No need to check this list twice: we’ve rounded up a batch of cookies that absolutely must make an appearance on your holiday table (and will definitely end up on your Instagram).
This selection of recipes hit all the requisite holiday cookie flavors — molasses, ginger, sugar, spice. And also we made sure they’re doable for anything from a cookie swap to a mega baking session. In other words, all the doughs can be made in advance, all can be frozen (except the meringues), and all are easy to gift.
In fact, they’re all able to hold up in the mail — we recommend wrapping them in paper in a cookie box and then placing the cookie box in a shipping container — with the exception of the lace cookie and the meringues, which are best within a few days of being baked.
From tried-and-true crowd-pleasers to creative twists, gluten-free and vegan to classics remade, here are more than twenty cookies that are so worth the effort!
Photo by Pavel Gramatikov
Hazelnut Chocolate Linzer Cookie Recipe
What’s not to love about classic linzers? Choose a festive cookie cutter shape, and give this old favorite an update with the irresistible combination of chocolate and hazelnuts.
Vanilla Bean Peppermint Meringue Cookies Recipe — This Mess Is Ours
One recipe, two delicious cookies! Peppermint extract and finely crushed candy canes flavor one, fresh vanilla beans the other. So cute, and gluten-free, too.
Vanilla Cherry Chocolate Cookie Recipe
Like your favorite chocolate chip cookie, just met up with a bunch of sweet dried cherries and got doused with vanilla extract—so good!
Iced Oatmeal Cookie Recipe — Mother Thyme
Here’s a super simple drop cookie that bakes up in minutes and makes your kitchen smell like cinnamon. A quick glaze, and you’re done!
Cacao Nib and Walnut Cocoa Rochers Recipe
Perfect for our gluten-free friends, these pillowy meringue cookies add a little something different—not to mention elegant—to the Christmas tins.
Embossed Cookie Recipe — La Receta de la Felicidad
The intricate patterns make these cookies look complicated. Still, they’re actually as easy as can be—you can make patterns with an embossing mat, a lace doily, an embossed glass, or a decorative rolling pin. Simply roll over or press to imprint the dough, and voila!
Mexican Wedding Cookie Recipe – Marcela Valladolid
These cookies seem to have multiple personalities as there are numerous names for this cookie — Russian Tea Cake, Polvorones, Mexican Wedding Cakes, Snowballs — are any indication.
But, no matter what you call them, we can agree that a great Mexican wedding cookie is crumbly, buttery, and nutty. Make them with almonds or pecans or walnuts but just make sure these make it on your cookie platter.
Polvorones Cookie Recipe – ¡Hola! Jalapeño
By the way, there’s another twist to the Mexican Wedding Cookies story in that not only are they known as polvorones but also these classic vanilla-laced sugar cookies also go by that name. Here Kate shows you four ways to make these cookies including covered in sprinkles, vanilla spice, cocoa sugar, and thumbprint!
Chocolate Cornflake Cluster Recipe
Got a jam-packed holiday schedule? These chocolate confections are the epitome of quick and easy, with just three ingredients and less than 30 minutes of kitchen time required.
Jam-Filled Thumbprint Cookie Recipe — Love & Olive Oil
Bedeck your cookie selection with these jewel-toned beauties. Different flavors of jam are the perfect way to add color and variety with minimal effort.
Coconut Honey Lace Cookie Recipe
Cinnamon, coconut, and chocolate—could a cookie ask for anything more? How about being perfectly crisp, delicate, and oh so pretty?
Ginger Spice Molasses Cookie Recipe
It’s hard to have the holidays without gingerbread cookies or sugar cookies but, to us, ’tis not quite the season until these chewy, soft, rather ginger-y Ginger Spice Molasses cookies get involved!
Christmas Tree Sugar Cookie Recipe – Sugar And Charm
Speaking of sugar cookies, we’re fans of these buttery, sugary cookies from Eden of Sugar And Charm. She not only shares the recipe but also her tips for cookie-creating success from rolling with powdered sugar to piping the icing for this gorgeous textured look!
Cardamom Coconut Snowflake Cookie Recipe – Baking The Goods
If you’re looking to level up the classic sugar cookie, Becky Sue’s spiced coconut cookies should definitely be in contention. Made with orange zest, cardamom, and topped with a coconut frosting, these have some of our favorites — if lesser appreciated — holiday flavors.
Toasted Coconut Orange Icebox Cookie Recipe
If your holiday prep plan is all about minimizing stress and the path of least resistance, you’re going to want to bake these cookies. Because they’re icebox cookies, you can make them up to one month ahead and freeze the dough, then slice them off at a whim. Oh, and though the chocolate drizzle isn’t mandatory, it does really make the cookie!
Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookie Recipe — Bakers Royale
Crisp and chewy peppermint perfection, with a generous dusting of snowy powdered sugar.
Chewy Chocolate Cookies With Peppermint Buttercream Recipe – Displaced Housewife
If your cookies aren’t complete without some frosting, you’ll likely want to bake these chocolatey cookies with an easy-to-make peppermint buttercream frosting!
Uber Chocolate Cookie Recipe – The Bojon Gourmet
Raise your hand if you’re only here for the chocolate! If that’s the case, this chocolate on chocolate on chocolate cookies is for you. Oh, and did we mention they’re gluten-free?
Noni’s Italian Walnut Shortbread Cookie Recipe
When it comes to holiday traditions, this cookie is a big one for our Editor-In-Chief, Aida. Her great grandmother first made these for the holidays and they’ve been made every year for four generations! They can be made well ahead and they ship without issues so they’re perfect if you’re looking to mail cookies!
Chocolate Chunk Orange Biscotti Cookie Recipe
One holiday cookie we’ve been making for years? This chocolate chunk orange biscotti reminds us of our favorite Tuscan biscotti shop!
{Zaleti} Italian Cornmeal Currant Italian Cookie Recipe
We love Italian cookies because they’re simple to make, not too sweet, and always super interesting. These Venetian cookies known as Zaleti with currants, cornmeal, and almond liqueur are just that!
{Torta Sbrisolona} Italian Almond Cornmeal Cookie Recipe
Another traditional Italian cookie that is a must-have for your Christmas cookie spread? This crunchy, nutty, buttery, Northern Italian take on shortbread made with almonds, cornmeal, and lots of butter!
Classic French Madeleine Cookie Recipe
When in doubt, go super classic. And there’s nothing more classic than Madeleine cookies (ask Proust)! Even if you’ve never made these cookies before, this recipe will make it a cinch.
Pin It For Later!
Want to remember these cookie recipes for later? Go ahead and pin this image to your Pinterest board!
Now that you have the cookies covered, check out our pick of essential cocktails for holiday entertaining!
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