25 Decorated Holiday Cookies Perfect For Gifts Or Sneaky Snacking

Decorated holiday cookies bring festive flair straight to the table and the cookie jar. They’re fun to create, fun to share, and fun to sneak when no one’s looking. Each cookie feels like a tiny celebration wrapped in icing and sprinkles. Giving them as gifts adds a personal touch that everyone remembers. And if you keep a few for yourself, no one will blame you.

Sugar Sprinkle Cookies

These sugar sprinkle cookies are soft and buttery with a subtle vanilla flavor. Colorful sprinkles on top add a cheerful touch that makes them stand out. They bake evenly and keep their shape well. Kids enjoy helping roll and decorate the dough for a fun activity.
Get the Recipe: Sugar Sprinkle Cookies

Mint Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies

These shortbread cookies are crisp yet tender, with refreshing mint and rich chocolate chips. They bake evenly and retain a perfect crumbly texture. They are easy to prepare for casual snacking or holiday trays. The mint flavor balances the sweetness without overpowering it.
Get the Recipe: Mint Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies

Hershey’s Kiss Cookies

Hershey’s Kiss cookies are soft, chewy, and topped with a chocolate candy for a classic touch. The edges have a slight crunch while the centers remain tender. They are simple to make and ideal for gift boxes or cookie plates. These cookies are quick to bake and store well for several days.
Get the Recipe: Hershey’s Kiss Cookies

Peppermint Drizzle Cookies

These cookies feature a sweet peppermint drizzle over a soft cookie base. They hold their shape and bake consistently without spreading. Perfect for holiday gatherings, they add a festive flavor to any cookie tray. These are an easy way to include peppermint treats this season.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Drizzle Cookies

Gluten-free Bourbon Brown Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies combine nutty bourbon flavor with brown butter and chocolate chips for a rich taste. They bake evenly with crisp edges and soft centers. Gluten-free ingredients make them a versatile choice for holiday snacks. They pair well with coffee or tea for cozy afternoons.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-free Bourbon Brown Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Melted Snowman Cookies

Melted snowman cookies are soft sugar cookies topped with simple royal icing to resemble playful snowmen. They are easy to make with kids and look festive on any cookie tray. The texture stays tender even after decorating. These decorated holiday cookies bring fun and charm to holiday parties.
Get the Recipe: Melted Snowman Cookies

Chocolate and Ginger Shortbread Cookies

These cookies balance chocolate and ginger flavors for a slightly spiced treat. The shortbread base stays crisp, while the chocolate adds richness. They are simple to bake and enjoyable for adults and children alike. They work well for gift trays or holiday cookie exchanges.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate and Ginger Shortbread Cookies

Rosette Cookies

Rosette cookies are light, crisp, and coated in powdered sugar for a sweet finish. They fry quickly and keep a delicate texture. These cookies are a holiday favorite for families and gatherings. They can be stored in airtight containers for several days.
Get the Recipe: Rosette Cookies

Perfect Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

These cut-out sugar cookies hold their shape perfectly after baking and are soft and buttery. They are easy to decorate with icing or sprinkles for festive occasions. The dough is simple to prepare and rolls out evenly. They are ideal for creating decorated holiday cookies with friends or family.
Get the Recipe: Perfect Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

Christmas Tree Macarons

These macarons are shaped like Christmas trees and filled with a smooth, sweet filling. They bake evenly with a crisp exterior and soft interior. Perfect for parties or gift boxes, they look impressive without being difficult. These decorated holiday cookies bring elegance to any holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Macarons

Gluten-free Cut Out Sugar Cookies

These gluten-free cut-out cookies are crisp on the edges and soft in the center. They maintain their shape and are easy to decorate with icing or sprinkles. Perfect for holiday baking, they are suitable for special diets. They make charming decorated holiday cookies for any celebration.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-free Cut Out Sugar Cookies

Cake Mix Snowman Cookies

These snowman cookies are easy to make using a simple cake mix. Soft and sweet, they bake quickly and hold a snowman shape. They are fun for parties or holiday trays. These decorated holiday cookies are simple yet impressive for kids and adults.
Get the Recipe: Cake Mix Snowman Cookies

Snowflake Sugar Cookies

Snowflake sugar cookies are soft and thick, perfect for frosting and decorating. They bake consistently without spreading and hold their shape well. Adding royal icing and sprinkles creates a festive look. These decorated holiday cookies are ideal for cookie exchanges or gift boxes.
Get the Recipe: Snowflake Sugar Cookies

Melted Snowman Cookies

Melted Snowman Cookies are soft sugar cookies topped with royal icing shaped like playful snowmen. They bake evenly and hold their shape for easy decorating. These cookies are simple to make and perfect for sharing at holiday parties. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the festive look and sweet flavor.
Get the Recipe: Melted Snowman Cookies

Maple Pecan Cookies

Maple pecan cookies combine sweet maple flavor with crunchy toasted pecans. They bake into soft-centered cookies with lightly crisp edges. These cookies are simple to make and full of rich, nutty flavor. They are a great addition to holiday trays or tea time.
Get the Recipe: Maple Pecan Cookies

Sugar Cookie

This sugar cookie recipe produces tender cookies with crisp edges that hold their shape. The dough is simple to mix and rolls out evenly. These cookies are versatile and work well plain or with decorations. They are reliable for both everyday treats and holiday baking.
Get the Recipe: Sugar Cookie

Apple Cider Stamped Cookies

Apple cider stamped cookies are crisp butter cookies infused with warm apple spice. They hold the stamped designs well after baking. Perfect for tea time or gifting, these cookies have a delicate crunch. The spiced flavor pairs nicely with a cup of hot cider.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Stamped Cookies

German Christmas Cookies

German Christmas cookies, also known as Lebkuchen, are soft and packed with warm spices. They stay tender while being easy to cut or shape. They make a classic holiday gift or festive addition to cookie trays. The aromatic spice mix brings a cozy holiday aroma.
Get the Recipe: German Christmas Cookies

Chewy, Soft Gingerbread Cookies

These gingerbread cookies are soft and chewy with a perfect balance of ginger, cinnamon, and molasses. They hold their shape for simple decorating or cutting into fun shapes. Ideal for holiday cookie trays, they pair well with hot drinks. They are simple to make and share with friends.
Get the Recipe: Chewy, Soft Gingerbread Cookies

Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Chocolate sugar cookies bake into soft, rich cookies with minimal effort. The dough is easy to work with and does not require chilling. They hold their shape well and are perfect for cut-outs or simple decorations. These cookies are quick to make for last-minute treats.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Sugar Cookie Icing

This sugar cookie icing is simple, using only a few ingredients. The texture spreads easily and sets smoothly on baked cookies. Colors and flavors can be adjusted for any occasion. These cookies are ready to decorate for holidays or parties.
Get the Recipe: Sugar Cookie Icing

Cut Out Sugar Cookies

These cut-out sugar cookies are soft, buttery, and easy to decorate. They hold shapes well and bake evenly. The simple recipe works for plain cookies or decorated holiday cookies. Perfect for cookie exchanges or baking with kids.
Get the Recipe: Cut Out Sugar Cookies

No Spread Sugar Cookies

No spread sugar cookies require no chilling and bake into firm yet tender cookies. They maintain sharp shapes for decorating. They are simple to prepare and versatile for any holiday or celebration. They are perfect for creating decorated holiday cookies with ease.
Get the Recipe: No Spread Sugar Cookies

Sourdough Gingerbread Cookies

Sourdough gingerbread cookies have a soft texture and rich, warm spice flavor. They roll and cut easily while holding their shape during baking. Perfect for decorating or leaving plain, they work well for cookie trays. These cookies add a unique spin on traditional gingerbread.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Gingerbread Cookies

Almond Ricotta Cookies

Almond ricotta cookies are soft, lightly sweet, and slightly crumbly. They are easy to prepare and bake evenly. These cookies pair well with tea or coffee and are great for gifting. They offer a simple yet flavorful option for holiday trays.
Get the Recipe: Almond Ricotta Cookies