25 Holiday Cookie Recipes Just Like Grandma Used to Make

Updated February 26, 2021

'Tis the season for cookies, cakes and all your favorite festive baked goods. We have shared more than two dozen of our favorite cookie recipes that remind us of our own grandmas' favorite baked goods. From basic sugar cookie recipes to eye-catching spritzes and gingerbread men, we're sure to have a holiday cookie recipe that will remind you of your own grandmother's recipe. 

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1 of 25

Dark Chocolate-Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

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These peanut butter cookies are delicious on their own, but we make them even better by pressing a piece of dark chocolate candy into each hot cookie right after the cookies come out of the oven.

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Sugar Cut-Out Cookies

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This healthy sugar cut-out cookie recipe uses white whole-wheat flour, honey and lemon zest to make a delicious cookie perfect for decorating. Pull out all your cookie cutters and decorate these adorable cookies with natural decorating sugar and icing.

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Chocolate Coconut Macaroons

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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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Crisp Spice Cookies

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This crisp, paper-thin cookie recipe of northern European descent makes a wonderful low calorie dessert. Just 50 calories for two cookies.

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Citrus-Kissed Honey Buttons

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These citrus-flavored sugar cookies are a lovely addition to any holiday cookie platter.

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Almond-Chocolate-Cherry Cookies

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These diabetic-friendly cookies, made with cherries and almonds, pack a chocolaty punch. With few ingredients, they are easy to make and are perfect for any occasion.

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Spritz Cookies

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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. For ideas on how to dress up these spritz cookies even more with different flavorings or a glaze, see Tips below.

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Cranberry-Almond Thumbprint Cookies

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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 (see Associated Recipes)

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Snowman Meringue Cookies

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You've never made a snowman like this! These cute lightened-up cookies are awesome on their own, or float one in a cup of hot chocolate and watch it melt away. When making meringues, make sure that your bowl and beaters are clean and that there is not a trace of yolk in the egg white; the smallest amount of fat will prevent the egg whites from forming meringue. Depending on the humidity in your kitchen, the baking time might vary considerably. Check to make sure your cookies are crisp throughout before removing them from the oven.

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Mini Gingerbread House Cookies

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Holiday cookies don't get any cuter than these mini gingerbread houses that kids and adults alike will love. Use a mini gingerbread house cookie cutter to cut out all the parts (the kids will love helping with this part), then build the houses and let the kids go to town decorating. Line up your finished creations to make a gingerbread house village, eat them up or prop them up on mugs of cocoa for dipping and munching.

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Peanut Butter Cookies

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These easy peanut butter cookies will satisfy your sweet and savory cravings. Make a batch the next time you want a healthy dessert the whole family will love.

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Stained Glass Sugar Cookies

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You won't believe how easy it is to make these seriously impressive cookies. Crushed hard candy melts in the center of these festive sugar cookies, making a gorgeous stained-glass effect. Use any shape cookie cutter you like, just make sure you have two—a big one for each cookie, and a slightly smaller one for the hole in the middle.

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Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

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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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Chocolate, Almond & Jam Thumbprint Cookies

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This healthy chocolate thumbprint cookie recipe incorporates dried cranberries and toasted hazelnuts into the chocolate cookie dough before it's rolled into jam-filled cookies. Here the cookies are rolled in chopped almonds and filled with cherry jam, but you can use any type of jam or nuts.

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One-Bowl Monster Cookies

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If you thought it wasn't possible to make healthier monster cookies, think again. These peanut butter, oatmeal, chocolate chip and M&M cookies have less butter and sugar than traditional recipes, but they have just as much flavor and tenderness, thanks to more peanut butter. Even better, they're made in one bowl for easy cleanup.

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Oatmeal-Coconut Cookies with Cranberries & White Chocolate

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Our classic oatmeal cookie recipe gets a flavor twist with coconut, white chocolate chips (which have a more delicate flavor than milk or dark chocolate) and tart dried cranberries. The result is a chewy, sweet treat that's sure to leave you coming back for more.

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Peppermint Checkerboard Cookies

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The red and white design makes these white chocolate and peppermint cookies especially colorful for holiday cookie trays and casual gatherings.

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Double Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chewies

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These soft chocolate cookies have a big peanut flavor since they use peanut butter and peanut butter chips.

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Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies with Raspberry Jam

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This healthy thumbprint cookie recipe has all the flavors of a traditional gingerbread cookie: cinnamon, ginger, cloves and molasses. These soft and chewy gingerbread cookies have an extra kick of spice with a crystallized ginger coating and are filled with raspberry jam—but feel free to fill them with whatever type of jam or preserves you have on hand.

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Cinnamon-Raisin Oatmeal Cookies

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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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Cranberry-Honey Spice Pinwheel Cookies

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These cookies boast a bright, zesty filling and spicy aroma. They make a large batch and are extremely convenient, since you can make the logs of cookie dough ahead, then pull them out of the freezer and slice and bake as many cookies as you need. Recipe by Nancy Baggett for EatingWell.

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Chocolate-Mint Crinkle Cookies

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No need to avoid the dessert table when you bring these lightened-up cookies to the party. These chocolate goodies are rolled in powdered sugar before baking and the end result is as tasty as it is beautiful.

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Nut & Honey Biscotti

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This crunchy Italian cookie recipe isn't traditionally very sweet, so just a touch of honey adds flavor along with mild sweetness. Dipping them in chocolate makes them extra special.

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Red and White Wreaths

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Suit your taste by using your choice of almond or mint extract for these crisp cookies.

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Button Shortbread Cookies

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This healthy shortbread cookie recipe uses white whole-wheat flour instead of white flour. The light-colored flour is mild in flavor, adding nutrients without overpowering the classic shortbread taste. These cookies are easy to make, so they're perfect for a holiday cookie swap or afternoon tea. These cookies are also wonderful to bake with small kids because they'll love poking the buttonholes in the shortbread dough.

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