10 Easy Cookie Recipes for Holiday Baking

Nothing says “holiday season” like the smell of fresh cookies in the oven. Whether you’re baking with kids, hosting a party, or just sneaking one after dinner, cookies bring people together.

These 10 easy recipes are festive, foolproof, and fun to make with no baking degree required. They’re perfect for gifting, cookie swaps, or a cozy night in with hot cocoa.

So grab your mixing bowl, preheat that oven, and let’s make this holiday a little sweeter, one cookie at a time!

Why Easy Cookie Recipes are Perfect for the Holidays

Time-Saving During a Busy Season

Let’s be honest, December flies by. Between decorating, shopping, wrapping, and last-minute work deadlines, baking can easily fall off the list. That’s where simple cookie recipes shine.

You don’t need fancy mixers or hours of prep. Most of these recipes use one bowl, basic tools, and ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

That means less cleanup, less stress, and more time to actually enjoy the season.

Great for Gifting or Cookie Exchanges

Homemade cookies feel personal. They say, “I thought of you,” without needing a big budget or a trip to the mall.

Whether you’re boxing them up for coworkers, layering them in mason jars, or trading them at a holiday cookie swap, easy cookies are the sweet spot of thoughtful and doable.

Bonus: most of these recipes make big batches, so one baking session can cover a dozen gifts.

Fun for Baking with Kids or Family

Some of the best holiday memories start in the kitchen. Kids love rolling dough, pressing cookie cutters, or sprinkling colored sugar with wild abandon.

Easy recipes let them join in without the fuss of complicated steps. No stress if flour ends up on the floor because it’s part of the magic.

Plus, baking together is a great way to slow down and reconnect during the holiday rush.

Budget-Friendly Ingredients

Holiday spending adds up fast. But baking? It’s one of the few festive activities that won’t break the bank. Most of these cookie recipes use everyday staples like flour, sugar, butter, and eggs.

You won’t find pricey extracts or rare spices here. Just simple, cozy flavors that feel like home. Affordable, delicious, and joy-packed—what more could you ask for?

Essential Baking Equipment Checklist

You don’t need a full-on pastry chef setup to bake great cookies. But having a few basic tools on hand can make the process smoother, faster, and way more enjoyable.

Here’s what you’ll want to gather before you dive into holiday baking:

Mixing Bowls

At least two, one large and one medium. A large bowl is perfect for mixing dough, while a smaller one works well for dry ingredients or drizzles. Bonus points if they’re dishwasher-safe.

Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer

A hand mixer will do the trick for most recipes. It’s especially useful when creaming butter and sugar. If you’ve got a stand mixer, even better—just let it do the heavy lifting while you sip your hot cocoa.

Measuring Cups & Spoons

Accuracy matters in baking. Use dry measuring cups for ingredients like flour and sugar, and liquid measuring cups for milk or oil. Don’t eyeball the vanilla, so grab those teaspoons.

Baking Sheets & Parchment Paper

A couple of sturdy baking sheets will keep things moving if you’re baking in batches. Line them with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.

No parchment? Silicone baking mats work too.

Cookie Scoop

Not just for looks, this tool helps portion dough evenly so your cookies bake uniformly.

It also saves time and keeps your hands (mostly) clean. Use a small scoop for bite-sized treats or a medium one for standard cookies.

Cooling Rack

Transferring cookies to a cooling rack helps them firm up without getting soggy on the bottom. It also frees up your baking sheet for the next batch.

If you don’t have one, a clean oven rack or upside-down muffin tin can work in a pinch.

10 Easy Cookie Recipes to Try This Holiday Season

1. Classic Sugar Cookies

Soft, buttery, and perfect for decorating with icing and sprinkles.

Ingredients:

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
4. Add egg and vanilla; mix well.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients.
6. Roll out chilled dough, cut shapes, and bake 8–10 minutes.
7. Cool, then decorate with icing or sprinkles.

Tip: Chill the dough for 30 minutes for cleaner edges.

2. Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies

Warm spices and rich molasses—like Christmas in a bite.

Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp cloves
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¾ cup butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup molasses
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Whisk flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
3. In another bowl, cream butter and brown sugar.
4. Add egg and molasses; mix.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients.
6. Roll dough into balls, coat in sugar, and place on a baking sheet.
7. Bake 9–10 minutes until crackly.

Tip: For a spicier twist, add a pinch of black pepper.

3. Peanut Butter Blossoms

Sweet-salty peanut butter cookies topped with a chocolate kiss.

Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup peanut butter
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 24–30 chocolate kisses

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter, peanut butter, and sugars.
3. Add egg, milk, and vanilla; mix until smooth.
4. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Roll into 1-inch balls and bake 8–10 minutes.
6. Immediately press a chocolate kiss into each cookie.

Tip: Freeze for 10 minutes after baking to keep kisses from melting.

4. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Crackly, fudgy cookies dusted with powdered sugar—easy and impressive.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

Directions:

1. In a bowl, mix cocoa, sugar, and oil.
2. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
3. Add flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Chill the dough for at least 2 hours.
5. Roll into balls and coat in powdered sugar.
6. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes.

Tip: Don’t overbake—they firm up as they cool.

5. Snickerdoodles

Soft and cinnamon-coated—simple, nostalgic, and cozy.

Ingredients:

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3 tbsp sugar + 1 tbsp cinnamon (for coating)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar until light.
3. Add eggs and mix well.
4. Stir in dry ingredients.
5. Roll dough into balls, then coat in cinnamon sugar.
6. Bake 8–10 minutes.

Tip: Slightly underbake for that perfect chewy center.

6. Holiday M&M Cookies

Colorful, fun, and perfect for kids or cookie swaps.

Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg + 1 egg yolk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup holiday M&Ms
• ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. Cream butter and sugars. Add egg, yolk, and vanilla.
4. Stir in dry ingredients, then fold in M&Ms and chocolate chips.
5. Bake 10–12 minutes.

Variation: Use red and green M&Ms for a festive touch.

7. Shortbread Cookies

Buttery, crumbly, and melt-in-your-mouth—simple elegance.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Mix flour, powdered sugar, and salt.
3. Cut in butter and vanilla until the mixture forms a dough.
4. Roll and cut or press into a pan.
5. Bake 15–18 minutes until edges are golden.

Tip: Dip cooled cookies in melted chocolate and top with crushed candy cane.

8. Thumbprint Jam Cookies

A buttery base filled with jam—festive and elegant.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ⅔ cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup raspberry or apricot jam

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar. Add vanilla.
3. Stir in flour and salt until combined.
4. Roll dough into balls; press thumb in the center.
5. Fill with jam and bake 12–14 minutes.

Tip: Dust cooled cookies with powdered sugar for a snowy look.

9. No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

No oven needed—quick, chewy, and chocolatey.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup butter
• 2 cups sugar
• ½ cup milk
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• ½ cup peanut butter
• 3 cups quick oats
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. In a saucepan, bring butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa to a boil.
2. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
3. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla.
4. Mix in oats and drop spoonfuls onto wax paper.
5. Cool until set.

Tip: Add shredded coconut or mini marshmallows for texture.

10. Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Cookies

Sweet, salty, and perfectly crunchy.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 ¼ cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup crushed pretzels
• 1 cup chocolate chips (for melting)
• Crushed peppermint or sprinkles (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugars; add eggs and vanilla.
3. Stir in flour and baking soda.
4. Fold in crushed pretzels.
5. Drop spoonfuls and bake 10–12 minutes.
6. Cool, then dip half in melted chocolate and decorate.

Tip: Use dark or white chocolate for contrast.

Tips for a Successful Holiday Cookie Baking Day

Holiday baking sounds magical, and it can be. But if you’re juggling multiple recipes, dodging flour clouds, and trying to keep the dog out of the cooling rack, a little planning goes a long way.

These practical tips will help your cookie day run smoother than a melted chocolate drizzle.

Prep Your Doughs Ahead of Time

If you’re making more than one type of cookie, mix your doughs the night before. Most cookie doughs keep well in the fridge for 24–72 hours.

In fact, some (like sugar cookie or chocolate chip dough) taste better after resting overnight.

Having dough ready to go in the morning means less stress, less mess, and more time for decorating or sipping coffee while the oven does the work.

You can even portion dough into balls or logs so they’re ready to slice or scoop straight from the fridge.

Chill Dough If Needed for Better Shape

Not all cookies require chilling, but the ones that do? Don’t skip it. Chilling prevents spreading, helps flavors develop, and gives you cookies that bake evenly.

If your dough is sticky, soft, or meant to hold a shape, like sugar cookies or thumbprints, pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

For extra-thick cookies (like crinkles or peanut butter blossoms), chilled dough helps keep those beautiful domed tops.

No time to chill the full batch? Toss it in the freezer for 15–20 minutes. It’s a solid shortcut.

Bake in Batches—Keep the Oven Warm

Trying to bake everything at once is like trying to wrap gifts while someone’s unwrapping them behind you. Instead, plan to bake in batches.

While one tray is in the oven, prep the next. Rotate your pans halfway through baking for even browning. If you’re using multiple racks, switch their positions too.

Keep your oven at a steady temp and avoid opening the door too often—every peek drops the heat.

Bonus tip: Cool your baking sheets completely between batches. Hot trays = melted dough = cookie puddles.

Store in Airtight Containers or Gift Tins

Once your cookies are cool, store them like treasure. Use airtight containers to lock in freshness, especially for soft cookies like molasses or snickerdoodles.

Crisp cookies? Separate them from the chewy ones to keep them from going soft.

Want to gift your goodies? Holiday tins, cellophane bags, or mason jars make them look extra festive. Add a ribbon or handwritten tag, and suddenly you’re not just giving cookies, but you’re giving joy.

If you’re baking ahead, most cookies freeze beautifully. Stack them in layers with parchment paper and freeze in airtight containers for up to a month.

Just thaw at room temp when you’re ready to serve or share.

Storage & Gifting Ideas

Keeping your cookies fresh is just as important as baking them well. Most homemade cookies stay good at room temperature for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container.

For soft cookies, like molasses or snickerdoodles, toss in a slice of bread to help retain moisture, but just swap it out every couple of days.

Crisp cookies, on the other hand, prefer a drier environment, so store them separately from soft ones to prevent sogginess.

Freezing is your best friend if you’re baking ahead. Most cookies freeze beautifully.

Just layer them between sheets of parchment in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, label them clearly, and they’ll keep for about a month.

To thaw, simply leave them on the counter for a few hours, or pop a few in the microwave for that “just baked” warmth.

Now let’s talk gifting because cookies this good are meant to be shared.

Try clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon for a quick and cute presentation, or stack cookies in mason jars with a handwritten label for a rustic, heartfelt vibe.

Holiday tins or small cardboard bakery boxes are great for larger assortments and travel well.

Want to make it extra special? Add a recipe card or a small ornament to turn your cookie gift into a sweet little keepsake.

If you’re freezing cookies for future gifts, just bake, cool, and freeze them in batches, then wrap and package once thawed.

This not only saves time but also helps you stay ahead of the holiday hustle without sacrificing taste or presentation.

Final Thoughts

Holiday baking doesn’t have to be complicated. Just pick a few of these easy recipes, throw on a festive playlist, and let the oven do its magic.

Whether you’re baking for loved ones or just for fun, there’s something special about sharing cookies made with your own two hands!