20 Easy Christmas Cookies That Anyone Can Make

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The holidays are busy enough without spending hours in the kitchen making complicated cookies.

These easy Christmas cookie recipes prove that delicious, festive treats don’t require advanced baking skills or endless ingredients.

Whether you’re a baking novice, short on time, or just want stress free holiday treats, these simple recipes deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Many use shortcuts like store bought dough, cake mixes, or no bake methods to get you out of the kitchen faster.

Perfect for last minute cookie exchanges, unexpected guests, or baking with kids, these recipes focus on simplicity without sacrificing taste or festive appeal.

The best part?

Most require just one bowl, basic ingredients you probably already have, and less than 30 minutes of hands on time.

Let’s explore these foolproof cookies that will make you look like a baking superstar without the stress!

1.Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Mix one cup peanut butter, one cup sugar, and one egg, then roll into balls, flatten with a fork, and bake for 10 minutes.

These impossibly simple cookies require no flour, butter, or measuring cups beyond what’s listed.

The peanut butter provides all the structure and flavor needed for delicious, chewy cookies.

They’re naturally gluten free, making them perfect for guests with dietary restrictions.

Kids can make these entirely on their own with minimal supervision.

The classic fork pattern on top makes them look intentional and traditional.

They’re done in under 20 minutes from start to finish, perfect for emergency cookie situations.

2.Cake Mix Cookies

Start with any boxed cake mix, add two eggs and half a cup of oil, then fold in chocolate chips or M&Ms before baking.

This genius shortcut creates soft, bakery style cookies in whatever flavor cake mix you choose.

Try funfetti for colorful cookies, chocolate for double chocolate, or spice cake for gingerbread style treats.

The cake mix provides all the leavening, sugar, and flavoring needed.

These stay incredibly soft for days thanks to the cake mix formula.

Kids love choosing the cake mix flavor and add ins themselves.

You can make dozens of cookies in less time than it takes to make one batch from scratch.

3.No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Boil sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa together for one minute, then stir in oats, vanilla, and peanut butter, drop onto wax paper, and let set.

These classic no bake cookies require no oven and set up at room temperature in about 30 minutes.

The chocolate peanut butter combination is universally loved by kids and adults alike.

They’re perfect for hot days when you don’t want to turn on the oven.

The chewy, fudgy texture is completely different from baked cookies.

They’re great for involving young kids since there’s no hot oven involved.

Make them during power outages or in dorm rooms with just a hot plate.

4.Snowball Cookies (Russian Tea Cakes)

Mix butter, powdered sugar, flour, and chopped pecans, roll into balls, bake, then roll in more powdered sugar while warm.

These buttery, melt in your mouth cookies look like little snowballs dusted with fresh snow.

The simple ingredient list belies how delicious and sophisticated these taste.

They’re perfect for holiday cookie platters because they look festive without any decorating.

The nuts can be omitted for nut free versions or replaced with other varieties.

Rolling them in powdered sugar while warm creates a thick, snowy coating.

They’re traditional, nostalgic, and require no special skills or equipment.

5.Thumbprint Cookies with Jam

Make simple butter cookie dough, roll into balls, press your thumb in the center, and fill with your favorite jam before baking.

These classic cookies let you customize flavors with whatever jam varieties you have on hand.

The thumbprint method is foolproof and creates perfect little wells for filling.

Kids love making the thumbprints and choosing different jam flavors for each cookie.

Try raspberry, strawberry, apricot, or even Nutella for variety.

The jewel toned jam centers look beautiful and festive on cookie platters.

They’re elegant enough for formal gatherings but simple enough for weeknight baking.

6.Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Press chocolate chip cookie dough into a 9×13 pan, bake for 20-25 minutes, then cut into squares.

This method eliminates the tedious process of scooping and spacing individual cookies.

You can use store bought dough or homemade both work perfectly.

The bars bake more evenly than individual cookies and are done all at once.

Cutting them into squares makes portion control easy and presentation neat.

They’re perfect for feeding crowds or bake sales where quantity matters.

Add festive sprinkles on top before baking for Christmas flair.

7.Peppermint Bark Cookies

Bake simple chocolate cookies, then immediately press pieces of peppermint bark or crushed candy canes on top while still warm.

The heat from the cookies melts the chocolate slightly, creating adhesion.

These require minimal effort but look impressive and festive.

The peppermint chocolate combination is quintessentially Christmas.

Store bought peppermint bark makes these even easier with zero candy making required.

They’re perfect for using up leftover candy canes after the holidays.

The red and white peppermint adds beautiful color contrast to dark chocolate cookies.

8.Sugar Cookie Bars with Frosting

Press sugar cookie dough into a pan, bake, cool, then spread with store bought frosting and add sprinkles.

These eliminate the rolling, cutting, and decorating of individual sugar cookies.

The bar format means you can frost the entire batch at once with a spatula.

They’re perfect for kids to help decorate without the precision required for individual cookies.

Use Christmas colored frosting and sprinkles for festive appeal.

The soft, cake like texture appeals to people who don’t like crispy cookies.

Cut them into squares, rectangles, or use cookie cutters on the frosted bars for shaped pieces.

9.Oreo Truffles

Crush Oreos, mix with cream cheese, roll into balls, dip in melted chocolate, and decorate with sprinkles.

These no bake treats taste like truffles from fancy chocolate shops.

The Oreo cream cheese combination creates rich, fudgy centers.

Dipping in white or dark chocolate lets you customize the look.

Add festive sprinkles, drizzles, or crushed candy canes while chocolate is wet.

They’re perfect for making ahead since they keep well refrigerated for over a week.

Kids love crushing the Oreos in a food processor or with a rolling pin.

They look expensive and impressive despite being incredibly simple.

10.Peanut Butter Blossoms

Roll peanut butter cookie dough in sugar, bake, then immediately press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie.

These iconic cookies are recognizable, nostalgic, and incredibly easy to make.

The Kiss in the center eliminates any decorating work.

The peanut butter and chocolate combination is always a crowd pleaser.

They look festive and intentional without requiring artistic skills.

Use different colored Kiss varieties like candy cane or caramel for variation.

They’re sturdy enough for shipping to faraway friends and family.

The recipe is so simple that kids can make them almost independently.

11.Ritz Cracker Cookies

Sandwich peanut butter between two Ritz crackers, dip in melted chocolate, and let set on wax paper.

These genius treats aren’t technically cookies but fool everyone with their sweet salty deliciousness.

The buttery, salty crackers provide perfect contrast to sweet chocolate and peanut butter.

They require zero baking and minimal prep work.

Kids can assemble the sandwiches while adults handle the chocolate dipping.

They’re perfect for last minute needs since most people have these ingredients on hand.

The no bake nature makes them ideal for hot weather or broken ovens.

They disappear faster than traditional cookies at every party.

12.Snickerdoodles

Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and flour, then roll balls in cinnamon sugar before baking.

These classic cookies require no special ingredients or techniques.

The cinnamon sugar coating creates a sweet, spicy crust that cracks beautifully.

They stay soft and chewy for days when stored properly.

The simple flavor appeals to virtually everyone from toddlers to grandparents.

They’re faster than sugar cookies since there’s no rolling or cutting required.

The warm cinnamon smell while baking makes your whole house smell like Christmas.

They’re perfect for cookie exchanges because everyone loves them.

13.Coconut Macaroons

Mix shredded coconut with sweetened condensed milk and vanilla, scoop onto baking sheets, and bake until golden.

These chewy, naturally gluten free cookies require just three main ingredients.

The sweetened condensed milk eliminates the need for measuring sugar.

They’re done in about 20 minutes including baking time.

Dip the bottoms in melted chocolate for extra indulgence and beautiful presentation.

The texture is unique crispy outside, chewy inside and incredibly satisfying.

They’re perfect for guests with gluten sensitivities who often feel left out.

Store bought shredded coconut means zero ingredient prep work.

14.Nutella Cookies

Mix Nutella with flour, an egg, and a pinch of salt, then scoop and bake for ultra chocolatey cookies.

The Nutella provides all the fat, sugar, and chocolate flavor needed.

These three ingredient wonders are incredibly simple but taste rich and decadent.

They’re naturally soft and fudgy with intense chocolate hazelnut flavor.

Kids who love Nutella go crazy for these cookies.

They’re done in less than 20 minutes from mixing to eating.

The simplicity means there’s almost no way to mess them up.

Sprinkle with sea salt before baking for sophisticated flavor enhancement.

15.Shortbread Cookies

Mix butter, sugar, and flour in a 1:2:3 ratio, press into a pan, score into squares, and bake until golden.

These buttery, melt in your mouth cookies require just three ingredients you definitely have.

The simple flavor lets the quality butter shine through.

They’re elegant enough for fancy tea parties but easy enough for beginners.

The press and score method eliminates rolling and cutting.

They’re sturdy enough for decorating with icing or dipping in chocolate.

Traditional Scottish shortbread is always impressive and always delicious.

They keep for weeks in airtight containers, perfect for early holiday baking.

16.Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Mix chocolate cake mix with eggs, oil, and powdered sugar for coating, then bake until crackled.

The cake mix does all the heavy lifting for flavor and leavening.

The powdered sugar coating cracks during baking to reveal dark chocolate underneath.

They look impressive and bakery quality with zero effort.

The soft, fudgy texture is incredibly satisfying.

They’re perfect for chocolate lovers who want intense flavor.

Make the dough ahead and refrigerate, then bake fresh when needed.

The dramatic black and white appearance makes them stunning on cookie platters.

17.Pretzel Hugs

Place pretzel squares on a baking sheet, top each with an unwrapped Hug chocolate, bake for 4 minutes until chocolate softens, then press an M&M on top.

These salty sweet treats require no actual cookie dough.

The combination of crunchy pretzel, melted chocolate, and candy is irresistible.

They’re perfect for assembly line production with kids helping.

The baking time is so short you can watch them through the oven window.

They set up quickly after pressing the M&M, ready to eat in minutes.

Use Christmas colored M&Ms for festive appearance.

These always disappear first at parties because of their addictive sweet salty combo.

18.Gingersnaps

Use pre made gingerbread cookie mix or dough, roll in sugar, and bake for crispy chewy spice cookies.

The store mix eliminates measuring multiple spices.

These classic Christmas cookies taste homemade despite the shortcut.

The crackled sugar coating makes them look artisanal and beautiful.

They’re perfect for dunking in coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.

The warm spices fill your kitchen with holiday aromas.

They’re sturdy enough for shipping or building gingerbread houses.

The crispy edges and chewy centers provide perfect textural contrast.

19.Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Mix lemon cake mix with eggs and oil, roll in powdered sugar, and bake until crackled and golden.

These bright, citrusy cookies offer refreshing contrast to chocolate heavy cookie platters.

The lemon flavor is intense but not sour, appealing to fruit flavor lovers.

They’re incredibly soft and cake like in texture.

The white powdered sugar coating looks like fresh snowfall.

They’re perfect for guests who don’t love chocolate or heavy spices.

The simplicity means even kids can make them successfully.

They brighten up traditional Christmas cookie assortments with sunny yellow color.

20.Melting Moments

Mix softened butter with cornstarch and powdered sugar, form into balls, flatten slightly, and bake until barely golden.

These delicate cookies literally melt in your mouth with their tender, crumbly texture.

The cornstarch creates an incredibly soft cookie that’s different from anything else.

They’re simple but sophisticated, perfect for tea time or elegant gatherings.

Sandwich them with buttercream for extra indulgence.

The pale color makes them beautiful when decorated with minimal icing or sprinkles.

They’re traditional in many countries and always impressive despite their simplicity.

They require no special equipment or advanced techniques.

Conclusion

These 20 easy Christmas cookies prove that delicious holiday baking doesn’t require culinary school or hours of work.

The key to stress free cookie baking is choosing recipes that match your skill level, available time, and energy.

Don’t feel pressured to make complicated decorated cookies if simple drop cookies make you happier what matters most is spending time with loved ones and creating sweet memories.

Many of these recipes are perfect for involving children in holiday traditions without the frustration of complicated techniques.

Remember that homemade cookies are always appreciated, regardless of how simple they are to make.

The love and intention you put into baking means far more than perfect decoration or complex flavors.

This Christmas season, give yourself permission to take shortcuts, use mixes, and embrace simplicity.

Your guests will be grateful for delicious treats, your family will enjoy the time spent together, and you’ll actually have energy left to enjoy the holidays.

Here’s to easy baking, happy memories, and cookies that bring joy without stress!