28 Christmas Cookies and Bar Recipes
Gather your baking sheets and get ready for the holidays with this festive collection of 28 Christmas cookies and bar recipes. From classic Christmas cookies to creative new twists, you’re sure to find the perfect treat to sweeten your festivities.
The best part? Every single recipe in this list is a breeze, with many calling for simple pantry staples. For those busy days, several are no-bake wonders, allowing you to create delicious treats without ever turning on your oven.
They’re perfect for gifting to friends and family, taking to a cookie exchange, or simply stocking your freezer to enjoy all season long!
Christmas Cookies You’ll Want To Make This Holiday
Turn ordinary cookies into gourmet holiday treats with easy additions and decorations. Here are my some of my favorites:
Christmas Crack Cookies
Christmas Crack Cookies are no ordinary cookies! They’re so irresistibly simple, requiring only three magical layers – a buttery Ritz cracker, homemade toffee, and a decadent layer of melted chocolate. They deliver an unforgettable crunch and the perfect salty-sweet balance that will keep you coming back for more!
Find the full recipe for these Christmas Crack Cookies here.
Chocolate Chip Crinkle Cookies
When you can’t choose between two classic cookies, give these irresistible chocolate chip crinkle cookies a try! They’re soft and chewy, featuring a classic cracked, snowy surface – loaded with gooey chocolate chips and warm spices.
Check out these Chocolate Chip Crinkle Cookies here.
The Best Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe
These Snickerdoodle cookies are perfectly soft in the middle with slightly crunchy edges and a sweet cinnamon-sugar coating. Have them assembled, baked, and ready to enjoy in about 30 minutes. So easy, so delicious!
Find the Best Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe here.
Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
This delicious recipe delivers a true classic – chewy, cozy, and packed with pockets of melty chocolate. For an extra-special touch, sprinkle your warm cookies with a bit of flake salt to take them to the next level.
Read more about these Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies here.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies
These peanut butter cookies are a scrumptious family favorite with a miniature Reese’s peanut butter cup in the center. Baked in a muffin tin, they are a popular and fun cookie treat for holidays or whenever you get those peanut butter and chocolate cravings!
Find these Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies here.
Traditional Italian Christmas Cookies (Ricotta Cookies)
Melt-in-your-mouth texture meets festive, joyful elegance in every bite of these Traditional Italian Christmas Cookies. These almond-flavored ricotta cheese cookies are topped with a luxurious vanilla and almond butter frosting and decorated with festive colored sprinkles.
Follow this Traditional Italian Christmas Cookies recipe here.
Peanut Butter Nutella Chocolate Cookies
Peanut Butter Nutella Chocolate Cookies are an amazing chocolate chip cookie recipe served warm with a pinch of flake salt.
Find the full Peanut Butter Nutella Chocolate Cookies recipe here.
Russian Tea Cakes with Maple
Known by many names like snowball cookies, these simple, nutty, melt-in-your-mouth treats are rolled in powdered sugar and make a pretty addition for cookie exchange parties or your Christmas dessert boards. The inclusion of maple syrup offers a uniquely delicious holiday flavor that’ll make you come back for more!
Discover the full Russian Tea Cakes with Maple recipe here.
Brookie Cookie
Can’t choose between a brownie and a cookie? Now you don’t have to! A “brookie” combines fudgy brownie dough with chewy chocolate chip cookie dough, swirled together and baked to perfection. It’s the ultimate cookie dessert if you’re looking for something a little different this holiday.
Read more about this Brookie Cookie recipe here.
Key Lime Cookies
Forget lemons; key limes have a distinct and delicious flavor, and in these Key Lime Cookies, it’s amazing! A little tangy, a little nutty, and just sweet enough, these cookies are just like “key lime pie” cookies, finished with a key lime glaze that puts them over the top!
See the Key Lime Cookies here.
Pumpkin White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pumpkin white chocolate chip cookies are the perfect soft cookie for the fall and holidays. They’re packed with cozy pumpkin flavor and sweet white chocolate chips. Make them ahead to freeze or serve warm straight from the oven.
Follow this Pumpkin White Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe here.
No-Bake Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
Satisfy your dark chocolate craving with these healthy, not-too-sweet cookies. They’re easy to freeze, so you can pull one out whenever you need a delicious treat. Full of good fiber, creamy peanut butter, and decadent dark chocolate – what more could you want?!
Get the No-Bake Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies recipe here.
M and M Christmas Cookies
These incredibly chunky M&M Christmas cookies are made with whole wheat flour for a healthier holiday version. The red and green candies provide a pop of bright festive color and delicious chocolate flavor in every bite. They also make cute gifts!
Find the full M and M Christmas Cookies recipe here.
Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe
Similar to the Russian tea cake cookies, these buttery, nutty cookies are rolled in powdered sugar for that “snowball” effect – extremely popular for Cinco de Mayo and Christmas. This version doesn’t call for maple syrup, making the ingredient list even shorter and a breeze to whip up ahead of time.
Find the full Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe here.
Christmas Frosted Sugar Cookies
These homemade cookies have crispy edges, slightly soft middles, and a delightful hint of orange zest. Use your favorite cookie cutters and have fun decorating each one with the kids as an exciting baking activity this holiday.
Make these Christmas Frosted Sugar Cookies here.
Brownie Crinkle Cookies with Dates
These rich, fudgy cookies have the crackled top of a classic crinkle cookie and are made from scratch with chopped dates for a decadent brownie-like flavor that melts in your mouth.
Find the full Brownie Crinkle Cookies with Dates recipe here.
Coconut Macaroon Cookies with Pecans
These macaroon cookies are sweet with warm cinnamon and an irresistible nutty texture. They’re golden and crispy on the outside while remaining moist and gooey inside. These cookies are not overly sweet, making them an ideal treat for those who prefer a break from richly sweet holiday treats.
Grab the full Coconut Macaroon Cookies with Pecans recipe here.
Chocolate Chip Toasted Coconut Cookies
Give your chocolate chip cookies a twist this holiday with toasted coconut for a buttery and browned nutty flavor. They’re crisp on the edges, chewy in the center, and full of creamy chocolate pockets.
Grab the recipe for these Chocolate Chip Toasted Coconut Cookies here.
Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies
Light up your holiday celebrations with these rich, soft chocolate cookies covered in colorful sprinkles. They’re a merry treat that’s as fun to make as they are delicious to eat and to share.
Find the full Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies recipe here.
Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies
You can’t go through the holidays without making a batch of thumbprint cookies! An easy and fun holiday recipe, these peanut butter cookies are rolled in crushed peanuts and filled with a dab of chocolate ganache. It’s an effortless way to turn ordinary peanut butter cookies into gourmet holiday treats!
Follow the recipe for these Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies here.
Christmas Dessert Bars
For a delightful twist on the classic holiday cookie tray, don’t overlook these irresistible Christmas dessert bars. Offering generous, chewy servings in every square, many start with or are inspired by a simple cookie batter, making them an easy yet impressive holiday treat.
Gluten Free Peppermint Brownies
Brownies are the ultimate dessert bars and today, they’re getting a holiday makeover with peppermint extract and a sprinkle of crushed peppermint or candy canes. Even better – these peppermint brownies are dairy-free and gluten-free, making them suitable for everyone to enjoy.
Find the full Gluten Free Peppermint Brownies recipe here.
White Chocolate Pistachio Cookie Bars
These salty and sweet blondie-like bars are a great recipe to have on hand for last-minute company over the holidays. Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla or pistachio ice cream.
Check out the full White Chocolate Pistachio Cookie Bars recipe here.
Nutella Fondue Dessert Board
A delicious Nutella Fondue Dip Dessert Board, make your own fondue dip, and serve with your favorite fall—Halloween, Harvest, Thanksgiving—treats.
Find the full Nutella Fondue Dessert Board recipe here.
Apple Butter Oatmeal Bars Recipe
The perfect fall and winter dessert, these apple butter oatmeal bars are delicious served warm with ice cream or a fresh dollop of cinnamon whipped cream. They’re also easy handheld treats to pack for picnics or as lunchbox fillers.
Get the full Apple Butter Oatmeal Bars Recipe here.
White Chocolate Cranberry Blondies
Indulge in the perfect holiday treat with these white chocolate cranberry blondies, featuring a chewy, orange-infused base packed with tart cranberries and melty pockets of white chocolate. Topped with a white chocolate cream cheese frosting and a festive sprinkle of dried cranberries, this elegant dessert can be assembled for any celebration from Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day!
Follow the recipe for White Chocolate Cranberry Blondies here.
Toll House Cookie Bars
Transform the classic chocolate chip cookie recipe into easy, chewy dessert bars. I’ve added a dash of almond extract into the batter for extra depth of flavor and a delicious holiday twist. The versatility of this recipe means that you can easily switch between making cookies and bars depending on your preference. They also make a tasty topping, crumbled over a bowl of ice cream!
See the Toll House Cookie Bars recipe here.
Cranberry Cheesecake Bars
With a crumbly topping and sweet-tangy cranberry cheesecake filling, these easy-to-make bars are a show-stopping dessert that everyone loves for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Find these Cranberry Cheesecake Bars here.
Toasted Coconut Magic Bars
This ultimate party treat features a graham cracker crust layered with chocolate, toasted walnuts, and toasted coconut, all bound together with sweetened condensed milk. Toasting the coconut and walnuts is the secret to their incredible, nutty flavor. A must-make for the holiday season!
Check out this Toasted Coconut Magic Bars recipe here.
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
