32 Make-Ahead Christmas Cookies
Updated: Nov. 09, 2021Looking to start your holiday baking early? Start freezing cookies in advance with handy tips and recipes for make-ahead Christmas cookies.
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Cherry Pinwheel Cookies
A crisp, light textured cookie with a mild cherry flavor will add great color to your holiday cookie tray.—Jenn Reagan, Maple Valley, WashingtonThese are our 150 best Christmas cookie recipes.
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White Chocolate-Cranberry Biscotti
The original version of this recipe was handed down from my great-aunt. Through the years, my mother and I have tried different flavor combinations…this is a favorite for all. —Brenda Keith, Talent, OregonBiscotti last for weeks without going stale. Get more biscotti recipes.
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Christmas Candy Cane Cookies
These cookies were a holiday tradition in my family since I was a young child. Now my own family requests them before any others at Christmas. —Pat Schmeling, Germantown, WisconsinLearn more about prepping and freezing cookies in advance of the holidays.
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Fruitcake Cookies
These old-fashioned goodies are fun, colorful and chewy without being sticky. —Dorcas Wright, Guelph, OntarioThese 31 traditional Christmas cookies spread all the holiday cheer.
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Gingerbread Amaretti Cookies
The classic Italian cookie gets a new gingerbread twist! Don’t overbake—they should be slightly chewy. —Tina Zaccardi, Eastchester, New York
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Coconut Slice & Bake Cookies
Tinting flaky white coconut reminds me of snowflakes falling under holiday lights. The reds and greens add colorful Christmas wonder. — Lee Roberts, Racine, Wisconsin
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Tender Pecan Logs
Folks always ask me to make these tender nutty logs. Not overly sweet, they’re just right with a steaming cup of coffee or tea. —Joyce Beck, Gadsden, Alabama
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Chocolate Gingersnaps
When my daughter, Jennifer, was 15 years old, she created this recipe as a way to combine two of her favorite flavors. They’re perfect with a glass of milk. —Paula Zsiray, Logan, Utah
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Red Velvet Spritz Cookies
I had never come across a red velvet spritz recipe, so I decided to create one. The hint of cocoa powder makes these taste like red velvet cake. Add peppermint flavoring for a little extra kick. —Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, MinnesotaThese 28 vintage Christmas cookie recipes make the holidays so much sweeter.
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Cathedral Cookies
Children love the colorful marshmallows in these festive confections, which look like stained glass when they're sliced. They practically light up the room from the serving platter at our holiday parties. —Carol Shaffer, Cape Girardeau, Missouri
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Pecan Roll-Ups
This recipe is so delicious and is sure to become a favorite of your family. The pecans make them so rich.—Lee B. Roberts, Racine, Wisconsin
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Chocolate Almond Wafers
When my children were younger, we’d make dozens of cookies and candies each season. Then we’d pack up assortments and deliver them to our friends and family. These wafers were always a favorite. —Phyl Broich-Wessling, Garner, Iowa
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Chunky Drop Cookies
The night before I make these drop cookies, I measure out the pretzels, peanuts, raisins and chocolate. Assembly goes quickly the next day. —Kelly Ward-Hartman, Cape Coral, Florida
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Mexican Wedding Cakes
As part of a Mexican tradition, I tucked these tender cookies into small gift boxes for the guests at my sister’s wedding a few years ago. Most folks gobbled them up before they ever got home! —Sarita Johnston, San Antonio, Texas
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Christmas M&M’s Cookies
These M&M Christmas cookies make any cookie platter feel festive. Swap in pastel M&M’s for Easter and orange and brown for Halloween. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Holiday Biscotti
A twice-baked Italian cookie, biscotti makes a wonderful “dunker.” A pretty way to present a batch is on a seasonal plate arranged in a wagon-wheel fashion. —Libia Foglesong, San Bruno, California
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Citrus Gingerbread Cookies
Orange and lemon zest give gingerbread cutouts a refreshing twist. Brushing a honey glaze over the top adds a subtle shine and an extra touch of sweetness. —Monique Hooker, DeSoto, Wisconsin
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Norwegian Cookies
This recipe was passed down to me from my mother-in-law. The soft sugar cookies are a favoritewith our four children. —Karen Skowronek, Minot, North Dakota
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Almond Chocolate Biscotti
My neighbors look forward to getting my gifts of these chocolate-covered cookies. I love that this chocolate biscotti recipe is such a cinch to make. —Ginger Chatfield, Muscatine, Iowa
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Cherry Icebox Cookies
As a home economics teacher, I often supplied treats for school functions. These delectable cookies were always popular.
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Crescent Chip Cookies
With their cute curved shape, crescents always make charming additions to a Christmas cookie platter. I dip the cooled cookies in chocolate and sprinkle on walnuts. —Ann Eastman, Sacramento, California
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Triple-Ginger Gingersnaps
Ginger cookies are holiday hits. Tuck them into clean, recycled coffee cans wrapped in decorative paper. With a glue gun, add ribbon or trim. —Jessica Follen, Waunakee, Wisconsin
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Peppermint Stars
I make these buttery mint cookies each Christmas because they’re my daughter’s favorite. Use whatever cookie cutter design you prefer. —Lois White, Brookfield, Missouri
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Cranberry Walnut Biscotti
A chocolate drizzle lends a little extra sweetness to biscotti.—Joan Duckworth, Lee’s Summit, Missouri
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Swirled Mint Cookies
No one will believe that these rich and buttery cookies are light, but they are! With their colorful swirls, each one of these minty, sugary bites has its own look. —Lois Hill, Thomasville, North Carolina
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Chocolate-Dipped Cranberry Cookies
This pretty pink dessert always turn out so tender. They are the hit of my holiday! —Barbara Nowakowski, North Tonawanda, New York
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Lemon Pistachio Wreaths
I have made these fun and festive wreaths for the past few years. Zest from the lemon and crunch from the pistachios create a hard-to-resist sweet.
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Peppermint Snowballs
These snowball cookies have a surprise peppermint filling in the center. —Judith Scholovich, Waukesha, Wisconsin
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Cranberry Pecan Cookies
These are so tasty and simple to prepare! Each delightful little cookie is loaded with cranberries, nuts and vanilla, giving them the taste of a treat that’s been slaved over. —Louise Hawkins, Lubbock, Texas
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Zimtsterne
During December, homes and bakeries in Switzerland are filled with the aroma of classic cookies like these “Zimtsterne.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Date-Nut Pinwheels
Pinwheel cookies with dates and walnuts are a family treasure. There are a few steps when prepping, so I sometimes freeze the dough and bake the cookies later. —Frieda Whiteley, Lisbon, Connecticut
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Chocolate Coconut Neapolitans
These yummy striped cookies with a chocolaty twist are easy and fun to make, but they do need some time in the freezer. —Lena Marie Brownell, Rockland, Massachusetts
Originally Published: November 09, 2021
