The Ultimate Holiday Cookie Guide

When Allrecipes first started over 27 years ago, we weren't called "Allrecipes," we were actually called cookierecipe.com. Eventually, we moved on to be more than just cookie recipes (in fact, we do all of the recipes now), but our history is still an integral part of the site. So this year, we're living up to our namesake by creating the "ultimate" holiday cookie guide, complete with all of the recipes, tips, stories, and ideas from our community and team to make this season the sweetest one yet.

Our Allrecipes Allstars came up with the best cookies for your upcoming cookie swap; writer and baking extraordinaire Sara Haas figured out the best sugar combination for your favorite chocolate chip cookies; and Nicole McLaughlin—who you might recognize from Allrecipes' Instagram or TikTok—turned one of the hottest food trends of 2024 into an equally exciting cookie. No matter how you're celebrating the season this year, from our kitchen to yours—happy baking!

Why have one cookie when you could have three? In this festive cookie recipe, pro baker Erin Jeanne McDowell layers sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting so that they resemble Christmas trees. While they might look labor intensive, they are surprisingly easy to make–promise!

Get the Recipe: Sugar Cookie Tree Stacks with Cream Cheese Frosting

Allrecipes Allstar Kim Shupe has been making gingerbread houses with her husband for more than a decade, and she's picked up some tricks along the way. In this interview with writer Stephanie Ganz, she talks about her favorite creations and her best tips for gingerbread success at home.

Read the Story: An Expert Baker Has Been Making Gingerbread Houses for Over 10 Years—Here's What She's Learned 

One of the most popular food trends of 2024 was undoubtedly the dirty soda, which is essentially soda mixed with heavy cream. We tasked Allrecipes' culinary wizard Nicole McLaughlin to turn the trend into a holiday cookie, and she more than delivered.

Get the Recipe: Dirty Soda Cookies

Looking for an excuse to see your friends and family more during the holiday season? Try a cookie swap! The idea is simple: Each guest brings a batch of cookies to the party, and then you "swap" cookies with the other guests. The end result is a cookie tin filled with a variety of cookies from your loved ones.

We asked four of our Allrecipes Allstars to share what they would bring to a cookie swap. From Ashley Schuering's Jam "Jewel" Cookies made in a mini muffin tin, to Amy Leffler's Double Chocolate Biscotti with Cherries that mimics the flavors of a traditional Black Forest Cake, all of these are winners.

Writer Ashley Abramson talked to two baking experts for their best advice on how to craft and send the perfect holiday cookie tin. From the kinds of cookies to send, to how to actually pack the tin, here's everything you need to know.

Read the Story: How to Craft and Send the Perfect Holiday Cookie Tin

Whether you need to decorate cookies in a hurry, or want something that kids can actually help you with, the "dipped" method might be your best option. Here, writer and baker Molly Adams shares her step-by-step approach. The end result looks like something straight out of a bakery case.

Read the Story: This Is the Easiest, Fastest Way to Decorate Your Holiday Sugar Cookies

From Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies to Butter Rich Spritz Butter Cookies, these classic cookie recipes are a mainstay of the holidays. "You'll find a tried-and-true new go-to in this collection of our best vintage Christmas cookie recipes," writes editor Corey Williams.

Read the Story: 18 Vintage Christmas Cookies That Are Truly Timeless

Have you ever wondered why your favorite Snickerdoodles are so soft? The answer is simple: Cream of tartar! This wine by-product not only adds a subtle tang to baked goods, it also works in conjunction with baking soda to leaven your cookies. Don't you think it's about time that your favorite holiday sugar cookies got the same treatment?

Read the Story: This Secret Ingredient Makes Holiday Sugar Cookies Extra Soft

Writer Sara Haas went deep on the best sugar to use for your classic chocolate chip cookies. She tested out six different sugar combinations and graded them on what they looked like, what they tasted like, and their texture. The results were striking!

Read the Story: Granulated vs. Light Brown vs. Dark Brown Sugar: Which Is the Best for Chocolate Chip Cookies?

Leaving cookies and milk out for Santa is a time-honored tradition, and with this easy recipe you can get the whole family involved. "While these cookies would make a great snack for Santa on the big night—he probably wouldn’t mind if his little helpers had a taste of them too (we won’t tell!)." Allrecipes Allstar Kim Shupe writes.

Get the Recipe: Santa's Helper Cookie

In the wise words of Ina Garten, sometimes store-bought is fine. But there can always be room for improvement! Writer Karla Walsh asked four pro bakers for their best tips for making the most with store-bought dough. From vanilla paste to citrus zest, these one-ingredient upgrades are simply brilliant.

Read the Story:  I Asked 4 Bakers for Their 1-Ingredient Upgrades for Store-Bought Sugar Cookie Dough, and Scored a Dozen Brilliant Idea

These aren't just your grandma's favorite cookies. These are your grandma's grandma's favorite cookies. We scoured the internet and found a handful of our favorite cookie recipes of yore—all have an interesting story to tell; all are worthy of your holiday cookie plate this year.

Credits

Editorial Courtney Kassel, Ariel Knutson, Tracey Minkin, Barbara Sauermann, Corey Williams

Visuals Julia Bayless, Jen Causey, Lindsey Hayes, Costen King, Sarah Maiden, Sabrina Tan, Jennifer Wendorf, Debbie Wolfe, Alexandria Yorke, Chelsea Zimmer

Community Ansley Emmet, Heather Oldenborg, Jennifer Wentworth

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