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    In the Kitch » Recipes » Holiday Recipes

    Updated: Nov 25, 2024 · Published: Dec 14, 2022 by Joss Dyckson · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Easy Homemade Christmas Cookies

    Jump to Recipe
    Christmas cookies on fancy tray with text overlay that says 'easy homemade Christmas cookies'.

    Treat your friends, family and relatives this year with a plate of colorful, easy, homemade Christmas cookies. Bright red-and-green M&Ms, tiny marshmallows and Christmas sprinkles sparkle in the glow of your holiday lights. These festive cookies take less than 30 minutes to make. They are crispy on the outside with a chewy interior!

    Christmas cookies stacked on light background.
    Jump to:
    • The Best Christmas Cookies For Sharing
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Christmas Cookies
    • Pro Tip
    • Christmas Cookies FAQs
    • More Holiday Recipes For Sharing
    • 📋Recipe

    The Best Christmas Cookies For Sharing

    • They are one of the best options for bringing shareable treats to Christmas parties, potlucks and exchanges. They provide a fun, colorful, sweet bite after a joyous holiday meal and are easy to transport.
    • Once you've made a batch for yourself, you can offer Christmas cookies as holiday gifts. Wrap a few cookies in plastic packaging tied with a bow, or stack them in a jar with a festive ribbon.
    • Gift the cookies with tea, chocolate chip cookie mix in a jar or chocolate covered spoons so that your recipients can enjoy a hot drink with dessert.
    • For parties, serve these cookies on a festive plate with other snacks, such as candy canes, chocolate coated coffee beans, old fashioned butter tarts and white chocolate cake pops.
    • Best of all, these are freezer friendly. Make a large batch during the holiday season, wrap them well and then freeze them. Enjoy them all holiday long and possibly into the new year!

    Ingredients

    Christmas cookies ingredients prepped and labeled.
    • butter - I love using butter in cookies for its rich, creamy flavor. It will give the cookies a slightly crispy texture around the edges.
    • shortening - Shortening is 100% fat, unlike butter, which contains both fat and water, so it prevents the cookies from spreading flat and gives cookies a softer center. I like to do a mix of shortening and butter to create the ideal texture, flavor, and structure.
    • white sugar - White sugar leads to crispier cookies than with brown sugar. It also adds neutral sweetness so that it doesn't interfere with all of those flavors coming from the Christmas candies added to the dough.
    • eggs - I use large eggs.
    • flour - I use all-purpose flour for these cookies.
    • baking powder - To help them rise and become light and airy.
    • salt - To enhance the flavor.
    • red and green M&Ms - You should be able to find them in season in stores and online.
    • mini marshmallows - The dehydrated kind that you see in hot chocolate mixes.
    • Christmas sprinkles - If you do some searching, you can find elaborate sprinkles, such as edible glitter and sprinkles shaped like Christmas ornaments or sprinkles with festive colors.

    *Check recipe card for ingredient amounts.

    How to Make Christmas Cookies

    Christmas cookie dough in a bowl with a spoon.

    Step 1. Make the cookie dough. Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, combine the butter and shortening with an electric hand mixer or stand mixer.

    Add the sugar and combine until light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs, one at a time.

    In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and stir to combine. Mix in the m & m’s, mini marshmallows and sprinkles.

    Christmas cookie dough balls on a parchment lined baking sheet, with Christmas cookie cutters and rolling pin on the side.

    Step 2. Bake the Christmas cookies. Scoop tablespoon-size balls of cookie dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced at least 1” apart.

    Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 to 11 minutes. They will be golden on the bottom and have a few cracks on top. Let them sit in the pan for 1 minute before transferring to a baking rack (so that they don't fall apart).

    Let cool and serve!

    Christmas cookies on a serving tray with Christmas decorations.

    Pro Tip

    If desired, before baking, you can place a few more m & m's, marshmallows and sprinkles on top (gently press them in to the cookie dough) so that they are more visible!

    Christmas Cookies FAQs

    How long can you store Christmas cookies at room temperature?

    You can store these holiday cookies at room temperature for up to 2 to 3 weeks. Use an airtight container so that the cookies don't get stale and hard.

    Can you store Christmas cookies in the fridge?

    Yes, and they will last longer. Store them in the fridge for up to 2 months.

    Can you freeze them?

    Absolutely, when it comes to Christmas cookies, I think freeze-ability is a must! They can last up to eight to twelve months if you freeze them.

    Christmas cookies on a serving tray with a candle, rolling pin and cookie cutters in the background.

    More Holiday Recipes For Sharing

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    If you tried this Easy Homemade Christmas Cookies Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!

    📋Recipe

    Christmas cookies on serving tray.

    Easy Homemade Christmas Cookies

    Joss Dyckson
    Treat your friends, family and relatives this year with a plate of colorful, easy, homemade Christmas cookies filled with bright red-and-green M&Ms, tiny marshmallows and festive sprinkles!
    5 from 1 vote
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 55 cookies
    Calories 104 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • ¾ cup butter - softened
    • ⅓ cup shortening
    • 1 ½ cups white sugar
    • 2 large eggs
    • 2 ⅓ cups flour
    • 1 tablespoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup red and green M&Ms
    • 1 cup mini marshmallows
    • ½ cup Christmas sprinkles

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the butter and shortening with an electric hand mixer or stand mixer.
      ¾ cup butter, ⅓ cup shortening
    • Add the sugar and combine until light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs, one at a time.
      1 ½ cups white sugar, 2 large eggs
    • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and stir to combine.
      2 ⅓ cups flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt
    • Mix in the m & m’s, mini marshmallows and sprinkles.
      1 cup red and green M&Ms, 1 cup mini marshmallows, ½ cup Christmas sprinkles
    • Scoop tablespoon-size balls of cookie dough onto the baking sheet, spaced at least 1” apart. If desired, you can place a few more m & m's, marshmallows and sprinkles on top (gently press them in) so that they're visible.
    • Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 to 11 minutes. They will be golden on the bottom and have a few cracks on top. Let them sit in the pan for 1 minute before transferring to a baking rack (so that they don't fall apart).
    • Let cool and serve!

    Equipment

    • Electric mixer

    Notes

    • Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 to 3 weeks, in the fridge for up to 2 months or in the freezer for up to 8 to 12 months.
    • Once you've made a batch for yourself, you can offer Christmas cookies as holiday gifts. They are one of the best options for bringing shareable treats to Christmas parties, potlucks and exchanges. Wrap a few cookies in plastic packaging tied with a bow, or stack them in a jar with a festive ribbon.
    • For parties, serve these cookies on a festive plate with other snacks and Christmas candy.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 104kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 47mgPotassium: 31mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 96IUVitamin C: 0.02mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 0.3mg

    Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.

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    I am the creator and editor of In the Kitch. I am inviting you on this food journey with me to learn, grow and bring out that inner chef in you. I hope to inspire you to get creative in your own kitchen!

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