Sweeten Your Christmas with These 6 Irresistible Holiday Cookies!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—and what better way to spread holiday cheer than by baking a batch of delightful Christmas cookies? Get ready to turn your kitchen into Santa’s little bakery with these six mouthwatering holiday cookie recipes. From classic flavors to creative new twists, these treats are guaranteed to make your Christmas celebrations extra sweet. Grab your mixing bowl and let’s get this dough on the road!

M&M Christmas Cookies

Brighten up your holiday cookie platter with these colorful M&M Christmas Cookies from I heart Naptime. They’re soft, chewy, and loaded with festive red and green M&Ms, making them a fun and delicious treat for all ages.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup red and green M&Ms
• Festive sprinkles

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet mixture, mixing until combined.
5. Fold in the chocolate chips and M&Ms.
6. Chill the dough for 15-30 minutes to prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
7. Scoop the dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Press a few extra M&Ms on top of each cookie and add sprinkles if desired.
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the tops are just golden.
9. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a couple of minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Quick Tip: Chilling the dough helps the cookies maintain their shape and texture, resulting in the perfect soft and chewy Christmas cookies.

Cactus Butter Cookies

Give your holiday cookies a unique twist with these adorable Cactus Butter Cookies. They bring a touch of whimsy to your Christmas celebrations and are as delightful to look at as they are to eat. Here’s a recipe from Spoon Fork Bacon:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup superfine sugar
• 3 1/2 tbsp whole milk
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Royal Icing:

• 3 large egg whites
• 4-4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• Green food coloring
• Red/pink food coloring
• Yellow sprinkles

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the milk, egg, and vanilla, mixing well.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
5. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
6. Roll out one disc of dough on a floured surface to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use a cactus-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the cookies.
7. Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 7-9 minutes, until the edges are just beginning to brown.
8. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.

Decorating:

1. Prepare the royal icing by beating the egg whites until frothy, then gradually adding the powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
2. Divide the icing into three bowls, coloring two bowls green and one red/pink.
3. Pipe a border of green icing around each cactus cookie and allow to dry.
4. Thin the remaining green icing with water and flood each cookie, using a toothpick to pop any air bubbles.
5. Once dry, pipe additional details with the remaining green icing and add a small red/pink “flower” with a yellow sprinkle in the center.

Quick Tip: These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week, making them perfect for holiday gifting or decorating in advance.

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Nothing screams “holiday cheer” quite like these vibrant Christmas Pinwheel Cookies. Their eye-catching red and green spirals are sure to make them the star of your cookie spread.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• Red and green food coloring
• Sprinkles

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a stand mixer, cream the butter until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing just until combined.
5. Divide the dough in half. Color one half with red food coloring and the other half with green food coloring.
6. Roll each portion of dough between sheets of wax paper to about 1/8 inch thick. Layer the red dough on top of the green dough, trim the edges, and roll into a tight log.
7. Wrap the log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
8. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
9. Slice the dough into 1/4 inch rounds and roll the edges in sprinkles.
10. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 9-11 minutes, until just set.

Quick Tip: Rolling the dough log every 20 minutes while chilling helps maintain its round shape, ensuring perfectly round pinwheel cookies.

Peppermint Blossom Cookies

Adding a bit of sweetness to your tree has never been easier with these delightful Peppermint Blossom Cookies. This recipe from 365 Days of Baking and More combines the refreshing taste of peppermint with the classic cookie texture, creating a festive treat that’s both delicious and decorative.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon pure peppermint extract
• 1 tablespoon whole milk
• 1 ¼ cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 10-ounce bag Hershey’s peppermint kisses
• Green and red colored sugars
• Red, green, and white nonpareils

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Kisses: Unwrap 36 peppermint kisses and place them in a bowl in the freezer. This helps them hold their shape when added to the warm cookies.
2. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, using an electric mixer.
4. Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg, peppermint extract, and milk until well combined.
5. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. Shape the Cookies: Using tablespoons of dough, roll the dough into balls.
7. Decorate the Cookies: Roll each ball in either the colored sugars or the nonpareils to coat them fully.
8. Bake the Cookies: Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 12 minutes until the cookies are just starting to set.
9. Add the Kisses: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute. Then, place a frozen peppermint kiss into the center of each cookie. Transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely and set.

These cookies are not only delicious but also add a whimsical touch to your holiday decor, making them a perfect addition to your Christmas tree or dessert table.

Grinch Cookies

These Grinch Cookies are perfect for adding a playful touch to your Christmas cookie lineup. With their bright green hue and heart-shaped sprinkles, they’re a whimsical nod to a holiday classic.

Ingredients:

• 1 box white cake mix
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 tsp peppermint or mint extract
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Green gel food coloring
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• Red heart-shaped sprinkles

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, butter, and eggs until well combined.
3. Add the extracts and food coloring, mixing until the dough is a uniform green color.
4. In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar and cornstarch.
5. Scoop the dough into balls and roll them in the powdered sugar mixture.
6. Place the dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set and the tops are dry.
8. Immediately press a heart-shaped sprinkle into the center of each cookie.
9. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Quick Tip: These cookies are a fun activity for kids to help with, especially rolling the dough balls and adding the heart sprinkles.

Beach-Mas Cookies

Combine the festive charm of Christmas with a touch of summer fun with these Beach-Mas Cookies. Shaped like Christmas trees and decorated with waves and seashells, they bring a sunny twist to your holiday treats.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Blue food coloring
• White and gold sprinkles

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet mixture, mixing until combined.
5. Divide the dough and tint one portion blue with food coloring.
6. Roll out the dough on a floured surface and use Christmas tree and seashell cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
7. Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are lightly browned.
8. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
9. Decorate with white and gold sprinkles to create waves and sandy accents.

Quick Tip: These cookies are perfect for adding a touch of

Sweet Treats to Jingle Your Taste Buds!

Now that you have five irresistible Christmas cookie recipes in your holiday baking arsenal, it’s time to fire up the oven and get baking! Whether you’re sharing these cookies with loved ones or keeping them all to yourself (we won’t judge), these sweet treats are sure to make your holiday season extra festive. So, put on your favorite holiday tunes, pour yourself a cup of cocoa, and enjoy the magic of homemade Christmas cookies. Happy baking and Merry Christmas!