Skip to content

Top Navigation

EatingWell EatingWell
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Special Diets
  • Diabetes
  • Healthy Meal Plans
  • Healthy Eating
  • Healthy Lifestyle
  • Healthy Cooking
  • Shop
  • News
  • Videos

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Cooking Light Diet
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore EatingWell

EatingWell EatingWell
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 10 Best Healthy Breakfast Foods to Eat

      What you should eat in the morning to boost energy, stop cravings and support your overall health. Read More Next
    • The Top 20 Recipes of 2020

      Read More Next
    • Simple 30-Day Weight-Loss Meal Plan: 1,200 Calories

      A full month of easy-to-make recipes and helpful meal-prep tips, this healthy meal plan sets you up for weight-loss success. Read More Next
  • Healthy Recipes

    Healthy Recipes

    See All Healthy Recipes
    • Healthy Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Healthy Lunch Recipes
    • Healthy Dinner Recipes
    • Healthy Snack Recipes
    • Healthy Dessert Recipes
    • Healthy Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Salad Recipes
    • Healthy Smoothie Recipes
    • Healthy Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Healthy Slow-Cooker & Crockpot Recipes
    • Healthy Kids Recipes
    • Healthy Holiday Recipes
    • Healthy Vegan Recipes
    • Healthy Vegetarian Recipes
    • Healthy Mediterranean Diet Recipes
    • Healthy Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    • Healthy Low-Calorie Recipes
    • Healthy Weight Loss & Diet Recipes
    • More Lifestyle Diet Recipes
    • More Health Condition Recipes
    • More Dietary Restriction Recipes
    • More Nutrient Focused Recipes
  • Special Diets

    Special Diets

    See All Special Diets
    • Clean Eating Diet Center
    • Mediterranean Diet Center
    • Low-Carb Diet Center
    • Weight Loss Center
    • Dairy-Free Diet Center
    • Gluten-Free Diet Center
    • High-Fiber Diet Center
    • Vegan Diet Center
    • Vegetarian Diet Center
    • Heart-Healthy Diet Center
    • Cholesterol Diet Center
    • Diabetes Diet Center
    • High Blood Pressure Diet Center
    • Low Sodium Diet Center
    • Healthy Aging Diet Center
    • Pregnancy Diet Center
  • Diabetes

    Diabetes

    See All Diabetes
    • Meal Plans for Diabetes
    • Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    • Diabetes Diet Center
  • Healthy Meal Plans

    Healthy Meal Plans

    See All Healthy Meal Plans
    • Meal Planning 101
    • Dinner Plans
    • Clean Eating Meal Plans
    • Mediterranean Diet Meal Plans
    • Low-Carb Meal Plans
    • Weight-Loss Meal Plans
    • Dairy-Free Meal Plans
    • Gluten-Free Meal Plans
    • High-Fiber Meal Plans
    • Vegan Meal Plans
    • Vegetarian Meal Plans
    • Heart-Healthy Meal Plans
    • Low Cholesterol Meal Plans
    • Meal Plans for Diabetes
    • Blood Pressure Meal Plans
    • Low Sodium Meal Plans
    • Anti-Aging Meal Plans
    • Pregnancy Meal Plans
    • Healthy Kids Meal Plans
    • ThePrep
  • Healthy Eating

    Healthy Eating

    See All Healthy Eating
    • Healthy Eating 101
    • Eat More Vegetables
    • 30-Day Challenges
    • Good Food Fast
    • Healthy Eating for Kids
    • Best Healthy Foods
    • Green and Sustainable Eating
    • The Beet
    • Transformed
  • Healthy Lifestyle

    Healthy Lifestyle

    See All Healthy Lifestyle
    • Wine, Beer & Spirits Guide
    • Entertaining
    • EatingWell in Real Life
    • Plant Your Plate
    • Healthy Pets
    • American Food Heroes
    • Future of Food
    • Food with Purpose
    • Obsessed
  • Healthy Cooking

    Healthy Cooking

    See All Healthy Cooking
    • Healthy Cooking How-To's
    • Ask the Test Kitchen
    • Budget Cooking Guide
    • Thrifty
    • Family Heritage Cooking
  • Shop

    Shop

    See All Shop
    • EatingWell Cookbooks & More
    • EatingWell Frozen Meals
  • News
  • Videos

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Cooking Light Diet
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Healthy Recipes Chevron Right
  3. Healthy Holiday & Occasion Recipes Chevron Right
  4. Healthy Christmas Holiday Recipes Chevron Right
  5. Christmas Baking & Dessert Recipes Chevron Right
  6. Christmas Cookie Recipes Chevron Right
  7. 32 Make-Ahead Christmas Cookies That Will Make Your Spirits Bright

32 Make-Ahead Christmas Cookies That Will Make Your Spirits Bright

October 10, 2020
Skip gallery slides
Pin

Get ready for the holiday season with these make-ahead Christmas cookie recipes. These cookies can easily be made a few days in advance, saving you crucial space in the oven. We take classics like sugar cookies and gingerbread and add a fun, flavorful spin. Recipes like Flourless Chocolate Cookies and Spiced Poppy Seed Shortbread Cookies are healthy, delicious and full of cheer.

Start Slideshow

1 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Spritz Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

1 of 32

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Mini Gingerbread House Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

2 of 32

3 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Sugar Cut-Out Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

3 of 32

Advertisement

4 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Flourless Chocolate Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

4 of 32

5 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Snickerdoodle Thumbprint Cookies with Chocolate

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy cinnamon-sugar snickerdoodle thumbprint cookie recipe has an added bonus: chocolate filling! With slightly crispy edges and a chewy, chocolaty center, these snickerdoodle cookies are the ultimate crowd pleaser.

 

5 of 32

6 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Spiced Poppy Seed Shortbread Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Renowned author and spice aficionado Lior Lev Sercarz loves these French sablé-style cookies so much, he sells a collection of five different flavors twice a year. In this variation, he uses tart amchoor (ground dried green mango) to give them a citrusy brightness. These healthy cookies will get you in the holiday spirit.

6 of 32

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Gingerbread Cut-Out Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy gingerbread cut-out cookie recipe has all the flavor of traditional gingerbread cookies but incorporates white whole-wheat flour and uses less butter. Pull out all your cookie cutters and decorate these adorable cookies with natural decorating sugar and icing.

7 of 32

8 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Oatmeal-Peanut Butter Cookies with Dates

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Cookie recipes usually require you to combine the liquid ingredients in one bowl and dry ingredients in another, but for this gluten-free cookie recipe the dry ingredients are sprinkled right on top of the liquids so there's just one bowl to clean. Don't skip the step of refrigerating the dough. The oat flour needs time to hydrate or the cookies will be too dry and crumbly. Regular rolled oats work if you're not gluten-sensitive.

8 of 32

9 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry-Pistachio Sugar Cookie Thins

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy sugar cookie recipe makes delicate, thin cookies that are a great accompaniment to coffee or tea. You press the dough into cute wafers using the bottom of a glass and can sprinkle the cookie thins with dried cranberries and pistachios, as in this recipe, or use your favorite dried fruit and nut combination as decoration.

9 of 32

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Almond Linzer Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this almond cookie recipe, star-shaped cutters give these classic jam-filled sandwich Linzer cookies holiday sparkle, but you can also use a more traditional round or scalloped cookie cutter. Almond flour adds crunchy texture and nutty flavor. Look for it near other specialty flours in natural-foods markets.

10 of 32

11 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Spiced Snickerdoodle Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this healthy snickerdoodle cookie recipe, ginger, allspice and nutmeg combine with cinnamon to make this the best snickerdoodle you've ever had. The cookies get their signature look and texture from a little food science--baking soda makes them rise and cream of tartar prevents the sugar from binding together and causes the cookies to collapse and wrinkle.

11 of 32

12 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Apricot-Almond Sandwich Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Elegant and delicious, these cookies are the perfect addition to your holiday spread. For a variation, try with raspberry preserves; you can show off the jewel-like filling by cutting the center out of half of the cookies. If giving these as a gift, be sure to pack them carefully with a layer of wax paper between each cookie.

12 of 32

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chocolate-Drizzled Gingerbread Cookie Thins

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy gingerbread cookie recipe incorporates white whole-wheat flour and uses less butter than traditional gingerbread cookies. These thin, sugar-kissed cookies are then drizzled with white and chocolate icing in a crisscross pattern for a beautiful presentation.

13 of 32

14 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies with Raspberry Jam

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

14 of 32

15 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chia Seed Sugar Cookie Thins

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy sugar cookie recipe makes delicate, thin cookies by using the bottom of a glass to press the dough into cute wafers, which are then pressed with a small cookie cutter to make an etched design. The cookie thins are sprinkled with fiber- and omega-3-rich chia seeds, which add a little health boost. Make them look extra special by adding a bit of naturally dyed orange icing.

 

15 of 32

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Pignoli Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This crispy-on-the-bottom-and-chewy-on-the-inside gluten-free cookie recipe is a twist on a traditional Italian holiday treat, pignoli, or pine nut cookies. Look for almond paste--a mixture of ground almonds and sugar (available in tubes or sometimes tubs)--near other baking supplies in well-stocked supermarkets or specialty stores. Sweeter marzipan doesn't work well in these cookies.

16 of 32

17 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Vegan Gingerbread Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Coconut oil stands in for butter in this dairy-free, eggless cookie recipe for completely mouthwatering gingerbread cut-outs. Decorate cookies with a simple vegan icing or sanding sugar.

17 of 32

18 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry-Almond Thumbprint Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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).

18 of 32

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Stained Glass Sugar Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

19 of 32

20 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chocolate Cookie Thins

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy chocolate cookie recipe makes thin, sugar-kissed cookies flavored with dried cranberries and hazelnuts. The cookies are drizzled with homemade natural red icing, but if you prefer white icing, omit the natural red dye.

20 of 32

21 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Raspberry-Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

21 of 32

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Peppermint Checkerboard Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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

22 of 32

23 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Gluten-free flour stands in for regular flour in these crisp, festive cut-out cookies that taste amazing. To decorate, dust cookies with sanding sugar before you bake them or drizzle and pipe on royal icing once they've cooled.

23 of 32

24 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Pecan-Gingerbread Cookie Thins

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy gingerbread cookie recipe incorporates white whole-wheat flour and uses less butter than traditional gingerbread cookies. These thin, sugar-kissed cookies are then topped with a pecan for a Southern-inspired treat. If you don't like pecans, try other nuts, such as macadamia nuts, walnuts or hazelnuts.

24 of 32

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chocolate Snowcap Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This fudgy chocolate crinkle cookie recipe is a hit with chocolate lovers. Bake the cookies right after rolling them in confectioners' sugar: if they sit, the sugar absorbs into the dough and the rich chocolaty cookies lose their snowcapped look.

25 of 32

26 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Pecan-Cinnamon Wafers

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These healthier pecan butter cookies are made with whole-wheat pastry flour and plenty of nuts.

26 of 32

27 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Button Shortbread Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

27 of 32

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chocolate, Almond & Jam Thumbprint Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

28 of 32

29 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry-Almond Chocolate Cookie Thins

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy chocolate cookie recipe makes thin, sugar-kissed cookies speckled with dried fruit and nuts and topped with slivered almonds and dried cranberries arranged in a flower pattern. These thin chocolate cookies are perfect for accompanying tea or coffee.

29 of 32

30 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Blueberry & White Chocolate Chunk Ginger Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These easy cookies are a real snap to make--just stir and bake.

 

30 of 32

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Citrus-Kissed Honey Buttons

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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

31 of 32

32 of 32

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cranberry-Honey Spice Pinwheel Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

32 of 32

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 32 Spritz Cookies
2 of 32 Mini Gingerbread House Cookies
3 of 32 Sugar Cut-Out Cookies
4 of 32 Flourless Chocolate Cookies
5 of 32 Snickerdoodle Thumbprint Cookies with Chocolate
6 of 32 Spiced Poppy Seed Shortbread Cookies
7 of 32 Gingerbread Cut-Out Cookies
8 of 32 Oatmeal-Peanut Butter Cookies with Dates
9 of 32 Cranberry-Pistachio Sugar Cookie Thins
10 of 32 Almond Linzer Cookies
11 of 32 Spiced Snickerdoodle Cookies
12 of 32 Apricot-Almond Sandwich Cookies
13 of 32 Chocolate-Drizzled Gingerbread Cookie Thins
14 of 32 Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies with Raspberry Jam
15 of 32 Chia Seed Sugar Cookie Thins
16 of 32 Pignoli Cookies
17 of 32 Vegan Gingerbread Cookies
18 of 32 Cranberry-Almond Thumbprint Cookies
19 of 32 Stained Glass Sugar Cookies
20 of 32 Chocolate Cookie Thins