Christmas Cookie Recipe

Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes One Recipe – Many Variations

There are so many Christmas cookie recipes around but often so little time to bake during the busy holiday season.

The solution? A great tasting basic cookie recipe that quickly and easily turns into such a variety of easy to make Christmas Treats, friends and family will think you poured over all your favorite Christmas cookie recipes.

Let’s start with the basics:

Basic Cookie Dough Recipe

1/2 cup (or 1 stick) butter (or margarine) at room temperature

1/2 cup brown sugar, lightly packed

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the flour. Beat with an electric mixer, scraping the sides of the bowl several times, until the mixture is light and fluffy. With mixer at a low speed, add the flour gradually, beating just until everything is well blended.

Place the mixture on a baking sheet using a tablespoon measure and press down with a spoon to flatten a bit. Or roll our and cut into shapes with a cookie cutter. Bake at 350ºF for about 12 to 15 minutes, until golden.

This basic cookie mixture is also the base for the following cookie recipes (all baked in a preheated oven at 350ºF).

Orange Cookies

(Makes about 32)

Add 1 tablespoon of grated orange zest to the recipe. Shape into a log that is about 1 1/2″ in diameter and refrigerate for 4 hours.

Slice dough into 1/4″ thick slices. Place on cookie sheet. Cookies can be decorated with candies, rolled in colored sugar, or cut into pretty holiday shapes before baking. Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, until lightly browned.

Cherry Coconut Chocolate Squares

(Makes about 54 squares)

In addition to the basic dough you will need:

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3 large eggs

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

3 cups flaked coconut

1/2 cup maraschino cherries, well drained and coarsely chopped

Line a 13″x9″ baking pan with foil.

Stir cocoa powder into basic dough mixture. Press evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the crust looks dry.

In a medium bowl whisk together eggs, sugar, almond extract and baking powder until well blended. Stir in coconut and cherries. Pour over the baked crust.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, until top just begins to brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack. Lift it out on to a cutting board using the foil ends and cut into 1 1/2″ squares. Squares can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

Coconut Pineapple Cookies

(Makes about 36)

In addition to the basic dough you will need:

1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut

1/3 cup pineapple preserves (use raspberry or apricot if you prefer)

Add 1 cup of the flaked coconut to the basic dough mixture and mix well. Shape the dough into 1 1/2″ balls and roll in the remaining coconut to coat them. Place the balls 1″ apart on lightly greased cookie sheets. Make a deep indentation in the center of each cookie with your fingertip.

Bake for 12-15 minutes until the cookie is firm and the coconut is lightly toasted. When cooled, fill each hole in the center of the cookies with the preserves.

You can vary this basic dough to make a wide variety of Christmas cookie recipes. Add other flavorings like maple, ginger or cinnamon. Add chopped dried fruits like apricots or dates. Or bake them plain in holiday shapes and decorate with colored icing.

Christmas Is such a wonderful time of year. Here’s hoping these quick and easy Christmas cookie recipes help keep the pressure off the cook.

About the Author

Karen Ciancio is a fan of all things cooking related. Her website Cookingnook.com contains recipes, cooking tips, diet and nutrition information. Visit the site for a free copy of our Holiday Gift Guide, with great ideas for everyone on your list.

The World’s Fastest Christmas Cookie Recipe

Wilton Nonstick 12-Cavity Whoopie Pie Pan $11.22 Make fun Whoopie Pies perfect for sharing and eating! This pan features a non-stick surface for easy clean-up and is dishwasher safe, though Wilton recommends hand-washing. This package contains (1) 16-1/2″ x 11″ pan with (12) 3″ diameter cavities. A Whoopie Pie recipe is included on the packaging….

Wilton 2105-4923 24-Cavity Silicone Brownie-Squares Baking Mold $6.29 Bake fun shaped brownies, decorate, and add a stick for a unique brownie pop treat! Wilton Silicone Molds are flexible so removing your treats is easy, and are safe for freezer, oven (up to 500F/260C), microwave, and dishwasher. Stain and odor resistant. This package contains one silicone mold (13″ x 8-1/2″ x 1″) with (24) 1-1/2″ x 1-1/2″ cavities and one design. Brownie mix and sticks sold separa…

Wilton 2304-1050 101-Piece Cookie Cutter Set $11.32 Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Valentine’s Day…cookie cutters for every season, and more! With a complete set of letters and numbers, designs for cowboys, stars, cars and animals, you’ll be ready for any occasion. Durable plastic cutters come in a convenient storage container. Hand wash. (2-1/2 to 6-1/4)…

Christmas Cookies Recipes & CD Music Set $6.99 …

Wallmonkeys Peel and Stick Wall Decals – Buche De Noel Entamee – Removable Graphic WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l…

Martha Stewart Living Television: Martha’s Favorite Cookies, Vol. 10 $14.98 Martha makes everything special, and making cookies is no exception. Martha’s Favorite Cookies features 33 of Martha’s best cookie recipes your whole family will enjoy — such as Chocolate Malt Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies, Fig Bars, Snickerdoodles, Scottish Shortbread, Coconut Pinwheels and much more!…

One Amazingly Good Cookie $14.95 This DVD shows you step by step how to make an amazingly good oatmeal cookie with the flavors of cranberry, pecan, orange zest, orange liquor and more. This may be the best cookie you have ever made. Stand mixer required.This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com’s standard return policy will apply….

Mother’s Cookies From One Mother to Another….

THIN Addictives Cranberry Almond Thins 20 Packs of Crunchy Cookies NET WT 1 Lb (454 g) $21.95 THIN Addictives Cranberry Almond Thins 20 Packs of Crunchy Cookies NET WT 1 Lb (454 g): Freshness Packs of 20 Packs of Crunchy Cookies! Net Weight: 1 Lb (454 g) Product of CANADA…

Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips 10oz – 6 Unit Pack $23.99 Peppermint Baking Chips 10 Oz Bag Perfect for all Desserts Chocolate and peppermint; an irresistable combination! Refreshing taste, cool and chocolatey…

RUSS Ginger In The Kitchen Christmas Cookie Platter & Recipe Holder $26.99 Holiday Cookie Platter and Recipe Holder From the “Ginger In The Kitchen” collection, designed by Bonnie Lynn exclusively for Russ Berrie Inc, Item #32683 Included is an oval-shaped ceramic platter, decorated with little gingerbread men cut-outs Inscription in the center of the plate reads: “The food upon this plate made with loving care, is a reminder of the warmth friends and family share. So enjoy this gift of love, pass along for others to share, and when the food is gone, the love will always be there.” Also included is a ceramic gingerbread man recipe holder and recipe card Plate measures approximately: 15 1/4″ x 9 1/8″

Smart for Life Cookie Diet Carnival Mustard $19.95 Our Smart for Life mustard is the ultimate condiment! It has a multitude of uses that is only limited by your imagination. It will give your meals a savory tangy kick you?ll love. Marinate meats, fish or poultry. Use as a dip with vegetables. Mix it into your tuna or deviled eggs. The handy three-pack makes it easy to pass along the great taste to your friends and family. Package Includes: 3 jars of Randy?s Smart Carnival Mustard. Recipe Idea: Take two hardboiled egg whites and mix with tomato, green pepper, cucumber, parsley and onion. Mix in one tablespoon of Carnival Mustard. To make a sandwich, add the mix to our bagels with a grilled eggplant slice.

Recipe Book For Cats With Cookie Cutter $8.99 Recipe Book For Cats With Cookie Cutter

Cookie Card $1.39 Festive polka dots and delectable cookies are featured on this white Christmas cookie exchange invitation. Your guest will cut along the dotted line and bring their cookie recipe to your holiday party! The wording and lines shown on the recipe portion of the invitation cannot be changed or removed. Bright white enclosure cards are available.

Christmas Poinsettia Personalized Cookie Tin Personalized Cookie Tin Each $7.99 Surprise your family and friends with a Christmas cookie tin to take home and enjoy! Fill the Christmas Poinsettia Personalized Cookie Tin with your favorite recipe and they can use the tin to store special mementos afterward. Well print the design on the lid of the cookie tin. Each of the 3 1/4 inch high x 9 inch diameter cookie tins allow you to add your own personalization.Cookies not included.

Roman Inc RUSS "Ginger In The Kitchen" Christmas Cookie Platter & Recipe Holder #RUSS 32683 – Serving Pieces $32.39 Roman Inc RUSS "Ginger In The Kitchen" Christmas Cookie Platter & Recipe Holder #RUSS 32683 Holiday Cookie Platter and Recipe HolderFrom the "Ginger In The Kitchen" collection, designed by Bonnie Lynn exclusively for Russ Berrie Inc, Item #32683Included is an oval-shaped ceramic platter, decorated with little gingerbread men cut-outs Inscription in the center of the plate reads: "The food upon this plate made with loving care, is a reminder of the warmth friends and family share. So enjoy this gift of love, pass along for others to share, and when the food is gone, the love will always be there."Also included is a ceramic gingerbread man recipe holder and recipe cardPlate measures approximately: 15 1/4" x 9 1/8"Brand new in gift box, perfect, first quality merchandise – Serving Pieces

Christmas Tree Print Personalized Cookie Tin Personalized Cookie Tin Each $7.99 Surprise your friends and family with a fabulous cookie tin to take home! Fill the Christmas Gifts Personalized Cookie Tin with your favorite recipe and they can use the tin to store special mementos afterward. Well print the design on the lid of the cookie tin. Each of the 3 1/4 inch high x 9 inch diameter cookie tins allow you to add your own personalization.Cookies not included.

Trendy Christmas Tree Personalized Cookie Tin Personalized Cookie Tin Each $7.99 Surprise someone special with this holiday cookie tin. Fill the Trendy Christmas Tree Personalized Cookie Tin with your favorite recipe treats and the tin may be reused to store more cookies or special mementos afterward. We’ll print the design on the lid of the cookie tin. Each of the 3 1/4 inch high x 9 inch diameter cookie tins allow you to add your own personalization.Cookies not included.

Traditional Christmas Ornaments Cookie Tin Personalized Cookie Tin Each $7.99 Surprise your family and friends with this awesome holiday cookie tin. Fill the Traditional Christmas Ornaments Personalized Cookie Tin with your favorite recipe treats and the tin may be reused to store more cookies or special mementos afterward. We’ll print the design on the lid of the cookie tin. Each of the 3 1/4 inch high x 9 inch diameter cookie tins allow you to add your own personalization.Cookies not included.

Sweet Christmas Dots Personalized Cookie Tin Personalized Cookie Tin Each $7.99 Surprise someone special with this spectacular holiday cookie tin. Fill the Sweet Christmas Dots Personalized Cookie Tin with your favorite recipe treats and the tin may be reused to store more cookies or special mementos afterward. We’ll print the design on the lid of the cookie tin. Each of the 3 1/4 inch high x 9 inch diameter cookie tins allow you to add your own personalization.Cookies not included.

Christmas Present Personalized Cookie Tin Personalized Cookie Tin Each $7.99 Surprise your guests with this fabulous cookie tin designed for them! Fill the Christmas Present Personalized Cookie Tin with your special recipe treats or you can fill them with items that remind you of them to share. Well print the design on the lid of the cookie tin. Each of the 3 1/4 inch high x 9 inch diameter cookie tins allow you to add your own personalization.Cookies not included.

Sparkling Christmas Tree Personalized Cookie Tin Personalized Cookie Tin Each $7.99 Surprise someone special with this spectacular cookie tin. Fill the Sparkling Christmas Tree Personalized Cookie Tin with your favorite recipe treats and the tin may be reused to store more cookies or special mementos afterward. We’ll print the design on the lid of the cookie tin. Each of the 3 1/4 inch high x 9 inch diameter cookie tins allow you to add your own personalization.Cookies not included.

Trendy Christmas Trees Personalized Cookie Tin Personalized Cookie Tin Each $7.99 Surprise a special someone with this wonderful holiday cookie tin. Fill the Trendy Christmas Trees Personalized Cookie Tin with your favorite recipe treats and the tin may be reused to store more cookies or special mementos afterward. We’ll print the design on the lid of the cookie tin. Each of the 3 1/4 inch high x 9 inch diameter cookie tins allow you to add your own personalization.Cookies not included.

Christmas Presents Personalized Cookie Tin Personalized Cookie Tin Each $7.99 Surprise them with a cookie tin designed for them! Fill the Christmas Presents Personalized Cookie Tin with your special recipe treats or you can fill them with items that remind you of them to share. Well print the design on the lid of the cookie tin. Each of the 3 1/4 inch high x 9 inch diameter cookie tins allow you to add your own personalization.Cookies not included.

Kitty Treats Recipe Card With Cookie Cutter $2.99 Kitty Treats Recipe Card With Cookie Cutter

Christmas Cookie Santa $49.99 Christmas Cookie Santa

Santa’s Christmas Cookie $29.99 Santa’s Christmas Cookie

The Christmas Cookie Killer $9.8 The Christmas Cookie Killer

Christmas Cookie Book $11.96 Christmas Cookie Book

The Christmas Cookie Club: A Novel $10.19 The Christmas Cookie Club: A Novel

The Christmas Cookie Cookbook: $10.19 The Christmas Cookie Cookbook

Cookie Craft Christmas: $9.06 Cookie Craft Christmas

The Christmas Cookie Sprinkle Snitcher $12.87 The Christmas Cookie Sprinkle Snitcher

Cookie Craft Christmas $9.85 Cookie Craft Christmas

Christmas Cookie Jar $11.85 Christmas Cookie Jar

The Christmas Cookie Case $3.42 The Christmas Cookie Case

The Gift of the Christmas Cookie $12.06 The Gift of the Christmas Cookie

Christmas Cookie Murder $6.29 Christmas Cookie Murder

The Christmas Cookie Club $5.39 The Christmas Cookie Club

Personalized Cookie Tin Each $7.99 Surprise each of your Christmas guests with this great cookie tin to take home! Fill the Christmas Dots Personalized Cookie Tin with your favorite recipe and use the tin to store special mementos afterward. Well print the design on the lid of the cookie tin. Each of the 3 1/4 inch high x 9 inch diameter cookie tins allow you to add your own personalization.Cookies not included.

The Gourmet Cookie Book: The Single Best Recipe from Each Year 1941-2009 $15.98 For this stunning collection, the editors of "Gourmet" delved deep into their archives and selected the most delicious cookie for each year of the magazine’s sixty-eight-year existence. After marathon testing sessions and winnowing from thousands of recipes–many sent in by readers–they chose an amazing array, from the almond-scented French-style Cajun Macaroons, from the magazine’s beginnings in 1941, through Mocha Toffee Bars (1971), to the contemporary Glittering Lemon Sandwich Cookies. The enticing assortment includes Cookies of every type and description, from the homey (Aunt Sis’s Strawberry Tart Cookies) to the exotic (Grand Marnier-Glazed Pain d’Epice Cookies), including balls, bars, refrigerator cookies, drop cookies, even deep-fried cookie confections. Cookies from around the world: from Dutch Jan Hagels to Irish oatmeal sandwich cookies filled with cream and Irish whiskey, to Scandinavian Rosettes. Dozens of Christmas cookies: Old-Fashioned Christmas Butter Cookies, star-shaped Moravian White Cookies, Chocolate Peppermint Bar Cookies. Printed exactly as they originally appeared in the magazine, with abundant tips and recipe notes from "Gourmet"’s test kitchen, and with headnotes describing their cultural context, the recipes present a fascinating bite-by-bite history of how our appetites evolved.

6 Dangling Heart Shaped Cookie Christmas Ornament $6.99 Dangling Heart Shaped Cookie Christmas Ornament. By Pacific Rim, Item #: 65584 This 3 tier dangling heart shaped cookie ornament is accented with a striped ribbon and a holly berry leaf. Embellished with sparkling glitter Measures: 6″H Material: Poly-clay Comes ready-to-hang with a red ribbon.

6 Dangling Holly Circle Cookie Christmas Ornament $6.99 Dangling Holly Berry Cookie Christmas Ornament By Pacific Rim, Item #: 65584 This 3 tier dangling cookie ornament is accented with a striped ribbon and a holly berry leaf. Embellished with sparkling glitter Measures: 6″H Material: Poly-clay Comes ready-to-hang with a red ribbon.

6 Dangling Holly Berry Cookie Christmas Ornament $6.99 Dangling Holly Berry Cookie Christmas Ornament By Pacific Rim #65584 This 3 tier dangling cookie ornament is accented with a striped ribbon and a holly berry leaf. Embellished with sparkling glitter Measures: 6″H Material: Poly-clay Comes ready-to-hang with a red ribbon.

9.75 Vibrant Smiling Snowman Christmas Cookie Jar $34.99 Snowman Christmas Cookie Jar Item #H2875 Bright colored jar featuring a smiling snowman Perfect way to liven up any surface this season Dimensions: 9.75″H Material(s): ceramic

Noble Gems Recipe Cookbook Glass Christmas Ornament $11.99 From the Noble Gems Collection Item #NB0225 Get inspired to whip up a batch of your famous holiday cookies with this mouth blown glass Christmas recipe cookbook ornament, including an attached wooden spoon and spatula Fully dimensional ornament Comes ready-to-hang on a gold cord Dimensions: 4″H x 2.75″W x 1.25″D Material(s): glass/metal/wood

Cute Hot Chocolate Recipe Christmas Ornament $6.99 Cute Hot Chocolate Recipe Christmas Ornament By Pacific Rim, Item #61986 Reads in black lettering: “Hot Chocolate, 2 oz. chocolate pieces, 1/3C Sugar, 4C of Milk – In a sucepan heat milk add chocolate and sugar. Top with whipped cream and serve with love.” Measures: 5″H Material: resin Comes ready-to-hang with a silver wire cord Please Note: This ad is for the ornament pictured on the right only, other ornaments are not included.

17 Sesame Street Cookie Monster Me Want Cookie Applique Christmas Stocking $19.99 Sesame Street Cookie Monster Applique Christmas Stocking Item #SE7113 Officially licensed merchandise The perfect stocking for a Sesame Street or Cookie Monster fan Stocking reads: “Me Want Cookie” Comes ready-to-hang on a blue fabric loop Dimensions: 17″H Material(s): fabric

The Flour Pot Christmas Cookie Book: $11.18 The Flour Pot Christmas Cookie Book

The Great Christmas Cookie Swap Cookbook $10.35 The Great Christmas Cookie Swap Cookbook

The Flour Pot Christmas Cookie Book $11.52 The Flour Pot Christmas Cookie Book

Heart Shaped Frosted Christmas Cookie Ornament $4.99 Heart Shaped Christmas Cookie Ornament From the Candy Fantasy Collection, Item #7431559 Embellished with white glitter One-sided ornament with a dimensional front & flat back Dimensions: 3.5″H x 3.5″W x 0.25″D Material(s): Clay-dough Comes ready-to-hang with a red cord.

8 Classical Santa Claus Head Christmas Ceramic Kitchen Cookie Jar $14.99 Santa Claus Head Christmas Cookie Jar Item #907325 Add a festive touch to your kitchen this Christmas with this jolly Santa Claus head cookie jar with shiny glaze finish Dimensions: 8″H x 7″W x 7″D Material(s): ceramic

10 Festive Santa Claus Head Ceramic Christmas Kitchen Cookie Jar $24.99 Santa Claus Head Christmas Cookie Jar Item #107072 Add a festive touch to your kitchen this Christmas with this jolly Santa Claus head cookie jar with shiny glaze finish Dimensions: 10″H x 7″W x 6.25″D Material(s): ceramic