39 Classic Christmas Cookies to Spread Holiday Cheer
39 Classic Christmas Cookies to Spread Holiday Cheer
Read Time: 16 mins
39 Classic Christmas Cookies to Spread Holiday Cheer
This is a tried-and-true recipe I’m happy to share with you
Approved Total Time 50 min Servings about 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: No holiday treat platter would be complete without a gingerbread men cookie recipe! This is a tried-and-true recipe I’m happy to share with you. —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie (calculated without frosting): 118 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 128mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein. They’re also one of the most popular Christmas cookies of all time. 4/39 Vanilla-Butter Sugar Cookies 36 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 45 min Servings about 7
The dough recipe is versatile, so you can use it for other holidays, too
dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These butter sugar cookies are one of my favorite cookies to bake for Christmas. The dough recipe is versatile, so you can use it for other holidays, too. Children like to help with the cookie decorating. —Cynthia Ettel, Glencoe, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 80 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 74mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. If you’re a fan of snowmen and sugar cookies, these TikTok melted snowman sugar cookies offer the perfect cookie combination. 5/39 Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies 47 Reviews Contest Winner Test
These terrific chocolate thumbprint cookies were an instant success
Kitchen Approved Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings about 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My group of friends had a weekly “movie night” during winters on Martha’s Vineyard, and we’d take turns making a chocolate treat to share. These terrific chocolate thumbprint cookies were an instant success. Once they debuted, I had to make them many more times. —Laura Bryant German, W. Warren, Massachusetts Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 117 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 52mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. 6/39
My family loves shortbread
Cranberry Shortbread Cookies 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 35 min Servings about 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My family loves shortbread and I love cranberries, so I decided to put the two together to make cranberry shortbread cookies. The star shape is a festive addition to my holiday cookie tray. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 87 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 74mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 7/39 Peppermint Biscotti 36 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings about
They are among the many sweets I make for Christmas
3-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Dipped in melted chocolate and rolled in crushed peppermint candy, these flavorful biscotti are a favorite. They are among the many sweets I make for Christmas. —Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 121 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 63mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. 8/39 Italian Rainbow Cookies 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Italian Rainbow Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings about 11 dozen Go to Recipe Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 35 calories, 2g fat (1g
saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 21mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein. 9/39 Peanut Butter Christmas Mice 13 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings about 5 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: With their black licorice tails, candy noses and peanut ears, these chewy “mice” were always a hit at classroom parties. My children are in their teens now, but they still ask me to make these cookies for the holidays. —Nancy Rowse, Bella Vista, Arkansas Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 65 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 7mg
cholesterol, 43mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein
cholesterol, 43mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 10/39 Christmas Sandwich Cremes 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These melt-in-your-mouth sandwich cookies have a scrumptious filling. I helped my sister make these in high school when she needed a project in her home economics class. My guess is that these were some of the best Christmas cookies in her class. She got an A+! —Janice Poechman, Walkerton, Ontario 11/39 Triple-Chocolate Peppermint Cookies 30 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Triple-Chocolate Peppermint
They’re quick and easy for the whole family to make together
Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 5 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Santa is sure to stop by your house if you leave these minty triple-chocolate peppermint cookies waiting for him. They’re quick and easy for the whole family to make together. —Teresa Ralston, New Albany, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 132 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 96mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. 12/39 Buttery Spritz Cookies 54 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings about
This is hands down the best spritz cookie recipe ever
7-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This tender spritz cookie recipe is very eye-catching on my Christmas cookie tray. The dough is easy to work with, so it’s fun to make these spritz cookies into a variety of festive shapes. This is hands down the best spritz cookie recipe ever. —Beverly Launius, Sandwich, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 43 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 30mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein. 13/39 Pizzelle Cookies 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Pizzelle Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min
I create them using a pizzelle iron
Servings about 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These lovely, golden brown anise pizzelle cookies have a crisp texture and delicate anise flavor. I create them using a pizzelle iron. —Barbara Colucci, Rockledge, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 76 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 52mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 14/39 Coconut Clouds 24 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Coconut Clouds Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings about 5-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Coconut lovers will have extra reason to
celebrate when they taste these cakelike drop cookies
celebrate when they taste these cakelike drop cookies. The generous frosting and coconut topping make them a hit at holiday cookie swaps. —Donna Scofield, Yakima, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 110 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 72mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 15/39 Snickerdoodles 122 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Snickerdoodles Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The history of these whimsically named treats has been widely disputed, but their popularity is undeniable. Help yourself to one of our soft
cinnamon-sugared cookies and see for yourself
cinnamon-sugared cookies and see for yourself. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 82 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 57mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 16/39 Peppermint Meltaways 233 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Peppermint Meltaways Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings about 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe for peppermint meltaways is very pretty and festive-looking on a cookie platter. I put these peppermint cookies in bright holiday containers to give to family and friends. And yes, they really
do melt in your mouth!
do melt in your mouth! —Denise Wheeler, Newaygo, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 126 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 56mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 17/39 Eggnog Cookies 26 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Eggnog Cookies Recipe photo by Alejandro Monfort for Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 13-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Eggnog stars in both the cookie and frosting in this new-found recipe, imparting a subtle holiday flavor.—Amanda Taylor, Glen Ewen, Saskatchewan Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 48 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 20mg
sodium, 8g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein
sodium, 8g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 18/39 Gingerbread Oatmeal Cookies 7 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings about 1-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Cookie butter and ground ginger add a new layer of flavor. The recipe makes about 2 dozen cookies, and they go fast. You may want to make a double batch. —Carole Resnick, Cleveland, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 210 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 113mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. 19/39 Coconut Drops 18 Reviews Contest Winner Test
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