaze. And if you’re looking for healthy cookies, these fit the bill thanks to whole-wheat pastry flour that keeps their texture soft while giving them a boost of fiber.
01of 24
Spritz Cookies
View Recipe
It’s time to break out your spritz cookie press for these festive Christmas spritz cookies! These easy Christmas cookies can be decorated with sprinkles or flavored with citrus, spices or sweet sugar glaze. And if you’re looking for healthy cookies, these fit the bill thanks to whole-wheat pastry flour that keeps their texture soft while giving them a boost of fiber.
02of 24Salted Hazelnut Thumbprint CookiesView RecipeWilliam DickeyHazelnuts do double duty in this cookie recipe. Hazelnut flour adds nuttiness to the dough, while chocolate-hazelnut spread is used for the filling. A touch of fresh orange zest and juice adds a sweet note to balance the nut and chocolate flavors.
02of 24
Salted Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies
William Dickey
Hazelnuts do double duty in this cookie recipe. Hazelnut flour adds nuttiness to the dough, while chocolate-hazelnut spread is used for the filling. A touch of fresh orange zest and juice adds a sweet note to balance the nut and chocolate flavors.
03of 24Pfeffernüsse (German Spice Cookies)View RecipeWilliam DickeyPfeffernüsse are small spiced German cookies commonly seen during the holiday season. Translating to “pepper nut,” the aromatic cookie gets its name from the pinch of pepper added to the dough—here, we use white and black pepper for a punch of flavor. The sweet orange glaze helps balance the pepperiness of the cookie’s spices. Serve with a cup of warm mulled wine.
03of 24
Pfeffernüsse (German Spice Cookies)
Pfeffernüsse are small spiced German cookies commonly seen during the holiday season. Translating to “pepper nut,” the aromatic cookie gets its name from the pinch of pepper added to the dough—here, we use white and black pepper for a punch of flavor. The sweet orange glaze helps balance the pepperiness of the cookie’s spices. Serve with a cup of warm mulled wine.
04of 24Cranberry-Coconut Oatmeal CookiesView RecipeBrittany ConerlyIn this installment ofDiaspora Dining, Jessica B. Harris' series on foods of the African diaspora, the author and historian rings in some changes to the Christmas traditions of her own childhood.
04of 24
Cranberry-Coconut Oatmeal Cookies
Brittany Conerly
In this installment ofDiaspora Dining, Jessica B. Harris' series on foods of the African diaspora, the author and historian rings in some changes to the Christmas traditions of her own childhood.
05of 24
Chocolate Polvorones (Mexican Wedding Cookies)
06of 24Espresso Walnut Marzipan CookiesView RecipeWilliam DickeyMarzipan is typically made with almonds, but here we use walnuts to make the marzipan for these nutty cookies. The espresso flavor is delicate, but adds a nice bitterness to the cookie. If you prefer, you can brew your own espresso and use that instead of instant espresso.
06of 24
Espresso Walnut Marzipan Cookies
Marzipan is typically made with almonds, but here we use walnuts to make the marzipan for these nutty cookies. The espresso flavor is delicate, but adds a nice bitterness to the cookie. If you prefer, you can brew your own espresso and use that instead of instant espresso.
07of 24Cannoli CookiesView RecipeSara HaasThese light and airy cookies take their flavor inspiration from cannoli, a Sicilian dessert featuring a crisp pastry shell filled with creamy ricotta. Orange zest adds a nice citrus flavor, while chopped pistachios provide crunch. Serve these cookies for any holiday gathering.
07of 24
Cannoli Cookies
Sara Haas
These light and airy cookies take their flavor inspiration from cannoli, a Sicilian dessert featuring a crisp pastry shell filled with creamy ricotta. Orange zest adds a nice citrus flavor, while chopped pistachios provide crunch. Serve these cookies for any holiday gathering.
08of 24
Boot Tracks
09of 24Vegan Meringue CookiesView RecipeMagical aquafaba—the liquid from canned chickpeas that often gets poured down the drain—mimics egg whites in these airy vegan meringue cookies. The other magical thing? These cookies require just three ingredients! Save the chickpeas themselves for hummus, stew or any one of our other recipes that call for canned chickpeas.
09of 24
Vegan Meringue Cookies
Magical aquafaba—the liquid from canned chickpeas that often gets poured down the drain—mimics egg whites in these airy vegan meringue cookies. The other magical thing? These cookies require just three ingredients! Save the chickpeas themselves for hummus, stew or any one of our other recipes that call for canned chickpeas.
10of 24Italian Lemon CookiesView RecipeThese soft Italian lemon drop cookies feature both sweet and tangy flavors thanks to plenty of fresh lemon juice and a powdered sugar glaze. These easy cookies are perfect with tea and coffee and will make a great addition to your holiday cookie platter.
10of 24
Italian Lemon Cookies
These soft Italian lemon drop cookies feature both sweet and tangy flavors thanks to plenty of fresh lemon juice and a powdered sugar glaze. These easy cookies are perfect with tea and coffee and will make a great addition to your holiday cookie platter.
11of 24
Gingerbread Pine Cones
Benjamin Turner
12of 24Ginger & Spice CracklesView RecipeThese soft and moist cookies are spiked with ginger, cinnamon and a hint of clove and they crackle on top when they bake. Rolling them in powdered sugar gives them a lightly sweet coating on the outside that looks like a dusting of fresh fallen snow.
12of 24
Ginger & Spice Crackles
These soft and moist cookies are spiked with ginger, cinnamon and a hint of clove and they crackle on top when they bake. Rolling them in powdered sugar gives them a lightly sweet coating on the outside that looks like a dusting of fresh fallen snow.
13of 24
Chocolate-Dipped Cardamom Cookies with Candied Grapefruit
14of 24Flourless Chocolate CookiesView RecipeThese flourless cookies get their volume from whipped egg whites (like a meringue) instead of grains, making them gluten-free and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. A chocolate chip in each bite adds to the rich chocolate flavor.
14of 24
Flourless Chocolate Cookies
These flourless cookies get their volume from whipped egg whites (like a meringue) instead of grains, making them gluten-free and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. A chocolate chip in each bite adds to the rich chocolate flavor.
15of 24Brown Butter Chocolate Chip CookiesView RecipeCaitlin BenselBrown butter chocolate chip cookies take regular chocolate chip cookies to a whole new level. The browned butter add nuttiness to each cookie, while a sprinkle of sea salt takes these easy treats over the top.
15of 24
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Caitlin Bensel
Brown butter chocolate chip cookies take regular chocolate chip cookies to a whole new level. The browned butter add nuttiness to each cookie, while a sprinkle of sea salt takes these easy treats over the top.
16of 24Ginger Molasses CookiesView RecipePhotography / Greg DuPree, Styling / Ruth BlackBurn / Julia BaylessThe spelt flour in these ginger molasses cookies offers a chewy texture and a nutty flavor that shines with the ginger in this easy holiday cookie recipe.
16of 24
Ginger Molasses Cookies
Photography / Greg DuPree, Styling / Ruth BlackBurn / Julia Bayless
The spelt flour in these ginger molasses cookies offers a chewy texture and a nutty flavor that shines with the ginger in this easy holiday cookie recipe.
17of 24Oatmeal-Coconut Cookies with Cranberries & White ChocolateView RecipeOur classic oatmeal cookie recipe gets a flavor twist with coconut, white chocolate chips (which have a more delicate flavor than milk or dark chocolate) and tart dried cranberries. The result is a chewy, sweet treat that’s sure to leave you coming back for more.
17of 24
Oatmeal-Coconut Cookies with Cranberries & White Chocolate
Our classic oatmeal cookie recipe gets a flavor twist with coconut, white chocolate chips (which have a more delicate flavor than milk or dark chocolate) and tart dried cranberries. The result is a chewy, sweet treat that’s sure to leave you coming back for more.
18of 24Carrot Cake Sandwich CookiesView RecipeWill DickeyThese chewy and moist carrot cake sandwich cookies are packed with carrots, crunchy pecan pieces and chewy raisins and filled with an orange-scented cream cheese frosting. They are rich and satisfying and would pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee.
18of 24
Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies
Will Dickey
These chewy and moist carrot cake sandwich cookies are packed with carrots, crunchy pecan pieces and chewy raisins and filled with an orange-scented cream cheese frosting. They are rich and satisfying and would pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee.
19of 24
Lingonberry Linzer Plätzchen (German Lingonberry Linzer Cookies)
20of 24Chocolate Chip Almond Butter CookiesView RecipeCarolyn Hodges, M.S., RDNNatural almond butter gives these gluten-free cookies a wonderfully rich flavor and tender, slightly chewy texture. Folding in chopped toasted almonds along with mini chocolate chips ensures plenty of chocolate and crunch in every bite.
20of 24
Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Cookies
Carolyn Hodges, M.S., RDN
Natural almond butter gives these gluten-free cookies a wonderfully rich flavor and tender, slightly chewy texture. Folding in chopped toasted almonds along with mini chocolate chips ensures plenty of chocolate and crunch in every bite.
21of 24Chocolate Chunk-Walnut Meringue CookiesView RecipeLook to these meringue cookies if you want a new, simple, no-fuss holiday cookie recipe. They’re ready to eat after drying in the oven for an hour, but you can leave them in there longer–even overnight.
21of 24
Chocolate Chunk-Walnut Meringue Cookies
Look to these meringue cookies if you want a new, simple, no-fuss holiday cookie recipe. They’re ready to eat after drying in the oven for an hour, but you can leave them in there longer–even overnight.
22of 24Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle CookiesView RecipeJacob FoxA generous amount of melted chocolate gives these cookies a fudgy, brownie-like texture, but it also means a very soft dough. Chilling it helps firm the dough up to a scoopable consistency.
22of 24
Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies
Jacob Fox
A generous amount of melted chocolate gives these cookies a fudgy, brownie-like texture, but it also means a very soft dough. Chilling it helps firm the dough up to a scoopable consistency.
23of 24Snowy PeaksView RecipeThese flourless chocolate treats look like tiny snow-capped mountains. Made with a blend of almonds, coconut and chocolate, they are gluten-free and have a rich, decadent flavor.
23of 24
Snowy Peaks
These flourless chocolate treats look like tiny snow-capped mountains. Made with a blend of almonds, coconut and chocolate, they are gluten-free and have a rich, decadent flavor.
24of 24Mini Gingerbread House CookiesView RecipeHoliday cookies don’t get any cuter than these mini gingerbread houses that kids and adults alike will love. Use a mini gingerbread house cookie cutter to cut out all the parts (the kids will love helping with this part), then build the houses and let the kids go to town decorating. Line up your finished creations to make a gingerbread house village, eat them up or prop them up on mugs of cocoa for dipping and munching.
24of 24
Mini Gingerbread House Cookies
Holiday cookies don’t get any cuter than these mini gingerbread houses that kids and adults alike will love. Use a mini gingerbread house cookie cutter to cut out all the parts (the kids will love helping with this part), then build the houses and let the kids go to town decorating. Line up your finished creations to make a gingerbread house village, eat them up or prop them up on mugs of cocoa for dipping and munching.
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
