The Ultimate Holiday Cookie Recipes to Save for Later (2024)

Holiday cheer is the only thing I have on my mind this season and what better way to spread it than with some delicious holiday cookies?

I’ve gathered the ultimate list of holiday cookie recipes guaranteed to bring joy to anyone who tries them. I’m here to bring holiday cheer to anyone with a sweet tooth, and these recipes will do the job.

So grab your mixing bowls and preheat the oven because it’s time to start baking these delightful holiday cookies. And trust me, similar to theholiday cake round-up post,you’ll want to save these recipes for later, bloomer.

*Some affiliate links are used, which means, if you purchased something, I may earn a commission.*

1. Double chocolate chip candy cane cookie

The Ultimate Holiday Cookie Recipes to Save for Later (1)

Food Blogger:The hungry hutch

Why we chose it: When thinking of the holiday season, sweet treats like this delicious double chocolate chip candy cane cookie come to mind. The combination of chocolate and peppermint is a match made in heaven and will have everyone wondering where you got the recipe for their new favorite cookies.

Crave-worthy ingredient: The double chocolate, of course. One of my favorite things to do during the holiday is to buy a large container of candy canes and crush them into my cookies. It’s a simple cookie elevated with a holiday twist.

2. Brown Butter Chai Cookies

The Ultimate Holiday Cookie Recipes to Save for Later (2)

Food Blogger:Britney Breaks Bread

Why we chose it: During this time of year, adding new recipes to my collection would never be complete without a seasonal touch like chai or brown butter. Browning the butter adds a depth of flavor to these delightful chai spice cookies.

And adding in that delicious chai spice does something to me. I can picture myself enjoying these with my plant-based chai tea drink in complete bliss.

Crave-worthy ingredient: Adding chai spices to these cookies adds a unique twist to traditional holiday flavors while keeping you in the holiday spirit.

3. Peanut butter blossom cookies

The Ultimate Holiday Cookie Recipes to Save for Later (3)

Food Blogger: A Classic Twist

Why we chose it: Giving Hershey kisses a run for their money, these chewy peanut butter cookies will be the star at any holiday cookie exchange. The combination of chocolate and creamy peanut butter is unbeatable.

Crave-worthy ingredient: Peanut butter. It’s like a holiday version of peanut butter cup cookies but better. One of the top tips food blogger, A Classic Twist recommends is to take the cookies out when the top starts to crack.

4. Sugar cookie

The Ultimate Holiday Cookie Recipes to Save for Later (4)

Food Blogger: Lennox Bakery

Why we chose it: This puts classic sugar cookies to shame. These Christmas sugar cookies are simple but satisfying because the recipe uses vanilla extract in the dough, giving these cookies a unique twist and making them extra tasty.

These cookies add a classic eye-catching touch when thinking of the number of pictures you would take with your treats on a holiday cookie tray. From the festive sprinkles to the shape, these sugar cookies will have everyone wanting more.

Crave-worthy ingredient: Sugar. Give me the sugar cookies that are soft and chewy with the right amount of sweetness. And the best part is that you can have some fun using cookie cutters to create the perfect holiday cookie for you and your family to enjoy.

5. Fudge chocolate peppermint frosted cookie

The Ultimate Holiday Cookie Recipes to Save for Later (5)

Food Blogger: Mike Bakes NYC

Why we chose it: A twist to fudge brownie crinkle cookies, these chocolate cookies pack all the holiday flavors in one. The chocolate peppermint frosting on top adds a cool, refreshing touch with every bite. If you’re someone that loves brownies, these will quickly become your new favorite Christmas cookies.

Crave-worthy ingredient: Peppermint extract and espresso powder are two knock-out ingredients that elevate this cookie to a holiday must-have. Mike Bakes NYC recommends using a small teaspoon of the powder for these cookies so they can have an intense flavor to these chocolate crinkle cookies.

6. Maple brown sugar cookies

The Ultimate Holiday Cookie Recipes to Save for Later (6)

Blogger: Kb in Bloom

Why we chose it: One of the best holiday cookie recipes I love to make that are featured on the blog, these maple brown sugar cookies are soft, chewy, and have just the right amount of sweetness.

The addition of maple extract adds a unique flavor unmatched by traditional holiday cookies. Plus, who can resist those beautiful cracked tops?

Crave-worthy ingredient: Maple extract. The maple extract is what sets my tastebuds over the edge with these cookies. You’ll find the more you make these, the quicker they’ll become your holiday favorites to bake.

If this is your first time making these, order your maple extract from Amazon because it’s difficult to find in stores.

7. Chocolate chip Christmas tree cookie

The Ultimate Holiday Cookie Recipes to Save for Later (7)

Food Blogger: Britney Breaks Bread

Why we chose it: Bring out the cookie cutters because you’ll need them to create these festive chocolate chip cookies. With a chocolate chip cookie recipe as the base, these cookies are firm yet delicious due to requiring the use of a molder.

Pearl sprinkles and icing give these cookies the perfect holiday touch, making them a standout on any cookie platter.

Crave-worthy ingredient: Chocolate chips. These delicious desserts happen to be one of my favorite Christmas cookie recipes. Who doesn’t love chocolate chip cookies?

The added holiday touch with the cookie cutters and festive sprinkles make these the complete package for holiday cookie lovers. Bake cookies for 25-30 minutes, and once cooled, your guests will tell you that these are some of the best holiday cookies they’ve ever had.

8. Vegan gingerbread cookies

The Ultimate Holiday Cookie Recipes to Save for Later (8)

Food Blogger: Sweet Potato Soul

Why we chose it: One of the most popular Christmas cookies on the block, gingerbread cookies are a holiday favorite. Whether you identify as vegan or not, these gingerbread cookies will be an instant hit. The combination of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg gives these cookies the perfect holiday flavors. But, of course, no one will even notice they’re vegan.

Crave-worthy ingredient: Molasses. Molasses is what gives these cookies the classic gingerbread flavor we all love during the holidays. Be sure to use blackstrap molasses for the best taste in these vegan gingerbread cookies.

9. Ginger molasses cookies

The Ultimate Holiday Cookie Recipes to Save for Later (9)

Food Blogger: Butter Be Ready

Why we chose it: The creator of Butter Be Ready, Quin, mentioned that these cookies were ones she would make for holiday potlucks so they could easily stand out among the rest.

And trust us, they do. The combination of ginger and molasses in these cookies adds a warm touch to your holiday cookie platter. Paired with a tall glass of milk or hot cocoa, these cookies are perfect for cozy winter nights.

Crave-worthy ingredient: The robust flavor of molasses pairs perfectly with the ginger in these cookies. Make sure to use high-quality molasses for the best taste experience. The pairing of the two makes these the perfect holiday treat during Christmas.

10. Eggnog iced butter cookies

The Ultimate Holiday Cookie Recipes to Save for Later (10)

Food Blogger: Grandbaby Cakes

Why we chose it: These soft buttery eggnog cookies are topped with creamy eggnog icing, making them the ultimate holiday cookie. The sugar cookie base pairs perfectly with the sweet eggnog icing for a tasty Christmas treat.

Make sure to let these cookies cool before topping them with the icing for an even spread of deliciousness.

Crave-worthy ingredient: The eggnog. Grandbaby Cakes food blogger promises that these will be your favorite holiday cookie recipes you’ll make every year.

The eggnog adds the right holiday cheer to these cookies, making them a must-have for Christmas cookie platters.

Best holiday cookies

I told you I wasn’t holding back with this list of holiday cookie recipes that have gotten your taste buds tingling and your oven preheating. May these cookies bring holiday cheer to all who eat them, and may bring a sense of warmth and comfort during the chilly winter.

Enjoy each bite and savor the flavors of the season. Happy holidays!

The Ultimate Holiday Cookie Recipes to Save for Later (2024)

FAQs

How to make cookies ahead of time for Christmas? ›

Baking cookies that freeze well is one of our favorite ways to get a head start on the holiday season. Freezing baked cookies now gives you a leg up on holiday prep and ensures Santa has something to snack on. Each of these lasts in the freezer up to three months.

What Christmas cookies stay fresh the longest? ›

Shortbread and spritz cookies are longer-lasting cookies, which means they are perfect for holidays when there is some competition on the table. After all, Christmas in many homes is celebrated with a variety of dishes and sweet treats.

What homemade cookies last a long time? ›

  • Pfeffernusse: These should be made at least a few days or up to 2 weeks before serving, depending on the recipe, and they keep for several weeks.
  • Shortbread and shortbread cookies: These keep for at least 1 month.
  • Springerles: These should be made 2 weeks before serving and they keep for several months.
Dec 6, 2017

Is it better to freeze or refrigerate Christmas cookies? ›

While cookies can last in the fridge for two weeks, eating them sooner is better. (We recommend storing a few in the refrigerator for eating in a few days and freezing the rest if eating more than four days after baking.)

What is the best way to store homemade Christmas cookies? ›

Balingit agrees, “If possible, it's best to keep cookies in airtight containers at home before having to transfer them to boxes or bags to give to friends. I prefer Pyrex glass containers with lids to plain Ziploc bags because I find they keep cookies fresher for longer periods of time.”

How do you keep Christmas cookies fresh for 2 weeks? ›

Use Airtight Containers

Once your cookies have cooled, store them in layers in airtight containers. Separate each layer with a sheet of wax paper to prevent the cookies from sticking together. Do so, and you should be able to store Christmas cookies at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, notes Auxer.

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.

How long do homemade Christmas cookies stay fresh? ›

Information. Bakery or homemade cookies can be stored at room temperature two to three weeks or two months in the refrigerator. Cookies retain their quality when stored in the freezer for eight to 12 months. Moist bars, such as cheesecake and lemon bars, can be refrigerated for seven days.

What is the number one holiday cookie? ›

Peanut Butter Blossoms are America's favorite Christmas cookie, based both on total number of pageviews from the U.S. population as a whole, and number of states that ranked it as their top cookie (which is six, by the way).

What is America's favorite holiday cookie? ›

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. Snickerdoodles (6%) come in fourth place, followed by butter (4%), peanut butter (4%), and chocolate (4%) tying for fifth.

What is Santa Claus's favorite cookie? ›

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 best cookies for long term storage? ›

Twice-baked cookies like biscotti and mandelbrot have a longer shelf life than most other homemade cookies. These are the perfect cookies to start your holiday baking with—they won't be stale by the time you finish the rest of your cookies for your cookie trays.

What cookie has the longest shelf life? ›

Almond biscotti is known for its excellent shelf life due to the double baking process, which removes most of the moisture and makes them crisp and dry. When stored in an airtight container, these cookies can stay fresh for several weeks, making them an excellent choice if you want to have cookies that last longer.

How do bakeries keep cookies fresh? ›

To extend the shelf life of products, many bakers use specially formulated enzymes for preservation. These naturally occurring protein compounds can keep baked goods soft while preventing crumbling and staling.

How far in advance can you make and decorate cookies? ›

Although I've tested them for longer and the batches I've tried seem fine for up to 4 weeks, my general rule of thumb is up to 2 weeks. I know they're fine to eat at 4 weeks, but I feel better about giving the cookies away when the recipients don't need to eat them right away.

Can I make cookies the day before? ›

Most homemade cookies will maintain their taste and texture for up to 3 days. If you leave them out for too long, the cookies begin to harden or dry out. To prevent cookies from becoming stale, cover them with plastic wrap or keep in an airtight container.

How do you keep Christmas cookies moist? ›

The key to keeping cookies fresh and soft is to seal them in an airtight container, like a resealable freezer bag. And here's a nifty little trick: add a piece of bread to the bag.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Corie Satterfield

Last Updated:

Views: 6068

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Corie Satterfield

Birthday: 1992-08-19

Address: 850 Benjamin Bridge, Dickinsonchester, CO 68572-0542

Phone: +26813599986666

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Table tennis, Soapmaking, Flower arranging, amateur radio, Rock climbing, scrapbook, Horseback riding

Introduction: My name is Corie Satterfield, I am a fancy, perfect, spotless, quaint, fantastic, funny, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.