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    Home » Christmas

    29 Christmas Cookies That Belong on Every Holiday Tray

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated December 19, 2025 · Published December 19, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    These 29 Christmas cookies are perfect for any holiday tray. From classic sugar cookies to rich chocolate treats, each one brings a festive touch to your celebrations. Whether you're baking for family or friends, these cookies will surely spread joy this season.

    Butterball Cookies

    Butterball Cookies
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Butterball Cookies are simple to whip up and are always a hit. They're a classic choice for Christmas, but you can enjoy them any time of the year. The addition of chopped hazelnuts gives them a nice crunch that everyone loves.

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    Holiday Embossed Gingerbread Cookies

    Holiday Embossed Gingerbread Cookies.
    Photo Credit: Art of Natural Living.

    Holiday gingerbread cookies are a fun and tasty treat that everyone loves. With a simple roller or cookie stamp, you can make charming cookies that fit right in with the festive spirit. These cookies are perfect for sharing and will add a special touch to your holiday celebrations.

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    Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies.
    Photo credit: Spatula Desserts.

    These chocolate chip cookies are loaded with pecans, cinnamon, and brown butter, giving them a rich flavor. With a chewy exterior and a soft, gooey center, they combine the sweetness of chocolate with a nutty crunch. Perfect for sharing during the holidays, these cookies are sure to be a hit on any festive tray.

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    No Chill Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies

    No Chill Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies.
    Photo Credit: Savvy Saving Couple.

    Chocolate chip cookies are a classic holiday treat that everyone loves. These cookies are soft and chewy, packed with both dark and milk chocolate, plus M&Ms and colorful sprinkles for a festive touch. They're easy to whip up and don't need any chilling time, making them perfect for holiday baking.

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    Gingerbread Men

    Gingerbread Men Cookies.
    Photo Credit: Kathryn's Kitchen Blog.

    Gingerbread men cookies are simple to whip up and look adorable. You can mix everything in just one bowl, making it a fun activity for everyone during the holiday season. These cookies are a great addition to any Christmas tray, bringing a festive touch to your celebrations.

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    Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

    Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies.
    Photo Credit: Casual Foodist.

    The holidays are a great time to bake cookies, and buttery shortbread cookies are always a favorite. Adding dried cranberries and chopped pistachios gives these cookies a festive flair that everyone will love. They're perfect for sharing on holiday trays or enjoying with family and friends.

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    Easy Sugar Cookies

    Sugar Cookies.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    These sugar cookies are simple to whip up and have a delicious flavor. The dough rolls out easily and holds its shape in the oven, allowing you to make perfectly shaped cookies that are ideal for decorating. They're a great addition to any holiday tray and are sure to be a hit with everyone.

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    Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies

    Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies.
    Photo Credit: Combine Good Flavors.

    Austrian Husaren Krapferl, also known as hazelnut thumbprint cookies, are a wonderful holiday treat that adds warmth to any gathering. These Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies are easy to prepare and will remind you of the cookies your grandma used to bake. Perfect for sharing during the festive season, they bring a touch of nostalgia and sweetness to your holiday tray.

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    Speculoos Cookies

    Speculoos Cookies.
    Photo Credit: My Chef's Apron.

    Belgian and Dutch Speculoos cookies are a great addition to your holiday celebrations. Their blend of warm spices brings a cozy feel to any gathering. These cookies are simple to prepare and will definitely be a favorite during the Christmas season.

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    Figgy Pudding Cookies

    Figgy Pudding Cookies.
    Photo Credit: Tikkido.

    Figgy pudding Christmas cookies bring the traditional flavors of figgy pudding into a fun, bite-sized form. These cookies are a perfect addition to your holiday cookie tray, adding a festive touch to your celebrations.

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    Gingerbread Christmas Tree

    Gingerbread Christmas Tree.
    Photo Credit: A Table Full of Joy.

    The Gingerbread Christmas Tree is a charming dessert that brings a festive vibe to any holiday celebration. Made with delicious gingerbread cookies and decorated with creamy buttercream, this cookie tree is bound to impress everyone during the Christmas season.

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    Hot Chocolate Cookie Cup

    Hot Chocolate Cookie Cup.
    Photo Credit: Eat Travel Life.

    The holidays are a perfect opportunity to showcase your baking talents with some delightful treats. Hot chocolate cookies are simple to make and are great for sharing with family or taking to a party. They add a cozy touch to any holiday tray and are sure to be a hit with everyone.

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    Almond-Flavored Butter Cookies

    Almond-Flavored Butter Cookies.
    Photo Credit: Sense & Edibility.

    Mantecaditos are tasty almond-flavored cookies with a little dip in the center filled with sweet jams or fruit, often finished off with colorful sprinkles. They're a favorite treat for everyone, young and old, especially during the holiday season. These cookies add a festive touch to any holiday tray and are perfect for sharing with family and friends.

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    Cutout Sugar Cookies

    Cutout Sugar Cookies.
    Photo Credit: The Toasty Kitchen.

    These sugar cookies are soft and fluffy, keeping their shape nicely when baked. They have a simple vanilla glaze that you can easily tint and decorate for any holiday or celebration. Perfect for adding to your holiday tray, these cookies are a festive treat that everyone will enjoy.

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    Walnut Crescent Cookies

    Walnut Crescent Cookies.
    Photo Credit: Living Sweet Moments,

    Walnut Crescent Cookies are soft and crumbly, perfect for the holiday season. They're easy to make and are a wonderful treat to share with friends and family. These cookies add a special touch to any holiday tray.

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    Snowy Oreo Pinecones

    Snowy Oreo Pinecones.
    Photo Credit: Eat Cook Bake.

    Oreo Pinecones are a fun and festive treat that are simple to make and delicious. They're perfect for Christmas or winter gatherings, and you only need three easy ingredients to put them together. These treats add a cheerful touch to any holiday tray.

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    Merry & Bright Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies

    Merry & Bright Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies.
    Photo Credit: Gluten-Free Life.

    These cookies have a lovely golden-brown color on the edges and a soft center that's simply delightful. They're perfect for sharing with friends and family, adding a touch of joy to any holiday gathering. Homemade treats like these are sure to bring smiles and warmth during the festive season.

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    Chocolate Peppermint Kiss Cookies

    Chocolate Peppermint Kiss Cookies.
    Photo Credit: Our Love Language is Food.

    Peppermint kiss cookies are a delightful addition to any holiday spread. They feature a rich chocolate base topped with festive striped peppermint kisses, making them a cheerful treat for the season. These cookies are sure to bring some holiday spirit to your gatherings.

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    Classic Italian Pizzelle

    Classic Italian Pizzelle.
    Photo Credit: Keeping it Simple.

    Italian pizzelle are light and crispy cookies with a lovely anise flavor. They come together quickly with just a handful of ingredients and a pizzelle iron. These cookies are perfect for adding to your holiday tray and are sure to be a hit during the festive season.

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    Almond Flour Shortbread Cookies

    Almond Flour Shortbread Cookies.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    Almond flour shortbread cookies are a fantastic option for holiday baking, requiring just five simple ingredients. These cookies are easy to make and perfect for sharing with friends and family during the festive season. They add a delightful touch to any holiday tray and are sure to be a hit with everyone.

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    Christmas Baci di Dama Cookies

    Christmas Baci di Dama Cookies.
    Photo Credit: Three Olives Branch.

    Christmas Baci di Dama Cookies bring a festive touch to your holiday cookie tray. With their delicious hazelnut flavor, these cookies are a great way to celebrate the season in vibrant red, white, and green. They add a cheerful variety that everyone will enjoy during the holidays.

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    Brown Sugar Shortbread Cookies

    Brown Sugar Shortbread Cookies.
    Photo Credit: Kelly Neil.

    Brown sugar shortbread cookies are rich and crunchy, with a texture that just crumbles in your mouth. When you use a cookie stamp, they become charming little treats perfect for the holiday season. These cookies are a great addition to any holiday tray, bringing a touch of sweetness and a festive look.

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    Peppermint Meltaways

    Peppermint Meltaways.
    Photo Credit: Blend with Spices.

    These Christmas cookies are soft, buttery, and really enjoyable. With a layer of peppermint frosting and bits of crushed candy canes on top, they bring a cheerful vibe to your holiday spread.

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    Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Brown butter chocolate chip cookies.
    Photo credit: Spatula Desserts.

    These Christmas cookies offer a wonderful combination of crispy and chewy textures, all wrapped up in a rich buttery taste. A light sprinkle of sea salt on top adds a nice touch, balancing the sweetness with a hint of savory. They're perfect for sharing during the holidays and will surely be a hit on any festive tray.

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    Snowman Chocolate Cups

    Snowman Chocolate Cups.
    Photo Credit: Primavera Kitchen.

    Snowman Chocolate Cups are a delightful and cheerful addition to any holiday spread. These simple no-bake treats come together with just a handful of ingredients, making them perfect for the festive season. They add a playful touch to your Christmas celebrations and are sure to bring smiles to everyone who sees them.

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    Maurice Lenell Pinwheel Cookies

    Maurice Lenell Pinwheel Cookies.
    Photo Credit: The Perks of Being Us.

    Maurice Lenell pinwheel cookies feature layers of vanilla and milk chocolate dough, rolled together and covered in bright red and green sugar. These cookies add a delightful sweetness to any holiday gathering. They're a fun and festive treat that everyone will enjoy during the Christmas season.

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    Stained Glass Cookies

    Stained Glass Cookies.
    Photo Credit: That Skinny Chick Can Bake.

    Stained glass cookies are easy to make and add a beautiful touch to any holiday spread. These colorful cookies are sure to catch everyone's eye and will be a hit at your gatherings.

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    Christmas Cookie Bars

    Christmas Cookie Bars
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Christmas Cookie Bars are a delightful addition to any holiday celebration. Loaded with M&M's, chocolate chips, and colorful sprinkles, they're quick to prepare and only take about 15 minutes. These bars are perfect for sharing on cookie trays or giving as gifts.

    Get the recipe

    Coconut Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

    Coconut Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies.
    Photo Credit: Sense & Edibility.

    Coconut Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies are delightful treats that are sure to please everyone. They're great for tea time, a nice surprise for visitors, or simply a sweet snack when you're in the mood for something special.

    Get the Recipe

    More Christmas Recipes

    • Duck with orange sauce.
      5 Seriously Good Recipes to Level up Your Christmas Dinner This Year
    • White chocolate peppermint cookies.
      28 Adorable Christmas Cookies That Bring Instant Holiday Cheer
    • Hot chocolate cookie cups.
      24 Christmas Cookie Designs So Adorable You’ll Want to Make Them All
    • Mini cheese balls.
      12 Cheese Balls So Good They’ll Disappear Before Dinner Even Starts

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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