Baking Christmas cookies is an annual tradition in my home. We like to bake cookies all year round. But alongside some traditional staples, I always delight in finding at least one new holiday cookie recipe. Whether you’re heading to Grandma’s house for Christmas, a lively New Year’s Eve bash, or a fun cookie exchange, we have a list of festive and delicious cookies to try this year!
1. Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
This festive holiday cookie idea is from The Skinny Dish. I recently made these with my son; they were an instant hit with my family! This fun recipe takes the traditional chocolate chip cookie and dresses it up for the holidays with white chocolate chips and red and green sprinkles!
2. Big Soft Ginger Cookies
Ginger cookies are another staple at Christmas cookie exchanges, but there are two camps: the chewy and the crunchy. I’m partial to soft-baked cookies, so I make these chewy ginger cookies with molasses from Taste of Home almost annually. I think the type of molasses you use makes a difference, so look for unsulphered light molasses. It is the sweetest version and won’t overpower your cookies.
3. Christmas Wreath Meringue Cookies
If you want something that will really wow your fellow cookie lovers, try your hand at these festive wreath cookies from The Wilton School. Meringue cookies are light, fluffy, and an excellent alternative to the traditional holiday treat. The website shows you how to pipe these adorable little cookies, but it takes patience!
4. Melted Snowman Cookies
These melted snowman cookies are perfect for any winter holiday! And they’re one the kids will enjoy making with you! This adorable holiday cookie idea comes from the tried and true Betty Crocker website. Despite looking complex, they only require a handful of ingredients to make!
5. Snowglobe Isomalt Cookies
You may have seen the TikTok to Facebook video that’s gone viral of snowglobe cookies. I had never seen anything like these, but quite a few recipes exist! The one pictured below is from Princess Pinky Girl. I decided to try these this year, keeping my fingers crossed they look at least half as cute as the ones I’ve seen online. You can style and decorate your cookies in many different ways, but the basic formatting is the same. You can order it on Amazon if you can’t find isomalt in a local store.
No matter your reason for making cookies, getting the little ones involved in both the making and the tasting is always fun! Plus, baking teaches mathematics and science and encourages creativity. Since kids love to decorate cookies, a simple roll-out sugar cookie recipe is always a good standby for any holiday!
December 20, 2023, By L. ELizabeth Forry
