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14 Must-Bake Holiday Cookie Recipes

A banner saying "14 MUST-BAKE HOLIDAY COOKIES".

Holiday cookie list, comin’ in hot! 🔥 We will take basically any excuse to bake and eat and stock up on sweets, and the holidays are a perfect no-judgement zone. What did we ever do to deserve this season of sweets?

So, question: are you a bake by yourself or bake with friends kind of holiday baker? Maybe a little of both? If you opt for the “I like to throw a party and bake with all my friends” kinda person, we highly recommend you check out this little post from years past to throw the ultimate holiday baking party with these recipes and more. 👯‍♀️

Whether you’re a solo baker or throw a party, here are some of our favorite cookies we’re making this season!


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Minty Chocolate Holiday Cake Bites

Desserts of white balls with chocolate stripes.

You get to tear into a perfectly baked chocolate cake with your own bare hands. Need we say more? 🤗

Get the recipe.

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Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread cookies on a wooden surface.

from SallysBakingAddiction.com

Soft in the centers, crisp on the edges, perfectly spiced, molasses and brown sugar-sweetened holiday goodness.

Get the recipe.

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Hot Chocolate Cookies

Hot chocolate cookies with chocolate chips.

from LoveFromTheOven.com

Hot cocoa mix, chocolate chips, and marshmallows. HELLO.

Get the recipe.

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Dark Chocolate Coconut Bites

Chocolate Coconut Truffles on a baking sheet.

Beautiful and delicious and also refined sugar free (!!!). Love these.

Get the recipe.

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Soft & Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies

Stacked cookies with half bitten cookies.

from ChelseasMessyApron.com

Because everyone loves a good snickerdoodle.

Get the recipe.

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Easy Sugar Cookies

Frosted sugar cookies on a cooling rack.

from SugarSpunRun.com

Doesn’t get more classic that this.

Get the recipe.

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Red Velvet Macarons with Cream Cheese Frosting

A half eaten macaron lays next to other cookies.

from BromaBakery.com

Red velvet macarons + cream cheese frosting = match made in heaven.

Get the recipe.

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Nordic Gingerbread Cookies

Nordic ginger bread cookies on a surface.

from TheFauxMartha.com

You don’t have to be from The North to make these. Sturdy enough to decorate and soft enough to eat. Yes, please.

Get the recipe.

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The Best Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies and a class of milk

Soft, thick, bricks of chocolate chunks and buttery dough baked into a heavy, milk-loving cookie that is our most favorite chocolate chip cookie of all time.

Get the recipe.

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Peppermint Mocha Cookies

Chocolate cookies half frosted with peppermint on top.

from SallysBakingAddiction.com

Have your peppermint mocha and eat it too.

Get the recipe.

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Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Chocolate crinkle cookies on a sheet pan.

from GimmeSomeOven.com

These ones are classic for a reason. Super easy to make, packed with chocolate, and perfectly soft and chewy.

Get the recipe.

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Peanut Butter Blossoms

Peanut butter blossom cookies on a tray.

from HomemadeHooplah.com

For all you chocolate + peanut butter lovers.

Get the recipe.

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White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies with Vanilla Salt

Baked cookie on paper.

from NotWithoutSalt.com

White chocolate, cool peppermint, and vanilla salt. WOWZA.

Get the recipe.

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Classic Shortbread Cookies

Stacked cookies on a sheet.

from JoCooks.com

Buttery, melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and just three ingredients.

Get the recipe.


Happy holidays from the POY team! 🎄

What are you baking this season? We want to know it alllllll.

Filed Under: All Recipes Recipes

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29 Comments

  1. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Hello! Just wondering when you post round ups like this that include recipes from other sites if you’ve tested the recipes from the external sites? Really trust your judgement so hoping so! 🙂

    1. Pinch of Yum Logo

      Hi Amanda! We’ve made some of them, but not all (that would be a LOT of cookies!). But rest assured that we only share recipes from sites we know/love (and trust!). 🙂

  2. Pinch of Yum Logo

    There really is no absolute #1 favorite cookie I have. It truly depends on my mood! For now, though, I can gladly say I’m on the oatmeal raisin cookie train, as well as the ginger cookie train, and the snickerdoodle cookie train, haha! But, those red velvet macarons, chocolate chip cookies, hot chocolate cookies, and peanut butter blossoms are calling my name!

  3. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I find it a little disrespectful to see the American term ‘cookie’ bolted onto iconic European recipes with zero US provenance. Surely American foodies are knowledgeable enough to know that US terminology is not always appropriate for use worldwide?

    1. Pinch of Yum Logo

      I can’t tell if this is meant to be satirical. 🙂 Regardless, whether you call it a cookie or a biscuit, all of these recipes look delicious!

    2. Pinch of Yum Logo

      Haha this made me laugh. I think there is bigger worldwide problems than terms for a cookie, but thanks for the laugh. Besides, I agree they all look delicious what does it matter.

  4. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Buttery shortbread cookies are by far my absolute favorite! I must make a batch very soon!

  5. Pinch of Yum Logo

    This year’s baking lineup includes lemon thyme shortbread, peanut blossoms, classic iced sugar cookies, snickerdoodles, and rocky road fudge. 4/5 appear on your list, so I approve!

  6. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Hi. My name is Omar and I’m new in the blogging industry. I like your recipe set up and I was wondering if you could share with me how did you do it?
    Thank you and hope to hear from you

  7. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Thank you for this collection, Jenna! I especially loved the recipe of naturally sweet dark chocolate coconut bites. I’ve just made it for my kids and they loved it a lot!

    I wish you Happy New Year and Merry Christmas!

  8. Pinch of Yum Logo

    This broad thinks she is a real chef but she could never handle herself on the line. I doubt she would even be alloud in the kitchen let alone cook. She needs to recognize that and stop yapping about cooking as if she is anything more then a glorified housewife.

    -RB

    1. Pinch of Yum Logo

      If you don’t like the page,don’t go to it…move on. Don’t be hateful. Nobody wants to read your insults that a 10 year old is capable of.

  9. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Hi Lindsay! I loved this recipe collection article! I actually made a similar article myself and couldn’t help but include your thumbprint chocolate cookie. It actually got the most clicks back to you… I don’t blame them They looked absolutely scrumptious!
    Anyways, super excited to make the nordic gingerbread cookies next! 🙂

  10. Pinch of Yum Logo

    The best soft chocolate chip cookies are my go to. My family and I love them so much! Absolutely addictive. I send this recipe to everyone that needs a cookie recipe. Thank you for sharing.