18 Easy Christmas Cookies to Make This Season

December 03, 2019

The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without some festive cookies to nosh on, but sometimes you’re too busy to spend hours decorating Christmas cookies. Luckily, these easy Christmas cookies take no longer than 45 minutes of prep time, so you can have traditional holiday cookies on hand—think: sugar cookies, ginger crinkles and thumbprint cookies—without forgoing an entire afternoon.

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Spritz Cookies

Start to finish: 1 hr 45 mins

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It's time to break out your spritz cookie press for these festive Christmas spritz cookies! These easy Christmas cookies can be decorated with sprinkles or flavored with citrus, spices or sweet sugar glaze. And if you're looking for healthy cookies, these fit the bill thanks to whole-wheat pastry flour that keeps their texture soft while giving them a boost of fiber.

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Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Start to finish: 45 mins

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Kids and adults alike will love this easy peanut butter chocolate chip cookie recipe, which—unlike most cookie recipes—doesn't call for flour. These gluten-free peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are soft and chewy and, with only five simple ingredients, they can easily be whipped up by young chefs and enjoyed as an after-school treat. They're also perfect for a holiday party or for a cookie swap.

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Fig ‘n’ Flax Thumbprint Cookies

Start to finish: 1 hr 15 mins

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We love how the ground flax adds a nutty flavor and the brown sugar caramelizes on the outside of these thumbprint cookies. Fig preserves make this cookie special; other fruit preserves could be used as well.

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Boot Tracks

Start to finish: 30 mins

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This quick, no-fuss, chewy chocolate cookie is made on your waffle iron. No need to haul out the big mixer, you can mix the batter with a small hand mixer or even by hand. Kids love these!

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Almond Cream Cutouts

Start to finish: 1 hr 50 mins

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These cream cheese-based sugar cookies are flavored with almond paste. They're beautiful right out of the oven but try one of our decorating ideas for added pizzazz.

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Chocolate Coconut Macaroons

Start to finish: 40 mins

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These airy coconut cookies get an upgrade with a simple dark chocolate drizzle in this healthy dessert recipe.

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Cinnamon-Raisin Oatmeal Cookies

Start to finish: 1 hr 15 mins

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This recipe takes oatmeal cookies up a notch with its cinnamony, buttery, delicious take on a much-loved classic dessert.

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Soft Sugar Cookies

Start to finish: 1 hr

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These easy and classic cookies incorporate mild-tasting white whole-wheat flour for extra fiber and nutrients.

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Ginger Crinkle Cookies

Start to finish: 1 hr

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Healthier than traditional ginger cookies, this recipe subs whole-wheat pastry flour for all-purpose flour and canola oil for shortening but packs a punch with the delicious ginger flavor. The best part? They only require 10 minutes of prep for an easy Christmas cookie recipe your whole family will love.

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Cranberry-Almond Thumbprint Cookies

Start to finish: 1 hr 45 mins

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A dip in egg white and a quick roll in sugar adds a delightfully crisp crust to these holiday cookies. You'll have leftover jam—perfect for spreading on toast or for glazing the Cranberry Galette with Sesame Frangipane.

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Flourless Chocolate Cookies

Start to finish: 40 mins

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These flourless cookies get their volume from whipped egg whites (like a meringue) instead of grains, making them gluten-free and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. A chocolate chip in each bite adds to the rich chocolate flavor.

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Melt-in-Your-Mouth Sugar Cookies

Start to finish: 1 hr 5 mins

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These classic treats can be made ahead and frozen for holidays and bake sales.

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Nutty Chocolate-Dipped Macaroons

Start to finish: 55 mins

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These sweet peanut butter-flavored meringue cookies are perfect for special occasions. Dipped in melted chocolate and full of crunchy peanuts, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for up to three months.

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Vanilla Candy Cane Peppermint Bars

Start to finish: 1 hr 40 mins

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These festive bars are easy to make for a cookie swap or holiday treats for friends and family.

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Raspberry-Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Start to finish: 1 hr

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These cookies taste decadent, yet are made with ingredients that have healthful benefits: oats, almonds, fruit and chocolate. The thumbprints are versatile as well—use a different type of filling or different extracts to create a completely different cookie.

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Joy Cookies

Start to finish: 1 hr 45 mins

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These coconut-chocolate-almond-topped shortbread cookies are reminiscent of Almond Joy candy bars.

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Almond & Honey-Butter Cookies

Start to finish: 2 hrs 30 mins

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This thumbprint cookie uses honey as the only sweetener and tender ground almonds to replace much of the butter found in similar cookies. Just a touch of butter mixed with honey in the filling gives it a rich flavor without too much saturate

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Yummy Molasses Crackles

Start to finish: 1 hr 30 mins

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These revamped ginger molasses cookies reduce the butter content and add crystallized ginger for a spicy jolt that makes for a wonderful Christmas cookie we can’t get enough of.

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