Let’s be real: the holidays are not the time for restraint. This is peak cookie season. And when it comes to Christmas baking, you’re not just throwing flour in a bowl and hoping for the best. You want cookies that slap. Cookies that smell like nostalgia and taste like a buttery holiday miracle. You want crispy edges, chewy centres, sprinkles, chocolate, jam, spice, and maybe a touch of peppermint if you’re feeling bold.

So whether you’re baking for a cookie exchange, leaving a few out for Santa, or just avoiding small talk by stress-baking for your entire block, this list has you covered. These aren’t basic cookies. These are pure SAX. This is a full-blown holiday cookie situation. And yes, there are 100 of them. Hell yeah! 

The Classics (Because Tradition Slaps)

  1. Soft Sugar Cookies with Icing
  2. Gingerbread Men
  3. Snickerdoodles
  4. Classic Peanut Butter Cookies
  5. Butter Spritz Cookies
  6. Thumbprint Cookies with Raspberry Jam
  7. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
  8. Molasses Cookies
  9. Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies
  10. Shortbread Stars with Powdered Sugar

Chocolate Lovers, This Is Your Moment

  1. Triple Chocolate Chunk Cookies
  2. Fudgy Brownie Cookies
  3. Chocolate-Dipped Biscotti
  4. Hot Cocoa Cookies with Marshmallows
  5. Chocolate Espresso Cookies
  6. Peppermint Mocha Cookies
  7. Chocolate Orange Shortbread
  8. Double Chocolate Mint Cookies
  9. Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Cookies
  10. Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Macaroons

Snow Day Favorites

  1. Snowball Cookies (a.k.a. Russian Tea Cakes)
  2. Linzer Cookies with Raspberry Filling
  3. Cinnamon Roll Cookies
  4. Chai-Spiced Sugar Cookies
  5. Eggnog Cookies with Rum Glaze
  6. Maple Pecan Cookies
  7. Almond Crescent Cookies
  8. Pecan Tassies
  9. Cranberry Orange Cookies
  10. Spiced Orange Honey Cookies

Kid-Approved (and Kid-Friendly)

  1. Reindeer Sugar Cookies
  2. Candy Cane Kiss Cookies
  3. M&M Christmas Cookies
  4. Frosted Funfetti Sugar Cookies
  5. Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Rods (yes, it counts)
  6. Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies with Buttercream
  7. Christmas Tree Sprinkle Cookies
  8. Oreo-Stuffed Chocolate Cookies
  9. Rice Krispie Wreath Cookies
  10. Marshmallow Snowmen on Graham Crackers

No-Bake Legends

  1. Chocolate Haystacks
  2. Peanut Butter Cornflake Wreaths
  3. White Chocolate Cranberry Clusters
  4. Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bakes
  5. Nutella Fudge Balls
  6. Peppermint Bark Cookies
  7. No-Bake Chocolate Mint Patties
  8. Coconut Snowballs
  9. Cookie Dough Truffles
  10. Gingerbread Energy Bites

Gluten-Free & Keto Options That Still Slap

  1. Almond Flour Sugar Cookies
  2. Coconut Flour Ginger Snaps
  3. Flourless Chocolate Cookies
  4. Keto Peanut Butter Cookies
  5. Low-Carb Pecan Snowballs
  6. Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
  7. Almond Joy Macaroons
  8. Paleo Thumbprint Cookies
  9. Keto Maple Walnut Cookies
  10. Gluten-Free Linzer Cookies

International Holiday Icons

  1. German Lebkuchen
  2. Italian Pizzelle
  3. Mexican Wedding Cookies
  4. Scandinavian Rosettes
  5. Polish Kolaczki
  6. French Sablé Cookies
  7. Dutch Speculaas
  8. Norwegian Krumkake
  9. Greek Kourabiedes
  10. Swedish Pepparkakor

Boozy Bakes (Because, Yes)

  1. Rum Ball Cookies
  2. Bourbon Pecan Cookies
  3. Amaretto Biscotti
  4. Irish Cream Chocolate Cookies
  5. Spiked Eggnog Whoopie Pies
  6. Wine-Infused Shortbread
  7. Whiskey Maple Thumbprints
  8. Limoncello Sugar Cookies
  9. Brandy-Spiked Chocolate Drops
  10. Kahlua Chocolate Chip Cookies

Instagram-Worthy Holiday Flexes

  1. Peppermint Mocha Meringues
  2. Chocolate-Dipped Candy Cane Cookies
  3. Royal Icing Sugar Cookies (intricate AF)
  4. Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
  5. Stained Glass Sugar Cookies
  6. Marbled Sugar Cookies
  7. Swirled Meringue Trees
  8. Chocolate-Dipped Snowflake Shortbread
  9. 3D Christmas Tree Cookies
  10. Gold-Dusted Gingerbread Ornaments
  1. Salted Caramel Stuffed Cookies
  2. Hazelnut Espresso Sandwich Cookies
  3. Pistachio White Chocolate Cookies
  4. Chocolate Cherry Pistachio Biscotti
  5. Brown Butter Sugar Cookies
  6. Matcha Shortbread
  7. Chewy Toffee Pecan Cookies
  8. Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Cookies
  9. Cardamom Rose Sugar Cookies
  10. Nutella-Stuffed Red Velvet Cookies
  • Chill your dough. Especially with sugar and butter cookies. You want clean edges and max flavour.
  • Invest in good butter. You’re not hiding behind spice here. Butter is the star. Don’t skimp.
  • Double the batch. You’ll regret not having more when the tin’s empty by December 20th.
  • Freeze the dough. Bake only what you need. Or bake it all and become your neighbourhood’s favourite person.
  • Mix textures. Crispy, chewy, soft, spiced, nutty. A good cookie box hits every texture zone.

So whether you’re making five kinds of cookies in one weekend or just want one signature recipe to bring to your cookie swap, this list has everything you need. And hey, if you try all 100 over the course of December, we’re not judging. We’re just really impressed.

Want a full guide with links, baking order strategies, and how to store them for maximum crispiness? Let me know—I’ll drop it like it’s hot. Or more accurately, baked at 350 and cooled on a wire rack.

Nichole Sheley is a modern homesteader and the founder of Broken P Ranch. She empowers women to adopt a simpler, more self-sufficient lifestyle, feeling confident to grow, create, and thrive on their own terms with joy and balance.

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