17 Christmas Cookie Recipes (+ a few other edible gifts)!

Somehow there are only 10 days to go until Christmas, and in true 2020 fashion, it sort of seems like it could be any time of the year at all. Without my usual holiday routines and activities, I have to keep reminding myself that we are indeed smack in the middle of the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year, and if I had to guess, I’d say I’m not the only one experiencing this but-isn’'t-it-still-March? phenomenon. I’m supposing that your yearly Christmas shopping rituals have been moved online, as you avoid malls and stores; there are no holiday concerts, pageants, markets, Nutcrackers, or Christmas Carols to attend this year; you haven’t been invited to any holiday parties. I know, I know — bah humbug, 2020.

While December 25th might be a little different this year, let me remind you that 1.) there seems to be a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel (go vaccine, go!) and 2.) there is one Christmas tradition that hasn’t been cancelled and should be relied on heavily for holiday cheer, or rather: the baking of Christmas cookies. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: cooking and baking have kept most of us sane, occupied, and well-fed in this unprecedented year, and the holiday season is no exception. There is nothing like a batch of <<insert your favorite Christmas cookie here!>> to kindle any feeble sparks of holiday spirit you feared 2020 might have stamped out — and alongside your (mini, 5 euro) tree and a mug of hot chocolate as you watch Elf — well, it really does start to feel a lot like Christmas.

So! We all have those cookies we go for first in the cookie tin, right? Whether your opt for the seasonal spice cookie or lean more towards anything with chocolate, whether you call dibs on crisp buttery shortbread or have a penchant for soft, chewy cookies, whether you prefer slice and bake, sandwich, or drop cookies — this latest line-up has got you and your sweet tooth covered. Bonus: I’ve also included a few other holiday treats at the end, in particular ones that would make good edible gifts for the people who have kept you sane in 2020.

For a few more comforting cookies not mentioned here (plus other warming winter dishes!) check out some of the blog’s Cozy Winter Recipes.

Almond, Apricot, White Chocolate Biscotti

These biscotti -- known as cantucci in Italy -- are elegant and festive, full of crunchy almonds, chewy apricots, and chunks of white chocolate. They are crisp, (perfect for dipping in coffee) but not overly so as some cantucci tend to be, with a softer inside. Click here for the recipe.

Ginger SPICE Cookies

My favorite ginger cookies are reminiscent of its cinnamon cousin the snickerdoodle, and lose the classic gingerbread man shape, going directly from the bowl to the baking sheet. Candy decorations and icing are swapped for a dusting of sugar, which makes the cookies extra pretty. Click here for the recipe.

Shortbread cookies

These cookies are your perfect rollout-and-decorate cookie for the holidays, but if you want something a little more elegant, are also lovely dipped into dark chocolate. They’re crumbly and addictive and just sweet enough, and are probably the cookie my mom baked most for us growing up. Click here for the recipe.

Pistachio Shortbread

Crisp, addictive, shortbread, packed with pistachios that infuse the traditional cookie with their buttery, nutty flavor. The dough comes together in a matter of seconds in the food processor, there is no rolling out of dough, and best of all, the dough can be stored in the fridge for a few days until you’re ready to use it. Click here for the recipe.

Gingerbread Shortbread

Think of these as shortbread, all dressed up for the holidays, or gingerbread, on a trip to the UK; these are a chic understated addition to your repertoire, one where the usual ginger is bolstered by cinnamon, cloves. nutmeg, and deep moody molasses. Click here for the recipe.

Brutti ma buoni

As the name (“ugly but good”) suggests, these cookies aren't much to look at, but they're darn delicious, a marshmallow-y inside contrasting with crisp exterior and lots of toasty hazelnuts. They're a subdued, less-is-more biscotto -- a departure from the American cookie -- but are quite addictive nonetheless. Click here for the recipe.

Mudslide Cookies

These Mudslides puff up in the oven and then deflate, souffle'-like, creating a crackly, brownie-ish exterior and a delightfully truffle-like interior. These are profoundly chocolate-y, a chocothon interrupted only by the crunch of a pecan or two. Click here for the recipe.

$250 Cookies

Legend has it that a woman lunching at the upscale Neiman Marcus Cafe enjoyed the cookies she ate there so much that she asked for the recipe, only to be told that the secret to making the cookies would cost her $250. Whatever the real story is, these cookies — packed with chocolate, almonds and oatmeal — would be worth every cent. Click here for the recipe.

DARK Chocolate Macaroons

These coconut macaroons become almost brownie-like with the addition of chocolate, and are extra pretty with a dusting of powdered sugar over the top. Bonus: these are also incredibly easy to make -- the recipe is just a matter of blending the ingredients together in a food processor. Click here for the recipe.

White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies

These cookies are soft in the center and chewy around the edges, redolent of butter and brown sugar, and packed with crunchy macadamia nuts and white chocolate that melts and almost caramelizes in the oven. They’re an indulgent, special occasion kind of cookie, one that deserves a place in your holiday line-up. Click here for the recipe.

Funfetti Cookies

Funfetti refers to multi-colored sprinkles reminiscent of confetti -- fun + confetti=funfetti -- and is a concept first created by Pillsbury, who rolled out a white layer cake mix dotted with rainbow sprinkles back in 1989. Here is the classic cake in the form of soft, unapologetically vanilla-y cookies, packed with those telltale rainbow sprinkles that make them extra festive. Click here for the recipe.

T’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are everything a chocolate chip cookie should be: buttery, soft, thick. chewy, and heavy on the chocolate chips. My aunt (“T”) has been making these for as long as I can remember, and was even asked to make a mega batch to distribute as favors at the wedding of a neighbor who had grown up eating them. Needless to say the guests left very happy. Click here for the recipe.

Sable’ alla nutella

Ahh, where to begin?! Here we have a swirly swoosh of dreamy, everyone-loves-me Nutella sandwiched between two crisp, buttery, crumbly cocoa cookies, the bittersweet flavor of the chocolate countering the sweetness of the filling, and the crunch of the cookie contrasting beautifully with the smooth Nutella. Click here for the recipe.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are packed with chocolate and tinged with cinnamon, and I might be tempted to argue that like these Raspberry Yogurt Popsicles, these cookies contain a breakfast ingredient -- oatmeal! -- which makes them a completely acceptable option for the first meal of the day, at least in my book. Click here for the recipe.

5-Ingredient PB Cookies

These are flourless cookies requiring only a handful ingredients, with a pure, uninterrupted, unabashed peanut butter flavor. The ingredients are simply whisked together in a bowl, meaning there is little standing in the way between you and a batch of these beauties. Click here for the recipe.

PB Sandwich Cookies

These cookies are crisp, salty, and sweet all that the same time, and thanks to the addition of toasted oats and a swirl of peanut butter frosting, they are your typical peanut butter cookie taken up a notch, pb cookie 2.0. Note: the filling here would also be great as frosting for cupcakes. Click here for the recipe.

….and a few other edible gifts

Chocolate Almond Toffee

This toffee is sublime. buttery and caramel-y and just the tiniest bit salty, covered in a layer of chocolate and topepd with crunchy, wholesome almonds that balance out the the richness of the toffee and chocolate. In short, it will be a Christmas miracle if you manage to eat just one piece. Click here for the recipe.

Pistachio Cranberry Fudge

While many fudge recipes require you to cook the butter and sugar using a candy thermometer, this version requires you to only melt and stir the ingredients together and pour the mixture in to a pan, no special cooking method or tools required. It is extremely fast and simple to make yet tastes special and fancy. Click here for the recipe.

Homemade Nutella

Making your own Nutella is super simple, and requires only a handful of ingredients. This Nutella is extremely chocolatey— cocoa powder and dark chocolate here, no distractions in between — with undertones of smoky hazelnuts. It's smooth and dreamy and perfect on toast, or on a banana, or who are we kidding, straight out of the jar. Click here for the recipe.

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

Step aside, Swiss Miss! This A+ mix makes for hot chocolate that has a smooth creamy texture and a pure chocolate flavor thanks to the combined power of the cocoa powder and the semisweet chocolate. It is great with a dollop of freshly whipped cream but you can also go the American route and top this with marshmallows. Click here for the recipe.