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12 Holiday Cookies That Will Make You Forget the Store-Bought Stuff Forever

ByLeah Ingram

Welcome to Day 4 of the 12 Days of Holiday Cookies. Today’s dozen cookies feature ones so delicious and easy to make that you’re never going to go back to the store-bought stuff ever again. I know you’ll be hooked. Pro tip: invest in embossed rolling pins to make the prettiest cookies of all time.

Grid of 12 cookie images labeled "12 Days of Cookies - Day 4," including marshmallow swirl, air fryer gingerbread, haystack, snickerdoodles, and more. Decorative elements around.

Marshmallow Swirl Cookies

Close-up of a chocolate cookie with a gooey center on a white surface.
Marshmallow Swirl Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Marshmallow Swirl Cookies are a fun and chewy treat that I love to make. The soft dough is swirled with gooey marshmallows, creating a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth cookie. They’re a hit at any party or gathering!
Get the recipe: Marshmallow Swirl Cookies

Air Fryer Gingerbread Cookies

Three decorated cookies with blue icing, topped with small frosting Christmas trees and white snow-like dots, on a white plate.
Air Fryer Gingerbread Cookies. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Air Fryer Gingerbread Cookies are the perfect way to enjoy gingerbread without turning on the oven. They’re crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and packed with the warm spices of cinnamon and ginger. Plus, the air fryer makes them quick and easy to bake.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Gingerbread Cookies

Haystack Cookies

Clusters of chocolate-covered pretzel sticks are displayed on a white plate, set against a festive background with holiday greenery.
Haystack Cookies: Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These Haystack Cookies are a no-bake treat that’s as easy to make as they are delicious. The combination of crunchy chow mein noodles — what? — plus sweet chocolate and peanut butter creates the perfect balance of salty and sweet.
Get the recipe: Haystack Cookies

A tin of ginger cookies sprinkled with sea salt, arranged on white parchment paper next to sprigs of lavender.
Salted Brown Butter Snickerdoodles. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Salted Brown Butter Snickerdoodles take a classic favorite to the next level. The nutty flavor of brown butter adds a rich depth, while a touch of salt balances the sweetness. These cookies are soft, chewy and impossible to resist.
Get the recipe: Salted Brown Butter Snickerdoodles

Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Two cookies with pecans and chocolate chips on a cooling rack.
Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies are the best of both worlds. The crunchy pecans add a nice texture to the soft, chewy cookie filled with rich chocolate chips.
Get the recipe: Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Peppermint Chocolate Cookies

Chocolate cookies topped with dark chocolate and crushed peppermint pieces are arranged on a white surface.
Peppermint Chocolate Cookies. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Peppermint Chocolate Cookies are the perfect holiday treat. The rich chocolate flavor is complemented by the cool, refreshing taste of peppermint. They’re soft, chewy and bursting with festive flavor in every bite.
Get the recipe: Peppermint Chocolate Cookies

A thumbprint cookie filled with orange jam and coated with chopped nuts rests on a white wooden surface.
Pecan Thumbprint Cookie. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Pecan Thumbprint Cookies are a delicious twist on the classic thumbprint. The nutty pecans add a rich flavor to the buttery base, while the jam center adds a touch of sweetness. They’re perfect for holiday gatherings or as a sweet afternoon snack.
Get the recipe: Pecan Thumbprint Cookie

Cranberry Orange Biscotti

A plate of biscotti with visible cranberries and nuts on a white background.
Cranberry Orange Biscotti. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Cranberry Orange Biscotti are a delightful combination of tart cranberries and zesty orange. The crunchy texture makes them perfect for dipping in coffee or tea. They’re a great way to use up any leftover cranberries.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Orange Biscotti

Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies

Three chocolate crinkle cookies stacked on a white plate, dusted with powdered sugar.
Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies are rich, fudgy and covered in powdered sugar for a crinkled finish. They taste just like a brownie in cookie form, with a perfect balance of chocolate and sweetness in every bite.
Get the recipe: Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies

Honey Cookies with Orange and Cinnamon

A glass of milk next to stacks of round cookies on a napkin, with one cookie broken in half in the foreground.
Honey Cookies with Orange and Cinnamon. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Honey Cookies with Orange and Cinnamon are a delightful twist on a classic treat. The warm, aromatic cinnamon pairs beautifully with the sweet, floral flavor of honey, while the hint of orange adds a refreshing citrusy brightness. Found yourself with honey in clumps? Here’s how to fix ​crystallized honey​.
Get the recipe: Honey Cookies with Orange and Cinnamon

Easy Sugar Cookies

A tray of square, embossed brown cookies on parchment paper, some with a patterned design, one with a corner missing.
Easy Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Easy Sugar Cookies are a classic treat that’s quick to make and always a hit. With a soft, buttery texture and just the right amount of sweetness, they’re perfect for any occasion or simply when I’m craving something simple and delicious. These are also cookies where I used my ​embossed rolling pins​.
Get the recipe: Easy Sugar Cookies

Oatmeal Cookies

A plate of homemade oatmeal cookies piled in a pyramid shape on a light-colored surface.
Oatmeal Cookies. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Oatmeal Cookies are a comforting and hearty treat. The chewy oats combine perfectly with warm spices like cinnamon, creating a satisfying cookie that’s great for snacking or dunking in a glass of milk.
Get the recipe: Oatmeal Cookies

Colorful pinwheel cookies with red, green, and white swirls, edged with multicolored sprinkles, stacked on a white surface.
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

This is a recap of Day 1 of our 12 days of cookies Christmas Cookie Collection for 2024. On each of the next 12 days, we will be highlighting a dozen different cookies you may want to make this year for your annual cookie exchange or another holiday celebration.
Get the recipe: 12 Holiday Cookies That Will Make You the Undisputed Champion of Cookie Swaps

Frosted cookies topped with crushed peppermint candies on parchment paper.
Peppermint Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Today’s roundup is actually a baker’s dozen — or 13 — holiday treats for Day 2 of the 12 days of Christmas cookies. Of course, I’m sharing a dozen unique cookie recipes. Plus, I’ve added in an extra holiday treat.
Get the recipe: 13 Holiday Treats That Will Steal the Show

Gingerbread cookies decorated with white icing are placed on festive paper.
Gingerbread Cookies Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Here is a recap of Day 3 of the 12 days of Christmas cookies. In today’s roundup, you’ll find everything from classic gingerbreads cookies to gluten-free options, if that’s something you need.
Get the recipe: 12 Holiday Cookie Recipes So Good

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