Festive Cookies to Get You into the Holiday Spirit

Season's eatings! Your kids will love to help make these cookies.

The stockings can go unhung. The artificial tree can sit this season out. And even the holiday spending can get scaled back. But a December without cookies? Bah, humbug!

If we don’t get to indulge in a sweet, buttery holiday confection – preferably a variety made for this time of year – then it just isn’t the season. They are the “fa” in our “fa-la-la-la,” the Christmas Star in our holiday galaxy and the Red Rider BB gun in our “Christmas Story”.

But while having your house filled with the smell of ginger and spice is nice, it’s not always feasible. No worries! Whatever your holiday spirit level, we’ve got a cookie that will knock everyone’s ugly sweaters off and make the season sweeter for the whole family.

Chewy Sugar Cookies

Photo credit: Lauren Jeziorski

Frosted sugar cookies have nothing on this chewy variety – that doesn’t need icing to dazzle. It’s a sweet, tender take on the classic that’s way easier to make and, dare we say it, even tastier. Cream cheese is one of the secret ingredients that makes this recipe stand out in a cornucopia of sugar cookie options.

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Gingerbread Man Sandwich

Photo credit: Lauren Jeziorski

Gingerbread cookies are grand, but if you really want to take this holiday standard to a whole other level – and Insta impress your friends – consider making a batch of these babies. You’ll have to put in a little extra seasonal sweat to roll and cut the dough, plus make buttercream icing to fill them, but boy oh ginger boy are they worth it!

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‘Krisp’ Kringles

Photo credit: Lauren Jeziorski

If Rice Krispies Treats make your heart go pitter pat, their Christmas cookie cousins will make you swoon. Imagine: Chopped chocolate rice candy bars + Rice Krispies mixed in a buttery drop cookie dough. They are chewy, chocolatey and a big hit with kiddos of all ages.

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Cherry Cordials

Photo credit: Lauren Jeziorski

It’s love at first bite with these decadent devil’s food drops. As if their chocolatey essence wasn’t enough, they’re stuffed with maraschino cherries and drizzled with white chocolate. Trust us: No one will have these at the cookie exchange!

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Holiday M&M’s Drop Cookies

Photo credit: Lauren Jeziorski

Let’s get something straight: chocolate chip cookies are not Christmas cookies. They may be easy, they may be delicious, but they are not holiday special. But a simple swap of red and green M&Ms kicks up the Christmas quotient — and our recipe is truly one of the best.

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Dream Bars

Photo credit: Lauren Jeziorski

These beige bar cookies may not be a feast for the eyes, but they are for the stomach. Layered coconut, nuts and a brown-buttery custard all come together to create a sublime chewy confection that seems straight from Mrs. Claus’ oven.

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