Need a last-minute cookie idea that looks like you planned for days? I’ve got you covered! This festive roundup is loaded with easy, crowd-pleasing cookie recipes—perfect for parties, cookie swaps, trays, or sneaking onto Santa’s plate (with a side of milk, of course).
I'm sharing a variety of easy recipes, from freshly baked cookies and no-bake cookies to classic homemade candy. Get ready to find your new favorite sweet treat (or two!) for the holiday season.
Jump to:
- Baked Cookies and Bar Recipes
- 1. Santa's Whiskers Cookies
- 2. Rich and Chewy Triple Chocolate Cookies
- 3. Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies
- 4. Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars
- 5. French Palmiers
- 6. Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
- 7. Peanut Butter Blossoms
- 8. Chewy pumpkin cookies
- 9. Strawberry sandwich cookies
- 10. Rolo Sugar Cookies
- 11. Gumdrop cookie recipe
- 12. Butter cookie recipe
- 13. Chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons
- 14. Cake-Mix Snickerdoodle Cookies
- 15. Mint Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookies
- 16. Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups
- No-bake cookie recipes
- 21. Cornflake and Peanut Butter Cookies
- 22. Melted Snowman Cookies
- 23. Holly cookies
- 24. Butterscotch haystacks
- 25. Ritz cracker cookies
- 26. White Chocolate Oreos
- 27. Christmas Oreos Rudolph Cookies
- 28. Chocolate-covered marshmallow cookies
- Homemade candy recipes
- 29. Toffee Saltine Cracker Recipe
- 30. Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge
- 31. Pecan bourbon balls
- 32. White chocolate pretzels
- 33. Homemade peanut brittle
- 34. Grinch fudge
- 35. Chocolate Covered Cashews
- 36. Peanut butter snowballs
- 37. Hershey's kiss pretzels
- 38. Rolo Turtle pretzels
- 39. No Bake Oreo Balls
- 40. Three Ingredient Homemade Fudge
- 41. Homemade buckeyes
- 42. Chocolate Covered Cherries
- Santa's favorites
- 43. Graham cracker gingerbread house
- 44. Sugar cone Christmas trees
- 45. Christmas wreath cupcakes
- 46. Santa hat brownies
- 47. Snowman Soup Recipe
- 48. Christmas Polar Bear Cookies
- 49. Grinch Charcuterie Board
- Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes Your Friends & Family Will Love
Baked Cookies and Bar Recipes
To start off, we've rounded up the best traditional cookies that bake to perfection in the oven—complete with heavenly soft centers and crisp edges.
Besides their taste, in my opinion, the best part is how delightful your house smells when you whip up a batch!
🎄 Craving some holiday baking inspo? Pin this sweet roundup of easy Christmas cookies and treats so you’re ready when the craving (or cookie exchange) hits! 🍪✨
1. Santa's Whiskers Cookies
Bring a little holly jolly to your July with this festive Santa’s Whiskers Cookie Recipe! Made with cake mix (yes, cake mix, what a great shortcut!), coconut, candied fruit, and pecans—they’re sweet, chewy, and SO easy to whip up.
I think the Jolly old Elf will be pretty happy when he slides down the chimney, don't you?
2. Rich and Chewy Triple Chocolate Cookies
Can you imagine anything more rich and decadent then these Triple Chocolate Cookies? Packed with cocoa powder, white chocolate and dark chocolate chunks, they are totally satisfying!
And talk about a great addition to your holiday cookie tray! No need for presents, this cookie will be the best gift of all.
3. Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies
With a cookies as pretty and festive as this, do you need anything else? A total win for the holidays, these crowd-pleasing Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies are always a hit!
Crispy on the outside, soft and chewy in the center, step aside raisins, the humble oatmeal cookie just got elevated to new levels. Pretty as a picture, these are a family favorite!
4. Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars
Don't these bars look like a holiday dream? These Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars are soft, chewy and loaded with that warm cinnamon-sugar goodness everyone loves!
But we didn't stop there... each bar is topped with a festive white chocolate drizzle shaped like a Christmas tree and topped with festive sprinkles. Who could resist?
5. French Palmiers
French Palmiers only require five ingredients and are ready for snacking—or Santa—in no time at all. I recommend making this easy Christmas cookie recipe with your kids for great memories to look back on!
6. Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Who doesn't love a good red velvet recipe?! When you combine that with a warm, soft, chewy cookie, you get my Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies. Trust me, this easy recipe is a game-changer.
They start with a red velvet cake mix and require zero chilling, which means you will save lots of time in your busy holiday schedule. The whipped cream cheese in the batter creates the best texture that will make these cookies stand out!
7. Peanut Butter Blossoms
5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms are so easy and only require (you guessed it) five simple ingredients. They're classically delicious and perfect for chocolate lovers.
Plus, they're naturally gluten-free, so everyone can enjoy the Christmas cheer. Make a double batch of these—they go fast!
8. Chewy pumpkin cookies
These Chewy Pumpkin Cookies make the best treat during the fall and winter. The mouth-watering combination of real pumpkin and brown sugar will satisfy any sweet tooth.
And the best part? No one has to know how easy these are, it's our little secret!
9. Strawberry sandwich cookies
Making Strawberry Sandwich Cookies is a treat for the whole family. This two-ingredient recipe puts a fun spin on classic sugar cookie dough by making them into cut-out cookies!
The combination of the soft, sweet cookie and the tart yet sweet jam is irresistible. Your kids will love the process of making these cookies with you—especially once they're ready to devour!
10. Rolo Sugar Cookies
One of my absolute favorite Christmas cookie recipes is this three-ingredient Rolo Sugar Cookie recipe.
Filled with melted chocolate and caramel thanks to the universally loved candy, you won't be able to get enough.
On top of that, these simple sugar cookies look so festive and take just MINUTES to make. Perfection, simple perfection.
11. Gumdrop cookie recipe
The wave of nostalgia that you'll get after one bite of these Gumdrop Cookies transports you right back to the days spent at Grandma's house.
I love the adorable, festive addition the red and green gumdrops bring to these cookies for the holidays, but you can use any color any time of year!
12. Butter cookie recipe
Butter cookies have a mildly sweet, melt-in-your-mouth flavor (similar to a shortbread cookie) that goes really well with a cup of coffee or tea.
An easy Christmas cookie like this is perfect for a hostess to print out on a recipe card to give as a gift—along with a big batch of cookies, of course!
Plus, this easy cookie recipe is customizable for any holiday party by picking the sprinkle colors of your choice. Have fun with it!
13. Chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons
If you're looking for a dessert that stands out on a table full of other treats, look no further than Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Macaroons. These flavorful cookies are covered in dark chocolate but have a sweet and chewy interior. One batch might not be enough!
14. Cake-Mix Snickerdoodle Cookies
Who wouldn't want to munch on these easy-to-make cake-mix Snickerdoodle Cookies? With only a handful of ingredients, you'll be satisfying your sweet-tooth in no time at all!
The cinnamon/sugar combination will melt in your mouth.
15. Mint Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookies
Sweet and satisfying, these Mint Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookies are light as a feather! They will melt in your mouth with every bite.
If you love planning the holidays, then this is a must-make! They are so pretty on your cookie tray! This is definitely something you'll want to bake and share!
16. Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups
Would you like a cup of something warm and cozy? Oh yes, please! Especially when it's Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups filled with ganache and decorated for Christmas!
Aren't they adorable? They would be amazing on your holiday trays and fun to make with kids!
- Christmas Thumbprint Cookies
- Hawaiian Shortbread Cookies
- Sugar Cookie Christmas Tree
- Dulche de Leche Sandwich Cookies
No-bake cookie recipes
In need of a quick and easy dessert? No-bake cookies will save the day! These simple, yet delicious recipes are perfect for when you're short on time or when your oven's full of other goodies!
🍭 Pin now, bake later! This Christmas cookie and candy list is your shortcut to holiday baking magic.
21. Cornflake and Peanut Butter Cookies
Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies are a no-bake classic that brings the sweet, sticky joy of marshmallows and peanut butter together in the crunchiest way possible!
These golden little clusters are packed with cornflake crunch and finished off with festive holiday sprinkles. Whether you’re whipping up a quick batch for a cookie exchange or sneaking one (okay, maybe two) straight off the tray, these easy cookies are a merry must-make.
22. Melted Snowman Cookies
I just love these little sweet treats! They are almost as fun to make as they are to eat!
Won't the kids just love helping you put together these tasty little bites?!! Oreo cookies, drizzled with melted white chocolate and topped with marshmallows, then decorated. Melted Snowman Cookies are the most adorable cookies for the holidays!
23. Holly cookies
If you love a classic Rice Krispy treat, you will love this recipe. Holly Cookies are simply the cutest!
No bake time is needed, which means you and your family can get your hands on these cookies—fast. All of your Christmas dinner guests will swoon over how cute and jolly your holiday cookie plate looks this year!
24. Butterscotch haystacks
Butterscotch Haystacks might be classic, but that doesn't mean they're basic. This old-fashioned recipe blends peanuts, crispy noodles, and butterscotch to make a perfectly sweet and salty treat.
Plus, butterscotch haystacks are an easy Christmas cookie and ready in little time—with hardly any effort involved. Everyone loves this no-bake treat!
25. Ritz cracker cookies
Ritz crackers are a staple in any home, so why not whip them into a delicious dessert? I know this one is going to be a new favorite cookie in your family—just wait and see how quickly the kids devour them!
Ritz Cracker Cookies are buttery, sweet, and a little salty, too—a trinity of delicious flavors! One of my favorite parts is adding the red and green sprinkles to really feel the holiday spirit!
26. White Chocolate Oreos
This freezer-friendly dessert takes just a few minutes to make and only requires four ingredients. On top of that, you can customize White Chocolate Dipped Oreos for any occasion!
In the recipe post for this easy Christmas cookie recipe, you'll see how simple it is to swap flavors based on your preference. I love using the lemon-flavored Oreos with white chocolate—yum!
27. Christmas Oreos Rudolph Cookies
Your kids will never forget Christmas Oreo Rudolph Cookies! These are ideal for a school holiday event but just as good if you need some festive charm around the house. These easy chocolate-dipped Oreo cookies earn an A+ from everyone who tries them!
28. Chocolate-covered marshmallow cookies
Attention all s'mores enthusiasts! Chocolate-Covered Marshmallow Cookies are packed with delicious flavor and texture, making them an excellent choice for any holiday treat.
The blend of salty-sweet graham cracker rounds, fluffy marshmallows, and decadent chocolate is perfect—especially when paired with holiday punch or a classic cup of hot cocoa.
Homemade candy recipes
Skip the store and try one of my favorite homemade candy recipes instead. The whole family will appreciate these mouthwatering treats, especially because they're homemade with love and care!
Get ready to indulge in some goodness that will satisfy your sweet tooth cravings all season long. The toughest part is choosing which to try first.
🎅 Don’t let the season sneak up on you—pin this jolly roundup now and be ready with the easiest (and cutest!) holiday treats around!
29. Toffee Saltine Cracker Recipe
Your favorite sweet treat all doll'd up for the holidays! Make a tray of this yummy candy and I promise you, everyone will be standing in line for the recipe!
Toffee Saltine Cracker Recipe is a sweet and salty treat. It's perfect for any occasion. Whether you're looking for a quick snack or a delicious dessert, this recipe will satisfy all your cravings.
30. Peppermint White Chocolate Fudge
White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge is a unique combination of creamy and crunchy! It has just the right amount of melt-in-your-mouth sweetness.
It's the kind of treat that feels fancy, but is secretly super easy to make. It’s sweet, festive, and ready to steal the spotlight—no fancy tools required.
31. Pecan bourbon balls
Easy Pecan Bourbon Balls are a classic Southern treat, perfect for any holiday party! You won't be able to resist the amazing flavor of this soft, rich, chocolatey dessert. The toasty pecans, delicious bourbon, and sweet dusting of powdered sugar make them irresistible!
32. White chocolate pretzels
This easy-to-make snack is perfect as a quick bite or a little holiday gift for friends and neighbors. Sweet and salty flavors are a popular combination when it comes to desserts.
White Chocolate Pretzels require just three ingredients—pretzels, white chocolate chips, and candy canes. Follow the four-step process and you'll be able to enjoy this delicious Christmas snack with your loved ones in no time!
33. Homemade peanut brittle
Homemade Peanut Brittle is one of my favorite holiday treats because it lasts for a long time at room temperature. I can make a big batch and snack on it with guests for weeks!
The nostalgic taste of peanut brittle is unlike any other, and the best part is that you don't have to deal with the hassle of a sticky cleanup. This recipe is cooked in the microwave, which means it takes a fraction of the time it would on the stove.
34. Grinch fudge
Grinch Fudge only takes four ingredients and is super easy to make. You can even get your kids involved!
The festive Grinch-green color and iconic red hearts are instantly recognizable by Christmas fans. This yummy treat is enough to make anyone's heart grow three sizes in a day!
35. Chocolate Covered Cashews
These Chocolate Covered Cashews are a quick and easy dessert that won't make you feel too full—it's a perfect post-dinner sweet bite.
The combination of salty cashews, chocolate, and peanut butter morsels creates a delightful treat that will disappear in no time. Give this easy homemade Christmas candy recipe a try!
36. Peanut butter snowballs
Not only is this one of the yummiest Christmas candy recipes, but Peanut Butter Snowballs are also an easy no-bake option! Only six ingredients and 30 minutes of your time are needed 'til you can indulge in this Christmas classic.
37. Hershey's kiss pretzels
Hershey's Kiss Pretzels are a great idea for any holiday party! I guarantee your guests will love the sweet and salty dessert—it doesn't usually last long in my house.
The simple recipe only requires three ingredients, making it an easy and affordable way to provide sweets for a large crowd.
38. Rolo Turtle pretzels
Rolo Turtle Pretzels combine caramelly candy and salty pretzels for a treat you won't be able to stop eating.
Simply place each Rolo on top of a pretzel, bake, and add a pecan. Trust me, it actually is that easy.
Check out the post for tips and other things to know when making this deliciously addicting Christmas candy recipe.
39. No Bake Oreo Balls
You don't need to turn on the oven to enjoy scrumptious No Bake Oreo Balls. The rich chocolate flavor and cream cheese blend together perfectly in this easy recipe.
Feel free to get creative and top it off with some colorful rainbow sprinkles to make the yummy treat even more appealing!
40. Three Ingredient Homemade Fudge
Easy Homemade Fudge couldn't be simpler to make. With only three ingredients and four steps, you and your family can enjoy the nostalgic taste of fudge that has been special to my family for generations!
41. Homemade buckeyes
I enjoy making classic Homemade Buckeyes to treat my family and friends. It's a fun activity to involve the kids, and they don't have to wait too long before they can enjoy the dessert!
If you like chocolate peanut butter cups, this is the treat for you. Once you taste a homemade buckeye, you'll never go back to store-bought!
42. Chocolate Covered Cherries
You can't go wrong with these boozy Chocolate Covered Cherries! Soaked in bourbon, wrapped in white chocolate fondant, THEN dipped in chocolate.
Can they possibly get more decadent? A showstopper for sure!
Santa's favorites
Santa's favorites are also some of mine—we love to create these festive, over-the-top holiday desserts as a family. Whether it's a fun activity during Christmas break or making a show-stopper piece for a holiday party dessert table, these ideas always impress and excite!
🍬 From cozy classics to no-bake wonders, these Christmas cookies and candies are too good to lose. Pin now and thank me later!
43. Graham cracker gingerbread house
Skip the shopping and get right to the fun part. Graham Cracker Gingerbread Houses are easy to make with ingredients you can get at the store.
All ages can get involved, and since you don't have to bake the gingerbread, even parents will enjoy the relaxed, fun holiday activity!
44. Sugar cone Christmas trees
Sugar Cone Christmas Trees look amazing on a dessert table, and they're such a fun activity to enjoy together with the kids.
Plus, these festive trees have a secret. Remove the "tree" from its sugar cookie base to reveal presents underneath—delicious candy for everyone to enjoy!
45. Christmas wreath cupcakes
These Christmas Wreath Cupcakes are full of festive charm. They are made with moist vanilla cupcakes, topped with buttercream icing, and decorated with beautiful holiday sprinkles.
They are an absolute favorite at my Christmas parties. I'm often asked to share the recipe with friends who also want to make an easy, adorable treat during the holiday season.
46. Santa hat brownies
I love that these Santa Hat Brownies are topped with fresh strawberries, adding a fruity twist to the rich, fudgy treat. This easy recipe is sure to become a new yearly tradition for your family!
Pro Tip: Start off with premade brownie bites and you won't even have to cook or bake anything.
47. Snowman Soup Recipe
Who doesn't crave a cup of hot cocoa when the weather is chilly? I always look forward to making Snowman Soup as a creative little gift (especially for teachers!) during the most wonderful time of the year.
It's a fun and low-cost treat that you can enjoy making together as a family while listening to your favorite Christmas songs—a sweet bonding moment for everyone involved!
48. Christmas Polar Bear Cookies
Aren't these the cutest little cookies you've ever seen? These Christmas Polar Bear Cookies are as sweet as they are silly!
They are fun to make for little kids AND big kids and a total hit on your holiday cookie tray. Whether you're celebrating Christmas or just need a cookie that makes people smile, these bear hugs are baked and ready! 🐻❄️
49. Grinch Charcuterie Board
This Christmas Charcuterie Board is decorated to look like the Grinch—a fun centerpiece for any holiday party! With a mix of fresh fruit, salty pretzels, and sweet candy, it has something for everyone to graze on.
Just be sure to snap a photo before the guests dig in—this one goes quickly!
Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes Your Friends & Family Will Love
Whether you’re decking the halls or just decking out your cookie trays, these easy holiday recipes are guaranteed to bring the joy. From nostalgic no-bakes to jolly little masterpieces, every treat on this list is simple to make and even easier to devour!
And if you're in the mood right now, grab your mixing bowl, turn up the Christmas tunes, and let the sugar and sprinkles fly! Happy baking and happy holidays!
Brenda Dickson says
OMG! There are so many fabulous sounding goodies on this list. I am the family baker and candy maker and I am planning to make several of these recipes. We need more new options and this will be my "go to" list this Christmas. So far, the Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars, the Gumdrop Cookies, the Chocolate-dipped Coconut Macaroons, the Butter Cookies, the Grinch Fudge and the Christmas Wreath Cupcakes are at the top of the list but when my family sees all of them, they will be adding more. Thank you so much for the wonderful recipes.
Debra Clark says
Oh goodness Brenda, you're going to be a busy lady! Is now the time to tell you I have another dozen coming out December 1-12? 🎅🏼 Ho, ho, ho!!! Merry Christmas in July to you!!
Nicol Huff says
Wow! I had no idea there were that many no bake coookies. I love the hot chocolate teacup coookies. It is a such a unique cookie to really dazzle your charcuterie board. Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Debra Clark says
There are so many great options Nicol and those little Christmas Cookie Cups are so fun! They will great on your cookie tray come holiday time!!! I'm glad you found a treat to enjoy!!!