23 Christmas Cookies To Make You the Champion of Sugar and Spice

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23 Christmas Cookies To Make You the Champion of Sugar and Spice

This list of 23 Christmas cookies will crown you the undisputed champion of all things sugar and spice. From buttery shortbreads to the most decadent chocolate, these recipes will win the hearts of friends, family, and even that tough-to-impress neighbor.

Top view of raspberry pinwheel cookies topped with sparkling sugar.
Jam Pinwheel Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Peppermint Meringue Cookies

Meringue cookies decorated with red and white stripes on a cake stand.
Peppermint Meringue Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These Peppermint Meringue Cookies are like eating tiny, festive clouds with a minty twist. They’re the perfect way to get your candy cane fix without the sticky fingers, and they melt in your mouth faster than snowflakes. Perfect for when you need a little minty magic at your Christmas bash.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Meringue Cookies

Cherry Kiss Cookies

Chocolate cherry blossom cookies on a plate.
Cherry Kiss Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Cherry Kiss Cookies are the Marilyn Monroe of holiday cookies – a classic beauty with a chocolate twist. Imagine cherry-flavored dough getting a sweet smooch from a chocolate kiss – it’s a match made in holiday heaven. These cookies will fly off the table at your cookie exchange.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Kiss Cookies

Cardamom Cookies

Stack of cardamom cookies with a glass of milk in the background.
Cardamom Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Cardamom Cookies are bringing the Scandinavian hygge to your holiday table. Each bite is a crispy, spicy adventure that’ll make you wonder why you don’t use cardamom in everything. They’re a Christmas treat straight from the snowy North.
Get the Recipe: Cardamom Cookies

Air Fryer Christmas Cookies

Christmas cookies in a tin on a table.
Air Fryer Christmas Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Revolutionize your cookie game with these Air Fryer Christmas Cookies. One dough, four ways, and a whole lot of holiday spirit – from sugar to thumbprints to M&Ms.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Christmas Cookies

Potato Chip Cookies

Top view of a plate of potato chips cookies on a beige napkin.
Potato Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Potato Chip Cookies are here to shake up your holiday cookie routine. Sweet, salty, and oh-so-easy, they’re the perfect mix of “what?” and “wow!” Just six ingredients to crunchy, munchy perfection.
Get the Recipe: Potato Chip Cookies

Haystack Cookies

No bake haystack cookies on a white cake stand.
Haystack Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Haystack Cookies are the no-bake heroes of the holiday rush. With just four ingredients and a flair for the dramatic, they combine chocolate and peanut butter in a way that’s ridiculously easy. Perfect for last-minute party panics.
Get the Recipe: Haystack Cookies

Speculoos

A plate of gingerbread cookies with snowflakes on it.
Speculoos. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Speculoos are the cookies that tell a story. These Dutch Windmill Cookies are a holiday legend, made for the Feast of St. Nicholas and perfect for leaving out if you want to impress the big guy in red. They’re like edible history and geography lessons, but tastier.
Get the Recipe: Speculoos

Jam Pinwheel Cookies

Top view of raspberry pinwheel cookies topped with sparkling sugar.
Jam Pinwheel Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Jam Pinwheel Cookies are the spirals of sweetness your holiday needs. Jam and walnuts get cozy in a buttery dough, which is then sliced and baked into a treat that’s as fun to look at as it is to eat. They’re like the yule log of cookies – classic, comforting, and oh-so-yummy.
Get the Recipe: Jam Pinwheel Cookies

Ruby Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ruby chocolate chip cookies on a cooling rack.
Ruby Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Ruby Chocolate Chip Cookies are the bling of the cookie world. With ruby chocolate, pistachios, and raspberries, they’re a fruity, nutty sensation in a chocolate base. It’s like your favorite chocolate chip cookie went on a fancy holiday vacation.
Get the Recipe: Ruby Chocolate Chip Cookies

Air Fryer Snickerdoodles

Air Fryer Snickerdoodles with cookie split in half.
Air Fryer Snickerdoodles. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air Fryer Snickerdoodles: because who has time to wait for the oven? They’re quick, they’re cinnamon-y, and they’ve got that signature crackly top. Perfect for when you need a cookie fix faster than Santa sliding down the chimney.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Snickerdoodles

Christmas Cake Mix Cookies

Red and green cake mix cookies on a wooden cutting board.
Christmas Cake Mix Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Christmas Cake Mix Cookies are your shortcut to homemade without the hassle. With just 6 ingredients, these cookies are a cake mix hack that’ll make your holidays a breeze. They’re quick, clever, and a total crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Cake Mix Cookies

Strawberry Thumbprint Cookies

Stack of thumbprint cookies on a white plate.
Strawberry Thumbprint Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Strawberry Thumbprint Cookies are the little bites of nostalgia your holiday needs. Soft, buttery, and filled with jam, they’re like a sweet reminder of grandma’s kitchen. Old-fashioned and absolutely delightful, just like the holidays should be.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Thumbprint Cookies

Andes Mint Cookies

Chocolate cookie with melted Andes mints on top.
Andes Mint Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Andes Mint Cookies are what happens when chocolate cookies decide to get fancy. Topped with melted Andes Mints, they’re a mint-chocolate party in your mouth. Easy to make and even easier to love, these cookies are mint to be at your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Andes Mint Cookies

Heath Bar Cookies

Heath bar cookies stacked up one is broken in half.
Heath Bar Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Heath Bar Cookies are here for candy lovers everywhere. Crunchy toffee, pecans, and melty milk chocolate all join forces in a chewy cookie. The perfect combo for when you can’t decide between candy and cookies.
Get the Recipe: Heath Bar Cookies

Church Window Cookies

Church window cookies with colored marshmallows and coconut.
Church Window Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Church Window Cookies are the stained-glass masterpieces of the cookie world. Combining chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts, they’re a no-bake wonder with just 5 ingredients. Perfect for when you want your cookies to be as festive as your decorations.
Get the Recipe: Church Window Cookies

Air Fryer Kiss Cookies

Air fryer kiss cookies on a plate with sprinkles.
Air Fryer Kiss Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Air Fryer Kiss Cookies are little buttery cookies, all dressed up with a chocolate kiss. No peanut butter, just pure, sugary bliss in an air fryer minute. They’re the perfect way to kiss your holiday baking stress goodbye.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Kiss Cookies

Italian Ricotta Cookies

Ricotta Cookies decorated with Christmas sprinkles.
Italian Ricotta Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Italian Ricotta Cookies have a cake-like texture that’ll have you saying “mamma mia!” These tender cookies are a holiday staple in Italy, and one bite will tell you why. They’re like a mini Italian vacation during your Christmas festivities.
Get the Recipe: Italian Ricotta Cookies

Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies

Cranberry cookies with icing and milk on a plate.
Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies are here to add some zing to your holiday baking. Easy to make, these slice-and-bake cookies combine tangy cranberries and zesty oranges for a festive flavor combo. They’re cheerful and bright.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies

Gingerbread Cookie Bars

A stack of gingerbread cookie bars with m&m's on top.
Gingerbread Cookie Bars. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Gingerbread Cookie Bars are the answer to your holiday spice cravings. Combining rich molasses with ginger and cinnamon, these chewy bars are like a gingerbread man’s cooler cousin. Topped with M&Ms for extra cheer, they’re a festive flavor party in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Cookie Bars

Secret Kiss Cookies

Hershey's kiss baked inside a cookie and dusted with powdered sugar.
Secret Kiss Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Get ready for a sweet surprise with Secret Kiss Cookies, the undercover agents of the cookie world. They look like innocent snowballs, but inside, there’s a chocolate Kiss waiting to be discovered. Perfect for when you want your cookies to come with a little mystery.
Get the Recipe: Secret Kiss Cookies

Soft Frosted Christmas Cookies

Frosted sugar cookies on a plate decorated with sprinkles.
Soft Frosted Christmas Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Soft Frosted Christmas Cookies are the low-effort, high-reward stars of your holiday baking. No rolling pins, no cutters, just soft, chewy cookies topped with a generous layer of frosting. They’re like wearing your comfiest pajamas, but in cookie form.
Get the Recipe: Soft Frosted Christmas Cookies

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Chocolate crinkle cookies on a baking rack cooling.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are the brownie-cookie of your dreams. Soft, chewy, and fudgy in the middle, they’re a chocoholic’s holiday wish come true. And dairy-free, so everyone can join in the chocolatey fun!
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Cool Whip Cookies

Cool whip cookies on parchment with powdered sugar.
Cool Whip Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Cool Whip Cookies are the lemony, light-as-air treats that are a breeze to make. With a box of cake mix and a tub of Cool Whip, you’re just an egg away from soft, chewy deliciousness. They’re like a little ray of sunshine in the middle of winter.
Get the Recipe: Cool Whip Cookies

Butterscotch Cookies

Butterscotch cookies on a red plate.
Butterscotch Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Butterscotch Cookies are the sweet, chewy answer to your holiday cookie dreams. Brown sugar and butter meet butterscotch chips for a rich, indulgent treat. These cookies are like a warm, buttery hug on a cold winter day.
Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Cookies

Sugar Cookie Bars

Sugar Cookie Bars with colorful sprinkles.
Sugar Cookie Bars. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Sugar Cookie Bars are the ultimate easy-peasy holiday treat. Soft, chewy, and topped with a thick layer of frosting and sprinkles, they’re like sugar cookies without all the fuss. Perfect for when you want to spread cheer, not spend hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Sugar Cookie Bars

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