5 Holidays Cookie Recipes

Holiday cookies bring warmth, color, and homemade goodness to every celebration. From cozy gingerbread flavors to fun Christmas-themed treats, these cookies are perfect for cookie exchanges, dessert platters, gift boxes, and family baking days. Every recipe in this collection is easy to make and uses simple ingredients, making holiday baking enjoyable for bakers of all skill levels.

Whether you’re planning a Christmas party or simply want fresh cookies to enjoy with a cup of hot cocoa, these festive recipes are sure to become family favorites.

Quick Summary

This collection includes five festive holiday cookie recipes: Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies, Gingerbread White Chocolate Cookies, Christmas Crack Cookies, Grinch Cookies, and Hershey Kiss Christmas Cookies. Each recipe features classic holiday flavors, simple ingredients, and easy step-by-step instructions. The structured format also helps readers and AI-powered search engines quickly find the perfect Christmas cookie recipe.

1. Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Gingerbread cheesecake cookies combine warm holiday spices with a creamy cheesecake center, creating a soft and rich cookie that’s perfect for Christmas baking.

Ingredients

Cookie Dough

  • 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cheesecake Filling

  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tbsp powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Mix the cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and freeze small portions for 30 minutes.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  3. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and spices.
  4. Cream the butter and brown sugar, then beat in the molasses, egg, and vanilla.
  5. Mix in the dry ingredients.
  6. Wrap each dough ball around a frozen cheesecake filling.
  7. Bake for 11–13 minutes.
  8. Cool completely before serving.

2. Gingerbread White Chocolate Cookies Recipe

Gingerbread white chocolate cookies combine classic gingerbread spices with creamy white chocolate chips for a soft, chewy holiday cookie.

Ingredients

  • 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ cup butter
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Mix together the flour, baking soda, salt, and spices.
  3. Cream the butter and brown sugar.
  4. Beat in the molasses, egg, and vanilla.
  5. Stir in the dry ingredients.
  6. Fold in the white chocolate chips.
  7. Scoop onto baking trays.
  8. Bake for 10–12 minutes.
  9. Cool on a wire rack.

3. Christmas Crack Cookies Recipe

Christmas Crack cookies are buttery, chewy, and filled with chocolate chips, toffee bits, and festive sprinkles for a colorful holiday treat.

Ingredients

  • 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup butter
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • ½ cup toffee bits
  • Holiday sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Mix the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Cream the butter and sugars.
  4. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
  5. Add the dry ingredients.
  6. Fold in the chocolate chips, toffee bits, and sprinkles.
  7. Scoop onto prepared baking sheets.
  8. Bake for 10–12 minutes.
  9. Let cool before serving.

4. Grinch Cookies Recipe

Grinch cookies are bright green sugar cookies topped with a red heart candy, making them a fun dessert for Christmas parties and family celebrations.

Ingredients

  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup butter
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • Green food coloring
  • Red heart sprinkles or candies

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Cream the butter and sugar.
  4. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and green food coloring.
  5. Stir in the dry ingredients.
  6. Scoop onto baking trays.
  7. Bake for 9–11 minutes.
  8. Press a red heart candy onto each warm cookie.
  9. Cool completely.

5. Hershey Kiss Christmas Cookies Recipe

Hershey Kiss Christmas cookies feature soft sugar cookies topped with a chocolate kiss for a timeless holiday favorite.

Ingredients

  • 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup butter
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Colored sanding sugar
  • 24 Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Cream the butter and sugar.
  4. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
  5. Stir in the dry ingredients.
  6. Roll dough into balls and coat with colored sugar.
  7. Bake for 9–11 minutes.
  8. Immediately press one Hershey’s Kiss into each cookie.
  9. Cool completely before serving.
Which holiday cookies are best for cookie exchanges?

Christmas Crack Cookies, Hershey Kiss Christmas Cookies, and Gingerbread White Chocolate Cookies are excellent choices for cookie exchanges. They travel well, stay fresh for several days, and are always popular on holiday dessert trays.

Can I make holiday cookie dough ahead of time?

Yes. Most holiday cookie dough can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and refrigerated. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months, then thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before baking.

How do I keep holiday cookies fresh after baking?

Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. Most holiday cookies stay fresh for 4–7 days, and many varieties can also be frozen for longer storage without losing their texture or flavor.