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When thinking about the holidays, a few things come to mind — decorating, gifts, family and indulgence. Sure, there is slow roasted poultry and ham, buckets of mac and cheese (or at least, we hope you have buckets of mac and cheese) and finally, holiday cookies. If you're guilty of under-appreciating these delicious and intricate delicacies, for that you owe the following 30 recipes an apology. Because here is the best list of holiday cookies ever. Bake them for your next holiday fete, wrap them as gifts, or just toss them in the cookie jar for yourself!
Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies
If there’s one recipe you 100 percent need to crank out some seriously festive Christmas dessert ideas, it’s the classic, basic sugar cookie. This vanilla-bean-speckled version sure holds its own under all that royal icing. (via Brit + Co)
Brown Sugar Maple Sugar Cookies
These chewy Brown Sugar Maple Ginger Cookies are a cross between a really great ginger cookie and a delicious chocolate chip cookie, made with dark brown sugar, rich molasses, ginger, and the real secret…chocolate chips! (via Half Baked Harvest)
Hot Chocolate Cookies
You're going to want a glass of milk with these gooey hot chocolate cookies, complete with big marshmallows and chunks of melted dark chocolate. (via Averie Cooks)
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookie
These chewy White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies are loaded with flavor, and they're so easy to make. Betcha can't eat just one! (via Hello Little Home)
Cannoli Cookies
We say take the cannoli...these delicious bites are packed with Italian classic cannoli flavors with a soft, fluffy texture. Have for breakfast or dessert! (via Kathryn's Kitchen)
Pecan Sandies Cookies
Made with buttery, crumbly shortbread cookie dough, warm spices, and holiday-perfect pecans, these cookies make the best edible gifts! (via Pink Owl Kitchen)
Dark Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
The secret to these dark chocolate shortbread cookies? Two words: Cacao nibs. They’re like brownies but make it shortbread! This recipe is vegetarian and easily vegan too! (via Vanilla and Bean)
Chocolate Kiss Cookies
From the cookbook, Sally’s Cookie Addiction, these classic cookies are fun to make with kids and are the perfect holiday treat to leave for Santa! (via Two Peas & Their Pod)
Pumpkin Pie Cookie
This flavorful pumpkin pie cookies recipe by Chahinez of Lifestyle of a Foodie is totally share-worthy and is sure to pump up the party with pumpkin pie goodness. (via Brit + Co)
Melting Moments Cookies
These buttery eggless treats have a soft and crumbly texture that melts in your mouth, hence the name! (via Give Recipe)
Peppermint Sparkle Sugar Cookies
Make your sugar cookies sparkle with crushed peppermint and white sugar! Just one bowl needed! (via Bowl of Delicious)
Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Roll these lemony treats in powdered sugar before baking to get this delightful texture. (via A Spicy Perspective)
Taylor Swift Chai Cookies
Think Santa is a Swiftie? We followed Taylor Swift’s chai cookie recipe and were starstruck by how painless they were to make! Read on as B+C editor Meredith Holser tackles the ultimate Swiftie cookie recipe. (via Brit + Co)
Hojicha Gingerbread Cookies
The hojicha (Japanese green tea) brings out a nutty flavor in these soft and chewy gingerbread cookies – the perfect canvases for holiday decorating! (via Takes Two Eggs)
Snowman Macarons With Eggnog Buttercream
How cute are these snowman macarons? Filled with eggnog buttercream and decorated with royal icing, they will be the star of your cookie party! (via Barley & Sage)
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
You can never go wrong with a classic chocolate chip cookie, add a dash of cinnamon to make them extra seasonal and delicious! (via Cozy Cravings)
Linzer Cookies
Crisp, buttery almond-scented cookies with a sweet raspberry filling say holidays without saying a word. (via Culinary Hill)
Peppermint Chocolate Brownie Cookies
Get all your holiday flavors in with this one cookie: peppermint, brownie and chocolate cookies. Say no more! (via Salt & Lavender)
Spritz Cookies
We might as well start with something healthy-ish and delicious (‘tis the season). With no egg and a whole wheat dough, these light and delicious lovelies just might shock you. (via Food Faith Fitness)White Chocolate Covered Gingerbread Oreos
A great DIY hack. These tasty treats take no time at all and are great for a holiday party or to be wrapped up as little party favors. (via Pies and Plots)
Fennel and Rosemary Cookies
Every once in awhile a more savory dessert is what will hit the spot, and these will not disappoint. (via Local Milk)
Eggnog Cookies
If you don’t usually love eggnog, give this recipe a try before you write it off completely. (via Half Full)
Peppermint Macarons
Class it up with this fun twist on the French macaron, great for parties or just a lovely family dinner. (via Studio DIY)
Gingerbread Dreidles
We don’t usually associate dreidels with eating, but when we do, we do it with gingerbread batter. (via Could Be Parve)
Gluten-Free Rugelach With Cranberry Port Jam, Chocolate and Walnuts
The perfect way to keep rugelach relevant for all the holidays (via The Bojon Gourmet)
Italian Anisette Cookies
Usually these cookies have a strong licorice flavor, but this adaptations makes them a bit sweeter and lighter with vanilla and lemon. (via Cooking and Beer)
Cherry Chocolate Cookies
Otherwise known as “Rudolphs,” these chocolaty treats have it all — color, holiday flavor and chocolate. What more could you want? (via Eat in Eat Out)
Christmas Sugar Cookies
You can’t have a holiday cookie list without a sugar cookie, and these are some of the most beautiful we’ve seen. Get creative and have fun. (via Pastry Affair)
Shortbread Surprise
Talk about a surprise in the middle. These flaky cookies have an entire Hershey’s Kiss in the center. Sub in a Rolo if you want more of a caramel flavor. (via Baked in Arizona)
Cookie Christmas Trees
Take cookies and turn them into festive trees for the holidays — adorable, delicious, and super fun. (via Brit + Co)
Get more holiday recipe ideas on our Food page and be sure to sign up for our weekend scroll for more inspiration!
Lead image via Vanilla and Bean
