25 Christmas Cookies: Unique Recipes To Bake This Year
Updated on March 13, 2023
If you’ve already started seeing the first snowflakes in your region, then it means that Christmas is closing in, so it’s time to get started on using your favorite oven trays and get started on baking those Christmas cookies that you’ve always been meaning to try.
Sure enough, Christmas cookies are something special, so if you want your guests to be munching down on something other than your typical chocolate chip cookies, you’re going to have to get creative with your recipes.
Of course, a little outside help wouldn’t hurt, and while we can’t bake the cookies for you, we can still help you out with some recipe ideas, and that’s precisely what today’s article will be showcasing, as we will be listing 25 unique Christmas cookie recipes that will make this Christmas ten times sweeter!
If you want a quick overview of what you’ll find below, here it is:
Best Unique Christmas Cookies Recipes
Before we start off our list, let’s look over the basics of what makes a great Christmas cookie:
- Christmas Cookie Decorating
When it comes to decorating Christmas cookies, there are some basic patterns that you can follow, but if you want more creative ideas on how to decorate your cookies, you’re going to have to come up with them yourself.
Why not start off by using the classic Christmas colors of red and green? You can also use white for your icing or just tone it down a bit and go for brown instead, and while we’re at it, don’t be afraid to get creative!
If this is your first time making Christmas cookies, then we recommend that you practice with simpler recipes before trying out something like stained glass or marbled sugar cookies.
To make decorating your cookies even simpler, you can use cookie cutters, and if you don’t want to make the frosting yourself, you can always buy some at your local supermarket.
- Christmas Cookie Icing Recipe
While the cookie can be considered the canvas, the icing is the paint with which you decorate it to give its stunning design.
By using different colors and consistencies, and even layering the icing in a certain order, you can end up turning a regular brown-colored cookie into a real masterpiece that will be the talk of the Christmas cookie party.
As for what icing is made of, the most basic recipe consists of powdered sugar, water, and food dye to give it a unique color.
The secret is to use lukewarm water, as using cold water will make the powdered sugar take much longer to dissolve, leaving you with small lumps in your icing.
Once you’ve got that right, just add a bit of vanilla extract to give it some flavor and that’s pretty much all there’s to it!
Best Christmas Cookies to Bake and Serve in 2021
While we’re on the subject of Christmas cookies, there really is no such thing as too many cookie recipes. After all, it wouldn’t be Christmas without some great new cookie recipes to try out for yourself and show off at the office party.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of 25 unique Christmas cookie recipes, so you can get started on cooking up something delicious in time for this year’s festivities.
Easy Christmas Cookies
Lots of our recipes are super easy to make, which means you’ll be able to make these delicious desserts in bulk. Let’s figure out some of these cool recipes.
1. Christmas Cookie Recipes – Iced Gingerbread Cookies
Topping off our list is one of those Christmas cookie recipes that you know are specifically made for this time of year simply because of the way they are decorated.
These iced gingerbread cookies not only look very festive, but they also taste amazing as well, embodying all of those classic Christmas flavors that you’re probably used to tasting by now, like cinnamon, gingerbread, and orange.
The recipe itself is pretty simple, but what will make these cookies truly stand out is their design, so you’ll definitely need to have some good cookie cutters standing ready, and you’ll also need to have a bit of talent when it comes to decorating with icing.
Of course, you don’t have to make intricate patterns like the ones displayed above if you can’t, but you can still make other fun designs as well, like snowmen or reindeer, as this will make the kids go crazy about your cookies!
If these cookies look and sound like something you’d definitely want to add to the menu, you’ll need to have the following ingredients prepared in your kitchen: butter, brown soft sugar, golden syrup, treacle, water, orange zest, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, baking soda, and some all-purpose flour.
As for the exact quantities and how you must prepare the ingredients, check out this dedicated article on how to bake iced gingerbread cookies!
2. Easy Christmas Cookies – Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
Sometimes we’re in dire need of some easy food and dessert recipes simply because we have no time on our hands to make them the old-fashion way, and if you’re in such a situation, then you should try these peanut butter no-back cookies.
Not only are they easy to make, but their taste and texture are amazing, especially if you’re the type that likes feeling different combinations at the same time, such as creamy and crispy at the same time.
The best part is that s far as ingredients are concerned, you probably already have them inside your house, so no need to do any grocery shopping just to make these cookies.
As such, you’ll need granulated sugar, a stick of butter, whole milk, vanilla extract, creamy peanut butter (you can also use the crunchy kind), some salt, and some quick-cooking oats and Rice Krispies to give the cookies their iconic crunchiness.
As you can tell from the name, these cookies require no baking, but you will require to keep them in the fridge for about an hour before you serve them, otherwise, you and your guests will end up with excessively sticky fingers.
More a complete step-by-step tutorial on how to make these cookies, check out this article since it contains exact ingredient quantities, the steps required to make the cookies, as well as a complete nutritional information chart for those that like to pay attention to their caloric intake.
3. Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipe – Peanut Butter Banana Breakfast Cookies
For many people, a good day starts off with a good breakfast, and if you want to have everyone start off the first day of Christmas with something incredibly delicious you can try out this Christmas sugar cookie recipe.
This peanut butter banana breakfast cookie doesn’t just taste amazing, but from a nutritional point of view, they are very satiating and will provide you with all the energy you need to then go and rip open all of those Christma presents hiding under the tree, especially if you pair them with a big glass of milk.
To make these cookies you’ll need some overripe bananas (if they’re brown, they’re perfect), creamy peanut butter, rolled oats, maple syrup, vanilla extract, salt, and some dark chocolate chunks or chips.
For those of you that would like some extra colors in their desserts, you could try M&Ms or Skittles instead of the chocolate chips, but keep in mind that this will make these cookies a lot more calorically dense.
If you like how these breakfast cookies sound, then check out this detailed tutorial on how to make peanut butter banana breakfast cookies, and you’ll see everything you need, from exact ingredient quantities to exact steps on how to mix and bake them all together.
4. Christmas Sugar Cookies – Coconut Lime Shortbread Cookies
If you’re not much of a big chocolate fan, but you like flavors that feel a lot more fresh and cooling, then these coconut lime shortbread cookies are exactly what you need in your life.
Sure enough, from a visual standpoint, these cookies may not look all that Christmasy, but the fact that it mixes in several different tropical aromas is precisely why we think that they are perfect, since not everyone is a fan of gingerbread or cinnamon.
To make them, you’ll need unsweetened desiccated coconut, granulated sugar, finely grated lime zest, some vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, and some cubbed butter.
As for decorations, you’re free to use any design you want, both in terms of icing as well as the shape of the cookie-cutter, just as long as you manage to make them look at least half as good as how they taste.
The cookies are a taste of paradise in the form of delicious, buttery, crumbly shortbread flecked with lime and coconut, topped with a tart lime glaze and a sprinkling of extra coconut to make them look attractive.
They’re almost too good to eat when you cut into them, but then again, that’s why you made them in the first place, and if you want to learn more, check out this dedicated article.
5. Unique Christmas Cookies – Keto Peanut Butter Cookies
Earlier in the article, we talked about creamy and crunchy peanut butter cookies, and if you were wondering if there’s any way you could enjoy a whole batch without having to feel guilty, then here’s the keto version of those cookies.
In short, the recipe is pretty much the same, but we used the traditional keto replacements instead of the regular ingredients: peanut butter, keto-friendly sweetener, and an egg.
The best part about this recipe is that all ingredients are part of the common household, so you don’t have to go shopping just to make these cookies, and since it takes about 20 minutes to make an entire batch, preparing for a last-minute Christmas party won’t be a problem.
However, keep in mind that peanut butter is the core ingredient of the entire recipe, so be careful what kind of brand you choose, or what kind of peanut butter you choose, since cookies made with creamy butter will turn out entirely different from the crunchy version.
More so, because of the nature of the ingredients, these cookies need to be constantly be kept chilled, otherwise, they get all melty, so once you’re done making them, go ahead and make enough room in the fridge, because the only time they’re not supposed to be kept in the cold is right before you eat them.
6. Christmas Cookie Recipes – Keto No-Bake Cookies with Chocolate, Almonds, and Coconut
If the previous entry managed to open your appetite for no-bake desserts, then here’s another Christmas cookie recipe that you’ll love: keto no-bake cookies with chocolate, almonds, and coconut.
They are the perfect mix of crunchy and creamy, and the combination between chocolate, almonds, and coconut is a classic one used in all kinds of fancy bonbons, so for most of your guests, these cookies will feel pleasantly familiar.
To make them, you’ll need butter (preferably almond butter), cocoa powder, powdered erythritol sweetener, vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, blanched almonds, and flaked coconuts.
Besides the almonds and coconuts, you can use any other nuts or dried fruits that are in your pantry, so by changing them according to your taste preferences you’ll make countless different kinds of no-bake cookies.
However, keep in mind that almonds are a pretty common allergen, so try asking your guests beforehand whether they have any food intolerances before you start baking these cookies.
7. Peppermint Cream Thumbprint Christmas Cookies
If you’re a fan of peppermint throughout the season, these thumbprint cookies – filled with peppermint cream – will be right up your alley. Don’t forget the powedered sugar sprinkle on top for a “snowy” accent. Beyond Frosting has the recipe.
8. Cinnamon Clove Coffee Cookies – Delicious Christmas Cookies
For more unique flavor pairings, check out this recipe from Katrina’s Kitchen. A combination of cinnamon, clove, and coffee will create just the right crunch for an afternoon pick-me-up on Christmas Eve. Don’t forget to leave a few for Santa!
9. Peppermint Chocolate Puddle Christmas Cookies
Puddle cookies may not sound super delicious, but their ooey gooey goodness will have you falling in love. Chocolate and peppermint are a yummy Christmas-time pairing. Hop on over to Food Doodlesto grab the recipe.
10. Santa’s Favorite Cookies – Festive Christmas Cookies
Are you wondering what Santa’s favorite cookies are? Well, if you visit Crazy for Crust you can snag the recipe. And here’s a clue, they include handfuls of M&M’s.
11. Candy Cane Monster Christmas Cookies
Monster cookies are known for being full of favorite additions – chocolate chips, nuts, and more. And these ones from Snapguidehave an extra addition – peppermint! Check out this fun recipe after the jump.
12. Melting Snowmen Cookies – Cute Christmas Cookies
Kitchen Meets Girl made some melting snowman cookies that capture our hearts too. They’re chocolatey and sweet – and topped off with a peanut butter cup too. The kiddos will want to help out with these, we’re such!
13. Double Chocolate Crinkle Cookies – Christmas Cookies You’ll Want
Red velvet crinkle cookies are really popular but there are some double chocolate ones that are mighty fine too. They’re perfect to give as gifts or bring to cookie swaps as well. Check out the recipe at Melanie Makes.
Traditional Christmas Cookies
We’re also going to dive into some Christmas cookie recipes that we consider to be more traditional, whether we’re talking about sugar Christmas cookies, or perhaps they involve gingerbread, or maybe chocolate. Let’s see some of these really delicious traditional Christmas cookies.
14. Best Christmas Cookies – Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cookies have always had a bad reputation of being bad for your waistline, and while that bad reputation is pretty justified, we’re here to showcase a few recipes that can actually be considered healthy, especially if you’re on a keto diet.
For example, these almond flour chocolate chip cookies have all the flavor of regular chocolate chip cookies, but with only a fraction of the calories that you’re normally used to, so go ahead and try them without thinking too much about gaining a few extra pounds.
The secret behind what makes these cookies a good keto dessert is the use of almond flour instead of regular wheat or all-purpose flour since this ingredient is where the bulk of the cookie’s gluten comes from.
The second secret of these cookies is that they have absolutely no added sugar, with monk fruit being the cookie’s only source of natural sweetness.
Sure enough, these cookies focus less on being sweet, and more on being very aromatic and full of flavor, all thanks to the use of coconut flour, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, almost milk, and coconut oil.
All in all, these are the type of cookies that you eat like a fine dessert, and not as an appetizer when everyone’s hungry, so regardless of what other foods you plan on serving, leave these almond flour chocolate chip cookies for last.
15. Best Christmas Cookie Recipes – Keto Shortbread Cookies
If you love the almond flour and the overall idea of eating healthier desserts, one of the best Christmas cookie recipes has to be this one for Keto shortbread cookies since they are one of those desserts that taste suspiciously good for a healthy snack.
As with the previous entry, the secret ingredient here is the use of almond flour instead of regular wheat flour along with erythritol, vanilla extract, and salt to give it its sweet, aromatic, and 100% sugar-free taste.
The cookies themselves are extremely easy to make, and you’re free to use the dark chocolate icing to decorate however you like, not just dipping a corner of the cookie in it.
Besides, you can shape the cookies using whatever cookie cutter shapes you’d like, although we recommend that you stick to Christmasy ones, like stars, reindeer, snowmen, and other such iconic symbols of Christmas.
So, if you love eating sweets, but hate feeling guilty about eating them when you look in the mirror, then these keto shortbread cookies are the ones that you need in your life.
16. Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes – Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies
Whenever you talk about cookies, the traditional chocolate chip ones are ones that most likely pop in your mind, and that’s understandable.
Well, these chocolate-filled goodies are now available in a keto version, and we went ahead and wrote an entire article that teaches you how to make your own keto chocolate chip cookies.
As with our other keto recipes, we went and replaced the regular flour with almond flour, and we used sweetener instead of sugar, maple syrup, or golden syrup, and the chocolate chips that we included are the sugar-free kind.
After you read the recipe, you’ll notice that great emphasis was put on making the cookies as aerated and light as possible, so that they feel almost as fluffy as macrons.
The best thing about these cookies is that they are just as good when served fresh as they are after a few days, because they are soft and moist when they are fresh from the oven, and they get all crunchy and delicious in about 2 days.
Besides, we recommend that you don’t eat the cookies alone and instead pair them up with a cup of tea or coffee, since they can get very sweet.
17. Italian Christmas Cookies
When you think of cookies, you think of bite-sized desserts that are either crunchy, or a mix between crunchy and soft, but never of something that’s soft to the point of being almost squishy.
Well, these Italian Christmas cookies are here to prove to you that when it comes to Christmas desserts, there are no rules, just as long as they taste good and your guests are enjoying themselves with every bite they take.
To make these cookies you’ll need some granulated sugar, unsalted butter, vanilla, and almond extract, eggs, flour, baking powder, and some salt.
Of course, the glazing is equally important, and the fact that it hardens into a softshell is what gives these Italian cookies their distinctive look and taste.
To make the glaze, you’ll need lots of powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, sprinkles for decorating, and maybe even some food dye if you want to make them look yummier than they already are.
The best part about these cookies is that you can bake them way ahead of time (up to a month), so you can go ahead and start baking right now since they’ll still be delicious when you’ll be serving them on Christmas.
18. Chili Chocolate Star Christmas Cookies
By Guldahllikes chocolate with a kick and that’s what these cookies have in store. They’re festive, they’ve delicious, and they’ll be the right surprise for your friends and family at this year’s cookie swap. Test your skills in the kitchen with this one.
19. Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Christmas Cookies
A bit of salt and caramel tastes great in a cup of hot chocolate so that means those flavors probably go well within a cookie to. Why not test it out? All you have to do is visita Beyond Frostingto snag the details.
20. Penguin Christmas Cookies
Delightful E Mademade some edible peguins that we’re swooning over. These are great for the kiddos to get involved with – but also a good recipe to whip up for school parties. You’ll be the most popular mom there if you bring these cuties along!
21. Chocolate Coconut Unique Christmas Cookies
A bit of “snow” on top of your cookie can’t steer you wrong throughout the holiday season either. With these chocolate and coconut drops you’ll get a classic flavor pair and a visual that fits too. Check them out at Cravings of a Lunatic.
22. Eggnog Christmas Cookies
Half Fulltook a love of eggnog and turned it into a treat the entire family will want to try. The icing on top isn’t something you’ll want to skip out on. Even if you’re not a fan of the traditional, holiday drink, you’ll want to taste these cookies!
23. Chocolate Covered Strawberry Trees Christmas Cookies
What do you get when you blend a cookie and a chocolate-covered strawberry? You get these fun, festive trees from Lovely Little Kitchen! These will be the highlight of the holidays!
24. Thumbprint Snowman Christmas Cookies
Thumbprint cookies are really popular throughout the holidays. But these snowmen take it to the next level. In Katrina’s Kitchenwill give you all the details behind their creation and their decoration.
25. Spicy Gingerbread Christmas Cookie Recipe
Smitten Kitchen took a slightly more traditional route and made gingerbread cookies. But, the twist here is the spicy addition and the fun snowflake shapes. Of course, you can add some extra sprinkles too.
More Christmas Cookies
Let’s take a quick look at a few things you can buy this year for Christmas, whether we’re talking about ready-made cookies you can pass as yours, or some cookies cutters you can use in your baking.
Christmas Cookie Cutters – Ann Clack Cookie Cutters
The difference between cookies and any other dessert that you can eat with your hands is that cookies can be given plenty of decorations and they can be shaped to look like a wide variety of things, so they look more appealing, especially for kids.
Well, unless you’re an expert at shaping dough or clay, you’ll need a set of quality cookies cutters to not only shape the cookies properly but also make them all look the same, and we recommend that you try this set of Ann Clark cookie cutters.
The set includes 11 different cookie cutters that you can use to create and make fun shapes with not just cookie dough, but other desserts like fondant, biscuits, brownies, cakes, or craft clay.
Not only that but these 11 cutters are shaped like some very iconic symbols of Christmas:
- Star
- Angel
- Mitten
- Sweater
- Reindeer
- Snowman
- Snowflake
- Candy cane
- Christmas tree
- Christmas light
- Gingerbread man
Besides the high-quality food-grade stainless steel, you’ll also receive a small booklet featuring some of the most popular cookie recipes
View price on AmazonBest Christmas Cookies – Royal Dansk Danish Butter Cookies
If you ever went visiting your relatives on Christmas Eve when you were little and they decided to serve you with very fancy cookies, most likely they would have given you those butter cookies that were stored in a big and brightly colored tin can.
Well, if you have fond memories munching down on those cookies and would like to try it again, few cookies taste as good as these Royal Dansk Danish butter cookies.
They’re crunchy, they’re delicious, and they go well with pretty much any warm Christmas beverage, from a warm glass of milk to a hot cup of cocoa.
Of course, if you’re the type that’s very careful with what they eat, you’ll be glad to know that these cookies are made using only the finest non-GMO ingredients.
Besides, if you have a knack for traditional recipes, know that these cookies are baked in Denmark, using the original trusted recipe, taking great care to respect the traditional Danish baking practices.
Lastly, once the cookies will be finished (they will be pretty quickly), you can reuse the tin can (we all grew up with a butter cookie tin can at home with sewing supplies in it).
View price on AmazonBest Christmas Cookie Recipes: Closing Thoughts
Despite the subject being so sweet and delicious, we’re sad to say that our article has come to an end, but we hope that at least one of our 25 Christmas cookie recipes managed to strike a chord with your taste buds.
We tried choosing recipes that were both tasty and easy to make, as well as a few healthier choices, since we know how easy it is to eat a bit too much during holidays, especially the winter holidays.
Anyway, we hope that this list will help you get started on a happy and yummy Christmas cookies baking experience this year, so if you’re looking for more Christmas food recipes other than cookies, check out our other Christmas-themed articles, since we’ve written plenty of them!
Not only that, but you can help us by leaving your feedback and some extra recipe suggestions in the comments section below, and we’ll be sure to update the article in no time!
Have fun baking and Merry Christmas!