23 Christmas Cookies That Santa Will Love (2024)

We've made our fair share of variations on the chocolate chip cookie over the years, from chewy to brown butter, but this recipe takes the cake: They’re the most classic, least-fussy version—exactly what you want when you’re looking for a no-frills, soft, and fudgy cookie.

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A cookie tray filled with a wide assortment of shapes, sizes and colors is such a treat for Santa during the holidays. These peppermint meringues are the perfect addition to add a pop of color and fun. They practically scream “holiday!” and they taste fantastic as well.

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Here's a crazy idea that just might be brilliant: This year, leave the plate of Christmas cookies for Santa in his own image. He'll love sliding down the chimney to see his portrait! (Just don't forget the carrots and celery for the reindeer.)

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These buttery cookies are named after the German word “spritzen,” which means “to squirt,” because of the cookie press used to form their signature shapes. From snowflakes to Christmas trees, these are sure to delight ole St. Nick.

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These are the perfect cookie decorating project for kids (and adults who just feel like one this time of year!). All you've got to do is snag some Lofthouse cookies and candy from the store, then get creative with the ornament decorations.

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For us, gingerbread should have a lot of ground ginger, a bit of cinnamon, and a tiny amount of cloves. It's the perfect Christmas formula. You can leave out the cloves, but don't skip the ginger—it's necessary but negotiable, so feel free to use less.

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We love the ease of using store-bought cookie dough, but if you've got the time, making chocolate chip cookies from scratch is even better! We filled these with Bailey's Irish Cream, but you could feel free to just use milk (Santa is driving all night, after all 😉).

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If you're looking for a sugar cookie recipe that's perfect for decorating, this is it. Not only do these taste fantastically buttery with just the right amount of sweetness, they also hold their shape and will get you sharp, clean edges every time after baking.

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What really sets this version apart from most other biscotti recipes is the use of whole wheat flour. Not only does it add a little nutritional bump, it also contributes a slight nutty-sweetness that pairs really well with the dark cocoa powder, subtle peppermint, and crunchy almonds.

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Barely crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, these cookies call for a thick cardamom-flavored glaze that hardens into a candy-like shell. The addition of fresh ginger, orange zest, and rum gives these little bites a warm sweetness that blends well with the dark notes of molasses and black pepper.

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Even Santa has a snacky side. These cookies are loaded with chocolate chips, sprinkles, pretzels, and potato chips for the salty-sweet dessert of your (and his!) dreams.

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Here at Delish, we love all cookies *equally*, but we hold a special place in our hearts for soft sugar cookies. Crisp around the edges and soft and chewy in the center, these simple, classic treats are hard to beat.

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These easy pinwheel cookies are beyond mesmerizing but also so easy to make. Make a batch of our easy sugar cookie dough, then dye one half red. Then simply roll them together to create the swirl. The sprinkles are optional, but they add so much extra fun!

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These cookies have a velvety, melt-in-your-mouth texture and are topped with a pretty pink frosting, plus a shower of peppermints. There's just a touch of peppermint extract in the dough to lend the cookies a festive but not overpowering taste.

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It doesn't get more classic and understated than shortbread, and here they have a hint of lemon to brighten up the classic melt-in-your-mouth buttery cookie.

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With a texture similar to a crinkle cookie (minus the sugar coating), these chocolate peppermint crunch cookies are soft in the center and slightly chewy around the edges. They're made extra festive with a dip in melted chocolate and crushed peppermint candies too.

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These cookies are made by swirling two types of dough made from cake mix together (red velvet and a green-dyed vanilla). Chilling both before you swirl the two flavors together really helps keep it from sticking to your fingers—and getting food coloring on your skin.

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No cookies hold a candle to the crispy, crunchy goodness that is the humble biscotti. These have the classic flavor combination of cranberry and orange, and we dipped in white chocolate and coated in chopped pistachios to add a little extra indulgence we know Santa will appreciate after his long night.

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These cookies look so much more complicated than they are. They are actually just a simple sugar cookie where half of the dough gets dyed red and then twisted together.

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If you’re looking for an easy and classic addition to your Santa cookie repertoire, chocolate shortbread should be your next bake. Slightly crisp with a meltingly tender texture, they're perfect served alongside a glass of milk or a steaming mug of hot cocoa.

Get the Chocolate Shortbread recipe.