Christmas Cookies!
The official roundup of everything I’m baking (and snacking on) this season.
For each recipe, click the heading for the link! There’s just something about December that turns me into a full-time baking elf. The cozy vibes, the twinkly lights, the cold weather that basically demands a warm treat in your hand at all times… it just unlocks something in me. And every year, without fail, I come back to the same Christmas cookies and treats — the nostalgic ones, the cozy ones, the ones your family empties before dinner even hits the table. Ok, ok… Not all of these are “cookies” but they are all my fave cookies and treats for this wonderful season 🙂
So here they are: my absolute favorite, tried-and-true Christmas treats, all in one place. Whether you need a Christmas morning breakfast, something for a cookie swap, or a snacking lineup for movie nights, this list has you covered.
✨ Blueberry Buckle (Christmas Morning Magic)
Listen, I know “blueberry” isn’t the most Christmas-coded flavor… but this buckle? She’s a December queen. Soft, buttery cake with juicy blueberries and a cinnamon-crumble top — it’s the perfect Christmas morning bake. It’s make-ahead friendly (bless), great warm or room temp, and tastes even better with coffee.
Fun fact: “Buckle” got its name because the streusel topping buckles as it bakes. Science, but make it cute.
✨ Haystacks (No-Bake Holiday Icons)
Haystacks are the treat your grandma made, your mom made, and now you make — because they require almost no effort and somehow disappear the quickest. Crunchy noodles + melted chocolate + butterscotch equals pure holiday nostalgia. This is the recipe you make at 10 p.m. when you suddenly remember you volunteered to bring a treat to work tomorrow.
✨ Snowballs (The Melt-In-Your-Mouth Classics)
Also known as Russian Tea Cakes, Mexican Wedding Cookies, or those powdered sugar cookies that explode all over your sweater in the most festive way possible.
They’re buttery, crumbly, nutty, and absolutely perfect with hot cocoa. These are the cookies everyone reaches for first on the platter — and for good reason.
✨ Puppy Chow (The “Oh No I Ate Half the Bowl” Treat)
You cannot — I repeat, cannot — make puppy chow without mentally preparing yourself to lose all self-control. It’s chocolatey, peanut buttery, crunchy, sweet, and borderline addictive in a way no other holiday treat achieves. It’s the snack mix equivalent of a cozy weighted blanket.
✨ Cranberry Sausage Bites (Sweet + Savory Heaven)
These little bites walk into the party and steal the show every time. The sweet cranberries with savory sausage? Elite combo. They’re festive, they’re filling, they’re adorable, and they go FAST. If you bring these to a party, be prepared to repeat the recipe 7 times by the end of the night.
✨ Chex Mix (The OG Snack Mix)
Christmas Chex Mix has its own fan club in my family. It’s salty, buttery, crunchy, and the perfect thing to snack on while wrapping gifts or watching Christmas movies. It’s also the best “I need something savory to balance all the sugar I just ate” treat. Homemade always hits different.
✨ Ultimate Fudge (Santa’s Favorite, Probably)
Rich. Dense. Silky. Chocolatey. Exactly what fudge should be.
This is the fudge recipe that makes you feel like you should be wearing an apron with poinsettias on it. It also makes the perfect edible gift — wrap it in parchment and ribbon and suddenly you’re that effortlessly thoughtful person everyone envies.
✨ Oatmeal Craisin Cookies (Chewy, Cozy, Perfectly Festive)
These oatmeal craisin cookies are pure holiday comfort. Chewy centers, crispy edges, warm cinnamon vibes — and the tangy pops of dried cranberries make them feel extra festive without trying too hard. They’re the kind of cookie that tastes like a warm hug, perfect for gifting, snacking, or eating straight off the cooling rack with zero shame. And bonus: they stay soft for days, which makes them elite for cookie boxes.
The Christmas Cookie & Treat Energy
This whole lineup is nostalgic, easy, crowd-pleasing, and designed to keep your December cozy and delicious. None of these require days of prep or complicated techniques — just classic holiday magic that tastes like childhood, cozy weekends, and the soundtrack of Home Alone.
Make one. Make all. Make them in batches and share them with neighbors. Or (no judgment) keep them for yourself.
✨ Strawberry Jam Thumbprints (A Throwback Favorite… and yes, the recipe is finally here)
These Strawberry Jam Thumbprints are extra special to me — I actually haven’t filmed them yet, and the only photo I have is of my daughter helping me make them when she was four (tiny hands, flour everywhere, pure Christmas magic). But honestly? That’s exactly why I wanted to include them in this roundup. They’re nostalgic, simple, and the kind of cookie that just feels like the holidays.
Soft, buttery vanilla dough + sweet strawberry jam = perfection. No almond extract (I don’t like it), no raspberry jam (also just… no), just cozy, classic goodness. Even though I haven’t filmed a full video for them yet, the recipe is finally written out and included at the bottom of this blog — because they deserve their moment, and so does that sweet photo.
Strawberry Jam Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 1½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- 281 grams all-purpose flour, weighed (2 1/4 cup)
- ½ cup strawberry jam
Glaze
- 1 cup 120g confectioners’ sugar
- 1 –2 tbsp heavy cream half-and-half, or milk
- Optional: ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make the Dough: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter on high speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Reduce to medium speed and add the sugar and vanilla, mixing until combined. Scrape the bowl as needed. Add the salt and flour, then mix on low speed until a very soft dough forms. If the dough feels too sticky, mix in 1 additional tablespoon of flour.
- Shape the Cookies: Line a baking sheet or plate with parchment or a silicone mat. Scoop about 1 tablespoon (18–20g) of dough per cookie, roll into smooth balls, and place on the sheet. Use your thumb to gently press an indentation into each cookie. If the dough cracks, smooth the edges with your fingers.
- Chill: Refrigerate the shaped cookies until firm, at least 4 hours.
- Prep for Baking: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone baking mats.
- Fill and Bake: Place cookies on baking sheets, spacing 2–3 inches apart (about 12 per tray). Fill each indentation with a scant ½ teaspoon of strawberry jam. Bake for 13–15 minutes, or until the edges are very lightly golden. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely for at least 30 minutes.
- Make the Glaze: Whisk the confectioners’ sugar with 1–2 tablespoons of cream (or milk) and vanilla, if using. Add more liquid to thin or more powdered sugar to thicken.
- Glaze: Drizzle the glaze over cooled cookies. Allow icing to set for about 1 hour.
- Store: Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days or refrigerated up to 1 week.
