The Best Holiday Cookies!


All the best cookie recipes in one convenient location! This tried-and-true list of family favorites covers all the bases for the most irresistible dessert platters, cookie swaps, bake sales, and holiday gift giving. Save

All the best cookie recipes in one convenient location! This tried-and-true list of family favorites covers all the bases for the most irresistible dessert platters, cookie swaps, bake sales, and holiday gift giving.

As I was rifling through my recipe box several months ago, it occurred to me that there were many smudged and splattered index cards—time-honored recipes that had not yet made their way to the pages of the Fountain Avenue Kitchen.

A particular shortcoming was in the cookie department. I counted well over a dozen tried-and-true recipes, and it seemed only appropriate that I share those which had endured generations (along with a few newer additions) with my loyal readers.

Suffice it to say, I have baked dozens of batches of cookies over the last few months. I actually called in reinforcements (thanks Mom and Aunt Peggy!) to get the baking done for one particularly ambitious photo shoot.

As the scheduled day neared, it occurred to me that the notion of photographing 10 different cookies in one day may have been an overstep on my part. But we did it! Clearly, we take our holiday baking—and that of our readers—very seriously!

So along with my holiday elves, I am delighted to present all the best cookie recipes in one convenient location. This tried-and-true collection of family favorites covers all the bases for the most irresistible dessert platters, cookie swaps, bake sales, and holiday gift giving.

If you have a favorite cookie recipe that you think should be on this list, by all means share it. I plan on adding to this collection over time and would be delighted to try the cookie recipes that have stood the test of time in your family!

All the best cookie recipes in one convenient location! This tried-and-true list of family favorites covers all the bases for the most irresistible dessert platters, cookie swaps, bake sales, and holiday gift giving. Save
The cookie itself is lightly sweet and similar to a pecan sandie. A dusting of confectioner's sugar provides the finishing touch of flavor and looks so pretty, too. (And for those with allergies--no eggs and a gluten-free option!)Save

Snowballs

A classic holiday cookie (with no eggs) that mixes up in a single bowl, this foolproof recipe tastes like a sugar-dusted pecan sandie and looks so pretty, too.
Servings: 32-34 cookies
See Recipe
Destined to be the hit of the bake sale, holiday cookie platter, or potluck, you need not wait for a special occasion to bake these magical bars. Six simple ingredients never tasted so good!  Save

Magic Six Layer Bars (only 6 ingredients!)

A handful of sweet, salty, crunchy, and creamy ingredients layer quickly over a crisp graham cracker crust for an irresistibly easy treat that’s perfect for potlucks, cookie platters, and sharing with friends!
See Recipe
Perfectly-spiced and crisp with a hint of cakiness, these classic gingerbread cookies hold their shape and are a blank canvas for decorating!Save

Classic Gingerbread Cookies

These tried-and-true, perfectly-spiced cookies can be cut into your favorite shapes and decorated for a fun project with a delicious payoff!
Servings: About 3 dozen medium-sized cookies
See Recipe
A popular hostess and holiday gift and a great project for kids to make for friends, Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar are fun to bake, give, and eat. Printable tags included! Save

Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar

For twice as many gifts, divide the dry mixture evenly between two pint-size (16-ounce) jars. If you do this, remember to cut the additional ingredient amounts in half and write your own instruction card rather than using the printable gift tags.

For those who enjoy the salty-sweet combination, a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt adds a little something special to the freshly baked cookies.
See Recipe
These tender, cake-like cookies are topped with an irresistible glaze and look beautiful on a cookie platter. Perfect for special occasions from Christmas and Easter to baby showers. Simply change the color of the sprinkles!Save

Italian Ricotta Cookies

These tender, cake-like cookies are topped with an irresistible glaze and look beautiful on a cookie platter. For a hint of brightness, you may add the zest of half a lemon to the batter. And feel free to double the batch as they may be a surprise hit! 
Servings: about 2½ dozen (recipe doubles easily)
See Recipe
Easy to make and quick to disappear, this family-favorite treat is salty, sweet, crispy, buttery, and chocolatey. A variety of optional toppings ramp up the flavor and seasonal appeal!Save

Cracker Toffee

This mouthwatering bark is crisp and chocolatey with a buttery toffee finish. Toppings add a festive touch but are optional. (My personal favorite it salted cashews!)
See Recipe
Tender, chewy, and perfectly spiced, these easy-to-make cookies are just like the ones Grandma used to make and the aroma while baking is heavenly. A delicious way to get your oats!Save

Classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Sweetly spiced and delightfully chewy, these cookies are often a surprise hit and can be customized in a variety of ways.
Servings: about 4 dozen
See Recipe
A holiday staple, these tried-and-true sugar cookies are soft, a little chewy, and hold their shape beautifully. Use your favorite cookie cutters and have fun decorating! Save

Cut Out Sugar Cookies

These classic holiday cookies are perfect for decorating. Use with the powdered sugar glaze or another preferred icing.
Servings: about 8 dozen cookies, depending on size of cookie cutter
See Recipe
This 2-bite cookie is hearty, subtly sweet, and can be filled with a variety of fruit, chocolate, and/or nut fillings.Save

Grandma’s Rugelach

Call it rugelach or call it strudel – either way, this recipe is a traditional European Jewish dessert that’s often served during Hanukkah but can be enjoyed any time of year!
Servings: 8-10 pieces per roll (30-40 pieces total)
See Recipe
Three basic ingredients come together with ease in this flourless, dairy-free cookie that is sure to become a favorite!Save

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies

Incredibly easy with a delightful peanut butter flavor, these cookies can be elevated an extra notch with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt before baking. For added decadence, consider dipping half the cookie in white or dark chocolate–or simply add chocolate chips.
See Recipe
Three ingredients are all you need for this salty-sweet, crunchy treat that takes mere minutes to make. No baking required!Save

No Bake Butterscotch Haystacks

A longtime holiday favorite in our house, we make these with both ramen noodles and corn flakes. Ramen noodles are a favorite for their extra crunch and the salty-sweet flavor they provide. For a chocolate version, substitute semi-sweet morsels for the butterscotch chips. A handful of salted peanuts may be stirred in for yet another tasty option.

Yield: 2½ to 3 dozen (recipe may easily be doubled)
See Recipe
Low in fat and high in flavor, this crisp Italian cookie is perfect for dipping in coffee, tea, and cocoa. Great for holiday and hostess gifts, too!Save

Snickerdoodle Biscotti

Though the dough will seem somewhat dry and crumbly in the mixing bowl, it will come together and yield flavorful biscotti that are low in fat but high in flavor. Perfect with a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate!
Yield: 30 cookies (15 slices per loaf)
See Recipe
Sweet, crisp, and light as a cloud, these classic meringue cookies are easy to make and look beautiful on a holiday cookie platterSave

Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookies

Light, airy, and fun to make, these melt-in-your-mouth meringues look beautiful on a holiday dessert platter. For greater contrast to the sweet meringue, use dark chocolate chips instead of the traditional semi-sweet.
Servings: About two dozen
See Recipe
Peanut Butter Cup CookiesSave

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Though it may seem like a small detail, unwrapping the peanut butter cups prior to removing the cookies from the oven will ensure you get them pressed in while the cookies are still soft.
See Recipe
Share this Post

Get recipes delivered straight to your inbox.


Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

6 responses to “The Best Holiday Cookies!”

  1. April Faber Avatar
    April Faber

    Thanks very much for the wonderful recipes, Ann! Beautiful photos, too! Tell me, please, will the meringue cookies store or freeze? Cheers!

    1. Hi April! I have been trying to add storage information to all the cookie recipes and missed this one. Thanks for asking. I have updated the recipe, but for convenience, here are the details: Once cool, store the meringues in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. The meringues may also be refrigerated for slightly longer storage as long as they are in an airtight container. Ultimately, the goal is to protect them from humidity, which will cause them to lose their crispness. Meringue cookies may also be layered between parchment or wax paper in an airtight container and frozen for up to 3 months. Cheers to you, too!

  2. Wow! Fantastic collection of cookies!
    This will keep me busy….

    1. Thank you, Fezzi! Happy baking!

  3. Great selection of cookies, Ann! Fun, festive and yummy!

    1. Thank you, Mary! ❤️