The holiday season is finally here, and you know what that means! Now is the time to bake our little hearts out. December is the perfect month to hold holiday cookie swap parties with your friends, bake for those who are important to you or just to treat yourself. Here are 32 scrumptious recipes you have to try.
Peppermint Shortbread Cookies
These Mom on Timeout cookies put a minty twist on the classic shortbread cookies you already love. Plus, they’re just right for a cookie swap.
Eggnog Cookies
If you love a nice glass of spicy eggnog by the fire, then these cookies from Chef-in-Training are for you. What’s better than a chilled glass of eggnog? A warm cookie, of course!
White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Cookies
Surprise your holiday guests with a very uncommon ginger cookie. These Cooking Classy treats are sure to be a crowd pleaser and at the top of everyone’s favorite cookies list. The cute holly leaf design is an added touch; however, you can get creative with these and decorate them any way you’d like!
Peppermint White Chocolate Pudding Cookies
Pudding in the mix creates extra moist cookies that are sure to please everyone this holiday season. The cooling peppermint smooths out the creamy white chocolate. Let The Baker Mama show you exactly how to add the perfect amount of pudding into the mix.
Italian Anisette Cookies
These Amanda’s Cookin’ cookies are an annual must. Italian Anisette cookies are light and not super filling, so feel free to eat a few extra!
Grinch Cookies
These tasty cookies from In Katrina’s Kitchen are made with cake mix, making them super fluffy. The tiny Grinch heart should put you in the giving mood this holiday season, too.
Cranberry Orange Cookies
These cookies from Your Homebased Mom provide a bit of sunshine in the cold winter months. The orange should remind you that the warmer months are not as far away as they seem, and the cranberry is evocative of the holiday season. These cookies are sure to be a new crowd favorite.
Raspberry Almond Cookies
Raspberry almond is another one of those classic flavors you just have to have around the holiday season. You’ll be baking batches of these Parent Pretty sweets in no time.
Holiday Cake Mix Cookies
Cake mix cookies are absolutely delicious. With these Parent Pretty goodies, you get the fluffy texture of cake in the form of a cookie. It’s the best of both worlds. This recipe can be used year round by substituting the holiday colors of the candy pieces for any color you chose!
Related: How to Make Your Own Cookie Butter (Using Any Cookie!)
Christmas Tree Peanut Butter Blossoms
Java Cupcakes adds a decorative twist to your favorite peanut butter kiss cookies.With a bit of green frosting, a steady arm and a dash of sprinkles, you can create these peanut butter tree cookies.
Chocolate Crinkles
Another favorite that is sure to please everyone this holiday season, this Simply Recipes creation is foolproof.
Snowdrop Cookies
These Right at Home snowdrop cookies are also commonly known as Mexican wedding cookies or Russian teacake cookies. But looking like a snowball is enough to make them the perfect holiday cookies.
Thumbprint Snowman Cookies
These cookies are almost too cute to eat. This In Katrina’s Kitchen recipe is also loads of fun and would make for a great girls night in activity.
Hot Cocoa Cookies
If you can turn a drink into a cookie, then why not do it, right? These Glorious Recipes cookies taste just like hot chocolate. We suggest snacking on them while sitting by the fire on a snowy day.
Holiday Present Cookies
These Family Fresh Meal cookies are sure to surprise your guests. Fill them with a special holiday surprise, and they’re sure to please.
Gingerdoodles
A cross between snickerdoodles and gingersnaps, these Budding Baketress cookies are absolutely delicious! It’s a tasty twist on two classic favorites.
Cherry Chocolate Kiss Cookies
The cherries in this Frugal Mom Eh mix create a gorgeous eye-popping red. Chocolate + cherries = yum!
Peppermint Mocha Cookies
You can now enjoy your favorite Starbucks drink in cookie form. No lie: these Baking a Moment cookies taste exactly like Starbuck’s peppermint mocha.
Holiday Stained-Glass Cookies
You can create so many different designs with this Evermine recipe. The edible stained-glass is sure to impress, too.
Christmas Peppermint Patties
Charlie Brown fans, these Mom on Timeout sweet treats are for you.
Gingerbread
It isn’t the holiday season without some gingerbread cookies, so this EHow recipe is a must. Plus, this has to be the quickest and easiest gingerbread recipe we’ve ever seen!
Red Velvet Cookies
Who doesn’t love red velvet? Thanks to Rachel Cooks we can enjoy these all season long.
Red Velvet Candy Cane Kiss Cookies
If a plain red velvet cookie just isn’t doing it for you, Delightful E Made has an amazing alternative. The chunks of candy canes add a minty touch to the sweet red velvet.
Brownie Sugar Cookies
These awesome Whole and Heavenly Oven cookies combine another two of our favorites: sugar cookies and brownies! We’re trying these, like, immediately.
Pecan Crescent Cookies
We have a feeling Santa might like these Lady Behind the Curtain cookies. Bonus: they just so happen to look great sitting on a plate by the Christmas tree.
Marble Sugar Cookies
You can get very creative with this Two Sisters Crafting recipe. The marbling of the colors is super festive, and the dough can be cut into tons of different holiday shapes.
Dreidel Surprise Cookies
These cookies from Table Spoon are perfect for Hanukkah. Stuff them with an extra surprise for maximum delight.
Tree Meringue Cookies
These cookies from The Silly Girl’s Life could pass for edible Christmas decorations. They’re way too festive not to try this holiday season.
Hanukkah Glitter Cookie Balls
Save this Martha Stewart recipe because the colors of these cookies can be changed to fit any special event.
Jam Filled Sugar Cookies
These Food and Wine jam-filled treats are sure to occupy every holiday cookie spread this season.
Holiday Latte Cookies
Not only are these cookies adorable, but they’re perfect for collegiettes. Definitely make these Klickitat Street sweets with your besties to see who can design the best Starbucks holiday cup.