20 Classic Christmas Cookies That Never Go Out of Style

Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread cookies are a quintessential holiday treat, delighting with their warm spices and festive shapes.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg

Cooking method

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Whisk flour, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and baking soda in a large bowl.
3. Add butter, molasses, and egg to the dry ingredients; mix until well combined.
4. Roll out dough on a floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness; cut into desired shapes.
5. Place cookies on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.
6. Cool on a wire rack before decorating.

Snickerdoodles

Snickerdoodles are known for their cinnamon-sugar coating and soft, chewy texture.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup sugar (for coating)
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon (for coating)

Cooking method

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
3. Cream butter and sugar together, then add egg and vanilla extract.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients until combined.
5. Roll dough into balls, then coat with cinnamon-sugar mixture.
6. Place on baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.

Classic Sugar Cookies

These simple yet delightful cookies are perfect for decorating with icing and sprinkles.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Cooking method

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar, then beat in the egg and vanilla.
4. Gradually add the dry mix to the wet until dough forms.
5. Roll out dough and cut into shapes.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes and allow to cool before decorating.

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Peanut butter blossoms combine the nutty flavor of peanut butter with a chocolate kiss on top.

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Hershey's Kisses for topping

Cooking method

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
3. Cream butter, peanut butter, and sugars together in a separate bowl.
4. Add egg, milk, and vanilla to the creamed mixture.
5. Gradually blend in flour mixture to form dough.
6. Roll dough into balls, and place on baking sheets.
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes, then press a kiss into the center while still warm.

Linzer Cookies

Linzer cookies are a festive, filled cookie originating from Austria, typically featuring a sweet jam center.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup raspberry jam
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Cooking method

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Combine all-purpose flour, almond flour, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.
3. Cream butter and sugar, then add vanilla and egg, mixing well.
4. Incorporate dry ingredients to form a dough.
5. Roll out dough and cut into shapes; create a window in half of them.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes; cool, then sandwich with jam and dust with powdered sugar.

Shortbread Cookies

Buttery and tender, shortbread cookies melt in your mouth and offer a rich flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt

Cooking method

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Mix flour and salt in a small bowl.
3. Cream butter and sugar together, then add vanilla.
4. Slowly incorporate the flour mixture to form a soft dough.
5. Roll out dough and cut into desired shapes.
6. Bake for 18-20 minutes until edges are golden.

Thumbprint Cookies

These delicate cookies, filled with jam or chocolate, are a holiday staple in many households.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup fruit preserves or chocolate

Cooking method

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream together butter, sugar, and vanilla.
3. Stir in flour and salt until dough forms.
4. Roll dough into balls and press a thumbprint in each.
5. Fill depressions with jam or chocolate.
6. Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown.

Italian Ricotta Cookies

Soft and moist, these ricotta cookies have a light texture and a hint of lemon.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Cooking method

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
3. Cream butter and sugar, then beat in egg, ricotta, lemon zest, and juice.
4. Gradually add dry mix to form a dough.
5. Drop spoonfuls onto baking sheet.
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are golden.

Pecan Sandies

Crunchy and nutty, pecan sandies are a satisfying and delicious treat.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Cooking method

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream together butter and sugar; add vanilla.
3. Stir in flour and salt, then mix in pecans.
4. Form balls from the dough and place on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden.
6. Cool and enjoy.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Chocolate crinkles are fudgy, brownie-like cookies with a powdered sugar coating, perfect for chocolate lovers.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for coating)

Cooking method

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Blend flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another bowl, mix sugar and oil, then add eggs and vanilla.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients to form dough.
5. Chill dough, then roll into balls and coat with powdered sugar.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set.