51 Best Christmas Cookie Recipes (2024)

(function() { document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { var componentMetadata = JSON.parse('\x7b\x22componentName\x22\x3a\x22ActionToolbar_98ed5f31-2f23-428e-b2ac-92da620e742e\x22,\x22deferOptions\x22\x3a\x7b\x22deferComponent\x22\x3atrue,\x22deferType\x22\x3a\x22OnDemand\x22,\x22deferId\x22\x3a\x22rd591a47356dc46f781217222d69aa7d3\x22,\x22deferredContainerId\x22\x3a\x22\x2ffloatingActionToolbar\x2ffloatingActionToolbar_interop\x22,\x22deferredContainerView\x22\x3a\x22InteropDeferWrapper\x22\x7d,\x22viewName\x22\x3a\x22ActionToolbar\x22\x7d'); var configuration = {"contentId":"da277574-1082-4975-b052-7c5aca729686","toolbarSettings":{"id":"98ed5f31-2f23-428e-b2ac-92da620e742e","regAction":"FAVORITE","eSourceCode":11275,"namePassedToEvents":"ArticleToolbar","buttons":[{"addFavoriteErrorMessage":"Sorry, something went wrong. Please save again.","removeFavoriteErrorMessage":"Error occurred while removing from favorites","regAction":"FAVORITE","eSourceCode":11275,"isCurrentUserAnonymous":false,"isFavoriteItem":false,"id":"16a29701-2b75-4d9a-aa9c-860376da50d7","allowedForAnonymousUsers":false,"type":"Favorite","displayName":"Save","namePassedToEvents":"Favorite","cssClassName":"atButtonFavorite","privacyOptOutMessage":"\u003cdiv class=\u0027privacyMessage\u0027\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThis feature is not available with your current cookie settings.\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can \u003ca href=\u0027#\u0027 data-show-preference-center=\u00271\u0027\u003eupdate your privacy settings\u003c/a\u003e to enable this content. Please enable “Functional Cookies” to use this feature.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e","showPrivacyOptOutMessage":false},{"providerName":"pinterest","providerNamePassedToEvents":"Pinterest","shareUrlFormat":"//pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url={0}","id":"c18cf08e-e436-4cd0-a180-1bafb15369a6","allowedForAnonymousUsers":true,"type":"Social","displayName":"Pinterest","namePassedToEvents":"Pinterest","cssClassName":"atButtonPinterest","privacyOptOutMessage":"\u003cdiv class=\u0027privacyMessage\u0027\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThis feature is not available with your current cookie settings.\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can \u003ca href=\u0027#\u0027 data-show-preference-center=\u00271\u0027\u003eupdate your privacy settings\u003c/a\u003e to enable this content. Please enable “Functional Cookies” to use this feature.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e","showPrivacyOptOutMessage":false},{"templateId":"e1a1c461-6b52-4197-bed6-ecbbf24fbd5d","dialogHeading":"Email Collection","emailCode":"BC_ContentEmail","dialogSettings":{"cancelButtonText":"Cancel","copyToSenderLabel":"Send a Copy to Myself","emailAddressesLabel":"* Email Address(es)","emailInstructionText":"Separate email addresses with commas","fromText":"From:","privacyPolicyText":"\u003cp\u003e\u0026copy;2024 General Mills, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information will only be used to send an email to your friend(s) and will not be saved. Please read our \u003ca rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 href=\u0022http://www.generalmills.com/company/privacy-policies/privacy-policy-us\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 shape=\u0022rect\u0022\u003ePrivacy Policy\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","requiredFieldText":"* Required","sendButtonText":"Send","senderEmailAddressLabel":"* Your Email Address","senderFirstNameLabel":"* Your First Name","sendToText":"Send To:"},"id":"705fafcc-4db4-4baf-8c9f-4cf6cf316239","allowedForAnonymousUsers":true,"type":"Email","displayName":"Email","namePassedToEvents":"Email","cssClassName":"atButtonEmail","privacyOptOutMessage":"\u003cdiv class=\u0027privacyMessage\u0027\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThis feature is not available with your current cookie settings.\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can \u003ca href=\u0027#\u0027 data-show-preference-center=\u00271\u0027\u003eupdate your privacy settings\u003c/a\u003e to enable this content. Please enable “Functional Cookies” to use this feature.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e","showPrivacyOptOutMessage":false},{"providerName":"facebook","providerNamePassedToEvents":"Facebook","shareUrlFormat":"//facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u={0}","id":"6c3f442d-6ffe-460f-8360-b02b122d326c","allowedForAnonymousUsers":true,"type":"Social","displayName":"Facebook","namePassedToEvents":"Facebook","cssClassName":"atButtonFacebook","privacyOptOutMessage":"\u003cdiv class=\u0027privacyMessage\u0027\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThis feature is not available with your current cookie settings.\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can \u003ca href=\u0027#\u0027 data-show-preference-center=\u00271\u0027\u003eupdate your privacy settings\u003c/a\u003e to enable this content. Please enable “Functional Cookies” to use this feature.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e","showPrivacyOptOutMessage":false}],"isSticky":true},"userSettings":{"isCurrentUserAnonymous":true,"isFavoriteItem":false},"pageAttributes":{"url":"https%3a%2f%2fwww.bettycrocker.com%2fmenus-holidays-parties%2fmhplibrary%2fholidays%2fbest-christmas-cookie-recipes%3futm_source%3demail_newsletter%26utm_medium%3demail%26utm_campaign%3dbc_12_01_2016%26vcode%3daqaaaaarc2vtyvefuqnau46bjdibej015n6ua_nxieaopyhpiukwgklvjjyrka--ouuynmzvol30dl8aljpdbosoi2viumydpjat-i9qbs9gkpvi0g","contentId":"da277574-1082-4975-b052-7c5aca729686"},"recaptchaPublicKey":"6LfU_icUAAAAALSqSjRg5hqZwbPr1b8k-_80a_S_"}; var moduleName = 'actionToolbar'; var isVueModule = true; GeneralMills.PandoSites.RegisterControlInstance(moduleName, configuration, componentMetadata, isVueModule)});})();

Now that you’ve got a list of cookies to make, here are the tips and tricks for making this year’s cookies your best ever.

When baking cookies there are two common missteps to be aware of. If you can avoid these, you’ll off to a strong start.

1. Use softened butter. If you pull your butter out of the fridge about 30 minutes before beating it with sugar, it should be about perfect. If your butter is too soft, your dough will be soft, and cookies will spread too much. If your butter is too hard, your texture will also be off, because you won’t be able to incorporate air into the dough, see next tip.
2. Beat your butter and sugar together – called creaming the butter – long enough for the mixture to become fluffy in texture and lighter in color. You can do this with your electric mixer or the old-fashioned way, with a spoon, either method will work.

When your cookies are the gift, remember these quick tips for packaging them up perfectly.

• Look for inexpensive plates or serving containers in the dollar section of your discount store.
• Cushion items by first placing a paper towel or napkin in the bottom of the container. If you stack items, place layers of waxed paper between layers.
• If baking in advance and freezing, let frozen cookies thaw directly in gift container for maximum freshness.

When you’ve spent hours baking cookies, the last thing you want is for them to get soggy or stale before you’ve even had the chance to enjoy them. Here’s how to store your cookies properly.

• Store crisp cookies at room temperature in loosely covered containers.
• Keep chewy and soft cookies at room temperature in resealable food-storage plastic bags or tightly covered containers.
• Let frosted or decorated cookies set or harden before storing; place them between layers of parchment or waxed paper, plastic wrap or foil.
• Put crisp cookies and chewy, soft cookies in separate containers to prevent the crisp cookies from becoming soft.
• Store cookies with different flavors in separate containers, or they will pick up the flavors of the other cookies.

When you’re trying to get ahead of the game, freezing cookies is the way to go. Here’s how to freeze with ease.

• Wrap tightly and label.
• Freeze unfrosted cookies up to 1 year and frosted cookies up to 3 months.
• Do not freeze meringue, custard-filled or cream-filled cookies.
• To freeze delicate frosted or decorated cookies, place in single layers in freezer containers and cover with waxed paper before adding another layer.
• Thaw cookies, covered, in the container at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours. For crisp cookies, remove from the container to thaw.

Ready for more tips like these, check out Betty’s Cookie Cheat Sheet. And don’t even think this is not the end of Betty’s Christmas cookie recipes!

(function() { document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { var componentMetadata = JSON.parse('\x7b\x22componentName\x22\x3a\x22NewsletterCTA_b9911a56-3a0d-4b1c-8521-df6c10ce048a\x22,\x22deferOptions\x22\x3a\x7b\x22deferComponent\x22\x3atrue,\x22deferType\x22\x3a\x22OnDemand\x22,\x22deferId\x22\x3a\x22r58bfdc09e0664faab7f0700e001f8cbe\x22,\x22deferredContainerId\x22\x3a\x22\x2fprimaryColumn\x2finteropInlineNewsletterCta\x22,\x22deferredContainerView\x22\x3a\x22InteropDeferWrapper\x22\x7d,\x22viewName\x22\x3a\x22NewsletterCTA\x22\x7d'); var configuration = {"unsubscribedNewsletters":[{"listId":"1e34a555-89d1-45f0-8f07-b3ae6b01c03c","thumbnailImageUrl":"/-/media/GMI/Core-Sites/BC/Images/Shared/myaccount/newsletters/BC_Thumb157x157.png?sc_lang=en","previewUrl":"https://morpheus3.idpk.net/email_sends/9111/preview","name":"Betty\u0027s Email","isPromo":false}],"settings":{"anonymousCopy":"Ready to Be Inspired?","anonymousDescriptionCopy":"We know you’ll love our daily tips, trends and tasty recipes sent right to your inbox.​","anonymousThankYouCopy":"\u003cp\u003eThanks! Your first email is on its way.\u003c/p\u003e\n","anonymousThankYouDescriptionCopy":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNow that you\u0026rsquo;re signed up, create an account on BettyCrocker.com to save your favorite recipes, learn more about special promotions and get inspired through Betty\u0026rsquo;s expert tips.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","anonymousButtonText":"Sign up now","anonymousEmailInvalidErrorText":"Please enter a valid email address.","anonymousSubscribeErrorText":"We encountered an error while signing you up. Please try again.","anonymousEmailAddressPlaceholderText":"Enter your email address","anonymousEmailAddressLabel":"Email Address","anonymousLegalCopy":"By signing up, you accept our\u0026nbsp;\u003ca rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.generalmills.com/privacy-security/us-english-privacy-policy\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0022text-decoration: underline;\u0022\u003ePrivacy Policy\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;and agree that your information may be used across our\u0026nbsp;\u003ca rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.generalmills.com/food-we-make/brands\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0022text-decoration: underline;\u0022\u003efamily of brands\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/a\u003e","requiredFieldText":"","standardSmallImageUrl":"/-/media/GMI/Core-Sites/BC/Images/BC/seasonal/2021_Christmas/ncta_bg.png","standardLargeImageUrl":"/-/media/GMI/Core-Sites/BC/Images/BC/seasonal/2021_Christmas/ncta_bg.png","backgroundColor":"#333333","accentColor":"","registrationUrl":"/register/reg-fp?RegAction=SUBSCRIBERUPGRADE\u0026esrc=11275\u0026returnUrl=%2fmenus-holidays-parties%2fmhplibrary%2fholidays%2fbest-christmas-cookie-recipes%3futm_source%3demail_newsletter%26utm_medium%3demail%26utm_campaign%3dbc_12_01_2016%26vcode%3daqaaaaarc2vtyvefuqnau46bjdibej015n6ua_nxieaopyhpiukwgklvjjyrka--ouuynmzvol30dl8aljpdbosoi2viumydpjat-i9qbs9gkpvi0g","registrationLinkText":"Join free!","enableExpandedFields":false,"hideForSessionCookieExpiration":0,"ctaType":"StandardAnonymous","location":"Inline","userState":"Anonymous","sourceCodeOverride":0}}; var moduleName = 'newsletterCta'; var isVueModule = true; GeneralMills.PandoSites.RegisterControlInstance(moduleName, configuration, componentMetadata, isVueModule)});})();

(function() { document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { var componentMetadata = JSON.parse('\x7b\x22componentName\x22\x3a\x22ConsumerGeneratedContent_da277574-1082-4975-b052-7c5aca729686\x22,\x22deferOptions\x22\x3a\x7b\x22deferComponent\x22\x3atrue,\x22deferType\x22\x3a\x22OnDemand\x22,\x22deferId\x22\x3a\x22ree5afd39dc3840e0a788b505f551d443\x22,\x22deferredContainerId\x22\x3a\x22\x2fratingReview\x2finteropRatingReview\x22,\x22deferredContainerView\x22\x3a\x22InteropDeferWrapper\x22\x7d,\x22viewName\x22\x3a\x22ConsumerGeneratedContent\x22\x7d'); var configuration = {"loaderScript":"https://apps.bazaarvoice.com/deployments/bettycrocker/main_site/production/en_US/bv.js","type":"QuestionAndAnswer","language":"en","includeRatings":false}; var moduleName = 'consumerGeneratedContent'; var isVueModule = true; GeneralMills.PandoSites.RegisterControlInstance(moduleName, configuration, componentMetadata, isVueModule)});})();