Best Christmas Cookie Recipes

The sweet smells wafting from the kitchen are just as much a symbol of the holiday season as decorated trees, evergreen wreaths, and crowded shopping malls, but the best Christmas cookie recipes are more than just delicious treats. They are timeless holiday traditions, and they are generously shared among those closest to the heart. Furthermore, the best Christmas cookie recipes have several characteristics in common:

Delicious Holiday Sweet Treats

• They are fun to make and share, and are often used as caring homemade gifts.
• They are frequently unique to the season and not indulged in at other times during the year.
• They celebrate the season with themed shapes, colors, and tastes reminiscent of the holiday.
• They tend to be more elaborate, including shaped, coated, and decorated cookies.

Most importantly, they are a decadent part of the season, an everlasting tradition many families indulge in through a variety of recipe variations and unique twists.

1.

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 These classic vanilla cookies are first rolled and then cut into traditional Christmas shapes: trees, snowmen, stars, reindeer, stockings, sleighs, bells, angels, and more. Once decorated with sprinkles, jimmies, colored icing, and other accents, they are among the most beautiful and timeless Christmas cookie recipes.

2.

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 Gingerbread people are the most common variation of this spicy treat, as well as panels and meticulously cut sheets to create gingerbread houses. The rich, savory flavor of gingerbread is a perfect accompaniment to coffee, cocoa, or eggnog, and the shapes are fun for kids and adults alike to decorate.

3.

 Choose any chocolate cookie recipe.

 Combining the outrageously popular flavor of chocolate with seasonal bits of peppermint candy canes is a quick and easy way to create a holiday treat. Choose a favorite chocolate cookie recipe and add crushed candy canes to the batter before baking, or ice cookies with vanilla frosting sprinkled with mint pieces or powder. Another option is to flavor the frosting with peppermint extract, or replace vanilla extract in the recipe with peppermint. The decadent chocolate is a robust companion to the light, crisp peppermint flavoring.

4.

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 A sugary peanut butter cookie topped with a chocolate kiss is not only a traditional holiday favorite, but it evokes a subtle hint of mistletoe and holiday romance perfect to give that special someone. With dozens of varieties of chocolate kisses available (milk chocolate, dark chocolate, cherry, caramel, strawberry, mint, etc.) as well as dough variations, there is a flavor combination sure to appeal to everyone. Different kisses can be used in one batch of cookies for variety.

5.

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 Also called buckeyes, these soft, rich treats are perfect for kids to help make (and eat!). The soft peanut butter balls are dipped in melted chocolate for an instant classic – peanut butter and chocolate is one of the most popular flavor combinations in the world. For seasonal variety, try dipping the balls into crushed nuts, peppermint pieces, or sprinkles while the chocolate coating is still wet.

6.

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 Attractive layers make these Christmas cookie recipes the perfect gift. The best jar cookies are those with a wide range of different textures: in addition to sugar and flour, recipes with chocolate or other candy chips, oats, cocoa powder, or candy-coated bits make stunning gifts that can be shipped long distances without fear of going stale. A festive ribbon and gift tag with baking instructions complete the package.

7.

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 The stunning colors of melted candy bits in stained glass or cathedral window cookies are festive and beautiful. Use red and green candies for traditional holiday colors, or create an entire rainbow of decorative treats. Larger cookies can incorporate multiple colors, or opt for smaller cookies with a wider array of shapes.

8.

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 Classic fork-pressed peanut butter cookies are a crisp holiday favorite, particularly for individuals who do not care for chocolate or sugar cookies. With a melt-in-the-mouth texture and rich, golden coloration, even simple peanut butter cookies are a delightful addition to a holiday menu.

9.

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 A prize-winning recipe from Southern Living, these rich, creamy treats are a sophisticated option for holiday desserts. Experiment with different extracts for individualized treats, and top with a variety of icings, drizzles, sprinkles, or crushed peppermint candies for extra flair.

10.

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 While not an edible treat (with only salt, flour, and water, they’re not particularly tasty), these traditional cutout cookies are perfect for families to decorate and share throughout the season. A ribbon threaded through a small hole in the top of the cookie can make an easy ornament, or they can be used as an alternative to gingerbread for making houses. Decorate cookies with dyes, glitter, or paints instead of edible food coloring or sprinkles to make them last longer.

11.

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 The classic butter shortbread cookie with a hint of vanilla is an instant holiday classic, but the endless variations possible make it one of the best Christmas cookie recipes ever. Adding different extracts (lemon and orange are popular choices) can create a subtly different taste, and the cookies can be combined with favorite nuts or other rich toppings to match any tastes.

12.

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 A rich, luxurious treat, rum balls are an adults-only cookie suitable for family gatherings, caroling parties, or just cuddling in front of the fireplace. The cookies can be coated with any number of different toppings: crushed nuts or mints, sprinkles, powdered sugar, and cocoa are classic favorites. Sweeter coatings will help nullify the bitter rum, while richer coatings highlight the decadence of the cookies.

The key to choosing the best Christmas cookie recipes is to select those that either are or can become annual traditions that bring meaning and togetherness to the holiday. Whether the tradition is baking the cookies together, decorating them to showcase individual creative talents, or simply enjoying them while opening gifts or watching holiday movies, or eating holiday meals, the sweet treats will help bring family and friends closer together during this very special time of year.