My 12 Favorite Holiday Cookie Recipes

I’m knee-deep in my holiday baking right now. Every year, I do a ton of baking in December, then box everything up for gifts for my friends and fam. It’s great — everyone gets to enjoy some delish cookies, and who needs more stuff, anyway? As I was baking the other day, I thought it was high time I put together a post with all my faves. There are so many great cookie recipes to choose from on this site, but these are my top 12 favorite holiday cookie recipes. See if you can’t find something to add to your cookie tray this year!

1. Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Cookies

From my great-grandma’s recipe box, these old-fashioned crispy gingerbread cookies are sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Frost with the lemon icing in the recipe, or swap it out for your favorite frosting!

Find the recipe here: https://northernginger.com/old-fashioned-gingerbread-cookies/

2. Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

Soft sugar cookies with a slight tang from cream of tartar, topped with the creamiest cream cheese frosting ever. They make the BEST cut out cookies for your favorite holiday, or any day!

Get the recipe here: https://northernginger.com/soft-cut-out-sugar-cookies-with-cream-cheese-frosting/

3. Chocolate Gingerbread Biscotti

Crisp, chocolatey, spiced gingerbread biscotti dipped in white chocolate. The perfect addition to your holiday cookie tray, and they keep well so you can make them ahead!

Grab the recipe here: https://northernginger.com/chocolate-gingerbread-biscotti/

4. Northern Ginger Cookies

My signature cookie — a soft maple ginger cookie spiked with espresso and dipped in a maple espresso glaze. It’s like a spiced maple latte in cookie form.

Here’s the recipe: https://northernginger.com/northern-ginger-cookies/

5. Espresso White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Speaking of lattes in cookie form, if you like white chocolate mochas, you’ll love these. They’re sweet (but not too sweet), creamy, and chock full of coffee flavor!

Get the recipe here: https://northernginger.com/espresso-white-chocolate-chip-cookies/

6. Matcha Pistachio 7-Layer Bars

This is a brand new recipe (I just hit “publish” a couple of days ago), but it’s quickly become my new fave. These are a new take on 7-Layer Magic Bars with a matcha shortbread base, roasted pistachios, coconut, white chocolate chips, and matcha-infused sweetened condensed milk. They’re sweet, nutty, and creamy with a light matcha flavor. Perfect for your holiday cookie tray, or a random Tuesday treat!

Grab the recipe here: https://northernginger.com/matcha-pistachio-7-layer-bars/

7. Olive Oil Pistachio Brownie Cookies

Need a dairy-free option for your cookie tray? Look no further. These cookies swap butter for olive oil. They’re rich, fudgy, and studded with pistachios and chocolate chips. YUM.

Here’s the recipe: https://northernginger.com/olive-oil-pistachio-brownie-cookies/

8. Soft Gingerbread Amaretti Cookies

Looking for a gluten-free option? These amaretti cookies are a blog favorite. They’re a gingerbread-inspired version of a classic soft & chewy amaretti cookie. They’re soft, chewy, gingerbread-y, and oh so delicious. You’ll never miss the gluten.

Grab the recipe here: https://northernginger.com/soft-gingerbread-amaretti-cookies/

9. Popcorn Hot Chocolate Cookies

Ok this one may seem a little weird, but trust me, this flavor combo is delicious. Hot chocolate cookies are filled with milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips and buttered popcorn, then topped with a popcorn marshmallow treat. The kids will love them, and so will you.

Find the recipe here: https://northernginger.com/popcorn-hot-chocolate-cookies/

10. Chai Spice Snickerdoodles

This is another blog favorite. It’s a riff on traditional Snickerdoodle cookies, with a homemade Chai spice blend in place of the cinnamon — delicious! Plus, easy and quick to throw together.

Here’s the recipe: https://northernginger.com/chai-spice-snickerdoodles/

11. Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

A family favorite handed down from my Grandmother and Great-Grandmother, these are soft, pillowy sugar cookies with a hint of nutmeg. With their distinctly egg-noggy flavor, they’re perfect for the holidays!

Grab the recipe here: https://northernginger.com/sour-cream-sugar-cookies/

12. Peppermint Swirl Marshmallows

Ok, technically this one isn’t a cookie, it’s a marshmallow. But it belongs with all your other holiday treats — and in your holiday cocoa. This recipe makes big, fluffy homemade marshmallows with a crisp peppermint flavor and a festive red swirl.

Get the recipe here: https://northernginger.com/peppermint-swirl-marshmallows/

And there you have it — my 12 favorite holiday cookie recipes! Whatever you choose to bake this holiday season, I hope it turns out delicious. Happy holidays, friends!

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