Baking cookies during the holiday season is a simple way to make homes feel warm and welcoming. These 29 easy holiday cookie recipes are full of classic flavors and simple to make. From soft and chewy to crisp and sweet, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. They’re perfect for sharing with friends, neighbors, or anyone who loves a fresh-baked treat.
Chewy Lemon Cookies. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Egg Nog Cookies
Start by baking cookies that bring the creamy, spiced flavor of eggnog to a soft, tender bite. Cinnamon and nutmeg swirl through the dough to give warmth and a comforting taste. These cookies turn a simple cookie tray into a classic treat that everyone can enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Egg Nog Cookies
Chewy Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies
Combine soft chocolate dough with gooey marshmallows to make a rich, chewy cookie everyone will love. The marshmallows melt just enough to create a slightly sticky, indulgent texture while the chocolate stays smooth. These cookies are a satisfying choice for anyone craving a chocolate treat on the tray.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies
Toasted S’mores Cookies
Bake cookies that layer graham cracker dough with chocolate ganache and a toasted marshmallow topping for a nostalgic flavor. The soft, chewy base pairs perfectly with the sweet, slightly crisp toppings. These cookies bring the classic campfire taste to a cookie tray in a simple, crowd-pleasing way.
Get the Recipe: Toasted S’mores Cookies
Classic Holly Wreath Cookies
Shape cookies into playful wreaths coated with marshmallow for a treat that stands out on any tray. The cornflake base stays light and crispy while carrying the sweet flavor through every bite. These cookies make a creative addition to a holiday cookie spread that looks as good as it tastes.
Get the Recipe: Classic Holly Wreath Cookies
Mint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Create cookies that are soft, fudgy, and packed with rich chocolate with a hint of mint. Crinkled tops give them a fun, textured look while the chewy center keeps the flavor satisfying. These cookies are a delightful way to bring chocolate and mint together in a treat everyone will reach for.
Get the Recipe: Mint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Chewy Lemon Cookies
Bake cookies that are soft and chewy with a bright, fresh burst of lemon in every bite. The citrus flavor balances the sweetness for a lively, eye-catching treat. These cookies are a zesty option that adds variety and brightness to a cookie tray.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Lemon Cookies
Chewy S’mores Cookies
Make cookies that combine graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows into a soft, chewy treat with classic s’mores flavor. The sweet chocolate melts slightly while the marshmallows add a gooey texture. These cookies are a nostalgic way to bring a familiar favorite to a cookie tray.
Get the Recipe: Chewy S’mores Cookies
Chewy Molasses Cookies
Bake cookies that are rich, soft, and chewy with the warm spices of molasses and cinnamon throughout. Each bite offers comforting flavor with a subtle sweetness that’s hard to resist. These cookies are a classic choice that makes any cookie tray feel homey and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Molasses Cookies
Easy Sugar Cherry Cookies
Top soft sugar cookies with bright maraschino cherries for a pop of color and sweet flavor in every bite. The tender base complements the fruity topping and makes the cookies feel festive. These cookies bring a cheerful, simple twist to a cookie tray that everyone can enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Easy Sugar Cherry Cookies
Peppermint Shortbread Cookies
Create buttery, crisp shortbread cookies with chocolate and peppermint on top for a refreshing treat. The crunch of peppermint adds a cool contrast to the soft, rich cookie underneath. These cookies are a tasty way to bring a minty flavor to any holiday cookie spread.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Shortbread Cookies
Classic Thumbprint Cookies
Press soft, buttery dough around sweet jam for a cookie that surprises with every bite. The tender base holds its shape perfectly while the jam bursts with bright, fruity flavor. These cookies look charming on a tray and bring a pop of color and sweetness that people immediately reach for.
Get the Recipe: Classic Thumbprint Cookies
Hot Chocolate Cookies
Bake soft chocolate cookies filled with marshmallow centers that melt just enough to feel gooey without losing shape. Rich chocolate blends with the fluffy marshmallow for a deep, satisfying bite. They have the kind of warmth and comfort that draws everyone in without any extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Hot Chocolate Cookies
Nutella No-Bake Cookies
Stir Nutella and chocolate together to create a creamy, chewy cookie that sets in minutes without an oven. The flavor is rich and chocolatey, while the texture stays soft and chewy. They’re perfect for when a quick, impressive chocolate treat is needed on the spot.
Get the Recipe: Nutella No-Bake Cookies
Palmier Cookies
Fold buttery dough with sugar until layers crisp up into a delicate, caramelized bite. The contrast between the flaky edges and tender center gives every bite an interesting texture. They make a standout addition to any cookie tray without feeling heavy or overdone.
Get the Recipe: Palmier Cookies
Chocolatey Raisin Cookies
Mix chewy oats with chocolate chunks and sweet raisins to create a cookie that balances flavor and texture in every bite. The chocolate melts slightly while the oats keep it hearty and soft. This combination of classic tastes keeps people coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Chocolatey Raisin Cookies
Cherry Pie Cookies
Encase bright, sweet cherry filling in tender dough to create bite-sized treats that feel like mini pies. The pinwheel design adds charm while keeping the filling juicy and flavorful. It’s the type of cookie that looks special but disappears fast from the tray.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Pie Cookies
Gochujang Caramel Cookies
Combine sweet caramel with a hint of gochujang to make a cookie that surprises without being overwhelming. The chewy dough carries the flavor smoothly, giving a subtle spicy note under the sweetness. This cookie adds a bold and memorable choice to any tray of classics.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Caramel Cookies
Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
Blend rich chocolate dough with crisp peppermint pieces for a cookie that balances sweetness and freshness. The mint adds a cool crunch while the chocolate stays soft and fudgy. It’s an approachable twist on a classic combination that catches attention immediately.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
Candy Cane Brookies
Layer chewy cookie dough with fudgy brownie and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for a double-layered treat. The chocolate melts together while the peppermint adds a crisp, refreshing bite. It’s the kind of treat that looks impressive and satisfies fans of both cookies and brownies.
Get the Recipe: Candy Cane Brookies
Spiced Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
Combine tart cranberries, soft oats, and warm cinnamon and nutmeg for a cookie that’s chewy and flavorful in every bite. The cranberries give pops of brightness while the spices add depth and warmth. They’re a slightly unexpected cookie that still feels familiar and keeps people coming back.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
Rudolph’s Oat Treat Cookies
Blend oats into soft, chewy dough for a cookie that delivers texture and subtle nutty flavor in every bite. The oats give the cookie body while the sweet dough keeps it tender and satisfying. This treat stands out on any tray while staying simple enough to bake when a quick dessert is needed.
Get the Recipe: Rudolph’s Oat Treat Cookies
Cherry Surprise Cookies
Hide bright, juicy cherries inside soft, buttery dough for a cookie that delivers a little surprise in every bite. The dough wraps around the fruit and stays tender while the cherry adds a burst of sweetness and color. These cookies make a standout addition to any tray and bring a playful twist without extra fuss.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Surprise Cookies
Apricot Crescent Cookies
Shape tender, buttery dough around sweet apricot preserves to create a delicate cookie that melts in your mouth. The crescent shape makes them visually appealing while the fruit center adds richness and flavor. They bring variety and a hint of elegance to any cookie selection without being complicated to bake.
Get the Recipe: Apricot Crescent Cookies
Gingerbread Cookies
Mix cinnamon, ginger, and cloves into the dough that stays crisp enough for decorating while soft enough to bite easily. The spices fill each cookie with flavor that feels familiar and comforting. These cookies are a reliable classic that adds warmth and texture to a cookie tray everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Cookies
Pecan Thumbprint Cookies
Fill small, buttery rounds with sweet jam and top with toasted pecans for a cookie with contrast in flavor and texture. The nutty crunch balances the sweetness while the soft base keeps the cookie tender. It creates a satisfying and approachable option that looks impressive on any tray.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Thumbprint Cookies
Cinnamon Lattice Cookies
Weave tender dough into a lattice shape and fill it with warm cinnamon sugar for a cookie that’s both visually appealing and flavorful. The dough stays soft while the cinnamon adds depth to every bite. These cookies bring texture and spice to a tray in a way that feels thoughtful but effortless.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Lattice Cookies
Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Bake rich, fudgy red velvet cookies that crackle with powdered sugar for a striking look and soft, chewy texture. The deep red color stands out while the tender interior offers indulgent chocolate flavor. It makes a visually stunning and delicious addition to a cookie tray without needing extra work.
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Glazed Sugar Cookies
Top soft, sweet cookies with a smooth glaze that gives every bite a subtle shine and extra sweetness. The tender dough balances the sugary coating while staying light and easy to handle. These cookies bring a classic, cheerful look to any tray and satisfy simple dessert cravings.
Get the Recipe: Glazed Sugar Cookies
Chocolate Dipped Almond Horn Cookies
Shape crisp, buttery dough into delicate horns and dip them in chocolate for a treat with both texture and richness. Almond flavor pairs with chocolate to give a balanced, nutty sweetness. They bring sophistication and flavor to a cookie tray while remaining approachable to bake.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Dipped Almond Horn Cookies