The Best Christmas Cookies

Whether you are baking cookies to enjoy with a cup of hot chocolate or baking up dozens to share with friends, family, and neighbours, this roundup of the BEST Christmas Cookies has you covered!

Cookie season is here and there is truly no better time of year! Baking Christmas cookies is a tradition in our home. Each year, I love to recreate our favourite classic cookies as well as experiment with a few new flavours. Assembling them all on platters to deliver to friends and family for the holidays is one of my favourite ways to spread some holiday cheer.

In this post, I am sharing my absolute favourite cookies to whip up around the Christmas season (though, to be honest, these are definitely made throughout the year as well). This list includes classic cookies like Gingerbread Cookies and Chocolate Crinkle Cookies but has so much more than that.

I’ve included a bit of everything for everyone here. You will find vegan cookies to share with those with dietary restrictions, cookies for chocolate lovers (quite a few of those cause I am right there with you guys on this!) as well as my favourite Greek cookies!

I hope you find recipes to entice you and bring joy into your kitchen this holiday season! Happy baking!

P.S. I plan on updating this list with new favourites each year (including this season as I share some of my newest baking creations) so be sure to save this post and check back for more ideas!

Christmas Kiss Cookies covered in sprinkles
Christmas Kiss Cookies

Classic Christmas Cookies:

You can’t make a list about the Best Christmas Cookies without including these classic Christmas cookie recipes! These tried and true favourites are made each year in our kitchen. I love a good classic recipe and these are a must to include in our holiday cookie box!

Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies
These melt in your mouth Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies are a fun twist on a Christmas time classic! These allergy-friendly, nut-free cookies are studded with mini chocolate chips and are so easy to make too!
Check out this recipe
Bite shot of a Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookie
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Make the best Chocolate Crinkle Cookies at home with this easy recipe! These chocolatey cookies taste fudgy and brownie-like and form a pretty crackly pattern as they bake!
Check out this recipe
Tray of Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Gingerbread Cookies
Learn how to make the best homemade Gingerbread Cookies with this easy, perfectly spiced recipe! Soft, chewy cookies decorated with a simple icing are fun to make and eat!
Check out this recipe
Tray of Gingerbread Cookies
Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies
These soft and chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies are the best treat! So easy to make and so incredibly delicious!
Check out this recipe
Stack of Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies with a glass of milk
Peanut Butter Blossoms
These easy Peanut Butter Blossoms are the ultimate soft cookie treat that combines one of the best food combos ever- pb and chocolate!
Check out this recipe
Closeup of a Peanut Butter Blossom
Gingerbread Biscotti
Make the BEST Gingerbread Biscotti with this simple, easy recipe! Paired with coffee, these make the perfect Christmas treat! They are also great for gifting!
Check out this recipe
Tray of twice baked Gingerbread Biscotti
Christmas Kiss Cookies
These easy to make Christmas Kiss Cookies are sure to be a hit! These soft chocolate cookies are covered with sprinkles and topped with a Hershey's Kiss!
Check out this recipe
Christmas Kiss Cookies topped with a hershey kiss
Soft & Chewy Snickerdoodles Recipe
This Soft & Chewy Snickerdoodles recipe is easy to whip up in your kitchen and requires no chill time! That means you can enjoy these soft-baked, cinnamon-spiced cookies in just 25 minutes!
Check out this recipe
A pile of snickerdoodles next to cinnamon sticks.
Plate of gingerbread cookies
Gingerbread Cookies

Shortbread and Sugar Cookies:

Shortbread and sugar cookies are a must in any holiday cookie box. I’ve included my favourite versions of these classic holiday favourites in the list below.

Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies
This delicious Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies recipe is easy to make! They are simple, buttery, and are sure to disappear in seconds!
Check out this recipe
Tray of Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies
Hazelnut Sandwich Cookies Recipe
This Hazelnut Sandwich Cookies Recipe is made with ground hazelnuts and stuffed with chocolate hazelnut filling, though you can easily stuff them with your favorite jam filling too. They're easy to make, fun to eat, and sure to become a new favorite sandwich cookie recipe!
Check out this recipe
A pile of hazelnut sandwich cookies stuffed with nutella and topped with a dusting of icing sugar set on parchment paper.
Pecan Cookie Recipe
This Pecan Cookie Recipe produces delicious cut-out cookies that are speckled with pecans and can be topped with a simple cinnamon icing for an extra flavorful treat! This recipe is easy to do and perfect with a cup of coffee or tea!
Check out this recipe
A pile of pecan cookies, some with icing and chopped pecans on them and some with coarse sugar sprinkled on them, set on a parchment lined rack.
Chocolate Sugar Cookies
This easy recipe for Chocolate Sugar Cookies makes deliciously, chocolatey cookies that can be cut out in any shape for any occasion!
Check out this recipe
Heart shaped chocolate sugar cookies dipped in melted chocolate and sprinkled with pink, white and red sprinkles.
Chocolate Dipped Toffee Shortbread Cookies
These Chocolate Dipped Toffee Shortbread Cookies are easy to make and so delicious! This recipe is perfect for Christmas, Valentine's Day or any day, really!
Check out this recipe
Plate of Chocolate Dipped Toffee Shortbread Cookies
Round chocolate sugar cookies half dipped in chocolate with sprinkles on top.
Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Greek Christmas Cookies:

As a Greek girl, making these classic Greek cookies is a must this time of year. That said, these are probably one of my most requested recipes from Greek and non-Greek friends this time of year. I just couldn’t complete a list of the best Christmas cookies without including a few of these favourites.

Recipe for Kourabiedes (Greek Butter Cookies)
This recipe for Kourabiedes is a family favourite producing the most delicious traditional Greek butter cookies. Easy to make, studded with roasted almonds and always a favorite during the Christmas season!
Check out this recipe
Bite shot of a Kourabiedes cookie
Melomakarona (Greek Christmas Honey Cookies)
Melomakarona are traditional Greek Cookies drenched in a honey syrup. This cookie recipe is traditionally made every Christmas in Greek homes.
Check out this recipe
Melomakarona cookies topped with crushed walnuts stacked on a white platter.
Amydalota Recipe (Greek Almond Cookies)
This Amygdalota Recipe produces delicious Greek Almond Cookies that have the perfect crunchy exterior but or soft and chewy on the inside. This simple cookie requires only 5 ingredients and are naturally gluten-free!
Check out this recipe
Piped cookies using the Amydalota Recipe (Greek Almond Cookies) on a black wire cooling rack set on a a wooden board with a cup of almond slices in the background.
Greek Olive Oil Cookies (Vegan) – Koulourakia Ladiou
Greek Olive Oil Cookies or Koulourakia Ladiou are easy to make and sure to disappear quickly! These vegan cookies are flavoured with cinnamon and orange and perfect for dunking in a cup of coffee!
Check out this recipe
A plate of Greek Olive Oil Cookies- Koulourakia Ladiou topped with sesame seeds.
Plate of Kourabiedes cookies topped with icing sugar
Kourabiedes

Vegan Cookies:

Looking for vegan, dairy-free or egg-free cookies to share with your friends and family? The cookies below are perfect for gifting and sharing! In addition to this list, my Chocolate Dipped Toffee Shortbread Cookies and Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies are naturally egg-free. You can easily turn them vegan by opting for dairy-free substitutes in place of the dairy components (e.g. by using a butter substitute and vegan chocolate).

Cinnamon Espresso Cookies
These cookies are healthy, vegan, and only slightly sweet. They are made with olive oil instead of butter, giving them a nice crumbly texture!
Check out this recipe
Cinnamon Espresso Cookies on a cooling rack.
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
These Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies are thick, chewy and oh-so chocolatey! With a few healthy swaps, this twist on a traditional chocolate chip cookie recipe is made vegan while still tasting like a traditional chocolate chip cookie!
Check out this recipe
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie sprinkled with sea salt
Chocolate Almond Cookies
These Chocolate Almond Cookies are gluten-free, healthy, and vegan! They are made with almond flour and sweetened with dates making them sugar-free too!
Check out this recipe
chocolate almond cookies topped with almond slices
Greek Olive Oil Cookies (Vegan) – Koulourakia Ladiou
Greek Olive Oil Cookies or Koulourakia Ladiou are easy to make and sure to disappear quickly! These vegan cookies are flavoured with cinnamon and orange and perfect for dunking in a cup of coffee!
Check out this recipe
A plate of Greek Olive Oil Cookies- Koulourakia Ladiou topped with sesame seeds.
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie sprinkled with sea salt
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Other Fun Cookies and Truffles:

This list of fun cookies are packed with delicious flavours you have just got to try!

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
Double Chocolate Chip Cookies that are chewy and fudgy and oh-so irresistible!
Check out this recipe
A bited Double Chocolate Chip Cookie on parchment paper with other cookies.
Dulce de Leche Sandwich Cookies (Alfajores)
Dulce de Leche Sandwich Cookies or Alfajores are soft, tender cookies filled with deliciously sweet dulce de leche. These melt-in-your-mouth sandwich cookies can be served as is, sprinkled with powdered sugar or rolled in coconut. However you enjoy them, they are sure to be a hit!
Check out this recipe
Close up of an alfajore showing the dulce de leche filling in a stack of cookies.
Oreo Truffles
These easy, no bake Oreo Truffles are the perfect bite sized treat! These Oreo balls require only a few ingredients and are perfect for pot lucks, Christmas, or just because!
Check out this recipe
Oreo Truffles dipped in white and chocolate candy melts
Chocolate Kiss Cookies
These easy to make and super delicious Chocolate Kiss Cookies are sure to be a hit! They are packed with chocolate flavour and so simple to do!
Check out this recipe
Plate of Chocolate Kiss Cookies
Lemon Crinkle Cookies
These soft and chewy Lemon Crinkle Cookies are the perfect cookie to enjoy with cup of tea! These sweet little bites are surprisingly easy to make and owe their bright, delicate flavour to fresh lemon juice.
Check out this recipe
Lemon Crinkle Cookies piled on a small cooling rack surrounded by lemon wedges.
Close up of an alfajore showing the dulce de leche filling in a stack of cookies.
Dulce de Leche Sandwich Cookies or Alfajores

I hope you find joy in baking some of the delicious Christmas cookies on this list! Put the kettle on and enjoy a delicious treat by the fireplace. Or better yet, whip up some Homemade Hot Chocolate or a Gingerbread Latte and really get into the festive season!

Wishing you loads of fun baking and Happy Holidays!

-Cathy

Photo collage of the best christmas cookies with the text "The Best Christmas Cookies"

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