These Tasty and Fun Christmas Cookie Recipes Will Even Impress Santa (2024)

Set out a few out for the big guy on Christmas Eve.

By Beth Branch
These Tasty and Fun Christmas Cookie Recipes Will Even Impress Santa (1)

One of our absolute favorite Christmas traditions? Baking Christmas cookies! So fire up your Christmas playlist or put on your family's favorite Christmas movies, and let's get baking!

To help you fill your home with warmth and cheer this Christmas, we’ve rounded up some of our very favorite Christmas cookie recipes—from classic gingerbread to decorated sugar cookies, from Christmas classics to revamped version of them, and absolutely everything in between. There’s something tasty and delicious for everyone on this list — including Santa.

1

Red Velvet Snowflakes with Cream Cheese Icing

These Tasty and Fun Christmas Cookie Recipes Will Even Impress Santa (3)

These bright festive cookies will pop on the holiday table! Plus, you can't go wrong with cream cheese icing.

Get the recipe for Red Velvet Snowflakes with Cream Cheese Icing.

2

Classic Spritz Cookies

These Tasty and Fun Christmas Cookie Recipes Will Even Impress Santa (4)

These pressed cookies are true holiday classics! They also make pretty cute gifts when packaged in Christmas tins.

Get the recipe for Classic Spritz Cookies.

3

Chocolate-Walnut Sandwich Cookies

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Hailing from Eastern Europe and Russia, where they were originally cooked in their signature two-part skillet over an open fire, these crispy shelled sandwiches, also known as oreshki, boast a creamy chocolate-and-walnut filling

Get the recipe for Chocolate-Walnut Sandwich Cookies.

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4

Speculaas Cookies

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These traditional almond-flavored cookies are a classic treat! Popular in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany around the Feast of St. Nicholas, these highly spiced cookies are made by pressing dough into carved wooden molds known as speculaas planks.

Get the recipe for Speculaas Cookies.

5

Eggnog Madeleines

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Give these beautiful cookies a bit of a Christmas twist! Eggnog lovers, these delicate treats are just the thing for you.

Get the recipe for Eggnog Madeleines.

6

Peppermint Palmiers

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These beautiful French cookies are dusted with a seasonal treat. Serve them at your next Christmas party with cups of peppermint eggnog, for a cooling winter treat.

Get the recipe for Peppermint Palmiers.

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7

Thin-and-Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies

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If you're team crispy in the great chewy vs crispy cookie debate, these crunchy, sweet, wafer-thin cookies are here to help you make your case. Light and delicate with a decidedly fun snap, they'll hold their own in a big glass of milk any day.

Get the recipe for Thin-and-Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies.

8

Striped Peppermint Sandwich Cookies

These Tasty and Fun Christmas Cookie Recipes Will Even Impress Santa (10)

They may look like they just came from a professional baker's dessert case, but these beautiful 5-ingredient Christmas cookies couldn't be easier to make. They're fun for the holidays and make excellent gifts!

Get the recipe for Striped Peppermint Sandwich Cookies.

9

Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough Truffles

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Sugar cookie dough, white chocolate, and a sprinkle of cinnamon make up these easy no-cook cookie dough truffles.

Get the recipe for Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough Truffles.

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10

Cranberry Walnut Shortbread Bars

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Sugared cranberries are so festive for Christmas! Give your holiday dessert table a pop of sweet cranberry flavor with these shortbread bars.

Get the recipe for Cranberry Walnut Shortbread Bars.

11

Mini Gingerbread Men

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How do you make gingerbread men cookies better? By making them cuter! These mini guys are great on their own but also make adorable toppers for cakes and other Christmas confections!

Get the recipe for Mini Gingerbread Men.

12

Classic Oatmeal Cookies

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These easy cookies are filled with all the brown sugar and holiday spice you could want.

Get the recipe for Classic Oatmeal Cookies.

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13

Christmas Light Sugar Cookies

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An assortment of candies and a string of licorice help turn these cute bulb-shaped cookies into impressive-looking treats. Keep the theme up by serving these with a retro Christmas tree cake.

Get the recipe for Christmas Light Sugar Cookies.

14

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

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These simple, chewy, chocolaty little cookies are a classic for a reason! Put them on your Christmas cookie tray or stack them in little jars or bags for a cute holiday gift!

Get the recipe for Chocolate Crinkle Cookies.

15

Classic Chewy Sugar Cookies

These Tasty and Fun Christmas Cookie Recipes Will Even Impress Santa (17)

Cut out sugar cookies are a hit at Christmas time, but classic chewy sugar cookies are just at home on a holiday dessert table! Enjoy them as is or top with frosting and festive sprinkles for an easy holiday treat.

Get the recipe for Classic Chewy Sugar Cookies.

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16

Marbled Tahini Shortbread Cookies

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Shortbread is a low-key Christmas cookie winner. It doesn't seem fancy, until you take a bite and suddenly can't stop eating it.

Get the recipe for Marbled Tahini Shortbread Cookies.

17

Cookie Cutter Ginger Crisps

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This recipe will yield plenty of cookies, which you may not need right away. Roll unused dough into logs, wrap well, and freeze for up to one month. Then you can have delightful ginger cookies all Christmas season.

Get the recipe for Cookie Cutter Ginger Crisps.

18

Almond Biscotti

These Tasty and Fun Christmas Cookie Recipes Will Even Impress Santa (20)

These classic crispy Italian sweets are exactly what you want for dipping into a spiced-up coffee or holiday mulled drink.

Get the recipe for Almond Biscotti.

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19

Christmas Light Gingerbread Cookies

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These easy gingerbread cookies are festive enough as-is, but they look extra spectacular arranged on a platter in the form of a wreath!

Get the recipe for Christmas Light Gingerbread Cookies.

20

Marshmallow-Chocolate Cookie Sammies

These Tasty and Fun Christmas Cookie Recipes Will Even Impress Santa (22)

If you love Moon Pies, you'll love this homemade version! Sprinkle with Christmas sprinkles for an extra festive touch.

Get the recipe for Marshmallow-Chocolate Cookie Sammies.

These Tasty and Fun Christmas Cookie Recipes Will Even Impress Santa (2024)

FAQs

What kind of cookies does Santa like the most? ›

Chocolate Chip cookies

Santa himself lists these as his favorites, and he prefers them soft and gooey with lots of chocolate chips. If you decide to leave these out for him, make sure there's a glass of cold milk nearby!

What are the most Googled Christmas cookies? ›

Italian Christmas Cookies grow as top cookie

Zoom in: Italian Christmas Cookies were the top cookie in 13 states, more than double the six states from 2022, Google Trends curator Katie Seaton told Axios. Seaton said the Italian cookies dominated the East Coast both this year and last year.

What is the favorite Christmas cookie survey? ›

Among those who can make a single choice, frosted sugar cookies lead the list (32%), with gingerbread (12%) and chocolate chip (11%) rounding out the top three.

Why do we bake cookies for Santa? ›

The practice of putting out cookies for Santa began in the 1930s during the Great Depression, when parents were trying to instill a sense of thankfulness in their children. Leaving goodies, perhaps in a sweet cookie jar, continues to be a way of sharing the holiday bounty.

What is Santa's second favorite cookie? ›

2. Holiday Candy Cookie Bites – Number two on the list of Santa's favorite cookies is Holiday Candy Cookie Bites, which is a holiday version of the year-round favorite, Chocolate Chip Cookies. Instead of traditional chocolate chips, these cookies are studded with red and green candies and white baking chips.

What does Santa like besides cookies? ›

In the United States, many children leave a glass of milk and a plate of cookies for Santa. Some families deviate from the norm by leaving Santa and his reindeer carrots, pizza, or even celery.

Which Christmas cookies last the longest? ›

Shortbread cookies and spritz cookies are real holiday troopers, lasting a bit longer than the rest. These buttery and crumbly cookies are a great option for a holiday cookie. Shortbread is known for its rich flavor, while spritz cookies are often made with a cookie press.

What is the least popular Christmas cookie? ›

On the naughty list of cookies, Americans gave the lowest win records to anise cookies, which only won 29% of its matchups.

What is the number one cookie in the world? ›

Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co.

What was the first Christmas cookie? ›

History. Modern Christmas cookies can trace their history to recipes from Medieval Europe biscuits, when many modern ingredients such as cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, almonds and dried fruit were introduced into the west.

Why Santa loves cookies? ›

Nicholas would fill them with treats, including cookies and other sweets. Over time, this tradition evolved, and instead of filling shoes with treats, people began leaving out treats for Santa Claus in the form of milk and cookies as a way of expressing their gratitude and appreciation for the gifts he would bring.

What is Santa called in Hawaii? ›

'Kanakaloka' is the Hawaiian word for Santa Claus.

What does Santa drink with cookies? ›

The Dairy Connection

Similar to the Christmas Pickle tradition, this theory mentions that leaving milk and cookies out for Santa was a marketing ploy. The dairy industry was struggling in the early 20th century, so how do you raise sales, well by marketing that Santa drinks milk with his cookies.

Why does Santa wear red? ›

Nicholas. He was the Bishop of Myra in the 4th century and his traditional robes were red and white. Nicholas was known for his generosity and kindness towards children. Some historians argue that he originally dressed in different colors, but after he passed away, his legend grew—including his scarlet apparel.

What is Santa Claus's favorite food? ›

Santa loves all types of cookies. He has tried more than most people on Christmas Eve, but his favorite is a sugar cookie. Of course, of all the recipes he's tried, he likes Mrs. Claus' sugar cookies the best!

What does Santa like to eat the most? ›

Santa's favorite food is…

Claus whipped up a bunch of new cookie recipes. She stacked a pile of cookies as tall as Santa, and he ate them all! Yummy! Now that you know Santa's favorite food is cookies, make him one !

What snack does Santa love? ›

One fun and simple tradition for many children is leaving a snack of milk and cookies for their favorite person: Santa Claus. Every year, Santa finds a special plate of cookies and a tall glass of milk by the tree.

Do Santa Claus eat cookies? ›

“Oh yes! He eats ALL of them!”. The only time of the year Santa is allowed to eat cookies is on Christmas Eve, so he really takes advantage of it! Which means that all cookies are most welcome on the night of his big trip, but we can confirm Santa's favorite cookies are definitely chocolate chip!

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