19 Timeless Holiday Cookies to Celebrate the Season

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Here you’ll find a mix of timeless classics and creative twists to classic cookies that are perfect for the holidays. From buttery thumbprint cookies filled with jam to rich chocolate crinkle cookies with a peppermint flair, these recipes capture the magic of the season. Whether you’re baking for a party, a gift exchange, or just to enjoy with family, this collection has something to delight every cookie lover.

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies with rich cocoa flavor, melty chocolate chips, and a festive candy-cane crunch. Perfect for holiday cookie trays.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

Easy Snickerdoodles (No Cream of Tartar Needed!)

baked snickerdoodles without cream of tartar on cooling rack — Easy Snickerdoodles without Cream of Tartar. Photo credit: Vanilla Bean Cuisine.

These soft and chewy Snickerdoodles are packed with sweet cinnamon flavor, delivering the perfect crowd-pleasing treat.
Get the Recipe: Easy Snickerdoodles without Cream of Tartar

Lemon Shortbread Cookies

Lemon Shortbread Cookies bring a bright, zesty citrus twist to classic buttery shortbread, making them ideal for your holiday cookie plate.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Shortbread Cookies

Brown Butter Madeleines

small plate with powdered sugar covered Madeleines next to cake stand with Madeleine cookies and cup of coffee. — Brown Butter Madeleines. Photo credit: Vanilla Bean Cuisine.

Brown Butter Madeleines feature a rich, nutty flavor and the signature light, cake-like texture that makes them an elegant and indulgent treat.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Madeleines

Peppermint Christmas Cookies

These Peppermint Christmas Cookies are chocolatey delights stuffed with a creamy Hershey's candy cane kiss and rolled in sugar for a festive finish.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Christmas Cookies

Walnut Thumbprint Cookies with Frosting

Cookie, Thumbprints — Walnut Thumbprint Cookies with Frosting. Photo credit: The Creative Bite.

Thumbprint Cookies combine a buttery base with a crunchy walnut coating and sweet jam center, making them a versatile treat for holidays or everyday indulgence.
Get the Recipe: Walnut Thumbprint Cookies with Frosting

Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

dessert — Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies. Photo credit: The Creative Bite.

Peanut Butter Blossoms pair soft, sweet peanut butter cookies with a luscious chocolate kiss for a timeless, crowd-pleasing favorite.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies with Peppermint Kisses

Chocolate Peppermint Kiss Crinkle Cookies are soft, fudgy, and bursting with chocolate flavor, complemented by a peppermint candy kiss for a festive touch.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies with Peppermint Kisses

Christmas Cookies with Peppermint

Transform cake mix into holiday magic with these Christmas Cookies featuring fluffy frosting and a peppermint candy topping for a fun, easy treat.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Cookies with Peppermint

Gingerbread Molasses Chocolate Chunk Cookies

These chocolate chunk molasses gingerbread cookies are soft and chewy, filled with warm spices and rich molasses for the ultimate holiday flavor.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Molasses Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Cranberry Orange Thumbprint Cookies

Thumbprint Almond Pulp Cookies make great use of leftover almond pulp, combining it with oat flour for a gluten-free, vegan treat that’s both easy and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Thumbprint Cookies

Peppermint Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies

Christmas, Cookies, Cooking, desserts, DIY, Food, Holiday, oatmeal, peppermint, recipe — Peppermint Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies. Photo credit: Life Currents.

Peppermint Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies bring two soft oatmeal cookies together with a peppermint cream filling, finished with a candy cane crunch.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies

Snowball Cookies

Snowball Cookies are buttery, nutty treats coated in powdered sugar, offering a melt-in-your-mouth holiday classic that’s always a hit.
Get the Recipe: Snowball Cookies

Italian Chocolate Pizzelle Cookies

Chocolate Pizzelle Cookies are crisp, waffle-like Italian treats with a hint of chocolate, perfect for festive celebrations or everyday snacks.
Get the Recipe: Italian Chocolate Pizzelle Cookies

Salted Caramel & Pretzel Thumbprint Cookies

Cookies, Thumbprints — Salted Caramel & Pretzel Thumbprint Cookies. Photo credit: The Creative Bite.

Sweet and salty come together in these cookies, which feature a gooey salted caramel center and a crunchy pretzel twist for irresistible flavor.
Get the Recipe: Salted Caramel & Pretzel Thumbprint Cookies

Italian Pizzelle Cookies - A Holiday Tradition

Traditional pizzelles are delicate, crisp Italian cookies with a simple sweetness and a touch of anise or vanilla, made using a special cookie iron.
Get the Recipe: Italian Pizzelle Cookies - A Holiday Tradition

Peppermint Blossom Cookies

Peppermint Blossom Cookies sparkle with red sugar and are crowned with a Hershey's Peppermint Kiss, creating a festive and delicious holiday treat.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Blossom Cookies

Chocolate Sugar Crinkle Cookies from a Cake Mix

Shortcut Chocolate Crinkle Cookies deliver rich, fudgy flavor with minimal effort, thanks to the use of a simple cake mix base.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Sugar Crinkle Cookies from a Cake Mix

Raspberry Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

Raspberry Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies are buttery and delicate, filled with sweet jam and topped with a glaze, making them perfect for holiday baking.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies

Lemon Sugar Cookies

Cookies, Cooking, desserts, Food, lemons, recipe, vegetarian — Lemon Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Life Currents.

Lemon Sugar Cookies are light and refreshing with a touch of citrus, making them an ideal companion for your favorite cup of tea.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Sugar Cookies