10 Beautifully Decorated Christmas Cookies to Try

Hey there, fellow cookie monster! Picture this: snowflakes drifting outside, your kitchen smelling like a winter wonderland, and a platter of cookies so pretty they could double as ornaments. If you’re hunting for ways to wow your family or impress at that cookie swap without slaving away for hours, you’ve hit the jackpot. We’re diving into 10 beautifully decorated Christmas cookies that’ll make your holidays merry and bright—think easy recipes with festive flair that even a baking newbie can nail. Grab your apron, and let’s get rolling!

1. Classic Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing Snowflakes

You know those perfect sugar cookies that look like they jumped out of a bakery window? These bad boys deliver that vibe with simple dough and icing that lets you channel your inner artist.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• For the royal icing: 3 cups powdered sugar, 2 egg whites, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, food coloring in blues and whites

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
2. Beat butter and sugar until creamy, then add egg and vanilla.
3. Stir in the dry ingredients gradually to form dough.
4. Chill the dough for an hour, then roll it out to 1/4-inch thick.
5. Cut shapes with cookie cutters—stars, trees, whatever screams Christmas.
6. Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until edges turn golden.
7. Whip up royal icing by beating egg whites until foamy, then add powdered sugar and lemon juice.
8. Divide icing, tint some blue, and pipe snowflake designs on cooled cookies.

Why You’ll Love It

These cookies taste like buttery heaven with a crisp edge that snaps just right. I once tried rushing the chilling step and ended up with blob-shaped disasters—lesson learned, patience pays off. Who doesn’t crave a cookie that looks fancy but comes together faster than wrapping a present?

2. Gingerbread Men with Candy Button Outfits

Nothing says Christmas like gingerbread men strutting their stuff in edible wardrobes. Spice up your tray with these cheeky fellas that pack warmth in every bite.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• Decorations: Mini M&Ms for buttons, icing for faces

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg together.
2. Cream butter and brown sugar, then mix in molasses and egg.
3. Combine wet and dry mixes into a dough.
4. Wrap and chill for two hours.
5. Roll out to 1/4-inch, cut gingerbread men shapes.
6. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
7. Cool completely, then pipe icing smiles and stick on candy buttons for outfits.

Why You’ll Love It

The spicy kick from ginger pairs perfectly with sweet molasses, creating that cozy holiday hug. Last year, I let my niece decorate them, and we ended up with punk-rock gingerbread rebels—total hit at the party. Aren’t these the ultimate way to add personality to your cookie spread?

3. Peppermint Pinwheel Cookies with Swirly Red Stripes

Twist things up with these pinwheels that look like candy canes in cookie form. They bring minty freshness that cuts through all the rich holiday eats.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• Red food coloring
• Crushed candy canes for sprinkling

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Beat butter and sugar fluffy, add egg, vanilla, and peppermint.
3. Mix in dry ingredients.
4. Divide dough in half; tint one red.
5. Roll each half into rectangles, stack them, and roll into a log.
6. Chill for an hour, slice into 1/4-inch rounds.
7. Bake at 375°F for 9 minutes.
8. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on warm cookies.

Why You’ll Love It

That peppermint pop refreshes your palate like a winter breeze. I swapped vanilla for almond extract once—big mistake, it clashed like ugly sweaters at a formal dinner. :/ These beauties swirl their way into everyone’s favorites list, no doubt.

4. Stained Glass Cookies with Melted Candy Centers

Turn cookies into edible art with these see-through wonders. Hard candy melts into colorful “glass” that shimmers like holiday lights.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Assorted hard candies (like Jolly Ranchers), crushed

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Cream butter and sugar, beat in eggs and vanilla.
3. Add dry mix to form dough.
4. Chill for 30 minutes, roll out to 1/8-inch.
5. Cut large shapes, then smaller cutouts inside.
6. Place on parchment, fill centers with crushed candy.
7. Bake at 375°F for 8-10 minutes until candy melts.
8. Cool on sheet to set the “glass.”

Why You’ll Love It

The crunchy cookie edge meets gooey candy center for texture magic. I burned a batch by overbaking once—talk about a sticky mess! These stun at gatherings; hang them on the tree if you’re feeling extra festive.

5. Linzer Cookies with Raspberry Jam Windows

These sandwich cookies peek through with jam like little stained-glass treats. Nutty dough and tart filling make them irresistible.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup ground almonds
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Raspberry jam for filling
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix flour, almonds, cinnamon, and salt.
2. Beat butter and sugar, add yolk and vanilla.
3. Stir in dry ingredients.
4. Chill dough for an hour.
5. Roll to 1/8-inch, cut circles; cut windows in half of them.
6. Bake at 350°F for 12 minutes.
7. Spread jam on solid cookies, top with window ones.
8. Dust with powdered sugar.

Why You’ll Love It

Almonds add a sophisticated nutty depth that elevates the humble jam. Some folks use apricot, but raspberry’s tang wins every time, IMO. These disappear fast—perfect for gifting if you can part with them.

6. Thumbprint Cookies with Festive Chocolate Ganache

Press your thumb in for a well of glossy ganache, then deck with sprinkles. These bite-sized gems shine like jewels on your platter.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Chocolate ganache: 4 oz dark chocolate, 1/4 cup heavy cream
• Holiday sprinkles

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.
2. Cream butters and sugars, beat in egg and vanilla.
3. Mix in dry stuff.
4. Roll into balls, thumbprint centers.
5. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.
6. Re-press centers if needed, cool.
7. Melt chocolate with cream for ganache, fill thumbprints.
8. Top with sprinkles.

Why You’ll Love It

The chewy base contrasts silky ganache for pure bliss. I experimented with white chocolate—too sweet, stick to dark for balance. Who can resist a cookie that lets you play with your food?

7. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with Powdered Sugar Snow

These fudgy cookies crack to reveal chocolatey insides under a snowy dusting. They look like they’ve been dusted by elves.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup powdered sugar for rolling

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix cocoa, sugar, and oil.
2. Beat in eggs one by one, add vanilla.
3. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt; stir in.
4. Chill dough for four hours.
5. Roll balls in powdered sugar.
6. Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes; cracks form as they cool.

Why You’ll Love It

Intense chocolate flavor hides under that powdery exterior—like a surprise party in your mouth. Overchill once, and they spread too much; four hours is the sweet spot. These always spark “oohs” at cookie exchanges.

8. Shortbread Cookies with Glittery Sprinkles Edges

Buttery shortbread gets a festive upgrade with sparkle-dipped edges. Simple yet elegant, they melt in your mouth.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• White chocolate for dipping
• Holiday sprinkles

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Sift flour, cornstarch, and salt.
2. Cream butter and powdered sugar, add vanilla.
3. Mix in dry ingredients.
4. Shape into logs, chill for an hour.
5. Slice into rounds, bake at 325°F for 15 minutes.
6. Melt white chocolate, dip half of each cookie.
7. Roll edges in sprinkles.

Why You’ll Love It

Shortbread’s richness shines without overwhelming sweetness. I tried adding lemon zest—great twist, but plain vanilla keeps it classic. FYI, these store well, making them ideal for last-minute gifts. 🙂

9. Christmas Macarons with Green Tea Ganache

Fancy French macarons go holiday with red shells and matcha filling. They look posh but aren’t as tricky as they seem.

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup almond flour
• 3 large egg whites
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• Red food coloring
• For ganache: 4 oz white chocolate, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon matcha powder

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Sift powdered sugar and almond flour.
2. Whip egg whites to soft peaks, add granulated sugar gradually to stiff peaks.
3. Tint meringue red, fold in dry mix gently.
4. Pipe onto parchment, tap to release bubbles, rest 30 minutes.
5. Bake at 300°F for 17 minutes.
6. Heat cream, stir in matcha and chocolate for ganache.
7. Sandwich macarons with filling.

Why You’ll Love It

Crisp shells give way to chewy centers with earthy matcha notes. My first batch deflated—humidity’s the enemy, bake on dry days. These impress without the fuss of full cakes.

10. No-Bake Reindeer Oreo Truffles

Skip the oven for these adorable reindeer bites. Oreos crushed into truffles, decorated with pretzel antlers—too cute to eat (almost).

Ingredients

• 36 Oreo cookies
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 12 oz chocolate melts
• Pretzel twists for antlers
• Red M&Ms for noses
• Candy eyes

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Crush Oreos into crumbs.
2. Mix with cream cheese to form dough.
3. Roll into balls, chill for 30 minutes.
4. Melt the chocolate, dip the balls.
5. Stick on pretzel halves for antlers while wet.
6. Add candy eyes and red M&M noses.
7. Let set in the fridge.

Why You’ll Love It

Creamy, chocolatey, and no baking drama. I used mint Oreos once—festive overload! These win over kids and adults alike with their whimsical look.