The Best Holiday Cookie Recipes to Sweeten Your Festive Season

The holiday season is synonymous with cookie baking, bringing warmth, joy, and delicious treats to every celebration. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, these recipes for classic and festive cookies are sure to impress. From nostalgic gingerbread men to buttery shortbread, here’s how to bake the best holiday cookies for your loved ones.

Classic Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

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

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. Roll the dough out on a floured surface to about ¼-inch thick. Shape the cookies with festive cookie cutters.
6. Place cookies on the baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
7. Cool on a wire rack before decorating with icing or sprinkles.

Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in molasses, egg, and vanilla.
3. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until the dough forms.
4. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 2 hours.
5. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the dough to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut into desired shapes.
6. Place cookies on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.
7. Cool before decorating with royal icing or candy.

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup granulated sugar (plus extra for rolling)
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup peanut butter
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Hershey’s Kisses (about 24)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, cream butter, peanut butter, and sugars until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mixing well.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until combined.
5. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in granulated sugar and place on the baking sheet.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oven and immediately press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie.
7. Cool completely before serving.

Pfeffernüsse (Peppernuts)

Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• ½ cup molasses
• Powdered sugar (for coating)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and spices.
3. In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Mix in egg and molasses.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients until a dough forms.
5. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the baking sheet.
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Cool slightly, then roll the cookies in powdered sugar.

Linzer Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup almond flour
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup raspberry or apricot jam
• Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Instructions:

1. Combine flour, almond flour, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.
2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in egg and vanilla.
3. Gradually add the dry ingredients until the dough comes together. Divide into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 1 hour.
4. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the dough to ⅛-inch thickness and cut out cookies using a round cutter. Use a smaller cutter to create windows in half the cookies.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cool completely.
6. Spread jam on the solid cookies, then sandwich with the windowed cookies. Dust with powdered sugar.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup powdered sugar (for coating)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
2. In another bowl, mix sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually add dry ingredients until combined.
3. Chill the dough for at least 2 hours.
4. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and coat them in powdered sugar.
5. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Shortbread Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Mix in vanilla.
3. Gradually add flour, mixing until just combined.
4. Roll out the dough to ¼-inch thickness and cut into desired shapes.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.

Each of these holiday cookies has a unique flavor and charm, perfect for spreading joy during the festive season. Happy baking!