Our Top 25 Most Cherished Christmas Cookies (2024)

Best Big, Fat, Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie

Holiday season or not, these top-rated cookies are always at the top of any list of favorite cookies. Use real, pure vanilla extract when you can — the flavor is worth it.

"Amazing, amazing, amazing cookies! I made a batch for the first time last night and shared them with the neighbors. The whole batch was devoured in no time and everyone raved about them. Fabulous!" —SAREMCA

• See our entire collection of Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipes here.

The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies

"Thanks for sharing the recipe for the very best thick, tender, tasty, and dependable rolled sugar cookies I have made in my nearly 40 years of baking experience." —DARLENE1

• How to Make Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

Easy Sugar Cookies

"Yummy! I rolled these in sugar to give them a little color when I put them in Christmas cookie gifts. Everyone loved these! I made the dough about two weeks early and froze it before making them and the cookies came out just fine." —Brandie Leann

Mrs. Sigg's Snickerdoodles

Don't skip the cream of tarter in the recipe. It's what helps give snickerdoodles their distinctive flavor and chew.

"If I were you I'd be in the kitchen right now making these absolutely wonderful cookies! Oh, they are so delicious right out of the oven!" —Pam

Big Soft Ginger Cookies

These cookies get their warm and spicy flavor from ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and molasses.

"I made these cookies for a cookie exchange. They were a big hit and people wouldn't stop eating them. My husband probably ate three dozen by himself." —SKITTEN

• 13 Soft Cookies for Your Next Craving

Beth's Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

"Without a doubt this is the best oatmeal cookie I have made. I have been baking and cooking for 50 years and no other recipe comes close to being as good and this one." —Mary Ann Benzon

Linzer Tarts

"I never made Linzer tarts before, but I've eaten plenty of them. These were exquisite. They are buttery and nutty and delicious. " —TRISHICAT

Raspberry and Almond Shortbread Thumbprints

"These are the BEST holiday cookie I have ever tasted. Easy to make and a joy to share. Many have asked for the recipe." —DXCST

Chocolate Crinkles

A touch of almond extract enhances the flavor and aroma of these popular Christmas cookies.

"These are fantastic and are now a standard Christmas recipe in my box. I had to make an extra batch because my daughter and I kept eating them and there weren't enough left for my gift boxes and platters." —happycamper26

• 18 of Our Most Chocolaty Chocolate Cookies

Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti

"This recipe is every bit as good as it sounds. I made them for the holidays and not only did they look beautiful on my cookie trays, but they were a hit with everyone who tried them." —BONOZ3612

Gingerbread Cookies

Cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and molasses make these cookies taste like the best of Christmas baking.

"Very good! I made a gingerbread house out of this recipe (tripled), and it's the first year the kids ate the house instead of just the candy that was decorating it!" —JESSICA

Coconut Macaroons

"These are easy and very good; for Christmas, I add red and green candied cherries for a festive twist," says one Allrecipes user.

Russian Tea Cakes

"I made these to include in cookie gift tins that I'm making and am sorry that I didn't double the recipe so that I could have more for myself!" —FOODGU1

• 22 Christmas Cookies Just Like Grandma Used to Make

Cranberry Orange Cookies

"These cookies were amazing! They were very quick and easy to prepare and turned out beautifully. I did a cookie exchange with these cookies and they were GONE before any other cookie." —Emily C.

Shortbread Cookies

"This is THE BEST shortbread cookie recipe ever! I made it with raspberry preserves in a thumbprint cookie and for Christmas, I rolled balls in red and green sugar. They were very pretty and easy for a nice spot of color on a cookie tray." —KADYKEL

Buckeyes

"These are really wonderful. My fiancé can't get enough of these! I drizzle white chocolate on top to make them pretty for dessert trays during the holidays. Great recipe!" —JAMIESGIRL

Peppermint Meringues

Several reviewers added a drop or two of pure peppermint extract to the mix to enhance the peppermint flavor. Don't add more than that, though, or else the meringue might fall flat. "Everyone absolutely LOVED these cookies! I gave them to friends as pre-Christmas gifts with other cookies and these were by far the faves." —1TEXASLIZARD

Peanut Blossoms

"Best recipe for one of our traditional Christmas favorites. This one stays moist and tender for days" according to Allrecipes user SEWEZ.

Chocolate Rum Balls

"This has become a traditional Christmas recipe because I always have people requesting these, " says user AmyK. " I made a ton of them for a party I catered and they were a hit. Always better the third or fourth day!"

Rugelach

"Absolutely the best rugelach recipe I have tried. Grew up buying all my cakes, etc. in Jewish bakeries, and this recipe makes the best I have ever tasted." —Katherine Lento

Caramel Shortbread Squares

Try these multi-layered, melt-in-your-mouth goodies for a rich twist on the Christmastime cookie table. "I made these last night and took the advice of several people and they were incredible," says one Allrecipes user. "I greased and floured a 9x9 pan and they came out looking just like the picture."

Best Soft Christmas Cookies

Meet the perfect cutout cookie recipe. Our community of home cooks raves about the simplicity and softness of this dessert, making it the perfect choice for the holidays.

Christmas Cornflake Wreath Cookies

These kid-friendly cookies will be the brightest treats on your holiday table. Made with just a few pantry ingredients and red-hot candies, you'll come back to this fun recipe over and over.

Pizzelle

This indulgent Italian classic is sweet, delicate, and undeniably delicious. Use a traditional pizzelle maker to create stunning, winter-inspired designs the whole family will love.

Saltine Cracker Toffee

"The possibilities are endless!" says home cook Bonnie. "Made for a candy bar at a wedding using colored coconut and white chocolate and sprinkles to match the theme colors. I Be sure to use a cookie pan with sides, or you will have a mess on your hands."

More Christmas Cookie Inspiration

• 25 Fancy Christmas Cookies That Are Gifts All by Themselves
• Easy Christmas Cookies for Once-a-Year Bakers
• Browse All Christmas Cookie Recipes