The holidays are all about family, fun, and, of course, baking! If you’re looking for some easy and tasty Christmas cookie recipes, you’re in the right place. These 11 recipes are simple to follow, perfect for gift-giving, and fun for kids to help with. Whether you’re decorating with royal icing or making gluten-free treats, there’s something here for everyone. Let’s get baking!
1. Easy Decorated Sugar Cookies
These soft sugar cookies are perfect for decorating. They’re simple to make, and the royal icing adds the perfect finishing touch. Great for kids to decorate during the holidays
Ingredients:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Royal icing for decorating
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Beat butter and sugar until smooth.
- Add egg and vanilla, then mix in flour.
- Roll dough, cut shapes, and bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Cool and decorate with royal icing.
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2. Best Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies
These gingerbread cookies have all the spices you love but are made without gluten. They’re perfect for anyone with a gluten sensitivity and taste just as good as the classic ones.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups gluten-free flour
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix butter, sugar, molasses, and egg.
- Slowly add dry ingredients to form dough.
- Roll dough, cut shapes, and bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Let cool before decorating.
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3. Cake Mix Christmas Cookies
If you’re in a rush, cake mix cookies are your best friend. These are so easy to make, and they turn out soft and chewy every time.
Ingredients:
- 1 box white cake mix
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup sprinkles
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix cake mix, oil, and egg.
- Scoop dough onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Cool and decorate with sprinkles.
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4. Soft Sugar Cookie Bites
These little sugar cookies are perfect for food gifts or adding to your holiday cookie box. They bake up soft and are easy to store and share.
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Beat butter and sugar until light.
- Add egg and vanilla, then mix in flour.
- Scoop small portions and bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Cool and pack into boxes for gifts.
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5. Royal Icing Decorated Snowflake Cookies
These snowflake-shaped cookies look great on a holiday table. They’re simple to make, and the royal icing adds a fun touch for those who enjoy decorating.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Royal icing for decorating
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Beat butter and sugar together.
- Add egg and vanilla, then mix in flour.
- Roll dough and cut out snowflake shapes.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, cool, and decorate with icing.
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6. Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies
These cookies have a sweet chocolate base with peppermint crunch. It’s the perfect holiday combo that everyone will love.
Ingredients:
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix cake mix, oil, and egg.
- Stir in crushed peppermint and chocolate chips.
- Scoop dough onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, then let cool.
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7. Small Cinnamon Sugar Stars
These small cookies are soft and rolled in cinnamon sugar. They bake quickly and are perfect for making a big batch for holiday parties or gifts.
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 egg
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Beat butter and sugar together.
- Add egg and cinnamon, then mix in flour.
- Roll dough into small balls and flatten.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
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8. Frosting-Topped Red Velvet Cookies
These red velvet cookies are soft and topped with a creamy frosting. They’re perfect for a festive touch at any holiday gathering.
Ingredients:
- 1 box red velvet cake mix
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup cream cheese frosting
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix cake mix, egg, and oil together.
- Scoop dough onto a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Let cool, then top with frosting.
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9. Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies
These cookies are full of colorful sprinkles and make the holidays even more fun. They’re easy to make and loved by both kids and adults.
Ingredients:
- 1 box vanilla cake mix
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix cake mix, oil, and egg together.
- Roll dough into balls and coat in sprinkles.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes and let cool.
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10. Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies
These buttery shortbread cookies with chocolate chips are perfect for the holidays. They melt in your mouth and are easy to make.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Beat together butter, sugar, and flour.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Scoop dough onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
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11. Cake Mix Sugar Cookies
These sugar cookies are made from cake mix, so they come together super quickly. They bake up soft and are perfect for when you need a fast treat.
Ingredients:
- 1 box sugar cake mix
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix cake mix, butter, and egg together.
- Roll dough into balls and coat in powdered sugar.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes and let cool.
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With these 11 Christmas cookie recipes, you’ll have a treat for every occasion—whether it’s decorating with kids, sending food gifts, or making something special for your holiday table. Grab your ingredients and start baking! Happy Holidays!