You can scroll through the entire list of these favourite Christmas cookie recipes, or click the GROUP HEADINGS to jump to a particular section of interest:
- MOST POPULAR – Show-stopping homemade cookie recipes that are the most popular on our site, rated by family, friends, and maybe even you!
- NO-BAKE – Three simple but very flavourful cookies that always get rave reviews. Bonus: all three recipes are gluten-free – no flour in sight!
- CHRISTMAS SUGAR COOKIES – Three distinctly different cookies that utilize the same sugar cookie recipe as their base. Cocoa powder, nuts, jam and coconut can take our classic recipe in three amazingly different directions.
- HOLIDAY CLASSICS – Gingerbread, biscotti, a favourite crispy snap cookie, and a unique miniature tart confection.
- SQUARES – These squares are featured on this list because they’re as easy to make as a cookie. We also like how a big batch can be cut into dainty 1-inch squares, adding a bit of interest and variation to your baking trays.
- BONUS ROUND – Two surprise recipes for sweet treats. Hint: they aren’t cookies, and you won’t need the oven to make them. As a bonus, they make lovely gifts too.
These essential recipes are keepers; speaking from experience, you’ll make them once, and they’ll return to your baking trays year after year. That said, best to keep them at the ready, so make sure to PIN the recipes on a favourite Pinterest board and SHARE them with friends. We’d also appreciate seeing pics when you make them. Use #weekendatthecottage when you post on Facebook and Instagram. Thanks for sharing with the world!
Here is the essential cookie list for the holiday season, our top 20 BEST CHRISTMAS COOKIE RECIPES! Don’t forget to click those LINK BUTTONS under each listing to go straight to the recipe or video.
MOST POPULAR
Melt-In-Your-Mouth Pecan Cookies
Butter gets creamed with ground pecans and a pinch of sugar, then shaped into balls and rolled in confectioners’ sugar. Big flavour.
Go to recipe Watch the videoItalian Almond Cookies
Sun-dried cherries dot these almond-flavoured cookies, that feature a crisp outer texture of sliced almonds, but a soft, chewy centre.
Go to recipe Watch the videoNutty Thumbprint Cookies
Buttery sugar cookies rolled in chopped almonds and pecans, then topped with a drop of homemade jam.
Go to recipe Watch the videoButtery Shortbread Cookies
A rich, buttery shortbread with a hint of nuttiness courtesy of finely chopped rolled oats. Santa approved!
Go to recipe Watch the videoNO-BAKE COOKIES
Chocolate Salami
Chopped nuts, fragrant spices and semisweet chocolate rolled into a log shape. Let it chill out in the fridge before coating it in icing sugar and slicing it as thin as a delicatessen.
Go to recipe Watch the videoOrange Almond Balls
Vegan, no-bake cookies made with ground orange peel, vanilla extract, ground almonds and a wonderfully scented vanilla sugar.
Go to recipe Watch the videoChocolate Rum Balls
Scrumptious chocolate balls with your choice of a rum-soaked cherry centre or a luscious rum buttercream. Rolled in nuts and either ground chocolate chips or white chocolate.
Go to recipe Watch the videoSUGAR COOKIES
Coconut Butter Cookie Macaroons
Rich cookies with the taste of coconut macaroons, baked golden brown and brushed with chocolate and a sprinkle of kosher salt.
Go to recipe Watch the videoEasy Thumbprint Cookies
This most-requested cookie dough recipe is enhanced with a classic thumbprint indentation filled with chocolate or a favourite raspberry jam. Easy never tasted so good!
Go to recipe Watch the videoChocolate Mocha Snowballs
A melt-in-your-mouth mocha and pecan-flavoured chocolate cookie rolled in icing sugar.
Go to recipe Watch the videoHOLIDAY CLASSICS
Chocolate-Hazelnut Biscotti
The classic crunchy finger-shaped biscuit flavoured with toasted hazelnuts and shards of dark chocolate, complete with a decorative chocolate glaze.
Go to recipe Watch the videoGingersnap Cookies
Sugar-rolled crackled ginger spice cookies with a heady fragrant profile of spices and orange zest.
Go to recipe Watch the videoCoconut Macaroons with Chocolate
Mounds of sweetened shredded coconut scrumptiousness that get baked and drizzled with chocolate. Yield is 36!
Go to recipe Watch the videoMini Fruit and Nut Tarts
Miniature tart shells made with butter and cream cheese filled with cranberries and pistachios in bubbly centres of dark brown sugar, egg and butter.
Go to recipe Watch the videoGingerbread Spiced Cookies
Rich, crisp cookies flavoured with dark brown sugar and assorted freshly ground spices, plus royal icing for decorating.
Go to recipe Watch the videoSQUARES
Butter Tart Squares
A buttery pastry base topped with that classic mix of eggs, dark brown sugar, butter, walnuts and raisins.
Go to recipe Watch the videoClassic All-American Brownies
A rich, chewy cake studded with walnuts and bursting with chocolate flavour. Kids love them!
Go to recipe Watch the videoPecan Pie Squares
A caramel-flavoured pecan pie topping baked over a pecan-studded shortbread base.
Go to recipe Watch the videoTangy Lemon Squares
A buttery shortbread base topped with a richly flavoured, extra-tangy layer of golden lemon goodness.
Go to recipe Watch the videoBONUS ROUND
Triple Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Three types of chocolate melted and swirled together, finished with a sprinkle of crushed peppermint candy cane.
Go to recipe Watch the videoChocolate-Almond Toffee Bark
Toasted almonds coated with a rich, buttery toffee, then covered with melted chocolate and ground almonds.
Go to recipe Watch the video