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. The 25 Best Holiday Cookies to Make This Month

The 25 Best Holiday Cookies to Make This Month

December 09, 2020
Skip gallery slides
Pin

Bring a little holiday cheer to your kitchen with these festive Christmas cookie recipes. We’ve pulled together our best cookies including fun twists on gingerbread, sugar cookies and more. Whether it’s Almond Linzer Cookies or Chocolate-Coconut Thumbprints, you’ll love these seasonal and tasty treats (just make sure to leave a few for Santa!).

Start Slideshow

1 of 25

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.

1 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 25

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.

2 of 25

3 of 25

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.

3 of 25

Advertisement

4 of 25

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.

4 of 25

5 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Snowy Peaks

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These flourless chocolate treats look like tiny snow-capped mountains. Made with a blend of almonds, coconut and chocolate, they are gluten-free and have a rich, decadent flavor.

5 of 25

6 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Mini Pistachio Cakes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Adding matcha, a powdered green tea with a grassy flavor, balances the sweetness of these little tea cakes and adds gorgeous color too. You can add more matcha to the glaze for a festive green tint or sprinkle some on top. Alternatively, use dehydrated raspberry powder for a pink hue.

6 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chocolate-Coconut Thumbprints

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These double-chocolate thumbprints are filled with chocolate ganache and topped with toasted coconut. The ganache will set as it sits, but won’t harden completely, so if you’re going to pack the cookies up, layer them between pieces of wax paper to prevent them from sticking.

7 of 25

8 of 25

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.

8 of 25

9 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Italian Lemon Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These soft Italian lemon drop cookies feature both sweet and tangy flavors thanks to plenty of fresh lemon juice and a powdered sugar glaze. These easy cookies are perfect with tea and coffee and will make a great addition to your holiday cookie platter.

9 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chocolate Coconut Macaroons

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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

10 of 25

11 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Thumbprints with Ruby Chocolate

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

You can fill these thumbprint cookies with jam or ruby chocolate, a naturally pink chocolate that has a tart, fruity flavor. You can find ruby chocolate (also called ruby cacao or ruby couverture) at some specialty grocery stores, including Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, and online.

Ā 

11 of 25

12 of 25

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.

12 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chouquettes (Sugared Mini Puffs)

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These tiny puffs are made from choux pastry, the same dough that’s used to make cream puffs and eclairs. For a festive look, decorate with various colors of pearl or sanding sugars—both have larger granules that won’t melt when baked.

13 of 25

14 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Credit: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Brown butter chocolate chip cookies take regular chocolate chip cookies to a whole new level. The browned butter add nuttiness to each cookie, while a sprinkle of sea salt takes these easy treats over the top.

14 of 25

15 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Coffee Star Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Spelt flour’s earthy flavor is a good companion to the warm spices and molasses in these cheerful cookies. Play around with the glaze and decorations to vary the look of the batch.

15 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Ginger & Spice Crackles

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These soft and moist cookies are spiked with ginger, cinnamon, and a hint of clove, and they crackle on top when they bake. Rolling them in powdered sugar gives them a lightly sweet coating on the outside that looks like a dusting of fresh fallen snow.

16 of 25

17 of 25

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.

17 of 25

18 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cinnamon-Raisin Oatmeal Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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

18 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Almond Cream Cutouts

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

19 of 25

20 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Chocolate Chunk-Walnut Meringue Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Look to these meringue cookies if you want a new, simple, no-fuss holiday cookie recipe. They’re ready to eat after drying in the oven for an hour, but you can leave them in there longer–even overnight.

20 of 25

21 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cinnamon Icebox Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Slice-and-bake icebox cookies are the ultimate make-ahead treat. You can make a batch and bake as many as you like, saving the rest of the dough in the freezer. These simple swirled cookies are rolled in finely chopped pecans. They’re mildly sweet—perfect for after dinner or paired with coffee.

21 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 25

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.

22 of 25

23 of 25

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).

23 of 25

24 of 25

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.

24 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Yummy Molasses Crackles

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Nancy Caverly gave her grandmother's recipe for ginger molasses cookies a little makeover--reducing the butter and adding crystallized ginger for a spicy jolt.

25 of 25

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 25 Mini Gingerbread House Cookies
2 of 25 Almond Linzer Cookies
3 of 25 Spritz Cookies
4 of 25 Vegan Gingerbread Cookies
5 of 25 Snowy Peaks
6 of 25 Mini Pistachio Cakes
7 of 25 Chocolate-Coconut Thumbprints
8 of 25 Spiced Poppy Seed Shortbread Cookies
9 of 25 Italian Lemon Cookies
10 of 25 Chocolate Coconut Macaroons
11 of 25 Thumbprints with Ruby Chocolate
12 of 25 Oatmeal-Peanut Butter Cookies with Dates
13 of 25 Chouquettes (Sugared Mini Puffs)
14 of 25 Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
15 of 25 Coffee Star Cookies
16 of 25 Ginger & Spice Crackles
17 of 25 Stained Glass Sugar Cookies
18 of 25 Cinnamon-Raisin Oatmeal Cookies
19 of 25 Almond Cream Cutouts
20 of 25 Chocolate Chunk-Walnut Meringue Cookies
21 of 25 Cinnamon Icebox Cookies
22 of 25 Pignoli Cookies
23 of 25 Cranberry-Almond Thumbprint Cookies
24 of 25 Flourless Chocolate Cookies
25 of 25 Yummy Molasses Crackles

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
EatingWell

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Content Licensing
  • Recipe Index
  • Jobs

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en EspaƱol this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
© 2021 EatingWell.com is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. EatingWell may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. All Right Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.eatingwell.com

View image

The 25 Best Holiday Cookies to Make This Month
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.