10 Simple Christmas Cookies for Beginner Holiday Bakers
Christmas cookie baking doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful for once-a-year bakers. These simple recipes use basic ingredients and easy techniques that anyone can master.
Each cookie delivers festive holiday charm without requiring advanced baking skills or fancy decorating techniques.
01. Chocolate Kiss Peanut Butter Cookies
Soft peanut butter cookies topped with chocolate kisses create the perfect sweet combination. These classic treats require minimal decorating skills but deliver maximum holiday impact.
Ingredients: 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ cup additional sugar for rolling, 24 chocolate kiss candies.
How To Make Chocolate Kiss Peanut Butter Cookies
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Mix peanut butter, 1 cup sugar, egg, and vanilla in a large bowl until the mixture is smooth and well combined throughout.
2. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls using your hands, then roll each ball in the additional sugar until completely coated. Place balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets to allow for spreading during baking.
3. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden but centers still look slightly soft. Remove from oven and immediately press one chocolate kiss firmly into the center of each hot cookie.
4. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. The chocolate will set as the cookies cool completely.
02. No-Bake Chocolate Oat Cookies
Rich chocolate cookies that require zero oven time and come together in minutes. Perfect for busy schedules or when you want fresh cookies without turning on the oven.
Ingredients: 2 cups granulated sugar, ½ cup milk, ½ cup butter, ¼ cup cocoa powder, 3 cups quick-cooking oats, 1 cup peanut butter, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
How To Make No-Bake Chocolate Oat Cookies
1. Line two large baking sheets with wax paper and set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa powder over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a rolling boil.
2. Allow the mixture to boil vigorously for exactly 90 seconds, then remove from heat immediately. The timing is crucial for proper texture, so watch your timer carefully during this step.
3. Quickly stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth, then add oats and mix thoroughly until every oat is coated with the chocolate mixture and everything is well combined.
4. Working quickly before the mixture sets, drop spoonfuls onto prepared wax paper. Let cookies sit at room temperature for 30 minutes until completely firm and set.
03. Melting Snowman Sugar Cookies
Adorable snowman cookies that look intentionally “melted” for charming holiday appeal. These forgiving treats actually look better when they’re slightly imperfect and lopsided.
Ingredients: 24 store-bought sugar cookies, 2 cups white chocolate chips, 48 mini chocolate chips, 24 orange candy pieces, 24 pretzel sticks, black decorating gel.
How To Make Melting Snowman Sugar Cookies
1. Arrange cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets. Melt white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until smooth and completely melted.
2. Spoon melted white chocolate over each cookie, letting it drip down the sides naturally to create that “melted” snowman effect. Don’t worry about making them perfect – messier is better for this design.
3. While the chocolate is still wet, quickly press two mini chocolate chips for eyes and one orange candy piece for the nose into each cookie. Break pretzel sticks in half and insert as arms.
4. Use black decorating gel to add small dots for buttons down the front. Let cookies sit for 20 minutes until the white chocolate hardens completely before serving.
04. Easy Cinnamon Sugar Palmiers
Elegant French-style cookies made with store-bought puff pastry and cinnamon sugar. These impressive treats look like they came from a fancy bakery but require minimal effort.
Ingredients: 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (thawed), ½ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, 2 tablespoons butter (melted).
How To Make Easy Cinnamon Sugar Palmiers
1. Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl until evenly combined, then sprinkle half the mixture on your work surface.
2. Unfold thawed puff pastry over the cinnamon sugar, then brush the top surface with melted butter. Sprinkle remaining cinnamon sugar evenly over the buttered pastry, pressing gently to help it stick.
3. Starting from both long sides, tightly roll the pastry toward the center until both rolls meet in the middle. The pastry should look like a double scroll when viewed from the end.
4. Using a sharp knife, slice the rolled pastry into ½-inch thick pieces and place cut-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
5. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. These are best served the same day while still crispy.
05. Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bites
Three-ingredient treats combining salty pretzels, gooey caramel, and rich chocolate. These addictive bites require no actual baking skills, just simple assembly and brief oven time.
Ingredients: 60 small pretzel twists, 60 soft caramel candies (unwrapped), 60 pecan halves or chocolate chips.
How To Make Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bites
1. Preheat oven to 300°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Arrange pretzel twists in single layer on prepared baking sheets, making sure they don’t touch each other.
2. Place one unwrapped caramel candy on top of each pretzel twist, centering it as best you can. The caramels will melt and spread during baking, so don’t worry about perfect placement.
3. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the caramels are soft and slightly melted but still holding their shape. Remove from oven and let cool for exactly 2 minutes – this timing is important for the next step.
4. Working quickly while caramels are still soft, gently press one pecan half or chocolate chip into the center of each caramel. The caramel should be soft enough to accept the topping but firm enough to hold it.
5. Let treats cool completely on the baking sheets for at least 30 minutes until caramel is firm before removing. Store in an airtight container for up to one week.
06. Chocolate Reindeer Cookies
Festive reindeer-shaped cookies using chocolate wafers and simple candy decorations. These whimsical treats bring instant holiday cheer with minimal decorating skills required.
Ingredients: 24 chocolate wafer cookies, 48 small pretzel twists, 24 red candy-coated chocolates, 48 mini white chocolate chips, chocolate frosting.
How To Make Chocolate Reindeer Cookies
1. Arrange chocolate wafer cookies on a large work surface or parchment-lined baking sheet. Break pretzel twists in half to create antler pieces – you’ll need two pieces per cookie for the antlers.
2. Using a small amount of chocolate frosting as glue, attach two pretzel pieces to the top of each cookie as antlers. Position them so they angle outward like real reindeer antlers.
3. Dab a small amount of frosting in the center-bottom area of each cookie and press one red candy firmly into place for Rudolph’s nose. Make sure it’s secure before moving to the next step.
4. Add two small dots of frosting above the nose and gently press mini white chocolate chips into place for eyes. Let all decorations set for 15 minutes before serving or storing.
07. Cornflake Christmas Wreaths
Colorful wreath-shaped treats made with cornflakes, marshmallows, and green food coloring. These no-bake cookies capture holiday spirit with their festive appearance and sweet crunch.
Ingredients: 6 cups cornflakes cereal, 4 cups mini marshmallows, 3 tablespoons butter, green food coloring, red cinnamon candies for decoration.
How To Make Cornflake Christmas Wreaths
1. Line two baking sheets with wax paper and lightly grease your hands with butter. Place cornflakes in a large bowl and set aside while you prepare the marshmallow mixture.
2. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine marshmallows and butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until marshmallows are completely melted and smooth.
3. Add green food coloring to the melted marshmallow mixture, stirring until you achieve your desired shade of green. Start with a few drops and add more as needed for vibrant color.
4. Pour the green marshmallow mixture over the cornflakes and stir quickly until every flake is coated. Working fast before the mixture cools, shape handfuls into wreath shapes on prepared wax paper.
5. While the wreaths are still warm and sticky, press red cinnamon candies into each wreath as decorative berries. Let cool completely for 30 minutes until set and firm.
08. Saltine Cracker Toffee Bars
Buttery toffee bars using saltine crackers as the base for incredible sweet and salty flavor. This simple recipe transforms basic ingredients into impressive holiday treats that taste professionally made.
Ingredients: 40 saltine crackers, 1 cup butter, 1 cup packed brown sugar, 2 cups chocolate chips, ½ cup chopped pecans (optional).
How To Make Saltine Cracker Toffee Bars
1. Preheat oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange saltine crackers in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, breaking crackers as needed to fill any gaps completely.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar over medium heat. Stir constantly until mixture comes to a rolling boil, then continue boiling for exactly 3 minutes without stirring. The mixture should be bubbling vigorously.
3. Remove from heat and immediately pour the hot toffee mixture evenly over the crackers, using a spatula to spread it to all edges. Work quickly as the toffee will start to set.
4. Bake for 5 minutes until the toffee is bubbly and golden brown. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the hot surface. Let sit for 2 minutes to soften.
5. Spread the melted chocolate chips with a spatula to create an even layer. Sprinkle with chopped pecans if using. Cool completely before breaking into irregular pieces for serving.
09. Three-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Amazingly simple cookies requiring only three basic ingredients for rich peanut butter flavor. These flourless treats prove that sometimes the most basic recipes create the most satisfying results.
Ingredients: 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, extra sugar for rolling (optional).
How To Make Three-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, stir together peanut butter, sugar, and egg until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
2. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls using your hands. For extra sweetness and texture, roll each ball in additional granulated sugar before placing on the baking sheet.
3. Place dough balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Using a fork, create the classic crisscross pattern on top of each cookie by pressing down gently in both directions.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set and lightly golden. The centers may look slightly underbaked, but they’ll continue cooking on the hot pan after removal from the oven.
5. Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. These cookies are naturally gluten-free and have an incredibly rich, dense texture.
10. Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies
Classic chocolate chip cookies with crispy edges and chewy centers that disappear as fast as you can bake them. Sometimes the most traditional recipes are exactly what your holiday cookie tray needs.
Ingredients: 2¼ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 cup butter (softened), ¾ cup granulated sugar, ¾ cup brown sugar, 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 2 cups chocolate chips.
How To Make Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies
1. Preheat oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and baking soda, then set aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.
2. In a large bowl, cream softened butter with both sugars using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract and mix until combined.
3. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Don’t overmix, as this can make cookies tough. Fold in chocolate chips with a wooden spoon.
4. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake for 9-11 minutes until edges are golden brown but centers still look slightly soft and underbaked.
5. Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks. This resting time allows them to finish cooking and develop the perfect chewy texture throughout.
Final Thoughts
These simple Christmas cookie recipes prove that holiday baking doesn’t require advanced skills or complicated techniques. Each recipe uses basic ingredients and straightforward methods that guarantee delicious results.
Whether you’re baking once a year or just starting your cookie journey, these treats will fill your home with festive aromas and create sweet holiday memories.
