Your Holiday Baking Starts With These Festive Cookie Favorites

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The most magical part of the holiday season? The cookies, of course. Whether you’re hosting a cookie exchange, gifting sweet treats to friends and neighbors, or just filling your kitchen with the scents of cinnamon, peppermint, and vanilla, these festive cookie recipes are here to make your holiday baking unforgettable.

From nostalgic classics to creative twists, this list has something for every kind of cookie lover. So grab your favorite apron and start preheating—these cookies deserve a spot on your holiday dessert table.

Christmas Peppermint Cookies

Soft peppermint cookies topped with crushed candy canes and white chocolate chips on a white plate, perfect for holiday baking. — Image Credit: It Is a Keeper

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These soft and chewy peppermint cookies are bursting with festive flavor and topped with crushed candy canes for the perfect holiday crunch. They’re easy to make and look beautiful on a cookie tray.

GET THIS RECIPE: Christmas Peppermint Cookies

Hot Cocoa Cookies

Rich chocolate cookies with gooey marshmallows and mini chocolate chips, inspired by hot cocoa. — Image Credit: It Is a Keeper

They are just like your favorite mug of hot chocolate in cookie form. These rich chocolate cookies are topped with gooey marshmallows and mini chocolate chips—cozy, nostalgic, and completely irresistible.

GET THIS RECIPE: Hot Cocoa Cookies

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Gingerbread Sugar Cookies with Eggnog Frosting

Gingersnap cookies filled with creamy eggnog frosting, stacked on a white tray. — Image Credit: It Is a Keeper

Spice things up with gingerbread sugar cookies filled with creamy eggnog frosting. This treat puts a delicious twist on traditional holiday flavors and makes a standout addition to any dessert spread.

GET THIS RECIPE: Gingerbread Sugar Cookies with Eggnog Frosting

Andes Chocolate Mint Cookies

Andes mint-studded chocolate cookies stacked on a white plate, with a candy piece on top and a drizzle of chocolate. — Image Credit: It Is a Keeper

These quick and easy cookies are studded with Andes mint candies and are a total crowd-pleaser. With just a few ingredients and big flavor, they’re a go-to for busy bakers who still want to impress.

GET THIS RECIPE: Andes Chocolate Mint Cookies

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Pretzel Reindeer Cookies

Cute reindeer-shaped cookies with pretzel antlers and candy eyes and nose, sitting on a white tray. — Image Credit: It Is a Keeper

These adorable reindeer cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat. Perfect for baking with kids or giving as edible gifts, they add a whimsical and festive touch to any cookie platter.

GET THIS RECIPE: Pretzel Reindeer Cookies

Shortbread Christmas Cookies with Icing

Buttery shortbread cookies decorated with white icing on a silver serving platter. — Image Credit: A Paige of Positivity

These buttery shortbread cookies are tender, sweet, and topped with festive sprinkles. A cherished family recipe, they bring nostalgia and homemade charm to your holiday cookie collection.

GET THIS RECIPE: Shortbread Christmas Cookies with Icing

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Toffee Pecan Christmas Cookies

Golden brown cookies packed with chopped pecans and toffee bits, served on a white plate. — Image Credit: Eazy Peazy Mealz

Packed with crunchy pecans and rich toffee bits, these cookies deliver big flavor in every bite. They’re perfect for cookie exchanges or pairing with a warm drink by the fire.

GET THIS RECIPE: Toffee Pecan Christmas Cookies

Christmas M&M Cookies

Chewy cookies loaded with red and green holiday M&Ms, fresh out of the oven. — Image Credit: The Recipe Rebel

Classic, colorful, and always a hit, these soft and chewy cookies are loaded with red and green M&Ms. They’re fun, festive, and perfect for all ages.

GET THIS RECIPE: Christmas M&M Cookies

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5-Ingredient Vanilla Almond Snowball Cookies

Powdered sugar-coated snowball cookies stacked on a white serving tray. — Image Credit: Bread Booze Bacon

These melt-in-your-mouth snowball cookies are lightly sweet, delicately nutty, and rolled in powdered sugar for a snowy finish. They are a timeless holiday favorite.

GET THIS RECIPE: 5-Ingredient Vanilla Almond Snowball Cookies

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Bright red and green pinwheel sugar cookies with swirled designs, displayed on a cookie tray. — Image Credit: Bread Booze Bacon

Swirled with festive red and green, these sugar cookies are equal parts eye-catching and delicious. They’re a fun project and a stunning addition to any cookie tray.

GET THIS RECIPE: Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Ginger Molasses Cookies

Soft, chewy, and packed with warm spices, these cookies are the ultimate comfort food during the holiday season. The crackly tops and deep molasses flavor are irresistible.

GET THIS RECIPE: Ginger Molasses Cookies

Candy Cane Kiss Cookies

Peppermint-flavored cookies with Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses in the center, decorated with sprinkles. — Image Credit: Sally’s Baking Addiction

With a peppermint Hershey’s Kiss nestled in the center, these cookies are festive and fun with just the right amount of sweetness. They’re a holiday classic for good reason.

GET THIS RECIPE: Candy Cane Kiss Cookies

White Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies

Soft-baked cookies filled with dried cranberries and white chocolate chips on a white serving tray. — Image Credit: Sally’s Baking Addiction

Sweet white chocolate and tart dried cranberries make these soft-baked cookies a must for the season. They’re elegant enough for gifting but easy enough for everyday snacking.

GET THIS RECIPE: White Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies

Iced Gingerbread Oatmeal Cookies

Oatmeal cookies flavored with gingerbread spices and topped with a white icing drizzle. — Image Credit: Sally’s Baking Addiction

These spiced oatmeal cookies are soft, chewy, and topped with a simple glaze that adds just the right touch of sweetness. A modern twist on gingerbread that’s hard to resist.

GET THIS RECIPE: Iced Gingerbread Oatmeal Cookies

Holiday Spritz Cookies

Colorful spritz cookies in festive shapes with red and green sugar sprinkles on a white plate. — Image Credit: Sally’s Baking Addiction

Buttery, delicate, and shaped into festive designs, spritz cookies are a holiday tradition for a reason. Add colored sugar or sprinkles for a festive finishing touch.

GET THIS RECIPE: Holiday Spritz Cookies

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Meet Christina

Woman in red blouse slicing lemons in a kitchen setting.

Hi there, it’s nice to meet you! I’m a recipe developer, author, TV contributor and recipe hoarder that shares tried and true recipes anyone can make. It Is a Keeper started in 2010 as a hobby that quickly grew. Spending time in the kitchen has always made me happy – whether I’m making an old favorite that I know by heart or trying a new recipe. You can learn more about me here.