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30+ Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes Anyone Can Make

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I am always on the hunt for easy Christmas cookie recipes, because I spend most of the holiday season baking for one get-together or party. It’s just so much fun!

And these are the easiest Christmas cookie recipes I have ever found–some can even be made without baking. So. Stinkin’. Cool. These are definitely at the top of my yummy cookie recipes list!

Oh, and for more awesome classic Christmas cookie ideas, be sure to check out my Exchange Cookie Recipes. There are so many melt-in-your-mouth recipes in there, you’ll definitely find something perfect for your Christmas party.

Over 20 delicious Christmas Cookies recipes

Back to these awesome holiday baking ideas, though. You’re really going to have to search hard to to find easier Christmas desserts than these.

And you’ll for sure find some of your favorite Christmas cookies that grandma used to make. From gingerbread men to chocolate peppermint and peanut butter blossoms, there’s a little bit of something for everyone on this list!

Be sure to check out the rest of my peppermint recipes and ideas!

What Do You Need to Make Homemade Cookies for the Holidays?

The Best Christmas Cookies Recipes

Whether you’re gluten-free or vegan, there are a number of cookies on this list you’ll find you need in your life. But they all start with the same basic formula: creaming butter (or vegan buttery spread) with sugar.

From there, its on to whatever makes each cookie unique. But I’ve found there are a few consistent things a person might need if they’re making holiday cookies for a crowd.

The following ingredients are affiliate links on Amazon because they may be a bit hard to find in your normal store.  I wanted you to be able to see exactly which things we are using.

        

 

How Can I Make My Christmas Cookies To Another Level?

Ok. To be fair, you probably WEREN’T asking that of yourself. But I feel like it’s a question that’s worth asking. There are so many great ideas out there for cookies, but how can you make them even more awesome?

Well, if you’re asking now, cool. Let me tell you.

  • If you’re planning on making your cookies red and green, use natural food coloring like this. Did you know that food coloring can change the flavor of foods? Yeah, I didn’t either, but, if you switch to a plant-based food coloring, you can limit that effect.
  • When the recipe calls for chocolate chips, do 1/2 with regular chocolate, then do the other half with white chocolate. That auto-magically makes everything more “Christmasey”. Take that up a notch by adding some dark chocolate chips and now you’re triple chocolate cookies rock!
  • Make a quick cookie dip by combining cream cheese, sugar and crushed candy canes. This will give your guests something super fun to dip their cookies into that’s really unique!

How Long Do Christmas Cookies Last?

Typically, I would say that 14 days on the counter for a standard cookie. However, you have to keep them in an airtight container like this one. If you place them in the refrigerator, you can expect to keep them for a bit longer.

To store cookies in any situation, I really do recommend a single layer in an airtight container. Cookies will not bleed or stick to each other if they can’t touch each other.

Which Christmas Cookies Freeze Well?

Ok. So there are actually several layers to this question that I feel like need to be answered. So, I’m going to go into detail on this.

Yes. Absolutely. Just wrap it up in cling wrap, put it in a zipper bag or airtight container and toss it in the freezer. Should be good for three months. Bam and done.

Photo collage of simple Christmas cookies

Can You Freeze Iced Christmas Cookies?

Yes. Just put them in an airtight container in a single layer. Seriously, when iced cookies touch and then they freeze, there’s a chance they could bleed on each other or stick together.

So, single layer in an airtight container. That is all.

Can You Freeze Other Christmas Cookies?

Yes. My only caution is that, when you freeze chocolate, it can cause it to have a weird layer of flaky not-yumminess (I have no idea how to better describe it).

So, my advice is, don’t put cookies with chocolate in them in the freezer, just eat them.

But, for cookies that aren’t iced and aren’t chocolate, the safe bet is to put them in an airtight container in a single layer (see what I did there?). You won’t be sorry.

20+ Christmas Cookie Recipes to enjoy this holiday season

When Do You Make Christmas Cookies?

Look, you can make Christmas cookies any time of year. There’s no reason not to make them any time of year. Gingerbread cookies are just as tasty in June as they are in December.

But, if you’re a traditionalist, a safe bet is to make your Christmas cookies starting at the beginning of December. Oh, wait, that’s not what you meant? Oh, I see, you want to know when to make them so they’ll be ready for your party.

Well, ok. I like to FINISH my cookies the day before my event. So, that means I actually bake my cookies two days before. Then I allow them to cool completely and, if it’s more than 1 layer of icing, then I start icing that day. Some of that icing can take a long time dry.

So, then I spend the day before the party finishing the icing and letting it dry completely, that way, on the day of the event, I don’t have to worry about the cookies–they’re just ready.

I store them in an airtight container (see what I did again?!) and they keep just fine. Taste fresh as the day I made them!

Basically, at the end of the day, my best suggestion for keeping cookies is to eat them. I mean, that’s the whole point, right? If you were making ornaments from cookies, that would be different, and you wouldn’t want to eat them (the recipe is no-sugar, right?!).

So, yeah, you made these cookies to eat them. So eat them. LOL!

Photo collage of the best easy Christmas Cookies

If you loved all these easy Christmas cookie recipes and the tips for making them, well, be sure to pin this to your favorite holiday recipes board on Pinterest. You’re going to want to be able to find it again soon, I’m sure.

Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes

I am always on the hunt for easy Christmas cookie recipes, because I spend most of the holiday season baking for one get-together or party. It's just so much fun!

If you’re planning on making cookies for a cookie exchange, you have GOT to check out my cookie exchange ideas…so much fun! And here are some additional resources you absolutely have to check out for a cookie exchange party.

If you’re just here for the cookie recipes and could care less about the whole Christmas thing, I’m here for you. I get it. Cookies are absolutely the most perfect and yummy treat on the planet. So, I pulled together some of my favorite cookie recipes just for you.

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