Inside: Inspired by Grandma’s kitchen, these are the best old-fashioned Christmas cookies for a plate of vintage sweet treats this holiday season.
Christmas cookies! What’s not to love? Well, plenty. In an already busy time of year, the cookie expectations can be overwhelming. Piping bags? Meringue? Cookie cutters? No thanks. Even if you love to bake, it can all feel like a bit much.
The good news is this: some of the best holiday recipes are simple drop cookies and other old-fashioned favorites you can make without a big fuss.
So, say goodbye to trendy and complicated Christmas cookies. These vintage-inspired cookie recipes will make your holiday kitchen happy and cozy.
Find your favorite, grab a large bowl, and let’s preheat that oven to 350 degrees and get to work.
Classic Molasses Cookies
These classic molasses cookies are perfectly soft, chewy, and full of warm spice. With deep molasses flavor and a hint of ginger, they’re an old-fashioned treat everyone loves. Simple to make and irresistibly cozy – perfect for holiday baking!
Christmas Snickerdoodles
These snickerdoodles are a festive twist on the classic, coated in cinnamon sugar with a hint of holiday spice. Soft, chewy, and delicious buttery, they’re perfect for cookie exchanges or cozy nights. Quick to make and sure to be a holiday favorite!
Old Fashioned Farmhouse Sugar Cookies
These sugar cookies are soft, buttery, and lightly sweet, with a hint of vanilla in every bite. They’re a nostalgic treat that’s perfect for decorating or enjoying plain. The dough comes together easily, making these a delicious addition to your holiday baking lineup!
Black Forest Crinkle Cookies
These crinkle cookies are rich, fudgy, and packed with chocolate flavor, with a hint of cherry for a delicious twist. They have a beautiful crinkled top dusted with powdered sugar, making them as festive as they are tasty. Perfect for holiday cookie trays and ready in a snap!
Spicy Hot Gingersnaps
These are crisp, bold, and packed with warm spices and a hint of heat. With ginger, cinnamon, and a dash of cayenne, they’re perfect for those who love a little kick in their holiday treats. A unique and flavorful addition to any festive cookie spread!
Grandma’s Rum Balls
Grandma’s rum balls are rich and chocolatey, with the perfect touch of rum for a warm holiday flavor. They’re easy to make—no baking required—and only get better as they sit. A classic treat that’s perfect for gifting or enjoying with loved ones!
Potato Chip Cookies
These are the perfect blend of sweet and salty, with a satisfying crunch from real potato chips. Buttery and tender, they’re an unexpected treat that’s easy to make and always a hit. Perfect for adding a fun twist to your holiday cookie lineup!
Christmas Spritz Cookies
These spritz cookies are buttery, tender, and beautifully festive. Made with a simple dough and a cookie press, they come in fun holiday shapes and can be decorated with sprinkles or colored sugar. Perfect for adding charm and tradition to your holiday cookie tray!
Polish Kolaczki Cookies
These cookies are delicate, buttery, and filled with sweet fruit jam—perfect for the holidays. Made with cream cheese dough, they’re tender and flaky with a hint of richness. Even better when dusted with powdered sugar for a festive finish!
Swedish Crescent Cookies
These crescent cookies are buttery, nutty, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. They’re a classic holiday treat made with ground almonds and shaped into delicate crescents. Perfectly finished with a dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy touch!
Classic Snickerdoodles
These classic snickerdoodles are soft, chewy, and coated in cinnamon sugar for the perfect hint of spice. With a slight tang from the cream of tartar, they have that signature snickerdoodle flavor everyone loves. Perfectly cozy and easy to make for any occasion!
Snowball Cookies with Macadamia Nuts
These are buttery, tender, and packed with a delicious crunch from rich macadamias. Rolled in powdered sugar, they have a festive, snowy finish that makes them perfect for the holidays. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy!
Raspberry Cheesecake Thumbprints
One of our VERY favorite recipes on this list! These cheesecake thumbprints are buttery, soft, and filled with a creamy cheesecake center topped with sweet raspberry jam. Each bite combines the richness of cheesecake with the fruity brightness of raspberries. Perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your holiday cookie tray!
Old Fashioned Sour Cream Cookies
These sour cream cookies are soft and fluffy and need just a few simple ingredients. They’re easy to make with minimal effort and have a deliciously nostalgic flavor. Perfect for a cozy treat or holiday gatherings!
Fruitcake Cookies
These fruitcake cookies contain festive flavors from candied fruits, nuts, and warm spices. They’re easy to make and bring all the holiday cheer of traditional fruitcake in a bite-sized treat. Perfect for cookie exchanges or adding a classic touch to your holiday spread!
Chocolate Covered Shortbread
These shortbread cookies are buttery, crisp, and dipped in rich, smooth chocolate for a decadent finish. With just a few simple ingredients, they’re easy to make and add a touch of elegance to any cookie tray. Perfect for gifting or savoring with a warm drink!
Speculaas
These cookies are warm and spiced, with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. They’re crisp and full of cozy holiday flavors that make them extra special. Perfect for pairing with coffee or sharing as a festive treat!
Scandandavian Rosette Cookies
These Scandinavian rosette cookies are light, crispy, and delicately sweet with a hint of vanilla. Made with a special iron, they’re beautifully shaped and perfect for the holiday season. A delicious, airy treat that’s as stunning as it is delicious!
Austrian Linzer Cookies
These cookies are buttery, tender, and filled with sweet raspberry jam for a fruity flavor. With a dusting of powdered sugar and a delicate, nutty crumb, they’re as beautiful as they are delicious. Perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting!
Pignolis
These pignoli cookies are chewy, almond-flavored, and topped with crunchy pine nuts for a classic Italian treat. Made with almond paste, they’re naturally gluten-free and have a rich, nutty flavor. Perfectly simple yet decadent, they’re perfect for holiday gatherings or enjoying with espresso!
Fudge-Dipped Crescent Cookies
These fudge-dipped crescent cookies are buttery, tender, and dipped in rich chocolate for an extra indulgence. Shaped into delicate crescents, they’re as beautiful as they are delicious. Perfect for adding a little elegance to your holiday cookie spread!
Italian Butter Cookies
These Italian butter cookies are tender, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, just like from a classic Italian bakery. Piped into elegant shapes and often dipped in chocolate or topped with sprinkles, they’re perfect for any holiday cookie tray. A classic treat everyone will love!
Turtle Shortbread Cookies
These shortbread cookies are rich, buttery, and topped with gooey caramel and a drizzle of chocolate. Finished with a sprinkle of chopped pecans, they combine all the flavors of classic turtle candy in a delicious cookie. Perfect for adding a little indulgence to your holiday baking!
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FAQs
Not really! Most old-fashioned Christmas cookie recipes only require basic kitchen tools: a mixing bowl, measuring cups, a rolling pin, and cookie cutters (if you’re doing cut-outs). You might need a hand or stand mixer for softer, fluffy cookies, but it’s doable without them, too!
Texture often depends on the ingredients and baking time. For a softer, chewier texture, try slightly underbaking the cookies or adding a bit of extra fat, like butter or shortening. For crispier cookies, bake a little longer and use all-purpose flour without substitutions.
Yes, both the dough and baked cookies freeze well. For the dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to bake, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. For baked cookies, freeze them in single layers separated by wax paper in an airtight container. They’ll last for a few months this way and taste fresh when defrosted.
The secret is in the simple, wholesome ingredients like butter, sugar, and spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger). Avoid artificial flavors, and try adding a splash of molasses or a pinch of brown sugar for that rich, nostalgic taste.
There are many simple ways to add a festive touch! Consider sprinkling colored sugar on top before baking or dusting finished cookies with powdered sugar for a snow-dusted look. Adding cinnamon or ginger to the dough can make them feel extra seasonal.
If your cookies spread too much in the oven, try chilling the dough before baking, using more flour, or baking on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Also, avoid over-mixing the dough, which can spread cookies more during baking.
I hope you’ve found something you love on this list, whether new to you or a forgotten favorite. Whether baking for loved ones or just treating yourself on a quiet afternoon, these cookies bring a special touch to the season. So, the next time you’re ready to bake, you’ll have plenty of delicious options.
Love,
Thanks!