Preview: Eighteen popular Christmas cookies for the holidays are collected here for your consideration. Don’t miss the gingerbread church house at the end.
What makes a cookie the most popular cookie at your house around the holidays? Is it because…
- They remind you of somebody who always made them. (What cookie will you be remembered for?)
- Maybe they are part of a tradition you followed as a child. (Is it a tradition worth passing on?)
- Perhaps they are too much trouble to make more than once a year. (Cut-out cookies come to mind.)
Whatever it is, there’s always room for another cookie on the tray. Right? Take a look and see what you might like to add to your holiday cookie tradition.

What makes a cookie a popular “Christmas Cookie?”
Do you know what the most popular Christmas cookie is in the United States? According to General Mills, it’s the peanut butter blossom. At least that recipe is visited more than any other according to them. Interesting. Will you make them this year?
This is my criteria, but each cookie only has to meet one of them:
- Look interesting or beautiful on a Christmas cookie tray.
- The cookie is decorated with red and/or green colors.
- It can be easy, like the Coconut Icebox Cookies while others are quite a project, like the Gingerbread church house.
- Cookies nice to give like the Powdered Sugar Lemon Cookies or Pfeffernusse.
- Don’t forget about Santa. Do you leave the same cookies every year or does Santa get the leftovers?
Whether you’re looking for something new or a better version of a familiar cookie, take a look below.
Did you enjoy this recipe? Help others (and me) by leaving a rating on the recipe card itself underneath the picture. No comment required. Thank you.
Hope to see you again soon!
Paula
p.s. Questions or suggestions? Email me: paula at saladinajar.com.
A Collection of 18 Cookies for the Holidays from Saladinajar.com
Crunchy Gingerbread Bites (Pfeffernusse)
These crispy bite-sized cookies are reminiscent of gingerbread (also known as Pfeffernusse).
Christmas Thumbprint Cookies
A shortbread-like cookie covered with chopped pecans and filled with marbleized icing for a festive look
Raisin Bran Crunch Cookies
Slightly crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, these cookies are filled with Raisin Bran Crunch cereal, coconut, and pecans.
Cookies and Cream Brownies
A brownie this rich should be served in small pieces to avoid passing out from extreme pleasure.
Meyer Lemon Bar Cookies
Lemon Bars with a coconut shortbread base and a creamy lemon layer over the top. Recipe calls for
using the entire lemon (minus seeds)--no grating or squeezing required.
Microwave Fudge Brownies
You no longer need to keep tempting cookies in the pantry for unexpected company. These Microwave Brownies are easy enough for kids to mix up and bake.
Soft Greek Yogurt Cookies with Lemon Icing
This recipe makes a cake-like cookie featuring the tanginess of Greek yogurt and the tartness of lemon and topped with a sweet lemon glaze.
Powdered Sugar Lemon Cookies
A lemon-flavored shortbread-type cookie studded with finely chopped pecans and dressed liberally with powdered sugar
Peanut Butter Pinwheel Cookies with Chocolate
This Peanut Butter Pinwheel Cookie recipe combines peanut butter dough with a layer of melted chocolate. Roll the dough into a jellyroll shape before slicing.
Chocolate Cupcake Tops (aka Frosted Chocolate Cookies)
These will remind you of the top of a chocolate cupcake. A soft, tender cookie with ganache-like, fudgy frosting.
Cinnamon Jumbles Recipe with Brown Butter Icing
Kid-favorites!! These cake-like, cinnamon-spiced cookies are frosted with a browned butter icing.
Lemon-Pecan Thumbprint Cookies
The traditional jelly thumbprint cookie gets a slight makeover with a lemon curd filling in a pecan studded cookie
Coconut Icebox Cookies
Keep the dough for these crispy coconut shortbread cookies in your freezer for sweet emergencies.
Pink Shortbread Cookies
A simple but delicious shortbread cookie with a smooth butter icing that kids and adults alike will love
Ruth's Shortbread Cookies with Chocolate Toffee Bits
Ruth's Shortbread Cookies with Milk Chocolate Toffee Bits are simple shortbread cookies with dipped in chocolate and decorated with more toffee bits.
Toffee Bars Made Easy
These layered bars have a shortbread base covered with melted chocolate chips and chopped pecans.
How to Make a Gingerbread Church House
Detailed directions and patterns for making a gingerbread church house
Our favorite Christmas cookies are the Christmas Thumbprints. Santa would be disappointed if he didn’t find them on the plate next to the fireplace on Christmas eve.