10 Classic Christmas Cookie Recipes to Spread Holiday Cheer

Christmas is a time for baking, and nothing brings the holiday spirit to life quite like the aroma of freshly baked cookies. Here are ten classic Christmas cookie recipes that are sure to delight your family and friends.

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1. Classic Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients:

• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 egg

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
2. In another bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add molasses and egg, mixing well.
3. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until combined.
4. Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out dough on a floured surface and cut into shapes.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool before decorating with icing.

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2. Classic Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 3/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg, vanilla, and almond extract.
4. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets.
5. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks.

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3. Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a small bowl, stir together flour and baking soda.
3. In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and salt. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
4. Gradually blend in the flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips.
5. Drop by large spoonfuls onto ungreased pans. Bake for 9-11 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

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4. Peanut Butter Blossoms

Ingredients:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 36 chocolate kisses

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and egg until smooth.
3. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the peanut butter mixture.
4. Roll into balls and place on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
5. Immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie after removing from the oven.

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5. Snickerdoodles

Ingredients:

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 3 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a small bowl, mix flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients. Roll dough into balls and then roll in a mixture of sugar and cinnamon.
5. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Let cool on wire racks.

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6. Shortbread Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar until smooth. Mix in vanilla.
3. Gradually blend in flour and salt. Roll into logs or press into a pan.
4. Slice or cut into shapes. Bake for 15-20 minutes until lightly golden.
5. Allow to cool before serving.

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7. Thumbprint Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup jam or jelly (your choice)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour and salt. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar.
3. Beat in egg yolks and vanilla. Gradually add the flour mixture.
4. Roll dough into balls and create a thumbprint in the center of each ball.
5. Fill with jam and bake for 12-15 minutes. Cool before serving.

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8. Linzer Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup raspberry jam
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Whisk together flours and salt. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light.
3. Beat in vanilla. Gradually add flour mixture until combined.
4. Roll out dough, cut into shapes, and create a hole in the center of half the cookies.
5. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Once cooled, sandwich with jam and dust with powdered sugar.

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9. Candy Cane Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp peppermint extract
• Red food coloring (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, cream together butter and powdered sugar. Beat in egg and extracts.
3. Gradually add flour and mix until combined. Divide dough; color half red with food coloring.
4. Roll small pieces of each color into strips and twist together. Shape into candy canes.
5. Bake for 9-11 minutes. Cool before serving.

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10. Frosted Molasses Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for frosting)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, spices, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in molasses and egg.
3. Gradually add dry ingredients. Roll into balls and bake for 8-10 minutes.
4. Once cooled, frost with powdered sugar mixed with a little water until smooth.

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These classic Christmas cookie recipes are sure to bring joy and sweetness to your holiday celebrations! Whether you’re baking for a festive gathering or simply enjoying a cozy evening at home, these cookies will warm your heart and satisfy your sweet tooth.

Happy baking!