Get ready for 19 irresistibly easy Christmas cookie recipes that seriously deliver on festive flavor without demanding hours in the kitchen. This isn’t about complicated techniques or fancy tools.
We’re talking simple ingredients, straightforward steps, and cookies that look way more impressive than the effort they require.
Think effortless elegance, cheerful classics, and speedy sweets perfect for gifting, sharing, or simply enjoying by the tree.
You’ll find everything from melt-in-your-mouth delights to fun, sprinkle-loaded treats. Prepare to fill your cookie tins and spread some serious holiday cheer, one easy batch at a time.
Baking beautiful Christmas cookies truly can be this simple!
1. Delicate Powdered Sugar Snowballs
These delightful cookies bring a touch of snowy magic to any holiday spread. A generous dusting of confectioners’ sugar covers their round form, hinting at the sweet, melt-in-your-mouth experience awaiting you. Their simple elegance makes them a staple on many Christmas cookie platters, evoking feelings of warmth and festive cheer.
The texture of these treats is wonderfully tender and crumbly. Often made with finely chopped nuts, they offer a subtle richness that complements the light, powdery coating. Each bite dissolves gently on the tongue, leaving a sweet, comforting flavor that pairs beautifully with a cup of tea or coffee on a cold winter’s day.
Adding these snowballs to your baking list means choosing a recipe known for its straightforward nature. They require minimal effort but deliver maximum impact in terms of taste and visual appeal. This classic cookie proves that sometimes, the simplest creations offer the most satisfying holiday indulgence for friends and family.
2. Festive Swirl Cookies
These eye-catching cookies bring a cheerful burst of color to any holiday gathering. Their distinct red and white spiral pattern looks like edible pinwheels, stacked neatly and ready for sharing. Set against a festive backdrop, they embody the spirit of Christmas with their simple yet striking appearance, promising a sweet moment for anyone who takes a bite.
The texture of these cookies is typically a delightful blend of tender and slightly crisp. Made from a buttery dough, they offer a comforting, familiar taste that appeals to all ages. The swirling colors hint at a straightforward flavor, often vanilla or a touch of almond, making them universally appealing and wonderfully easy to enjoy alongside a mug of hot cocoa.
Adding these festive swirls to your holiday baking means choosing a recipe known for its straightforward process. Rolling and chilling the dough creates the fun pattern with minimal fuss. These cookies prove you don’t need complex techniques to create beautiful, delicious treats that will be a welcome addition to your collection of easy Christmas recipes.
3. Holiday Jam Thumbprints
These classic cookies offer a sweet surprise nestled in their center. A small indentation holds a dollop of bright red jam, looking like festive jewels on a simple, round cookie base. Their rustic appearance suggests homemade goodness, a comforting sight on any Christmas plate.
The cookie itself often has a tender, buttery texture that yields easily with each bite. That soft base provides a delightful contrast to the slightly firm, fruity jam filling. The combination of rich cookie and sweet-tart fruit creates a simple yet satisfying flavor loved by many during the holiday season.
Making these cookies is quite simple, requiring just a few steps and common ingredients. Pressing an indentation into the dough ball is a fun and easy task, even for novice bakers. These jam-filled delights are a straightforward addition to your easy Christmas cookie repertoire, bringing a burst of color and homemade taste to your celebrations.
4. Chocolate Snowcap Crinkles
These deep, dark cookies wear a cheerful coat of powdered sugar, looking like miniature snow-covered mounds. Their surface breaks open during baking, creating fascinating lines and crevices dusted with white. This striking contrast of dark chocolate and sweet powder makes them a visual treat on any holiday dessert plate.
The inside of these cookies offers a soft, fudgy texture that melts in your mouth. Their intense chocolate flavor is both comforting and decadent, a true delight for cocoa enthusiasts. The sugary exterior adds a little sweetness and a delicate contrast to the rich, moist interior.
Creating these festive crinkles is surprisingly simple, requiring basic baking steps and yielding impressive results. Rolling the dough balls in powdered sugar before baking gives them their signature look with minimal effort. These chocolatey gems are a popular choice for easy Christmas baking, bringing smiles and satisfied taste buds.
5. Crunchy Chocolate Wreaths
These charming cookies mimic festive holiday wreaths with their round shape and textured surface. Clusters of chocolatey goodness form the ring, while a bright red candy sits in the center, resembling a cheerful berry decoration. Their rustic, homemade look adds to their appeal, making them a sweet addition to any holiday display.
A delightful crunch defines the texture of these treats. Often made with cereal or small crispy elements bound together by rich chocolate, they offer a satisfying bite. The sweetness of the chocolate paired with the textural contrast creates a simple, enjoyable flavor that is both comforting and fun.
Making these cookies often involves simple steps like melting and mixing, sometimes requiring no oven at all. This makes them an exceptionally easy option for busy holiday kitchens. These crunchy chocolate wreaths are a straightforward way to add a touch of festive charm to your collection of simple Christmas cookie recipes.
6. Festive Cutout Cookies
These cheerful cookies wear bright holiday colors, cut into classic shapes like stars and trees. A smooth layer of frosting covers their surface, serving as a base for colorful sprinkles scattered across the tops. Each one displays a unique combination of red and green decorations, creating a visually appealing assortment.
The cookie underneath offers a simple, tender base that holds its shape beautifully after baking. Its mild sweetness pairs well with the sugary frosting and crunchy sprinkles. This familiar flavor and texture combination brings back warm memories of childhood holidays and sharing treats with loved ones.
Making these cookies is a fun activity for the whole family, simple enough for even little hands to help with cutting and decorating. Rolling out the dough and using cookie cutters creates these charming shapes with ease. These festive cutouts are a straightforward way to add a personalized touch to your easy Christmas cookie collection.
7. Spiced Holiday Biscotti
These sturdy cookies stand tall, ready to be enjoyed alongside a warm cup. Their twice-baked nature gives them a distinctive crisp texture and a warm, inviting color. Stacked neatly on a board, they promise a satisfying crunch with every bite, a lovely pairing for your favorite hot holiday beverage.
Aromatic spices often fill these cookies, bringing scents of cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg to mind. Their firm structure makes them wonderfully suited for dipping into coffee or tea, softening slightly while holding their shape. The subtle sweetness and spiced flavor make them a comforting treat during the chilly season.
Making biscotti involves two simple baking steps, creating a cookie that keeps well and offers a different kind of texture. Form the dough into a log, bake, slice, then bake again for that signature crispness. These spiced crisps are an easy and rewarding addition to your Christmas baking list, bringing a touch of Italian tradition to your home.
8. Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Fingers
These simple, elegant cookies feature a classic shape enhanced by a coat of rich chocolate. Each rectangular biscuit has one end generously dipped, creating a lovely contrast between the pale, buttery cookie and the dark, smooth topping. Arranged neatly, they present a clean, appealing look on any holiday platter.
The texture of these treats is wonderfully crumbly and tender, a hallmark of good shortbread. It melts in your mouth, leaving behind a rich, buttery flavor. The addition of chocolate provides a sweet, decadent layer that complements the cookie’s simplicity beautifully, offering a satisfying experience.
Making these cookies requires just a few basic ingredients and straightforward steps. Shortbread dough comes together easily, and slicing it into fingers is simple. Dipping the cooled cookies in melted chocolate adds an extra touch of festive flair with minimal effort, making these a simple yet rewarding addition to your Christmas baking.
9. Festive Sparkle Sugar Rounds
These delightful sugar cookies are ready for holiday celebrations. Resting on a cooling rack, each round treat boasts a generous coating of festive sprinkles. Tiny specks of red, green, and white glitter across the sweet surface, catching the light beautifully. They promise a simple baking experience, bringing cheer to any kitchen during the busy season.
A warm red background hints at the cozy atmosphere of Christmas baking. Soft, blurred lights twinkle behind the cookies, adding to the magical holiday setting. You can almost imagine the sweet aroma filling the air as these cool, waiting to be enjoyed. Baking these brings a touch of homemade warmth to your festivities.
Creating these charming cookies is straightforward, making them a wonderful activity for bakers of all skill levels. Their cheerful appearance makes them a welcome addition to any cookie plate or holiday gathering. Share the joy of the season with these simple, delightful treats.
10. Cranberry Pistachio Rounds
Witness a delightful stack of festive cookies, showcasing vibrant speckles of red and green. These round slices reveal bits of ruby cranberries and bright green pistachios embedded within a buttery dough. Placed on a wooden board, these treats are a simple pleasure waiting to be enjoyed. Their appearance alone promises a wonderful texture and taste.
Loose cranberries and pistachios are scattered nearby, hinting at the fresh ingredients used in baking these. Another cookie rests on a smaller board in the background, suggesting a generous batch was made. Subtle touches like a bowl of extra berries and ground nuts complete the scene, evoking the process of creating these holiday delights.
These cookies offer an effortlessly elegant option for your Christmas baking list. Their straightforward preparation makes them accessible for anyone wanting to add a homemade touch to their celebrations. Bringing together classic festive colors and flavors, they are sure to be a welcome sight on any holiday table, easy to make and a joy to share.
11. Glazed Orange Drop Cookies
A lovely stack of simple, round cookies sits ready on a soft blue plate. Each cookie has a gently textured surface, hinting at a tender crumb within. A sweet white glaze is drizzled casually over the tops, adding a touch of elegance. Bright orange zest is sprinkled across the glaze, promising a burst of citrusy flavor with every bite.
In the background, a vibrant orange rests alongside some fresh green leaves, suggesting the natural ingredients used. A peek of a white bowl in the upper corner adds to the cozy kitchen scene. These elements combine to create a feeling of simple, fresh baking, reminding us of comforting holiday flavors.
These cookies present an effortlessly delicious option for your holiday baking. Their drop style means less fuss and more time enjoying the season. Bringing a bright, cheerful flavor and look, they are a delightful addition to any easy Christmas cookie collection, sure to brighten spirits and satisfy sweet cravings.
12. Holly Jolly Peppermint Bark
This festive treat brings cheer with its distinct layers. Dark chocolate forms the base, offering a rich, deep flavor. A bright white layer rests on top, creating a lovely contrast. Scattered across the white are vibrant red flecks of crushed peppermint candies, adding a sweet, minty crunch and a pop of holiday color.
The pieces have a wonderfully rustic, broken shape, showing they were snapped by hand. Each shard looks inviting, ready for sharing. Small candies and more crushed peppermint dot the surface around the main pile, enhancing the festive presentation. This simple candy looks delightful arranged on white parchment paper.
Creating this bark offers a straightforward way to make a homemade gift or party contribution. It requires minimal effort but delivers maximum holiday flavor and visual appeal. It makes a wonderful addition to any plate of easy Christmas goodies, standing out with its cool, refreshing taste.
13. Snowy Coconut Drops
Clusters of these sweet, textured cookies sit neatly on a cooling rack. Their surface has a lovely rough appearance, showcasing the shredded coconut within. You can see the slight golden edges where they baked, promising a pleasant chewiness. A few crumbs are scattered nearby, hinting at their delightful texture.
Each little mound is irregularly shaped, giving them a charming homemade look. Several cookies have a small dollop or drizzle of a white glaze or chocolate on top. This adds a touch of extra sweetness and a smooth contrast to the chewy coconut texture. The glaze often hardens, providing a slight snap.
Making these chewy treats is a straightforward process, requiring just a few ingredients. They offer a wonderful, tropical flavor that stands out among traditional holiday cookies. These simple bites make a lovely addition to any festive baking assortment, pleasing those who enjoy a less conventional Christmas sweet.
14. Sweet & Salty Caramel Bites
These delightful little squares are neatly lined up on a white tray, presenting an inviting array. Each treat features a rich, chewy caramel base. Resting on the caramel is a small piece of milk chocolate, adding a smooth, melting layer to the bite. A single pecan half sits atop the chocolate, offering a pleasant nutty crunch.
Fine sprinkles of sea salt are visible around the edges of the caramel squares. This touch of salt beautifully balances the sweetness of the caramel and chocolate. The consistent size and shape of these bites give them an elegant, finished look. They appear ready for serving at a holiday gathering or boxing up as a thoughtful gift.
Making these requires minimal baking, focusing more on assembly. They combine classic flavors in a simple, irresistible package. These treats offer a quick and satisfying option for anyone creating an easy Christmas dessert platter, providing a different texture and taste alongside traditional cookies.
15. Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms
Here sits a beloved holiday cookie, immediately recognizable. Its round shape is classic, featuring that signature crinkled surface peanut butter cookies are known for. The texture looks soft and yielding, promising a melt-in-your-mouth experience with every bite. A rich, warm brown color covers the entire cookie base.
A shiny chocolate candy kiss is pressed right into the center of the cookie. This chocolate peak provides a sweet contrast to the slightly salty peanut butter dough. The smooth surface of the chocolate beautifully highlights the cookie’s textured exterior. This single cookie rests on a festive red napkin, emphasizing its holiday presence.
Making these cookies is incredibly simple, often a first baking project for many. They require basic ingredients and straightforward steps. These blossoms always disappear quickly from any holiday plate, offering a satisfying combination of flavors and textures that everyone enjoys during the Christmas season.
16. Merry Green Crinkles
A festive pile of these vividly green cookies sits ready on a brown plate. Each one is generously coated in powdered sugar, creating a beautiful snowy contrast. The surface displays deep cracks and fissures, giving them their characteristic crinkled look. Their bright color makes them instantly eye catching.
These cookies are soft and chewy, with a pleasant sweet taste often enhanced by vanilla or even a touch of mint. The powdered sugar adds another layer of sweetness that melts on your tongue. They have a lovely round shape, appearing plump and inviting. The red background further emphasizes their holiday spirit.
Making crinkle cookies is a truly simple process, mainly involving mixing, chilling dough, and rolling in sugar. The simple steps yield visually stunning results that look like they took much more effort. They are a delightful and easy addition to any Christmas cookie swap or home treat platter, bringing vibrant color and classic flavor.
17. Chocolate Dipped Ginger Cookies
These inviting round cookies sit cooling on a wire rack, showing off their decorative finish. Their warm, spiced color suggests a hint of ginger or molasses flavor. Many are partially dipped in a smooth white icing, covering about half their surface. The contrast between the dark cookie and the bright white looks striking.
Dark chocolate drizzles zig-zag across the white icing sections. This adds another layer of flavor and visual appeal, creating a beautiful pattern on each cookie. A couple of cookies are visible broken in half, revealing the cookie’s inner texture. The arrangement on the rack appears ready for the icing to set completely.
Making these cookies involves simple baking followed by easy dipping and drizzling steps. They offer a lovely blend of warm spice and sweet chocolate. Including these adds a classic, comforting flavor to your easy Christmas lineup, proving simple decorations can create stunning results.
18. Fragrant Rosemary Shortbread
A small stack of these square cookies sits neatly on a white dish. Their color is a pale, buttery yellow, suggesting a rich, delicate texture. Tiny green flecks are visible throughout each cookie, hinting at the fresh herbs baked inside. The edges are clean and straight, showing they were carefully cut.
Sprigs of rosemary lie nearby, confirming the aromatic addition to these treats. The simple presentation highlights the cookie itself and its unique ingredients. Extra herb pieces are scattered on the plate and table, adding to the rustic, fresh feel of the image. More cookies are blurred in the background on a separate plate.
Making shortbread is famously straightforward, often requiring just a few ingredients. Adding herbs like rosemary elevates this simple classic into something special. This offers a lovely savory option among sweeter Christmas cookies, providing an easy yet sophisticated choice for your holiday baking.
19. Swirled Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
These cookies offer a delightful mix of two favorite flavors in one easy package. Their base is a rich, dark chocolate cookie, promising a deep cocoa taste. Each round treat features a distinctive swirl of creamy peanut butter pressed right into the center. The contrast in color makes them visually appealing.
You can see the slight cracks on the dark cookie surface, showing a chewy texture. The peanut butter swirl has a smooth, slightly glossy look. Several cookies are arranged on parchment paper and a cooling rack, appearing fresh from the oven. A few stray chocolate chips are scattered around, adding to the homey feel.
Combining chocolate and peanut butter is always a winning idea, especially during the holidays. These cookies achieve this classic pairing with minimal fuss. They offer a simple way to satisfy cravings for both chocolate and peanut butter lovers, making them a wonderful, easy addition to any Christmas cookie box.
