15 Christmas Cookie Ideas People Start Baking in Early December

Early December often kicks off with baking plans, and 15 Christmas cookie ideas help keep things interesting. People enjoy swapping cookies at parties or just baking for a quiet night in. Everyone seems to have a favorite style or flavor. A little planning ahead makes it easy to keep tins and containers full all month.

A close-up image shows a stack of four chocolate crinkle cookies covered in powdered sugar, revealing their cracked texture.
Crackled Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Festive Candy Cane Oreos

Two round cookies, one red and one white, are decorated with white icing drizzles and white sprinkles, placed on a wooden surface.
Festive Candy Cane Oreos. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Once December rolls around, these Festive Candy Cane Oreos start popping up at nearly every cookie swap. Their colorful sparkle brings out extra smiles and a sense of holiday cheer. People always want to know what gives them that special crunch. Even setting out a plate of these can make the kitchen feel instantly more fun.
Get the Recipe: Festive Candy Cane Oreos

Soft Sugar Cookies Without Butter

Three sugar cookies stacked on top of each other.
Soft Sugar Cookies Without Butter. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Not every sugar cookie needs to use butter, and these Soft Sugar Cookies Without Butter prove it. Baked early in December, their soft texture is just what you hope for in a classic Christmas treat. I like how they stay moist for days, perfect for sharing or packaging up for gifts. These cookies make a gentle, sweet addition to any winter table.
Get the Recipe: Soft Sugar Cookies Without Butter

Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

A hand holding a chocolate chip cookie on a cooling rack.
Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Everyone has a chocolate chip cookie memory, but these Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies turn it into a holiday tradition. They’re usually the first to go on a crowded cookie platter because the aroma calls people over. Warm, cozy, and tender, they remind you of home. There’s always a special feeling in the air when these are around.
Get the Recipe: Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Copycat Crumbl Red Velvet White Chip Cookies

Three stacked Copycat Crumbl Red Velvet White Chip Cookies, with vibrant red hues and white chocolate chips, the top cookie partially eaten.
Copycat Crumbl Red Velvet White Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Holiday party tables look extra inviting with these Copycat Crumbl Red Velvet White Chip Cookies ready to share. The vibrant color grabs attention while the chewy center keeps everyone reaching for more. I always hear someone ask how to make them, and that’s half the fun of baking during December. Each bite feels a little bit festive.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Crumbl Red Velvet White Chip Cookies

Rich Hot Cocoa Cookies

A close-up of a chocolate cookie with chocolate chips and small white marshmallows on top.
Rich Hot Cocoa Cookies. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Growing up, I loved hot cocoa and now these Rich Hot Cocoa Cookies bring that same cozy vibe to every winter get-together. The hint of chocolate makes them perfect for holiday snacking or pairing with a mug of something warm. Even the smell draws people in from other rooms. Setting out a batch creates an instant sense of comfort.
Get the Recipe: Rich Hot Cocoa Cookies

Thumb Print Cookie

Close-up of several stacks of thumbprint cookies filled with red jam, with one cookie in the foreground showing a bite taken out.
Thumb Print Cookie. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

One glance at a batch of these Thumb Print Cookies sparks curiosity about the jam in the center. During holiday gatherings, they add a splash of color to the dessert table and make everyone pause for a closer look. Picking one up just feels playful. Making them is a tradition that brings people together as much as sharing them does.
Get the Recipe: Thumb Print Cookie

Candy Cane Cookies

Twisted red and white candy cane cookies dusted with powdered sugar, surrounded by decorative snowflake and tree-shaped sprinkles.
Candy Cane Cookies. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Few treats make people stop and admire like these Candy Cane Cookies with their fun shapes. I always see someone smile right before they take a bite. You truly get a taste of the holidays with each swirl, making these irresistible at any cookie exchange. Their classic look makes them ideal for warming up a chilly December afternoon.
Get the Recipe: Candy Cane Cookies

Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

Close-up of a classic peanut butter cookie with the iconic crisscross pattern on top, nestled among a delightful batch of similar peanut butter cookies.
Soft Peanut Butter Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Out of all the cookies set out for the season, these Soft Peanut Butter Cookies are a staple. The gentle chew and rich flavor bring a comforting nostalgia to the dessert table. Friends regularly grab a few extras, hoping they don’t run out. I find that making these is a great way to start off the holiday baking season.
Get the Recipe: Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

Soft Spiced Gingerbread Cookies

Several gingerbread cookies shaped like people, decorated with white icing and small colorful candies, are perfectly arranged on a piece of parchment paper.
Soft Spiced Gingerbread Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Every winter, I look forward to baking these Soft Spiced Gingerbread Cookies because the scent fills the whole house. The warming spices make them absolutely perfect for chilly nights. People often ask for the recipe since they’re so soft and inviting. Passing them around feels just right for a Christmas celebration.
Get the Recipe: Soft Spiced Gingerbread Cookies

Butter Pecan Cookies

Close-up of several pecan cookies on a white surface, with pecan halves on top and crumbs scattered around.
Butter Pecan Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Sharing these Butter Pecan Cookies always brings a little luxury to holiday parties. The nutty crunch is a pleasant surprise for guests and pairs well with a mug of coffee or cocoa. There’s something special about seeing a plate slowly empty as folks sneak a second helping. For a hint of elegance, these are hard to beat.
Get the Recipe: Butter Pecan Cookies

Copycat Crumbl Cinnamon Swirl Cookies

A delectable close-up of Copycat Crumbl Cinnamon Swirl Cookies, adorned with spiral white icing on a parchment paper background.
Copycat Crumbl Cinnamon Swirl Cookies. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Spirals of sweet flavor make these Copycat Crumbl Cinnamon Swirl Cookies stand out on any cookie tray. The light cinnamon aroma floats through the kitchen, sparking holiday excitement. Guests love breaking them apart and discovering the swirl inside. They’re always conversation starters at December get-togethers.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Crumbl Cinnamon Swirl Cookies

Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

A close-up of several chocolate chip cookies on parchment paper, with one cookie broken in half to show the chocolate chips inside.
Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

With every batch, these Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies combine autumn comfort and winter cheer. Their texture keeps people returning for another bite, especially when the weather turns cold. Setting them out brightens a holiday table with a pop of color. Baking these always means the season is in full swing for me.
Get the Recipe: Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Rich Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

A stack of chocolate cookies with a bottle of milk in the background on a white surface.
Rich Double Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

No cookie platter feels complete without these Rich Double Chocolate Chip Cookies in the mix. Pure, chocolatey goodness has a way of putting everyone in a festive mood. They’re especially popular with kids, but grown-ups sneak a few on their way past the dessert table. Filling up a jar with them brings instant anticipation.
Get the Recipe: Rich Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

S’mores Stuffed Cookies

A close-up of chocolate chip cookies filled with melted marshmallow, with one cookie broken open to show the gooey center.
S’mores Stuffed Cookies. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Campfire cravings blend with Christmas fun in these S’mores Stuffed Cookies. The gooey bite inside creates plenty of “wows” and playful smiles from guests. Whether for a cookie exchange or a quiet night in, these spark cozy memories. Getting a taste is like opening a surprise with every bite.
Get the Recipe: S’mores Stuffed Cookies

Crackled Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

A close-up image shows a stack of four chocolate crinkle cookies covered in powdered sugar, revealing their cracked texture.
Crackled Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

The snowy look of these Crackled Chocolate Crinkle Cookies instantly fits the holiday theme. Gentle sweetness and rich chocolate flavor make them popular with all ages. Watching people try to guess what makes them crackle is part of the fun. I always keep this recipe handy as soon as holiday baking season begins.
Get the Recipe: Crackled Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

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