Cookies are such a good neighbors gift for Christmas or just something fun to bring into the office. This list will help you decide on the Best Christmas Cookies To Gift.
For more sweets, check out all of our dessert recipes.
I love baking during the holiday season. Baking is such a fun way to get into the holiday spirit and to share with our friends and neighbors. Because goodness knows I’m not eating all of those Christmas cookies myself.
My mom actually makes the best cookie platter. Her cookie plate is filled with all different kinds of cookies. What she does is she makes one dough every weekend during the Christmas season, roll the dough into balls, and freeze it. Then, right before she wanted to hand out her cookie platters, she would bake them all.
It was so smart and a great idea to steal if you’re making a variety of cookies for your upcoming cookie exchange.
Speaking of varieties, we have a few traditional recipes on this list, but you might also be able to find some new favorites on this list too.
People often think of cookies as an edible gift. But, if you want some more ideas, check out our list of Homemade Edible Christmas Gift Ideas.
The Best Christmas Cookies To Gift
Affiliate links are included in this post and Drugstore Divas may make a small commission if you use them.
These are our favorite Christmas cookie recipes, but they’re not actually all of our cookie recipes. For more (maybe non-Christmas themed), check out our cookies recipes.
As we add more easy Christmas cookies to the blog, we’ll be sure to update this list of cookies. So make sure you save it (pin it, bookmark it, whatever you do to save posts) so that you can come back to it in the future and see what’s new.
Reindeer Oreo Cookies
No bake cookies are perfect for your cookie platters … especially if they’re as adorable as these Reindeer Oreo Cookies.
You cut a mini pretzel twist in half to make it look like antlers. Then, dip the cookies, add the pretzels, make a candy face, and you’re done. Add red noses for Rudolph and black for Santa’s other reindeer.
Christmas Wreath Oreo Cookies
These Christmas Wreath Oreo Cookies are perfect for your Christmas cookie swap because you can make them ahead of time (they’ll last two weeks at best but up to a month in the fridge).
Since you can make them early, that gives you time to make other cookies closer to when you’re sharing with friends.
Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies
You need a bit of a steady hand to pipe these Christmas Tree Meringues, but I promise you, it’s worth it. Your friends will be in awe when they see tiny Christmas trees in their holiday cookie box.
You make the meringue in the stand mixer, pipe it onto a silicone baking mat on a baking sheet, then cover them in festive sprinkles.
Oreo Snow Globe Cookies
If you have some time on your hands (and you do need some time because you have to let these cool twice), make these Oreo Snow Globe Cookies.
They will be a stunning centerpiece of your Christmas cookie platter, ones that you friends will be talking about all the way until next Christmas.
Strawberry Thumbprint Cookies
If you’re looking for a classic recipe for your Christmas cookie box, these Strawberry Thumbprint Cookies are it.
We fill the whole batch with strawberry jam because that’s the traditional way, but you could use any type of jam or use a couple different types of jams in a single batch.
Pecan Sandies
Pecan Sandies are my favorite Christmas cookies. A lot of people call them snowball cookies because of how they’re shaped and because of the time of year.
They’re really easy to make too. You just combine all of the ingredients, roll the dough into balls, and bake. Then, roll them in powdered sugar and enjoy.
Elephant Ear Cookies (Palmiers Cookies)
One of the easiest, and prettiest, Christmas cookies are Elephant Ears.
Puff pastry is flattened with a rolling pin, then sprinkled with a cinnamon sugar mixture. The dough it folded and baked. The result is a really light and airy delicious treat.
Thumbprint Cookies With Icing
Thumbprints are such a classic cookie recipe. Usually, the center of the thumbprint is filled with raspberry jam, which I do sometimes, but this version of thumbprint cookies are actually filled with icing.
That’s just a fun way to give a new spin to these simple sugar cookies (which may already be on someone else’s cookie platter in their classic form).
Fluffernutter Cookies
Take one of everyone’s favorite childhood sandwiches and turn it into a cookie with these Fluffernutter Cookies. They’re one part peanut butter, one part marshmallow fluff, and every part delicious.
They’re going to be everyone’s new favorite cookies, so you might want to make a double batch.
Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
You can’t have a Christmas cookie tray without Santa’s favorite cookie: Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies.
These are a really classic cookie, which the big man (and his wife) will be sure to love.
Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
If you still have leftover candy from Halloween, grab some of those peanut butter cups for these Peanut Butter Cup Christmas Cookies.
Chewy peanut butter cookies are stuffed into a muffin tray, then stuffed with a peanut butter cup. Bake, then drizzle dark chocolate on top for a little flair.
Happy Cookies (aka rolled oat cookie bars topped with chocolate and nuts)
I am obsessed with Happy Cookies. I call them happy cookies because they really so make everyone happy. But, they’re actually rolled oat cookie bars topped with chocolate and nut.
They’re really easy cookies to make because you actually make the entire batch in a cake pan, then cut them into bars after they’ve cooled. No need for a cookie scoop or cookie cutter, which makes these really easy for people who are just learning how to bake.
How To Package Christmas Cookies
You have a couple options for packaging Christmas cookies.
The best way to package Christmas cookies is to put them in an airtight container. You can find a holiday cookie tin so your cookies look festive while staying fresh.
You could also put them on a cookie tray or large platter and wrap it in clear cellophane. Cute cookie boxes would also work, although both of these options won’t actually keep the cookies fresh since they’ll have lots of exposure to air.
Finally, you could fill a mason jar with holiday cookies and gift them that way too.
Another fun way to give cookies is to create a Cookie Charcuterie Board. Buy a cheap serving tray and bowls, fill the bowls with sweet treats, and cover the entire tray in plastic wrap. It’s a great idea.
Purchase Christmas Cookies Online:
If you want Christmas cookies now, but you just don’t have time for homemade cookies, I get it. This time of the year is so busy. You might be having a hard time trying to squeeze everything in. So don’t make cookies. But, if you do still want cookies for your cookie swaps, just purchase them online.
You can find them at the following stores online:
Consider instore or curbside pickup to avoid shipping charges.
Don’t forget you can also order from Goldbelly and have specialty cookies delivered right to your door. Just be aware of shipping times so you can assure your cookies arrive on time.
And, not that anyone asked, but my current favorite cookie company — Appalachia Cookie Co. in Boone, NC — does ship cookies too.
Which of these Christmas cookies is your favorite? Be sure to let us know in the comments.
Jennifer Wise
Friday 27th of December 2024
I love baking during the holidays, too. I haven't been able to the last couple of years as I've made a career change (and my anniversary is the 17th so we've been traveling then), but I wonder how many of these freeze because I'd love to do it a little early! These are great packaging ideas, too. I've used those red Rubbermaid containers before and they're perfect.
Paula Short
Thursday 12th of December 2024
These sound great! Choices choices Lol. I'm so indecisive and don't know which one to try first.
Joanne
Wednesday 11th of December 2024
Other than chocolate chip, I don't think I've ever made any of these! They all look so yummy. We used to gift cookie tins to all the extended family members each year. They were a huge hit!