Christmas Cookies
Gingerbread, sugar cookies, shortbread, linzer, spritz, and every festive cookie worth baking this holiday season. Every recipe tested, photographed, and written for real home bakers.
15 min
Easy Christmas Haystacks (No-Bake Butterscotch & Chow Mein Noodle Cookies)
32 min
Easy Christmas Snickerdoodles
32 min
Easy Classic Christmas Spritz Cookies
35 min
Easy Mexican Wedding Cookies (Polvorones)
35 min
Easy Pepparkakor (Swedish Ginger Cookies)
135 min
Medium Czech Christmas Cookies (Vanočni Cukrovi) — The Classic Assortment
20 min
Easy Christmas Rum Balls
45 min
Medium Traditional Pfeffernusse (German Spice Cookies)
37 min
Easy Vegan Christmas Cookies (Soft, Buttery, and Perfectly Spiced)
50 min
Medium Kourabiedes: Greek Christmas Butter and Almond Cookies
48 min
Medium Traditional Nuremberg Lebkuchen
57 min
Medium Christmas Linzer Cookies with Raspberry Jam
32 min
Easy Italian Christmas Cookies with Lemon Glaze
40 min
Easy Classic Christmas Shortbread Cookies
42 min
Medium Classic Gingerbread Cookies with Royal Icing
20 min
Easy No Bake Christmas Cookies with Chocolate, Oats, and Peanut Butter
42 min
Easy Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies with Almond Flour
55 min
Medium Best Christmas Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
The Art of Christmas Cookie Baking
Christmas cookie baking is one of the oldest and most beloved holiday traditions. From the spiced gingerbread houses of Germany to the buttery spritz cookies pressed into festive shapes across Scandinavia, every culture has its signature holiday biscuit. The best part? Most Christmas cookies are beginner-friendly, fun to make with children, and perfect for gifting.
The classic lineup includes chewy gingerbread cookies spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and cloves; tender sugar cookies rolled and cut into stars, trees, and snowflakes; buttery shortbread that melts on the tongue; and delicate linzer cookies sandwiched with raspberry jam. For something more ambitious, try Austrian vanillekipferl (crescent-shaped almond cookies) or Italian biscotti studded with dried fruit and nuts.
The secret to great Christmas cookies is organisation. Most cookie doughs can be made weeks in advance and frozen. Bake in batches across several days rather than attempting everything on one frantic afternoon. Decorated sugar cookies and gingerbread keep well for up to two weeks in airtight tins, making them ideal for cookie swaps, gift boxes, and school bake sales.
Whether you're looking for easy Christmas cookies for beginners or showpiece decorated biscuits that double as tree ornaments, this collection has you covered. Browse our tested recipes below, each with step-by-step photos, storage tips, and make-ahead notes to keep your holiday baking stress-free.
Christmas Cookies Tips
Expert advice for perfect results every time.
- 1
Chill your dough before rolling
Cold dough is easier to handle, holds its shape during cutting, and produces crisper edges. Wrap in cling film and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes - or freeze for 10 if you're short on time.
- 2
Use parchment or silicone mats
Skip greasing the baking sheet. Parchment paper and silicone baking mats prevent sticking, ensure even browning, and make cleanup effortless. They also stop thin cookies from over-browning on the bottom.
- 3
Rotate trays halfway through baking
Most ovens have hot spots. Rotating your baking sheet 180° at the halfway mark ensures every cookie bakes evenly. For multiple trays, swap their rack positions too.
- 4
Cool completely before decorating
Royal icing, chocolate drizzle, and sprinkles all set better on fully cooled cookies. If you ice a warm cookie, the icing melts and slides off. Patience here pays off with cleaner, more professional results.
- 5
Store different types separately
Crisp cookies stored with soft cookies will absorb moisture and go limp. Keep each variety in its own airtight container with layers of parchment between them. Most baked cookies freeze beautifully for up to three months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about christmas cookies, answered.
What are the most popular Christmas cookies to bake?
The most popular Christmas cookies include gingerbread (both soft and snappy), sugar cookies decorated with royal icing, buttery shortbread, snickerdoodles, peanut butter blossoms, linzer cookies with jam, spritz cookies, and chocolate crinkles. Regional favourites include pfeffernüsse (German spiced cookies), kourabiedes (Greek butter cookies), and Mexican wedding cookies.
How far in advance can I bake Christmas cookies?
Most Christmas cookies can be baked 2–4 weeks ahead and stored in airtight containers at room temperature. Cookie doughs freeze well for up to 3 months - slice-and-bake logs and drop cookie dough balls can go straight from freezer to oven. Decorated sugar cookies and gingerbread keep for 2–3 weeks. Delicate cookies with fillings (like linzer) are best assembled 3–5 days before serving.
What are the easiest Christmas cookies for beginners?
Start with drop cookies like chocolate chip, snickerdoodles, or peanut butter cookies - they require no rolling or cutting. Sugar cookie dough from the fridge is also forgiving. No-bake options like chocolate truffles, cornflake wreaths, and peppermint bark are great confidence builders. As skills grow, move to rolled and cut sugar cookies, then decorated gingerbread.
How do I store Christmas cookies so they stay fresh?
Store cookies in airtight containers at room temperature, separated by layers of parchment or wax paper. Keep crisp and soft cookies in different containers - moisture transfers between them. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in zip-lock bags with the air pressed out. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. Most cookies keep 2–3 weeks at room temperature and 3 months frozen.
What are traditional Christmas cookies from around the world?
Every country has its own Christmas cookie traditions. Germany bakes lebkuchen, pfeffernüsse, and vanillekipferl. Italy has biscotti and struffoli. Greece makes kourabiedes and melomakarona. Mexico has polvorones and buñuelos. Scandinavia is famous for pepparkakor and krumkake. Britain favours mince pies and shortbread. The Czech Republic bakes dozens of varieties called "cukroví" - many families prepare 8–12 different types each December.
Can I make Christmas cookies gluten-free or vegan?
Yes! Many Christmas cookies adapt well to dietary needs. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in most recipes - almond flour works especially well for shortbread and macaroons. For vegan cookies, replace butter with vegan block butter (not spread), use flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg), and swap milk chocolate for dairy-free. Browse our gluten-free and vegan recipe collections for tested adaptations.