Shortbread Cookies

Classic Shortbread Cookies

Tender and delicate and buttery and spectacularly simple, just as classic shortbread cookies ought to be.

1 hr

Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

Tender and crumbly like shortbread, yet subtly flavored and sweet like cookies, these beg the question, which are they?

45 mins

Easy Shortbread Cookies

If you’ve been intimidated by shortbread, this recipe really is easy. The addition of cornstarch keeps it flaky and light. Give them a try, they’re superb.

1 hr 45 mins

Christmas Cookies FAQs

Whether you love to shower your loved ones with an abundance of homemade treats or you’ve got a few cookies in your arsenal that your friends request each year, we want to help you make them look and taste as spectacular as possible. Here are the answers to our most frequently asked questions about baking, storing, and exchanging holiday cookies.

How far in advance can I bake my Christmas cookies?

When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, most cookies will stay fresh for up to 1 week, and many types of Christmas cookies freeze well for up to 3 months. Another popular option is to prepare icebox cookies, like these cranberry pistachio cookies, that can be stored in the fridge or freezer and baked as you need them.

Do Christmas Cookies Freeze well?

Generally, yes. Most shortbread, sugar, gingerbread, and rolled cookies will freeze well for up to 3 months. You can freeze the unbaked dough or the baked, undecorated cookies in an airtight container between parchment or wax paper layers.

What’s the most popular cookie at Christmas?

According to YouGovAmerica, the most popular Christmas cookie is chocolate chip, followed by sugar cookies. Popularity does vary from region to region across the country.

What’s the best way to store holiday cookies?

Store your holiday cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for up to a week. Shortbread, sugar, gingerbread, and rolled cookies will freeze well for up to 3 months. You can freeze the unbaked dough or the baked, undecorated cookies in an airtight container between parchment or wax paper layers.

Two wooden trays filed with holiday cookies for a cookie swap

Ginger and Spice and Everything Nice

Holiday Bars

Espresso Millionaire Shortbread Bars

A full plate of buttery shortbread, covered with caramel and chocolate is going to be a big hit at your next holiday shindig. Make enough to share!

4 hrs

Chewy Hermit Bars

These chewy hermit bars are a revelation. They’re wonderfully spicy, plumped with raisins, and amazingly chewy–even fudge-like.

45 mins

Double Butterscotch Blondies

Depending on your age, this may be a brand new treat or a throwback. Either way, if you love butterscotch, you’re gonna love these little delights.

50 mins

Date Bars

These date bars are a classic for good reason. The combination of sweet, sticky date filling nestled between layers of buttery oat dough is completely irresistible.

2 hrs

All Christmas Cookies

Scottish Shortbread

This tender, buttery, crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth Scottish shortbread is as authentic as it gets.

1 hr 25 mins

Cranberry Pistachio Cookies

These easy-to-make icebox cookies are bejeweled with cranberries and pistachios to create a standout holiday cookie.

3 hrs 35 mins

Chewy Hermit Bars

These chewy hermit bars are a revelation. They're wonderfully spicy, plumped with raisins, and amazingly chewy--even fudge-like.

45 mins

Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies

Who can resist fluffy vanilla buttercream frosting sandwiched between two chewy oatmeal cookies? Not us.

1 hr 15 mins

Cracked Brownie Cookies

No one should ever have to choose between a fudgy brownie and a chocolate cookie.

1 hr 15 mins

Spiced Rye Ginger Cookies

The alluring spice blend and perfect combination of crispy and chewy has this cookie recipe on repeat in our kitchens.

35 mins

Barley Thumbprint Cookies

These little gems are chewy, clock in with just the right amount of sweetness, and have a pleasantly nutty flavor. The magic? Barley flour.

1 hr

No-Bake Snowballs

Not all holiday sweets have to be loaded with sugar and fat. As delish as that is, you might crave something with a little healthy oomph.

10 mins

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Tender chocolate cookies that have a little secret, in the form of a creamy peanut butter filling. It might seem like magic but it's actually pretty easy.

1 hr

Vanilla Bean Sablés

These vanilla bean sables are everything you want in a cookie: tender, buttery crumb and the sweet seduction of vanilla.

1 hr 6 mins

Easy Shortbread Cookies

If you've been intimidated by shortbread, this recipe really is easy. The addition of cornstarch keeps it flaky and light. Give them a try, they're superb.

1 hr 45 mins

Gingerbread Biscuits

Want to party like the Earl of Grantham? These old-school gingerbread biscuits are very nearly the closest thing served at Downton Abbey.

1 hr

Christmas Sugar Cookies

Christmas eating is mostly about the cookies, we think. Pull out your favorite cookie cutters and sparkliest sprinkles because it's that time of year!

3 hrs 30 mins

Espresso Millionaire Shortbread Bars

A full plate of buttery shortbread, covered with caramel and chocolate is going to be a big hit at your next holiday shindig. Make enough to share!

4 hrs

Sablés Breton

This seemingly simple little biscuit from France will wow you with its flaky, buttery perfection. Fantastique!

40 mins

World Peace Cookies 2.0

If world peace was possible just from chocolate, cocoa nibs, and bits of raspberry in a sablé biscuit, well, things would be a lot different. Start baking and change the world.

3 hrs 15 mins

Fig Jam Thumbprint Cookies

A more exotic take on the traditional thumbprint, the addition of fig jam takes these beauties to an even better place. Sweet, warm, and gorgeous.

2 hrs

Pecan Tassies

Here's another recipe for those of you that desire a higher crust to filling ratio. Tassies are really just tiny pecan pies, y'all.

1 hr 25 mins