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Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Christmas means cookies. Lots of cookies. When the season is upon us, it's time to start thinking about what cookies to bake for our family, fill up our cookie tins for gifts, serve at our potlucks, and munch on as we start wrapping yet another present. Are you going for a festive cookie to decorate with icing and candies or a more subdued cookie that evokes the season with flavors like cinnamon, peppermint, ginger, and—of course—chocolate? Well, sometimes, our schedules dictate what treats we're baking, and we just need an easy cookie recipe.
We don't always have the time to make batches of complicated masterpieces. Occasionally, we want a delicious, simple cookie that, if we're being honest, tastes just as good but with half the hassle. That's where these delicious yet easy holiday cookie recipes come in—they give you Christmas cheer with little effort. (And we are all for it). Check out these easy Christmas cookies you'll be making all season long.
Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
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These vibrant cookies start with a box of red velvet cake mix. It can be our little secret. Pops of white chocolate make this cake-inspired cookie one of our all-time favorites.
Brown Butter Snickerdoodles
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Snickerdoodles highlight the spice of the season: cinnamon. You won't be able to resist a taste after smelling these cinnamon-sugar cookies baking. The trick to making these cookies is browning the butter. This recipe requires chill time, but you can prepare the dough the night before and bake it when you're ready.
Fruitcake Cookies
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Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
If you ever find yourself waxing nostalgic for fruit cake around the holidays, these cookies can scratch that itch without all the work of a fruit cake itself.
Lace Cookies
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Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling
The lacy, delicate cookies sandwiching a small scoop of Nutella are much easier to make than they look. And in a sea of sugar cookies and thumbprints, these cookies will stand out.
No-Bake Dark Chocolate-Peppermint Sandwich Cookies
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These cookies take just 30 minutes to pull together, after which you'll chill them until they set. Store them in an airtight container for up to five days, but we doubt they'll last that long. Store-bought chocolate wafers make this dessert look fancy, even though the recipe does not require any baking.
Brown Sugar Cookie Stars
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Looking for the star of your holiday dessert spread? Bake these sparkly treats in advance. All you'll have left before the party is a little decorating, which you can make as simple or as extravagant as your heart desires.
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
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These cookies are a Christmas classic with gooey white chocolate and dried cranberries. Test Kitchen Tip: Use white chocolate chunks instead of chips to hold their shape better when baked. Bake on the upper oven rack to prevent browning.
Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies
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Classic, easy, and always a hit, there's a reason you baked these cookies with Grandma every year. These peanut butter and chocolate cookies are a dynamic duo made with pantry staples. Plus, one recipe makes three dozen.
Wreath Cookie
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Perfect as an afternoon activity for the kids, these Christmas wreath cookies are festive, delicious, and require no baking. With only seven ingredients, you can make a cheerful recipe at any time. Substitute the red hot candy for any "ornaments" you prefer.
Cheesecake Cookies
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'Tis the season for sugar, and these bite-sized Cheesecake Cookies are ready in just one hour. If preparing these cookies in advance, wait until you are ready to serve to add the maraschino cherries on top.
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Always a hit, no matter the season. These brown butter cookies are hard to resist. Browning the butter before combining ingredients makes the difference in this chewy, gooey cookie.
Pecan Snowball Cookies
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Decadently nutty and utterly Southern, these snowballs will bring the winter spirit to any holiday party. Whether it's a winter wonderland outside or unseasonably warm, the powdered sugar on these cookies guarantees a bit of "snow-like" magic this season. This recipe makes four dozen, so you'll have plenty to share.
Spritz Cookies
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You have to break the baking rules to get a proper spritz cookie. Use an ungreased baking sheet, and do not use parchment paper. The dough must stick to the baking sheet when extruded from the cookie press.
Chocolate-Peppermint Swirl Sandwich Cookies
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Crisp chocolate cookies with fresh peppermint filling make for a winning combination in these seasonal sandwich cookies. Plan enough time to allow the cookie dough to chill for an hour before baking. Refrigerating after adding the filling will firm up the cookies.
Cranberry-Orange Butter Cookies
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Notes of festive cranberry and orange are the ultimate upgrade to a classic butter cookie. Make the dough the night before and allow enough time to chill—at least two hours. Switch up the recipe using dried cherries instead of cranberries or lemon zest instead of orange.
Cathedral Window Cookies
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With multicolored marshmallows and lots of chocolate pieces, these simple, no-bake cookies are perfect for the kids. This nostalgic recipe is ideal for your next potluck dinner. One recipe makes enough to feed a crowd.
Grandma's Chocolate Drop Cookies
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These cake-like cookies are a chocolate lover's dream. To drop the cookies evenly, try using a tablespoon or cookie scoop. Feel free to substitute your favorite chocolate chips into this recipe.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
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Crisp on the outside and gooey on the inside, these sugar-dusted cookies are a chocolate lover's delight. Better yet, they only take 40 minutes to pull together. Instant espresso powder enhances the chocolate in this recipe.
Lemon Thumbprint Cookies
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These classic cookies combine the tart flavors of raspberry and lemon while making a whopping seven dozen batches you can use for a party or gifts. Each cookie is buttery, sweet, moist, and easy to make.
No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
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Short on time? You can still give Pecan Pralines a run for their money. These no-bake cookies only take 10 minutes of hands-on time. These nut-free treats will be a crowd favorite.
Snowflake Sugar Cookies
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They may look complicated, but you can make these seasonal sugar cookies as intricate or easy as you'd like. It's the decorator's choice. We suggest dipping them in sanding sugar for a time-saver. Vary the snowflake sizes for an exciting presentation.
Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Cookies
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When it comes to classic combinations, it doesn't get much better than chocolate and peanut butter. We love this recipe for many reasons, but mostly because even an amateur baker can whip up a batch. You probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry.
Pecan Tassies
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Petite and more fun to eat than your everyday Pecan Pie, these little cups offer just the right amount of decadence in an adorable package. The brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, and bourbon filling make a savory complement to the buttery and nutty crust. Toast some extra pecans to have on hand for all your holiday baking.
Easy Peanut Butter Cookies
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Four ingredients? We'll be baking these simple treats for every cookie swap this season. It doesn't get much better than homemade peanut butter cookies, which get pressed with a fork for that classic look.
Barbara Bush's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Everything's bigger in Texas, including this batch of cookies. Get ready for a mixing bowl filled to the brim. This chocolate chip recipe with a bit of wholesome oatmeal yields enough cookies for your holiday party and then some.
Butterscotch-Toasted Oatmeal Cookies
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Toasted oats and brown sugar blend perfectly with butterscotch chips in this oatmeal cookie recipe. Customize these cookies to your preferences by adding chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or raisins. With 20 minutes of active time, this recipe makes three dozen cookies.
Fudgy Flourless Chocolate-Pecan Cookies
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Like a brownie in cookie form, these fudgy cookies are freezer-friendly and ready in just 45 minutes. Chocolate, toasted pecans, and vanilla extract make these gluten-free and flourless cookies irresistibly sweet. Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before moving them.
Pecan Sandies
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This recipe packs as many pecans as possible into a crumbly cookie. When you bake Pecan Sandies, brown the nuts in the oven first for ultimate flavor. A touch of cinnamon enhances the nuttiness even more.
Chocolate-Peppermint Crackle Cookies
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You can't beat the pretty, unfussy look of a crackle cookie. This dough requires chilling, which you can do up to five days in advance or just an hour before baking. Other than that, you'll get these ready to bake in 15 minutes.
Reindeer Cookies
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These no-bake cookies are cute-as-can-be and a breeze to assemble. Store-bought peanut butter cookies form the base for this reindeer-inspired treat, topped with your favorite candies. Make your own frosting or buy some pre-made.
Almond Snowballs
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Try these festive treats that don't take so much time icing and decorating. The secret to perfect nutty flavoring is toasting the almonds. After baking, allow the cookies to cool a little to make it easier to roll them in powdered sugar.
5-Ingredient Sugar Cookies
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With only a few ingredients and 20 minutes of hands-on time, you'll have these ready for your next party. Remember to completely cool the cookies before adding the glaze. After dipping the cookies in a simple glaze, sprinkle with candies.
Ambrosia Macaroons
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Soft, chewy macaroons are festive and fun with their ambrosia-inspired look and flavor. These cookies require a few steps, but only 20 minutes of hands-on time. You can switch the garnishes from red to green cherries or orange peels if you prefer.
Santa's Kitchen Sink Cookies
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This festive recipe is designed to be totally adaptable—just what you need during a busy holiday season. The dough starts with the basics you already have in your kitchen, and ends with whatever sweet and crunchy treats are available. Chill the dough for an hour or overnight, whichever is more convenient.
Dark Chocolate-Ginger-Molasses Cookies
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These cookies check off all the boxes for holiday flavor: rich and dark chocolate, both crystallized and ground ginger, and the smoky sweetness of molasses. They also take just 15 minutes to throw together. Cool them completely so they develop a nice crunchy exterior.
Molasses Crinkles
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This old-fashioned favorite is easy peasy: mix, chill, and bake. The recipe uses brown sugar instead of white to enhance the deep flavor of the molasses. These crinkles also feature the classic holiday spices of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
Cranberry-Almond Cookies
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With this no-fuss recipe, you'll have the first batch of cookies baked in less than 20 minutes. And if you don't want to use cranberries or almonds, substitute any dried fruit or chopped nuts.
Cranberry Noel Cookies
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Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
These sweet little shortbread cookies pair tart cranberry and nutty pecans. The buttery dough gets rolled into logs and then sliced for baking. Coconut-lovers can coat the logs in shredded coconut for an extra touch of sweetness.
Bourbon Balls
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Delight bourbon lovers at your holiday party with the simplest recipe around. This no-bake treat starts with a package of vanilla wafers, which are crunched up so they can be infused with the flavor of bourbon and toasted pecans. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and roll in powdered sugar.
No-Bake Chocolate Mint Snowballs
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Set out a platter of minty snowballs at any holiday feast and everyone will come running. The melt-in-your-mouth no-bakes have a coating made from mint-chocolate candies, with a gooey center of crushed Oreos and cream cheese.
Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies
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If you have a box of cornflakes and a jar of peanut butter, this much-loved no-bake cookie is within your grasp. These treats take 15 minutes to make and feature just four ingredients. If you have some extra time, get creative by adding butterscotch chips or a drizzle of melted chocolate.
Sprinkle Sandwich Cookies
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With sprinkles on the inside and the outside, these colorful funfetti-like cookies will surely bring joy to any holiday party. Make the cookie dough and chill for up to eight hours before baking. Keep extra sprinkles on hand for any necessary touch-ups.
For more simple holiday desserts, check out our best no-bake holiday cookies, bars, and pies.
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