16 Christmas Cookie Recipes Perfect for Santa’s Plate

Christmas baking is one of those holiday traditions that makes the whole kitchen feel warmer and more festive. A plate of homemade cookies can become the centerpiece of a holiday dessert table, a thoughtful gift for neighbors, or the treat everyone hopes to find waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve.

This collection brings together 16 Christmas cookie recipes with a mix of classic flavors, colorful decorations, chocolate treats, buttery favorites, and easy cookies that are approachable for home bakers. Each recipe includes a straightforward ingredient list, simple preparation steps, and a useful tip to help you get better results.

Whether you are planning a large Christmas cookie exchange or simply want a small batch for Santa’s plate, these recipes give you plenty of options to bake throughout the holiday season.

1. Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are a Christmas classic for good reason. Their buttery, lightly sweet flavor makes them ideal for cutting into stars, trees, snowflakes, and other festive shapes before decorating them with colorful icing.

Ingredients

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Royal icing or prepared cookie icing, for decorating
• Christmas sprinkles, optional

How to Make

1. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
2. Beat the softened butter and sugar until light and creamy.
3. Add the egg and vanilla and mix until combined.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
5. Wrap the dough and chill it for about 30 minutes.
6. Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface and cut out Christmas shapes.
7. Place the cookies on a lined baking sheet.
8. Bake at 350°F until the edges are lightly golden, about 8–10 minutes.
9. Cool completely before decorating.

Tip

Chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape while baking. Let the cookies cool completely before adding icing.

2. Soft Gingerbread Cookies

Soft gingerbread cookies bring the classic combination of molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and brown sugar to the Christmas dessert table. They can be served simply or decorated with icing.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup molasses
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

How to Make

1. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
2. Beat butter and brown sugar until creamy.
3. Mix in the egg, molasses, and vanilla.
4. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
5. Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes.
6. Roll and cut into gingerbread people or other Christmas shapes.
7. Bake at 350°F for about 8–10 minutes.
8. Cool before decorating or serving.

Tip

Avoid overbaking if you want a softer cookie. The centers should still feel slightly soft when the cookies come out of the oven.

3. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Chocolate crinkle cookies have a rich brownie-like center and a powdered sugar coating that cracks beautifully as they bake. Their snowy appearance makes them especially fitting for Christmas.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup powdered sugar

How to Make

1. Mix cocoa powder, sugar, and oil.
2. Beat in the eggs one at a time.
3. Add vanilla.
4. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Cover and chill the dough for at least 2 hours.
6. Scoop the dough into balls.
7. Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar.
8. Bake at 350°F for about 10–12 minutes.
9. Cool on the baking sheet briefly before transferring to a rack.

Tip

Coat the dough balls generously with powdered sugar so the white contrast remains visible after the cookies crack.

4. Peanut Butter Blossoms

Peanut butter blossoms combine a soft peanut butter cookie with a chocolate candy pressed into the center. They are easy to recognize and always welcome on a Christmas cookie platter.

Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Granulated sugar, for rolling
• 24 chocolate candy pieces

How to Make

1. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.
2. Beat butter, peanut butter, and both sugars until creamy.
3. Add the egg and vanilla.
4. Mix in the dry ingredients.
5. Shape the dough into small balls and roll them in sugar.
6. Bake at 350°F for about 9–11 minutes.
7. Immediately press a chocolate candy into the center of each cookie.
8. Allow the cookies to cool completely.

Tip

Press the chocolate into the cookies immediately after baking while the centers are still soft.

5. Peppermint Chocolate Cookies

Chocolate and peppermint create a classic holiday flavor combination. These cookies are rich enough to feel special while crushed peppermint adds a refreshing finish.

Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
• ½ cup crushed peppermint candies

How to Make

1. Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
2. Cream butter and sugar.
3. Beat in egg, vanilla, and peppermint extract.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients.
5. Scoop the dough onto a lined baking sheet.
6. Bake at 350°F for approximately 9–11 minutes.
7. Cool and sprinkle with crushed peppermint.

Tip

Use peppermint extract carefully because its flavor can become strong quickly.

6. Red Velvet Christmas Cookies

Red velvet cookies bring a dramatic color to a holiday cookie tray. A soft chocolate-vanilla flavor and white chocolate pieces make them especially festive.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Red food coloring
• 1 cup white chocolate chips

How to Make

1. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
2. Beat butter and sugars until creamy.
3. Mix in the egg, vanilla, and enough red food coloring to create a deep red color.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients.
5. Fold in white chocolate chips.
6. Scoop onto a lined baking sheet.
7. Bake at 350°F for about 9–11 minutes.
8. Cool before serving.

Tip

Reserve a few white chocolate chips to press onto the warm cookies after baking for a more polished appearance.

7. Snowball Cookies

Snowball cookies are tender, buttery treats coated in powdered sugar. Their round shape and snowy coating make them naturally suited to Christmas gatherings.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Additional powdered sugar for coating

How to Make

1. Cream butter and powdered sugar.
2. Add vanilla.
3. Mix in flour and salt.
4. Fold in pecans.
5. Shape the dough into small balls.
6. Bake at 350°F for about 12–15 minutes.
7. While still warm, roll the cookies in powdered sugar.
8. Cool and roll them in powdered sugar again.

Tip

The second coating gives the cookies their characteristic snowy appearance.

8. Christmas Sprinkle Cookies

Colorful sprinkles turn a simple sugar cookie into a cheerful Christmas treat. These are especially useful when you want an easy recipe that children can help prepare.

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ cup Christmas sprinkles

How to Make

1. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Beat butter and sugar until creamy.
3. Add egg and vanilla.
4. Mix in the dry ingredients.
5. Fold in half of the sprinkles.
6. Shape the dough into balls.
7. Roll the outside of each ball in remaining sprinkles.
8. Bake at 350°F for 9–11 minutes.

Tip

Choose sprinkles that hold their color and shape during baking for a brighter finished cookie.

9. Linzer Christmas Cookies

Linzer cookies add an elegant look to the holiday cookie tray. Two delicate cookies are sandwiched with fruit preserves, with powdered sugar providing a snowy finish.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup almond flour
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup raspberry or strawberry preserves
• Powdered sugar for dusting

How to Make

1. Combine flour, almond flour, cinnamon, and salt.
2. Cream butter and sugar.
3. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla.
4. Add the dry ingredients and form a dough.
5. Chill for 30–60 minutes.
6. Roll out and cut matching cookie shapes.
7. Cut a small center opening in half of the cookies.
8. Bake at 350°F for approximately 8–10 minutes.
9. Cool, dust the top cookies with powdered sugar, and sandwich with preserves.

Tip

Let the cookies cool completely before assembling so the preserves stay neatly between the layers.

10. White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Sweet white chocolate and tart dried cranberries create a festive contrast in these soft cookies. Their colors also fit naturally into a Christmas dessert spread.

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• ¾ cup dried cranberries

How to Make

1. Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
2. Cream butter and sugars.
3. Add egg and vanilla.
4. Mix in the dry ingredients.
5. Fold in white chocolate chips and cranberries.
6. Scoop onto a lined baking sheet.
7. Bake at 350°F for about 9–12 minutes.
8. Cool before serving.

Tip

Do not overbake these cookies. Taking them out when the centers are still slightly soft helps maintain a tender texture.

11. Snickerdoodle Christmas Cookies

Snickerdoodles are soft, buttery cookies covered in cinnamon sugar. They are simple enough for everyday holiday baking but flavorful enough for a Christmas cookie exchange.

Ingredients

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup granulated sugar for coating
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

How to Make

1. Whisk together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
2. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
3. Add eggs and vanilla.
4. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
5. Combine cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.
6. Shape dough into balls and roll in cinnamon sugar.
7. Bake at 350°F for about 9–11 minutes.
8. Cool slightly before transferring.

Tip

Bake until the edges are set but the centers remain soft for a classic snickerdoodle texture.

12. Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookies

Buttery shortbread becomes especially festive when half of each cookie is dipped in melted chocolate and finished with a small amount of seasonal decoration.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate, melted
• Christmas sprinkles, optional

How to Make

1. Beat butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
2. Add vanilla.
3. Gradually mix in flour and salt.
4. Shape or roll the dough and cut into desired shapes.
5. Bake at 350°F for approximately 10–12 minutes.
6. Cool completely.
7. Dip one end of each cookie into melted chocolate.
8. Add sprinkles while the chocolate is still soft.
9. Let the chocolate set.

Tip

Allow the cookies to cool completely before dipping so the chocolate forms a clean coating.

13. Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies

You do not need a complicated recipe to make a holiday cookie plate feel special. Classic chocolate chip cookies can become Christmas-ready with festive sprinkles or seasonal shapes.

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups chocolate chips
• Christmas sprinkles, optional

How to Make

1. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt.
2. Beat butter and both sugars until creamy.
3. Add eggs and vanilla.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients.
5. Fold in chocolate chips.
6. Scoop onto a lined baking sheet.
7. Add a few sprinkles if desired.
8. Bake at 350°F for 9–12 minutes.
9. Cool before serving.

Tip

For bakery-style presentation, press a few extra chocolate chips onto the tops of the warm cookies.

14. Jam-Filled Thumbprint Cookies

Thumbprint cookies are small, buttery treats with a jewel-like center of fruit jam. Raspberry, strawberry, or apricot preserves all work well.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup fruit preserves

How to Make

1. Beat butter and sugar until creamy.
2. Add egg yolk and vanilla.
3. Mix in flour and salt.
4. Shape the dough into small balls.
5. Press a shallow indentation into each ball.
6. Fill each center with a small amount of preserves.
7. Bake at 350°F for about 10–12 minutes.
8. Cool completely before serving.

Tip

Avoid overfilling the centers because jam can bubble over the cookie while baking.

15. Coconut Macaroons

Coconut macaroons are naturally chewy and make a nice change from traditional flour-based Christmas cookies. A chocolate drizzle can add an extra festive touch.

Ingredients

• 3 cups sweetened shredded coconut
• ⅔ cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large egg whites
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup melted chocolate, optional

How to Make

1. Combine coconut, condensed milk, and vanilla.
2. Beat egg whites with salt until soft peaks form.
3. Gently fold the egg whites into the coconut mixture.
4. Scoop small mounds onto a lined baking sheet.
5. Bake at 325°F for about 15–18 minutes, until lightly golden.
6. Cool completely.
7. Drizzle with melted chocolate if desired.

Tip

Keep the coconut mixture together without compressing it too firmly so the finished macaroons remain pleasantly light and chewy.

16. Festive M&M Christmas Cookies

Colorful chocolate candies make these cookies especially cheerful for Christmas. Red and green candies give them an unmistakably holiday look without requiring complicated decoration.

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups red and green chocolate candies
• ½ cup chocolate chips, optional

How to Make

1. Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
2. Beat butter and both sugars until creamy.
3. Add eggs and vanilla.
4. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
5. Fold in the chocolate candies and chocolate chips.
6. Scoop dough onto a lined baking sheet.
7. Press a few extra candies into the tops.
8. Bake at 350°F for about 9–12 minutes.
9. Cool before transferring to a serving plate.

Tip

Reserve some candies for the tops so the finished cookies have bright, recognizable Christmas colors.