12 Must-Try Holiday Cookies That’ll Have Everyone Coming Back for More

Welcome to Day 10 of our 12 days of cookies Christmas Cookie Collection for 2024. Are you in cookie heaven yet? I know I am. Also, if you’re throwing a celebration soon and don’t feel like cooking (or, gasp, baking cookies), here are some ideas for making holiday party food without turning on the oven!

A holiday-themed image displaying 12 different cookies, each with a photo and name, titled "12 Days of Cookies - Day 10" by bagelsandlasagna.

Crock Pot Chocolate Nut Clusters

Crock Pot Chocolate Nut Clusters are an easy, no-fuss treat made with crunchy nuts coated in creamy chocolate. The slow cooker does all the work, creating a sweet and salty snack that’s perfect for gifting or sharing.
Get the recipe: Crock Pot Chocolate Nut Clusters

Viennese Whirls

Close-up of a sandwich cookie with cream and raspberry jam filling between two buttery shortbread layers. — Viennese Whirls. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Viennese Whirls are delicate, buttery cookies with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. They’re often filled with jam or buttercream, making them a classic and elegant choice for tea time or special occasions.
Get the recipe: Viennese Whirls

Speculoos

A plate of brown cookies with snowflake patterns on a blue textured surface. — Speculoos. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Speculoos are spiced, crispy cookies with a rich caramelized flavor and a hint of cinnamon. These traditional European treats are perfect for pairing with coffee or enjoying as a holiday favorite.
Get the recipe: Speculoos

Chocolate Gingerbread Men Cookies

Gingerbread cookies holding candy canes with green ribbons, arranged on a white surface with red and gold star ornaments and a green plaid cloth. — Chocolate Gingerbread Men Cookies. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Chocolate Gingerbread Men Cookies add a chocolaty twist to the classic gingerbread cookie. Their rich cocoa flavor pairs perfectly with the warm spices, creating a fun and festive treat.
Get the recipe: Chocolate Gingerbread Men Cookies

Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

Lemon Thumbprint Cookies are bright and zesty, with a soft buttery base and a sweet lemon filling. They’re as refreshing as they are delightful, making them perfect for any occasion.
Get the recipe: Lemon Thumbprint Cookies

Peppermint Shortbread Cookies

Three shortbread cookies partially dipped in chocolate, stacked on a wooden surface, with peppermint pieces on top. — Peppermint Shortbread Cookies. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Peppermint Shortbread Cookies are buttery and crisp with a cool, refreshing hint of peppermint. Their delicate flavor and festive look make them a standout on any holiday cookie platter.
Get the recipe: Peppermint Shortbread Cookies

Oatmeal Crumbl Cookies

Two iced oatmeal cookies stacked, the top cookie has a bite taken out, revealing a soft, chewy interior. — Oatmeal Crumbl Cookies. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Oatmeal Crumbl Cookies are oversized, chewy treats loaded with the hearty goodness of oats. They’re rich, soft and perfect for enjoying with a cold glass of milk.
Get the recipe: Oatmeal Crumbl Cookies

Cranberry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cranberry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies are a delicious combination of tart cranberries, crunchy almonds and gooey chocolate chips. Each bite is packed with flavor and texture.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Chip Cookies are a timeless classic. Soft, chewy and loaded with melty chocolate chips, they’re the ultimate comfort cookie that never goes out of style.
Get the recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Rugelach

Close-up of spiral-shaped pastries with chocolate filling, surrounded by chopped nuts on a white background. — Chocolate Rugelach. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Chocolate Rugelach are flaky, crescent-shaped pastries filled with a rich chocolate filling. These sweet, buttery treats always remind me of my Grandma Yetta.
Get the recipe: Chocolate Rugelach

Santa Whoopie Pies

Two Christmas-themed cupcakes decorated with red icing hats, white snowflakes, coconut flakes for beards, and red and black icing for eyes and noses on a light surface. — Santa Whoopie Pies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Santa Whoopie Pies are festive, soft sandwich cookies filled with creamy frosting. Their fluffy red and white layers make them a fun and delicious holiday treat for kids and adults alike.
Get the recipe: Santa Whoopie Pies

Soft Pumpkin Cookies

A plate of round, golden-brown cookies on a wooden table, next to autumn leaves. — Soft Pumpkin Cookies. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Soft Pumpkin Cookies are tender, spiced cookies with a hint of pumpkin flavor. Their moist texture and warm spices make them a cozy and comforting treat for fall or any time you’re craving pumpkin.
Get the recipe: Soft Pumpkin 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

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

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.

Welcome to Day 4 of the 12 days of Christmas cookies. In this roundup, we’ve included a recipe on how to make cookies in the air fryer, yes, the air fryer. I’m confident these dozen recipes will get you off of store-bought cookies forever.
Get the recipe: 12 Holiday Cookies That Will Make You Forget the Store-Bought Stuff Forever

A round chocolate treat decorated like an owl, with candy eyes, a red candy nose, and white candy details, sits on a plaid tablecloth in front of more similar treats on a plate. — No Bake Penguin Cookies Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This is the cookie roundup from Day 5 of the 12 days of Christmas cookies. We featured some really fun shapes of cookies on this day, including reindeer cookies as well as no-bake penguin cookies.
Get the recipe: From Penguins to Reindeer 12 Holiday Cookie Shapes You’re Sure to Love

12 Delicious Holiday Cookies From Pink to Green and Everything In Between

A variety of decorated Christmas cookies, featuring frosting, sprinkles, chocolate candies, and jam, arranged in a festive box. — Air Fryer Christmas Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Welcome to Day 6 of our 12 days of cookies Christmas Cookie Collection for 2024. Today’s roundup includes holiday cookies in shades of pink and green and everything in between. They’re so festive.
Get the recipe: 12 Delicious Holiday Cookies From Pink to Green and Everything In Between

One Dozen Delicious Holiday Cookies You Need to Bake This Season

Four reindeer-shaped treats made from cookies with pretzel antlers, black eyes, and red candy noses. — Reindeer Cookie Pops. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Welcome to Day 7 of our 12 days of cookies Christmas Cookie Collection for 2024. I’m confident that this collection of a dozen delicious holiday cookies will leave you drooling. Also, if you ever run out of sugar while baking, this article provides info on 9 sugar substitutes.
Get the recipe: One Dozen Delicious Holiday Cookies You Need to Bake This Season

Close-up of a chocolate cookie on a cooling rack, topped with a swirl of melted chocolate. — Andes Mint Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

oday’s cookies include store-bought ingredients that you might not think about when making cookies. This includes boxed cake mix, Nutella, Andes mints and corn flakes.
Get the recipe: 12 Holiday Cookies Guaranteed to Satisfy Your Inner Cookie Monster

12 Must-Bake Holiday Cookies That Are Sure To Become Your Family’s New Favorite

Chocolate-covered cookies with colorful sprinkles, including red, green, and yellow stars, are stacked in a pile. — Chocolate Covered Ritz Crackers. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Welcome to Day 9 of our 12 days of cookies Christmas Cookie Collection for 2024. Before I get to today’s cookie roundup, I wanted to point you to an article I just wrote that will help you with your cookie baking. It’s all about cooking spray alternatives. Once you try them, you’ll never reach for Pam again.
Get the recipe: 12 Must-Bake Holiday Cookies That Are Sure To Become Your Family’s New Favorite