Chocolaty Melting Snowmen
Looks like Frosty got a little overheated! Use homemade frosting, peanut butter cups , and candies to add a cute snowman topper to a chewy chocolate cookie .
Makes: 4 servings
Yield: 20 cookies
Prep: 50 mins
Bake: 9 mins to 11 mins per batch
Pretty Package Cookies
Wrap up this holiday favorite with some easy frosting. The cookie itself features crunchy-good toasted almonds.
Yield: about 48 cookies
Prep: 20 mins
Chill: 2 hrs
Bake: 8 mins 350°F per batch
Dark Chocolate Chip-Granola Cookies
Thought granola was only for breakfast? Think again! These soft-yet-crunchy cookies feature almond granola and rolled oats, plus decadent dark chocolate pieces.
Yield: about 48 cookies
Prep: 20 mins
Freeze: up to 3 months
Bake: 10 mins 350°F per batch
Holiday 7-Layer Bars
As the name implies, seven delicious ingredients go to work in these so-easy bars. You hit fruity notes, creamy white chocolate, and even crunchy nuts in each bite.
Makes: 22 servings
Yield: 22 to 24 bars
Prep: 15 mins
Bake: 25 mins to 30 mins
Oven: 350°F
Video: How to Make One Cookie Four Ways
Watch how to get four different cookie looks from simple to beautifully intricate with one basic cookie recipe.
Filled Cherry Macaroons
Sandwich homemade cherry buttercream inside lightly crisped almond-flavor macaroons for a delectable mini bite.
Makes: 22 servings
Yield: 22 sandwich cookies
Prep: 35 mins
Stand: 30 mins
Bake: 11 mins per batch
Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pumpkin Cookies
Cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin give these tender cookies a warm, spiced flavor. Topped with a homemade frosting, these holiday cookies will vanish as soon as you set them out.
Makes: 60 servings
Yield: about 60 cookies
Prep: 30 mins
Bake: 10 mins 350°F per batch
Melomacarona (Greek Honey-Dipped Cookies)
Lightly sweetened cookies make a nice break from all the frosting. This gem is finished with a clove-spiced honey glaze.
Makes: 60 servings
Yield: about 5 dozen cookies
Prep: 1 hr 15 mins
Bake: 9 mins 375°F per batch
Chocolate-Mint Checkerboard Cookies
Two holiday powerhouses -- chocolate and mint -- combine in pretty checkerboard-style fashion. Bonus: These cookies can store for two days or freeze for up to three months.
Yield: about 50 cookies
Prep: 50 mins
Chill: 2 hrs
Bake: 9 mins 350°F
Salty-Sweet Butterscotch Cookies
Dry-roasted cashews add a salty spin to classic butterscotch chip cookies .
Makes: 48 servings
Prep: 35 mins
Bake: 8 mins to 10 mins 375°F
Peanut Butter and Banana Drops
These moist cookies combine three favorites -- chocolate, peanut butter, and banana -- and they use just four ingredients. Add a festive touch by decorating them with coarse decorating sugar.
Yield: about 40 cookies
Prep: 30 mins
Bake: 8 mins 375°F per batch
Pepper Jelly Cornmeal Cups
Put a spicy surprise into holiday baking with a cornmeal cookie base and a filling that packs heat as well as sweet.
Makes: 96 servings
Prep: 25 mins
Cool: 1 min
Bake: 10 mins 350°F
Christmas Sandies
Dried cranberries and lemon peel add zing to these festive little cookies .
Yield: about 144 1/2-inch cookies; 72 3/4-inch cookies; or 36 1-inch cookies
Prep: 30 mins
Bake: 10 mins to 15 mins 350°F
Red Velvet Shortbread Cookies
Melted white chocolate and crushed pistachio nuts dress up simple shortbread cookies .
Yield: about 24 cookies
Prep: 30 mins
Bake: 20 mins 325°F
Almond Icebox Rounds
Cream cheese gives these almond-studded, slice-and-bake cookies a moist texture and a rich flavor.
Makes: 60 servings
Yield: about 60 cookies
Prep: 30 mins
Chill: 6 hrs
Bake: 12 mins 350°F per batch
Chocolaty Caramel-Nut S'more Bars
Bring a campfire favorite to your next holiday party! Chocolate wafer cookies take the place of graham crackers, but ooey-gooey marshmallows and melted chocolate make a familiar appearance in these s'more bars.
Yield: 24 bars
Prep: 30 mins
Bake: 27 mins
Oven: 325°F
Snowball Trees
Got sprinkles? Then you've likely got everything you need in your kitchen for this eight-ingredient cookie . Balled up to look like a Christmas tree , it's the perfect addition to your cookie platter.
Yield: about 36 cookies
Prep: 1 hr 10 mins
Bake: 10 mins to 12 mins 325°F per batch
Cool: 2 mins per batch
Mexican Chipotle Chocolate Bites
These little cookie sandwiches perfectly balance spicy and sweet. Basic cookie dough is spiked with chipotle chile pepper, while a fluffy chocolate filling adds sweetness.
Makes: 25 servings
Yield: about 25 sandwich cookies
Prep: 30 mins
Bake: 6 mins 350°F per batch
Raspberry Sugar Cookie Sandwiches
Sandwich raspberry preserves between sweet vanilla sugar cookies for a dessert that's both pretty and tasty.
Makes: 20 servings
Yield: about 20 sandwich cookies
Prep: 40 mins
Chill: 1 hr
Bake: 7 mins 375°F per batch
Chocolate Crinkles
A sprinkling of powdered sugar tops these simple-to-make chocolate cookies . Prep takes just 30 minutes, and each batch bakes for just eight minutes.
Makes: 36 servings
Yield: 36 large cookies or 72 small cookies
Prep: 25 mins
Bake: 8 mins to 10 mins 375°F
Chill: 2 hrs to 24 hrs
Chocolate-Raspberry Tassies
The rich, gooey filling in these tarts has a hint of raspberry liqueur .
Yield: 24 tarts
Prep: 40 mins
Bake: 12 mins to 15 mins 375°F
Cool: 10 mins
Almond-Cinnamon Cookies
A browned-butter drizzle takes these simple cookies to the next level.
Makes: 42 servings
Yield: about 42 cookies
Prep: 30 mins
Bake: 13 mins 375°F per batch
Cinnamon-Sugar Roll Cookies
A crunchy-sweet swirl of mixed nuts, brown sugar, and cinnamon dresses up basic cookie dough. Vanilla glaze adds a festive holiday touch.
Makes: 60 servings
Yield: about 60 cookies
Prep: 40 mins
Freeze: 2 hrs
Bake: 8 mins 375°F per batch
Catch-All Bars
Dark chocolate, toffee, coconut, and pecans fill these chewy bar cookies .
Makes: 24 servings
Yield: 24 bars
Prep: 35 mins
Bake: 30 mins 375°F
Spritz Blossoms
These dainty cookies , decorated with powdered sugar icing and silver dragees, are always a hit at cookie exchange parties -- and they make beautiful gifts.
Makes: 80 servings
Yield: 80 cookies
Prep: 40 mins
Bake: 7 hrs 375°F per batch
Stand: 30 mins
Nut Rings
Edible glitter and a swirl of frosting turn these simple cookies into a favorite holiday treat.
Yield: about 40 Nut Rings and 20 Duce Cookies
Prep: 45 mins
Bake: 16 mins 300°F
Eggnog-Frosted Nutmeg Sugar Cookies
Coarse sugar gives these lightly spiced cookies a touch of holiday sparkle.
Yield: about 24 cookies
Prep: 25 mins
Chill: 1 hr
Bake: 8 mins 375°F
Honey-Ginger Bites
In this modern spin on pfeffernuesse, white pepper adds subtle zip, while ginger and honey keep things sweet. It makes the perfect baked gift!
Makes: 40 servings
Yield: about 20 dozen small cookies (40 servings)
Prep: 40 mins
Chill: 1 hr
Bake: 6 mins 350°F per batch
Chocolate Bonbon Pops
To make these lovely no-bake treats, freeze the dough balls on sticks, then dip them in a melted chocolate mixture.
Yield: 20 pops
Prep: 30 mins
Freeze: 30 mins
Chill: 1 hr
Almond Spritz
Customize these buttery almond cookies with icing and small candies.
Yield: about 90 cookies
Prep: 30 mins
Bake: 8 mins 350°F
Gingersnaps
You can't go wrong with this classic Christmas cookie . Sprinkle on coarse decorating sugar for a bit of holiday cheer.
Yield: about 50 cookies
Prep: 35 mins
Chill: 2 hrs
Bake: 10 mins 350°F
Eggnog Spritz
These buttery cookies feature all the delicious flavors of the popular Christmas cocktail. Melted white chocolate and a dusting of nutmeg make a pretty finishing touch.
Yield: about 24 cookies
Prep: 30 mins
Bake: 7 mins 375°F per batch
Fruitcake Macaroons
Featuring the delicious flavors of two classic holiday desserts , this crowd-pleasing cookie makes an ideal gift .
Yield: about 24 cookies
Prep: 25 mins
Bake: 15 mins 325°F
Mint Crinkles
Layered chocolate-mint candies add pizzazz to this classic chocolate chip cookie recipe.
Yield: about 36 cookies
Prep: 25 mins
Cool: 15 mins
Bake: 10 mins 350°F
Peanut Butter Bites
Chocolate-covered peanut butter cups nestle inside peanut butter cookies for a happy surprise. A sprinkling of cocoa powder adds extra chocolaty goodness.
Makes: 42 servings
Prep: 40 mins
Chill: 30 mins
Bake: 8 mins to 10 mins 375°F
Brown Sugar Shortbreads
A pretty flower pattern dresses up these easy-to-make pumpkin-spiced cookies .
Makes: 36 servings
Prep: 35 mins
Bake: 12 mins to 15 mins 350°F
Black Forest Cookies
You don't have to tell anyone that the base of this cherry-topped sweet treat is a store-bought cookie . Enhance the flavor with cherry preserves mixed with chocolate frosting and optional cherry-flavor brandy.
Yield: 10 to 12 cookies
Start to Finish: 15 mins
Butter-Mint Cookies
Powdered sugar makes a simple topping for these tender, minty butter cookies .
Makes: 36 servings
Prep: 25 mins
Bake: 15 mins 325°F
Coconut Macaroons
Wrap four or five of these simple macaroons in red cellophane, tie each bundle with silver ribbon, and give them as gifts.
Makes: 28 servings
Yield: 28 cookies
Prep: 30 mins
Bake: 20 mins 325°F
Stand: 30 mins
Cran-Crazy Cookies
Lemon peel adds fresh flavor to these whole wheat cranberry cookies .
Makes: 60 servings
Prep: 30 mins
Cool: 2 mins per batch
Bake: 10 mins 350°F per batch
Almond Breton Biscuits
Coarse red decorating sugar jazzes up these almond-filled, sugary sliced cookies .
Makes: 54 servings
Prep: 25 mins
Bake: 12 mins 350°F
Chill: 3 hrs
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