27 Festive Christmas Cookies That Keep Spirits High and Plates Empty

Choosing from 27 festive Christmas cookies brings extra fun to holiday gatherings year after year. Everyone loves seeing a platter filled with sweet treats when friends or family get together. Passing the cookie plate always seems to spark stories and a few laughs. Sharing cookies is an easy way to lift everyone’s spirits this season.

Eggnog sugar cookies on a plate with santa claus figurines.
Eggnog Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Butter Pecan Cookies

A hand holds a bitten Butter Pecan Cookie topped with a pecan and chopped nuts, with a blurred background.
Butter Pecan Cookies. Photo credit: The Bite Stuff.

The holiday season kicks off with the rich, nutty aroma of these Butter Pecan Cookies cooling on the counter. Buttery goodness melts together with toasted pecans, making these cookies disappear as fast as you serve them. With every bite, laughter, and conversation feels a little cozier. No plate stays full for long once this Christmas classic enters the rotation.
Get the Recipe: Butter Pecan Cookies

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

A plate of chocolate cookies topped with white icing and green sprinkles. A red and white striped cloth is in the background.
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cookies. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Adding a wintry twist to dessert time, these Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cookies brighten even the grayest December day. Deep chocolate richness pairs perfectly with a cool peppermint snap, creating a bite that truly surprises. People always comment on the unexpected combo and quickly reach for seconds. Keeping spirits high feels effortless with treats like this.
Get the Recipe: Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

The Backyard Table

An e-book titled "The Backyard Table: Recipes for Summer Cookouts" by Chef Jenn Allen is displayed on a tablet, featuring a bowl of potato salad on the cover.

Get it NOW and level up your outdoor dining! The Backyard Table - Recipes for Summer Cookouts features 34 of Chef Jenn's BEST recipes for outdoor eating and entertaining.

You'll get ad-free recipes like:

  • Grilled Corn Guacamole
  • Grilled French Onion Burgers
  • Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
  • Blueberry Grunt
  • and so many more!

Every recipe is created, tested and loved by Chef Jenn and her family - there's no AI here!

Get it now, at a special introductory price of $7.99. That's over 50 pages of foodie love at your fingertips!

Buy Now!

Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies

A white plate with seven Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies on a marble surface, surrounded by a cup of coffee, a spoon, a bowl of nut butter, oats, and a striped cloth.
Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies. Photo credit: The Bite Stuff.

Cookie swaps become extra memorable when you include this Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies recipe in the mix. Creamy peanut butter and sweet chocolate make for chewy bites that work for kids and adults alike. No oven required means you can whip up another batch if the first plate vanishes. Every time someone reaches for “just one more,” you know you picked a winner.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies

Hot Cocoa Cookies

A close-up of a cocoa chip cookie with white and dark chocolate chunks resting on a black cooling rack.
Hot Cocoa Cookies. Photo credit: The Bite Stuff.

Holiday gatherings come alive once this Hot Cocoa Cookies plate appears next to mugs of cocoa and cider. Marshmallow bits peeking through soft chocolate create pure winter comfort. There’s an excitement watching friends sneak another, unwilling to share with anyone else. Cookies that double down on nostalgia make every Christmas feel extra special.
Get the Recipe: Hot Cocoa Cookies

Ginger Spice Cookies

A plate of Spiced Ginger Cookies and a cup of tea.
Ginger Spice Cookies. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Evenings by the fire are best enjoyed with warm mugs and these Ginger Spice Cookies on your holiday tray. Spicy, soft, and fragrant, each bite feels like a burst of Christmas morning. Citrus notes add a playful spark that stands out from typical cookie tins. People come back until the last crumb is gone, always asking for the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Ginger Spice Cookies

Double Chocolate Brookies

A plate of chocolate cookies with walnuts and chocolate pieces on the side.
Double Chocolate Brookies. Photo credit: Bake What You Love.

Chocolate lovers cheer when these Double Chocolate Brookies arrive under the tree or on a cookie swap platter. Layers of brownie and cookie collide, bringing rich, chewy texture in every square. Trying to stop at one takes real willpower, since one taste leads to another. Chocolaty favorites like this rarely last longer than a few hours.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Brookies

Cookie Butter Cake Balls

Six Cookie Butter Cake Balls on a slate tray.
Cookie Butter Cake Balls. Photo credit: Bake What You Love.

Dessert tables get more colorful and fun when you roll out these Cookie Butter Cake Balls during your celebrations. Each bite delivers a mix of spice and sweetness that’s made for festive snacking. Folks always hover for another handful, and these cake balls tend to vanish before the party ends. Kids and adults both find reasons to come back for more.
Get the Recipe: Cookie Butter Cake Balls

Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

A hand holding a partially eaten Cranberry chocolate chip cookie in focus, with a blurred background.
Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Offering a tart surprise, this Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe draws “what’s in these?” questions all night long. Dried cranberries meet melty chocolate for a batch that balances sweet and tangy just right. Cookie tins never stay full, as everyone tries for one last nibble before heading home. These quickly find a place among holiday traditions.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Church Window Cookies

A hand holding a piece of Church Window Cookies, with more pieces blurred in the background.
Church Window Cookies. Photo credit: Bake What You Love.

Stained glass colors catch everyone’s eye when you serve these Church Window Cookies at festive get-togethers. Mini marshmallows and chocolate turn every slice into a piece of edible art. They look impressive yet disappear just as quickly as classic cookies. Dishes like this keep the party bright and plates constantly empty.
Get the Recipe: Church Window Cookies

Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

A slice of chocolate chip skillet cookie topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream sits on a white plate with a spoon.
Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie. Photo credit: Bake What You Love.

Sharing dessert just feels right when you pull this Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie straight out of the oven for everyone to enjoy. A thick, warm cookie invites folks to spoon out their perfect portion while laughter fills the kitchen. Melting chocolate sections have a way of making conversations linger. These Christmas gatherings often become the highlight of people’s winter memories.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

Peanut Butter & Jelly Thumbprint Cookies

A close-up of peanut butter thumbprint cookies filled with red jelly.
Peanut Butter & Jelly Thumbprint Cookies. Photo credit: Bake What You Love.

Nostalgic flavors shine in these Peanut Butter & Jelly Thumbprint Cookies arranged for your gift exchange. The playful thumbprint, filled with vibrant jam, brings out kid-like excitement from all ages. Cookies disappear long before wrapping paper hits the floor. You might find a new family favorite after just one batch.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter & Jelly Thumbprint Cookies

White Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

A jar of White Chocolate Crinkle Cookies next to lavender flowers.
White Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Icing sugar turns into snowy magic on this White Chocolate Crinkle Cookies tray, providing a winter wonderland on your dessert table. Cracks on top reveal a perfectly soft, rich cookie hidden beneath the delicate coating. Some folks look for frosting, but one bite usually wins them over. All year, people ask if these can make a comeback outside the holidays.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Peppermint Crunch Oreos

A hand holds a Peppermint Crunch Oreo with a bite taken out, with more cookies on a plate in the background.
Peppermint Crunch Oreos. Photo credit: Bake What You Love.

Any cookie platter gets a burst of holiday spirit with these Peppermint Crunch Oreos dressed up in candy cane cheer. Chocolate cookies deliver just the right snap while peppermint bits add a festive sparkle. Parties become a little brighter and kids love the crunch in every bite. Plates holding these Oreos are never set down for long.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Crunch Oreos

Chocolate Caramel Cookies

Chocolate Caramel Cookies with frosting, caramel drizzle, and chopped nuts on a white marble surface.
Chocolate Caramel Cookies. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Warm up chilly nights with this Chocolate Caramel Cookies batch where gooey richness keeps everyone returning for another taste. Velvety chocolate wraps around the soft caramel middle, making each bite deeply memorable. Cookies vanish as quickly as they get plated, often drawing requests for another round. There’s always someone hoping for a secret stash after the party winds down.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Caramel Cookies

Crumbl Copycat Buckeye Brownie Cookies

A plate with several Crumbl Copycat Buckeye Brownie cookies topped with a layer of peanut butter and a swirl of chocolate frosting.
Crumbl Copycat Buckeye Brownie Cookies. Photo credit: Bake What You Love.

Game day or tree-trimming, these Crumbl Copycat Buckeye Brownie Cookies manage to impress on any festive occasion. Chocolate-rich bottom layers give way to a creamy peanut butter middle, striking that famous buckeye balance. Anyone who loves peanut butter or brownies claims these before anything else. The biggest struggle is saving a few for the next day.
Get the Recipe: Crumbl Copycat Buckeye Brownie Cookies

Chocolate Gingerbread Men Cookies

Gingerbread cookies with candy canes on a table.
Chocolate Gingerbread Men Cookies. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Classic gingerbread gets a new makeover with this Chocolate Gingerbread Men Cookies recipe for cookie swaps or decorating parties. Cocoa gives every bite a deep, cozy twist while spicy notes still shine through. Kids love the decorating, but adults come back for the flavor. Holiday plates look more fun and fill up with these little chocolate men.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Gingerbread Men Cookies

Peanut Butter and Date Chocolate Bark

A stack of Peanut Butter and Date Chocolate Bark pieces sits on a wooden board.
Peanut Butter and Date Chocolate Bark. Photo credit: Bake What You Love.

Smart hosts reserve a spot for this Peanut Butter and Date Chocolate Bark during busy holiday weeks. Layers of chocolate and peanut butter hide pops of sweetness from dates, keeping snacking interesting. Friends can’t quite pin down all the flavors but reach for more anyway. The textured contrast makes this bark a conversation starter at any Christmas party.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter and Date Chocolate Bark

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies on a slate.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Classic comfort takes the lead with these Oatmeal Raisin Cookies still warm from the oven and passed around the table. Chewy yet soft, the combination of oats and sweet raisins makes these a holiday must-share. Cookie enthusiasts circle back for seconds before breakfast is cleared the next day. Every bite brings a quiet reminder of simpler holiday moments.
Get the Recipe: Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Chocolate Overload Cookies

Chocolate overload cookies on a white plate.
Chocolate Overload Cookies. Photo credit: Bake What You Love.

Plates empty quickly once the first batch of Chocolate Overload Cookies cools on the counter at a December gathering. Several forms of chocolate in one recipe appeal to even the most serious cocoa fans. Bold flavor keeps snackers hovering near the tray all evening. Not a single crumb is left by the end of the night.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Overload Cookies

Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies

Peanut butter cookies with a face made of pretzels and dried cranberries to look like a reindeer.
Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Whimsical treats like this Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies recipe turn a cookie platter into a centerpiece at any kids’ party. Playful antlers and smiling faces capture everyone’s attention before the first bite. Combining rich peanut flavor with decorative fun makes baking feel like an event. Sharing these cookies leaves a trail of giggles and empty plates throughout the house.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies

Bourbon Balls with White Chocolate

Bourbon balls with white chocolate and powdered sugar
Bourbon Balls with White Chocolate. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Holiday cheer gets a grown-up twist when you pass around these Bourbon Balls with White Chocolate at your next gathering. Sweetness from chocolate pairs with a gentle bourbon warmth, sparking toasts and stories as hands reach for more. Small bites mean no one can stop at just one. Laughter flows easier as these become the unofficial party favorite.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Balls with White Chocolate

Salted Caramel Brown Butter Snickerdoodles

Three brown butter snickerdoodle cookies arranged on a white surface, sprinkled with sea salt flakes, with a white cloth and purple flowers on the side.
Salted Caramel Brown Butter Snickerdoodles. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

A modern spin on a classic favorite, this Salted Caramel Brown Butter Snickerdoodles recipe layers in rich, cozy flavors. Browned butter and gooey caramel add warmth, while a sprinkle of salt keeps each bite playful. Cookies like these taste just right next to mugs of spiced punch or cider. By the end of the party, these snickerdoodles are just a memory.
Get the Recipe: Salted Caramel Brown Butter Snickerdoodles

Cookie Frosted Chocolate Chip Cookies

Frosted chocolate chip cookie cookies on a wooden cutting board.
Cookie Frosted Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Frosted treats always win hearts, especially with this Cookie Frosted Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe at the front of the dessert line. Melted chocolate chips in the base blend with sweet icing swirls for a double-whammy holiday treat. Frosting-lovers and cookie fans find common ground, returning time after time. Plates don’t stay full when cookies look and taste this tempting.
Get the Recipe: Cookie Frosted Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pecan Butter Balls

Top-down shot of seven pecan butter balls on a black plate.
Pecan Butter Balls. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Tiny snowballs of tradition show up every holiday in the shape of these Pecan Butter Balls dusted with sugar. Melt-in-your-mouth magic happens the second you bite in, and suddenly the plate is empty again. Sharing these cookies makes the kitchen smell like Christmas morning. Soft, nutty flavor brings everyone back for “just one more.”
Get the Recipe: Pecan Butter Balls

Salted Dark Chocolate Cookies

A close-up of a large chocolate cookie sprinkled with coarse salt, placed on a decorative plate with pink rose patterns.
Salted Dark Chocolate Cookies. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Deep chocolate taste meets a sprinkle of salt in this Salted Dark Chocolate Cookies recipe for grown-up parties or cozy nights in. The balance of bitter and sweet keeps things interesting and the conversation lively. Cookies often disappear while people insist on tracking down the recipe. There’s something about a little salt that keeps everyone reaching for another.
Get the Recipe: Salted Dark Chocolate Cookies

New Years Eve Cookies

A group of cookies decorated with icing and different shapes of candy sprinkles.
New Years Eve Cookies. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Counting down the last moments of the year is sweeter with this New Years Eve Cookies batch on your party tray. Glittery sprinkles and candy surprises show up in every bite, setting the tone for a festive send-off. Laughter bubbles over as friends snap photos and toast with cookies in hand. No matter your resolution, these treats start the year with big smiles.
Get the Recipe: New Years Eve Cookies

Eggnog Sugar Cookies

Eggnog sugar cookies on a plate with santa claus figurines.
Eggnog Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

A timeless favorite gets a seasonal update in these Eggnog Sugar Cookies dusted with spice. The creamy, rich dough pairs perfectly with a cup of nog or coffee at your next Christmas party. Holiday nostalgia seems to grow a little stronger each time you enjoy one. Cookie tins never stay full when eggnog shows up in dessert form.
Get the Recipe: Eggnog Sugar Cookies

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *