45 Easy Christmas Cookies for a Stress-Free Holiday

Read Time: 23 mins

45 Easy Christmas Cookies for a Stress-Free Holiday1/45 Chocolate Caramel Kiss Cookies 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I make this cookie every Christmas with my family. It’s a fun twist on a classic peanut butter blossom because of the cinnamon in the batter and the caramel kiss on top. We love the cinnamon-caramel combination, but you could switch out the kiss for a different festive flavor. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York If you’re a fan of peanut butter blossoms, then you have to try this

new twist: chocolate cookies adorned with caramel-filled milk chocolate kisses

new twist: chocolate cookies adorned with caramel-filled milk chocolate kisses. Best of all, they’re ready to eat in just 25 minutes. 2/45 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! —Denise Wheeler, Newaygo, Michigan Make a few batches,

because these cute little guys go fast

because these cute little guys go fast. If you prefer a richer frosting recipe, add more confectioners’ sugar. 3/45 Silver Bells Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 35 min Servings about 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My mom and grandma are known for their signature Christmas cookies. I decided to create my own, inspired by one of my favorite Christmas songs. Edible shimmer dust gives them their iconic shine. Look for the dust in the cake decorating section of craft or grocery stores. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado Less is more when it comes to these elegant, classic

The flaky pastry melts in your mouth

cookies. Adorn them with a few simple decorations, like edible shimmer dust and tiny sugar pearls. 4/45 Peppermint Puff Pastry Sticks 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Peppermint Puff Pastry Sticks Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I wanted to impress my husband’s family with something you’d expect to find in a European bakery, and these chocolaty treats are what I came up with. The flaky pastry melts in your mouth. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon These pastry sticks are three-ingredient sweets that are delicious with coffee or

homemade hot cocoa

homemade hot cocoa. One reader recommends sprinkling the pastry dough with a cinnamon-sugar mixture before baking. 5/45 Cherry Snowballs 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 40 min Servings about 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A juicy maraschino cherry is the secret center tucked inside these special cookies. My mom was inspired to create this by a recipe she clipped out of a newspaper more than 30 years ago. —Evy Adams, West Seneca, New York Maraschino cherries are nestled inside a sweet dough made with butter, flour and quick-cooking oats, dipped in sugar and milk, then

rolled in coconut

rolled in coconut. Et voila, you have a light and crunchy treat with a sweet surprise inside. 6/45 Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies 56 Reviews Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Everyone who tries these beloved gems is amazed that they use only five ingredients. Baking cookies doesn’t get much easier than this. —Dee Davis, Sun City, Arizona Even if you don’t have a pastry blender, this recipe is a breeze. Use two knives to cut the butter as it combines with the

flour—this technique yields a crumbly and tender cookie crust

flour—this technique yields a crumbly and tender cookie crust. 7/45 First-Place Coconut Macaroons 138 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved First-Place Coconut Macaroons Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings about 1-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These coconut macaroon cookies earned me a first-place ribbon at the county fair. They remain my husband’s favorites—whenever I make them to give away, he always asks me where his batch is! I especially like the fact that this recipe makes a small enough batch for the two of us to nibble on. —Penny Ann Habeck, Shawano, Wisconsin

—Barbara Gray, Boise, Idaho If you prefer crunchy ginger

If you’re prepping these goodies in advance, place them on a single layer on a sheet pan in the freezer. Once the individual cookies are completely frozen, store them in a flat-bottomed airtight freezer container, separating each layer with parchment paper or waxed paper. 8/45 Big Soft Ginger Cookies 177 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These nicely spiced, big soft ginger cookies are perfect for folks who like the flavor of ginger but don’t care for crunchy gingersnaps. —Barbara Gray, Boise, Idaho If you prefer crunchy ginger

cookies, make the recipe as directed, but leave out the baking soda

cookies, make the recipe as directed, but leave out the baking soda. If you like them chewy, store them on the counter in an airtight container with a slice of bread. 9/45 Peppermint Meringues 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 40 min Servings about 1-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Peppermint lovers won’t be able to get enough of these light and airy delights. They make terrific Christmas gifts or lovely treats to pass around when guests drop in. —Dixie Terry, Goreville, Illinois Peppermint lovers won’t be able to get enough of these light

and airy delights

and airy delights. They make terrific Christmas gifts or lovely treats to pass around when guests drop in. —Dixie Terry, Goreville, Illinois 10/45 Basic Chocolate Pinwheel Cookies 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Basic Chocolate Pinwheel Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe evolved from several different recipes that I combined into one. I’ve never received so many compliments on my baking!—Denise Hufford, Midland, Michigan Don’t let the fancy-looking spiral shape dissaude you—they’re easier to make then you’d think. Roll out each layer with a

They remind me of the Swabian Alps I could see from my room there

rolling pin, then tightly roll both layers together, jelly-roll style, to create the classic look. 11/45 Snowy Mountain Cookies 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings about 7 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I was so excited to bake these with my mom after coming home from studying abroad in Germany. They remind me of the Swabian Alps I could see from my room there. Be careful not to overheat the white chocolate; it’ll lose that attractive shine. —Stephanie Bouley, North Smithfield, Rhode Island Presenting a surprising new addition to your

Christmas dessert platter: snowy mountain cookies

Christmas dessert platter: snowy mountain cookies. They’re ready in half an hour and make a whopping seven dozen cookies. 12/45 Flourless Peanut Butter Thumbprints 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Flourless Peanut Butter Thumbprints Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings about 8 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I had been searching for a dessert to make for my brother’s girlfriend (who is gluten intolerant), and I came across a naturally gluten-free dessert—a flourless peanut butter cookie. After tweaking the recipe a bit and adding Nutella and a sprinkling of sea salt, I finally

found the perfect cookie for her

found the perfect cookie for her. —Dana Hinck, Pensacola, Florida The secret ingredient to these naturally gluten-free sweets is Nutella, a delicious chocolate-hazelnut spread. A sprinkle of coarse sea salt on top makes them extra fancy. 13/45 Mom’s Buttermilk Cookies 15 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Mom’s Buttermilk Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings about 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I treasure my mother’s recipe for these comforting cookie pillows. The tender treats are topped with thick frosting and a sprinkling of chopped walnuts. —Jane Darling, Simi Valley, California If you

Stir and let it stand for five minutes before using it in the recipe

don’t have buttermilk, here’s a quick substitute: Add one tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice per one cup of milk. Stir and let it stand for five minutes before using it in the recipe. 14/45 Chocolate Mint Creams 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved GRACE NATOLI SHELDON FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings about 6 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe came from an old family friend and is always high on everyone’s cookie request list. I make at least six batches for Noel nibbling and give some away as gifts. —Beverly Fehner,

You can whip up six dozen cookies in just about half an hour

Gladstone, Missouri If you’re looking for cookies that are just as good for gifting as they are for nibbling, these minty treats fit the bill. You can whip up six dozen cookies in just about half an hour. 15/45 Triple Nut Snowballs 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Triple Nut Snowballs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings about 6 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This super crunchy, not-too-sweet cookie is a fun update on the classic snowball. I used cashews, macadamia nuts and pecans, but you can mix and match other nuts to

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