20 Easy Christmas Cookies Perfect For Busy Bakers
The holiday season brings joy, laughter, and of course, the irresistible aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through your home.
But who has time to spend all day in the kitchen when there are decorations to hang, gifts to wrap, and family gatherings to attend?
These simple cookie recipes let you create delicious festive treats without the stress, giving you more time to enjoy what really matters this Christmas.
1. Soft Gingerbread Cookies
Nothing says Christmas quite like the smell of gingerbread baking in the oven.
These soft-centered beauties are packed with warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves that’ll make your whole house smell like a winter wonderland.
The dough is forgiving and easy to work with, even for beginners.
Decorating them with royal icing or colorful candies turns baking into a fun family activity that kids absolutely adore.
Plus, they stay soft for days when stored properly!
2. Christmas Sugar Cookies
Buttery, tender, and endlessly customizable—sugar cookies are the blank canvas of the cookie world.
You can cut them into festive shapes like stars, trees, or snowmen, then let your creativity run wild with frosting and sprinkles.
The dough comes together quickly and doesn’t require fancy ingredients.
Kids love helping roll out the dough and choosing which cookie cutters to use.
They’re perfect for cookie exchanges or leaving out for Santa on Christmas Eve!
3. Snickerdoodles
Ever wonder why these cinnamon-sugar wonders have such a funny name?
Nobody really knows, but what we do know is they’re absolutely irresistible.
The best part? No chilling time required, so you can go from craving to cookie in under thirty minutes.
Rolling the dough balls in cinnamon sugar creates a sweet, sparkly coating that crackles beautifully as they bake.
Their soft, chewy texture makes them dangerously addictive during the holiday season.
4. Thumbprint Cookies
These little gems look fancy but are ridiculously simple to make.
The buttery shortbread base melts in your mouth, while the jewel-toned jam center adds a sweet-tart burst of flavor.
You literally press your thumb into each cookie to create the indent—how fun is that?
Raspberry, strawberry, or apricot jam all work beautifully, letting you create a colorful variety on your cookie plate.
They’re nostalgic, elegant, and always disappear first at parties.
5. Peppermint Cookies
Cool, refreshing peppermint flavor meets buttery cookie goodness in this festive treat.
Crushed candy canes sprinkled on top make them look like they came straight from a professional bakery.
The dough is incredibly easy to work with and doesn’t require any special techniques or equipment.
Each bite delivers that signature minty-fresh taste that instantly feels like Christmas.
They’re perfect for peppermint lovers and add beautiful red-and-white color to any cookie assortment.
6. Molasses Cookies
Rich, deep, and perfectly spiced—molasses cookies bring serious old-school charm to your holiday baking.
The molasses gives them a gorgeous dark color and complex flavor that’s both sweet and slightly earthy.
They stay wonderfully soft and chewy for days, making them ideal for baking ahead.
Rolling them in sugar before baking creates a sweet, slightly crunchy exterior that contrasts beautifully with the soft center.
Grandma would definitely approve of these!
7. Spritz Cookies
With a cookie press and five ingredients, you’ll create dozens of delicate, beautiful cookies in minutes.
The press lets you form them into wreaths, trees, stars, or any shape your heart desires.
Their buttery flavor is simple but absolutely delicious, letting you appreciate quality ingredients.
A light dusting of colored sugar or a few sprinkles makes them look professionally decorated.
They’re crisp, light, and perfect for filling up those festive cookie tins!
8. White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Sweet white chocolate meets tart cranberries in this festive flavor combination that screams Christmas.
The pops of red cranberries look gorgeous against the golden cookie dough and creamy white chocolate.
They’re drop cookies, which means no rolling, cutting, or fussy shaping required—just scoop and bake.
Each bite offers contrasting textures and flavors that keep things interesting.
They feel special and seasonal without requiring any extra effort from busy bakers.
9. Double Ginger Cookies
Ginger lovers, this one’s for you!
Both ground ginger and crystallized ginger pieces pack these cookies with intense, warming spice.
The edges bake up crisp while the centers stay wonderfully soft and chewy.
They’re cozy, comforting, and perfect for dunking in hot cocoa or coffee on cold winter evenings.
The double dose of ginger creates a bold flavor that stands out beautifully on any cookie platter.
10. Peanut Butter Blossoms
That iconic chocolate kiss pressed into the center makes these cookies instantly recognizable at any holiday gathering.
The combination of peanut butter and chocolate is timeless and universally loved.
Rolling the dough in sugar before baking gives them a sweet, sparkly coating.
You press the chocolate kiss in right when they come out of the oven, so it melts slightly and sticks perfectly.
They’re a cookie-plate staple for good reason!
11. M&M Christmas Cookies
Kids go absolutely bonkers for these colorful, fun cookies packed with festive red and green M&Ms.
They bake up thick, soft, and loaded with candy in every bite.
The recipe is super straightforward—basically a classic chocolate chip cookie with M&Ms swapped in.
Their bright colors make them look cheerful and festive without any decorating required.
Plus, they’re sturdy enough to pack in lunchboxes or wrap up as gifts!
12. Peanut Butter Cookies
Sometimes the classics are classic for a reason.
These simple peanut butter cookies deliver rich, nutty flavor without any fancy ingredients or techniques.
The traditional fork crosshatch pattern on top is easy to make and gives them their signature look.
They’re soft, satisfying, and add comforting familiarity to your Christmas cookie assortment.
Everyone recognizes and loves these timeless treats at holiday gatherings.
13. Oatmeal Scotchies
Butterscotch chips give these oatmeal cookies a sweet, caramel-like flavor that’s totally addictive.
They’re soft, chewy, and bake up quickly—perfect for last-minute cookie needs.
The oats add heartiness and texture, making them feel slightly more substantial than regular cookies.
They’re a delicious twist on traditional oatmeal cookies that feels special for the holidays.
Plus, the golden butterscotch chips look beautiful against the cookie dough!
14. Ritz Cracker Cookies
Wait, crackers as cookies? Trust us on this one!
Ritz crackers sandwiched with peanut butter, then dipped in chocolate, create an unexpectedly amazing salty-sweet treat.
They’re no-bake, which means zero oven time required—perfect for busy schedules.
The combination of crunchy, salty crackers with sweet chocolate and creamy peanut butter is dangerously good.
They’re a fun, quirky addition that always surprises and delights cookie platter guests.
15. Christmas Rice Krispie Treats
Technically not cookies, but who’s going to complain when they taste this good?
Classic Rice Krispie treats get a festive makeover with colorful frosting and holiday candies on top.
They’re incredibly easy to make—just melt, mix, and press into a pan.
Kids love decorating them with sprinkles, M&Ms, or whatever festive toppings you have on hand.
They’re soft, chewy, and add fun variety to your Christmas cookie boxes!
16. Oreo Cookie Balls
Crushed Oreos meet cream cheese, get rolled into balls, then take a luxurious dip in melted chocolate.
They’re rich, decadent, and taste like chocolate truffles but require way less skill to make.
No baking necessary—just mix, roll, dip, and chill.
Everyone goes crazy for these at parties, and they look impressively fancy despite being super simple.
They’re the ultimate no-bake crowd-pleaser for your holiday cookie lineup!
17. Chocolate Chip Cookies
You can’t have a cookie list without the all-time champion of cookies.
Chocolate chip cookies are universally loved and ridiculously easy to whip up, even on your busiest days.
The smell of them baking is basically Christmas magic in edible form.
They’re comforting, familiar, and always disappear fast from cookie platters.
Sometimes the simplest choice is the best choice, especially during the hectic holiday season!
18. Shortbread Cookies
With just butter, sugar, and flour, shortbread proves that less is definitely more.
These melt-in-your-mouth cookies are incredibly buttery and delicate.
The dough is simple to make and can be shaped, cut, or pressed into molds for beautiful presentations.
They’re elegant, sophisticated, and perfect for pairing with tea or coffee during holiday visits.
Their simplicity lets the quality of your butter really shine through!
19. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
These dramatic-looking cookies feature dark chocolate dough rolled in powdered sugar that cracks beautifully as they bake.
The contrast between the dark cookie and white sugar coating makes them absolutely stunning.
They’re fudgy, rich, and intensely chocolatey—perfect for serious chocolate lovers.
Despite their impressive appearance, they’re actually quite simple to make.
They add visual drama and delicious chocolate flavor to any Christmas cookie spread!
20. No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
When your oven is already occupied with dinner, these no-bake wonders save the day.
Peanut butter, oats, cocoa, and sugar come together on the stovetop in minutes.
You simply drop spoonfuls onto waxed paper and let them cool—no baking required.
They’re chewy, satisfying, and packed with peanut butter flavor.
Perfect for those crazy-busy days when you still want homemade cookies without turning on the oven!
