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Photo: William Dickey
Get ready to whisk, roll and bake your way into the holiday spirit with our Christmas cookie recipes. These sweet treats are so good, they’ll become part of your yearly baking traditions. From flavors like our Cashew-Cardamom Shortbread to our Vanilla Candy Cane Peppermint Bars, these cookies are a festive delight for everyone.
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Cashew-Cardamom Shortbread
Pooja Makhijani
View Recipe
02of 29Ginger & Spice CracklesThese soft and moist cookies are spiked with ginger, cinnamon and a hint of cloves, 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.View Recipe
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Ginger & Spice Crackles
These soft and moist cookies are spiked with ginger, cinnamon and a hint of cloves, 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.
03of 29Vanilla Candy Cane Peppermint BarsThese festive bars are easy to make for a cookie swap or holiday treats for friends and family.View Recipe
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Vanilla Candy Cane Peppermint Bars
These festive bars are easy to make for a cookie swap or holiday treats for friends and family.
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Lingonberry Linzer Plätzchen (German Lingonberry Linzer Cookies)
William Dickey
05of 29Mini Gingerbread House CookiesHoliday 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.View Recipe
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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.
06of 29Spritz CookiesIt’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.View Recipe
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Spritz Cookies
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.
07of 29Citrus-Kissed Honey ButtonsThese citrus-flavored sugar cookies are a lovely addition to any holiday cookie platter.View Recipe
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Citrus-Kissed Honey Buttons
These citrus-flavored sugar cookies are a lovely addition to any holiday cookie platter.
08of 29Brown Butter Chocolate Chip CookiesCaitlin 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.View Recipe
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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.
09of 29Ginger Molasses CookiesPhotography / 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 with these easy holiday cookies.View Recipe
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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 with these easy holiday cookies.
10of 29Espresso Walnut Marzipan CookiesWilliam 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.View Recipe
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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.
11of 29No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate CookiesCreamy natural peanut butter and chocolate team up in these easy and healthy no-bake cookies! Whip up a batch for after-school snacks, dessert or anytime your sweet tooth comes calling.View Recipe
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No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies
Creamy natural peanut butter and chocolate team up in these easy and healthy no-bake cookies! Whip up a batch for after-school snacks, dessert or anytime your sweet tooth comes calling.
12of 29Coffee Star CookiesSpelt flour’s earthy flavor is a good companion to the warm spices and molasses in these cheerful cookies. Play around with the glaze and decorations to vary the look of the batch.View Recipe
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Coffee Star Cookies
Spelt flour’s earthy flavor is a good companion to the warm spices and molasses in these cheerful cookies. Play around with the glaze and decorations to vary the look of the batch.
13of 29Almond Butter Chocolate Chip CookiesEva KolenkoAll that’s required to make fresh-from-the-oven cookies is five ingredients, a single bowl and 35 minutes. “These cookies are a staple in our house,” saysTop Chef’s Season 14 champ Brooke Williamson. “The almond butter they call for is loaded with healthy fats and adds protein. My son Hudson is a big fan of them too!”View Recipe
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Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Eva Kolenko
All that’s required to make fresh-from-the-oven cookies is five ingredients, a single bowl and 35 minutes. “These cookies are a staple in our house,” saysTop Chef’s Season 14 champ Brooke Williamson. “The almond butter they call for is loaded with healthy fats and adds protein. My son Hudson is a big fan of them too!”
14of 29Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle CookiesJacob 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.View Recipe
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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.
15of 29Soft Sugar CookiesKeep things simple with these easy and classic sugar cookies that are perfectly soft. We incorporate mild-tasting white whole-wheat flour for extra fiber and nutrients.View Recipe
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Soft Sugar Cookies
Keep things simple with these easy and classic sugar cookies that are perfectly soft. We incorporate mild-tasting white whole-wheat flour for extra fiber and nutrients.
16of 29Italian Hazelnut CookiesThese crispy cookies are made with Piedmontese staples—hazelnuts and eggs—and called Brutti Ma Buoni: literally, “Ugly But Good.” But they are really more plain-looking than “ugly,” and pack a powerful, sweet, nutty burst of flavor, making them welcome at any table.View Recipe
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Italian Hazelnut Cookies
These crispy cookies are made with Piedmontese staples—hazelnuts and eggs—and called Brutti Ma Buoni: literally, “Ugly But Good.” But they are really more plain-looking than “ugly,” and pack a powerful, sweet, nutty burst of flavor, making them welcome at any table.
17of 29Chocolate-Chocolate Chip CookiesIt’s quick and easy to mix together these slice-and-bake chocolate-chocolate chip cookies whenever you need something sweet. The recipe makes enough dough so you can bake half and put the other half in the freezer—ready to pull out and bake up a few fresh cookies anytime.View Recipe
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Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Cookies
It’s quick and easy to mix together these slice-and-bake chocolate-chocolate chip cookies whenever you need something sweet. The recipe makes enough dough so you can bake half and put the other half in the freezer—ready to pull out and bake up a few fresh cookies anytime.
18of 29Oatmeal-Coconut Cookies with Cranberries & White ChocolateOur classic oatmeal cookie 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.View Recipe
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Oatmeal-Coconut Cookies with Cranberries & White Chocolate
Our classic oatmeal cookie 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.
19of 29Button Shortbread CookiesThese shortbread cookies use white whole-wheat flour instead of white flour, adding nutrients without overpowering the classic shortbread taste. These cookies are easy to make, so they’re perfect for a holiday cookie swap or afternoon tea. These cookies are also wonderful to bake with small kids because they’ll love poking the buttonholes in the shortbread dough.View Recipe
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Button Shortbread Cookies
These shortbread cookies use white whole-wheat flour instead of white flour, adding nutrients without overpowering the classic shortbread taste. These cookies are easy to make, so they’re perfect for a holiday cookie swap or afternoon tea. These cookies are also wonderful to bake with small kids because they’ll love poking the buttonholes in the shortbread dough.
20of 29Cranberry-Coconut Oatmeal CookiesBrittany ConerlyIn this installment of Diaspora 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.View Recipe
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Cranberry-Coconut Oatmeal Cookies
Brittany Conerly
In this installment of Diaspora 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.
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22of 29Chocolate Chunk-Walnut Meringue CookiesLook 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.View Recipe
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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.
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Chocolate-Dipped Cardamom Cookies with Candied Grapefruit
24of 29Salted Hazelnut Thumbprint CookiesWilliam DickeyHazelnuts do double duty in these cookies. 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.View Recipe
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Salted Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies
Hazelnuts do double duty in these cookies. 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.
25of 29Snickerdoodle Thumbprint Cookies with ChocolateThese cinnamon-sugar snickerdoodle thumbprint cookies have an added bonus: chocolate filling! With slightly crispy edges and a chewy, chocolaty center, these snickerdoodle cookies are the ultimate crowd-pleaser.View Recipe
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Snickerdoodle Thumbprint Cookies with Chocolate
These cinnamon-sugar snickerdoodle thumbprint cookies have an added bonus: chocolate filling! With slightly crispy edges and a chewy, chocolaty center, these snickerdoodle cookies are the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
26of 29Cinnamon Icebox CookiesSlice-and-bake icebox cookies are the ultimate make-ahead treat. You can make a batch and bake as many as you like, saving the rest of the dough in the freezer. These simple swirled cookies are rolled in finely chopped pecans. They’re mildly sweet—perfect for after dinner or paired with coffee.View Recipe
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Cinnamon Icebox Cookies
Slice-and-bake icebox cookies are the ultimate make-ahead treat. You can make a batch and bake as many as you like, saving the rest of the dough in the freezer. These simple swirled cookies are rolled in finely chopped pecans. They’re mildly sweet—perfect for after dinner or paired with coffee.
27of 29Gingerbread Pine ConesBenjamin Turner“This is a really good, solid gingerbread recipe,” says Duff Goldman. “I was in a baking store and I saw this really cool cookie mold shaped like a pine cone and I knew I had to have it. I thought this would be a perfect gingerbread cookie and if I could make it look like it got snowed on, that would be awesome.”View Recipe
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Gingerbread Pine Cones
Benjamin Turner
“This is a really good, solid gingerbread recipe,” says Duff Goldman. “I was in a baking store and I saw this really cool cookie mold shaped like a pine cone and I knew I had to have it. I thought this would be a perfect gingerbread cookie and if I could make it look like it got snowed on, that would be awesome.”
28of 29Chocolate-Mint Crinkle CookiesNo need to avoid the dessert table when you bring these lightened-up cookies to the party. These chocolate goodies are rolled in powdered sugar before baking and the end result is as tasty as it is beautiful.View Recipe
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Chocolate-Mint Crinkle Cookies
No need to avoid the dessert table when you bring these lightened-up cookies to the party. These chocolate goodies are rolled in powdered sugar before baking and the end result is as tasty as it is beautiful.
29of 29Healthy Oatmeal-Chocolate Chip CookiesHere’s your new cookie jar staple. This recipe for classic oatmeal–chocolate chip cookies gets a healthy boost with whole-wheat flour and uses less sugar and butter than traditional recipes. Don’t hesitate to make a double batch—they’re so satisfying they’ll be gone fast.View Recipe
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Healthy Oatmeal-Chocolate Chip Cookies
Here’s your new cookie jar staple. This recipe for classic oatmeal–chocolate chip cookies gets a healthy boost with whole-wheat flour and uses less sugar and butter than traditional recipes. Don’t hesitate to make a double batch—they’re so satisfying they’ll be gone fast.
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