The Ultimate Guide to 12 Days of Christmas Cookies: Festive Recipes for Your Holiday Baking

The holiday season is synonymous with warmth, joy, and the irresistible aroma of freshly baked cookies filling the air. Here at Amanda’s Cookin’, we’ve cultivated a beloved tradition that truly captures the spirit of Christmas baking: our annual “12 Days of Christmas Cookies” event! Imagine a different, delightful cookie recipe delivered to your inbox and kitchen every single day from December 1st to the 12th. It’s a culinary journey designed to expand your holiday baking repertoire and bring an abundance of festive treats to your family and friends.

This heartwarming tradition has been a tremendous success, growing year after year. We successfully navigated our 2020 celebration, and the sheer joy and positive feedback from our community mean we’re committed to continuing this festive event every single year! Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your holiday traditions, these recipes are designed to be accessible, delicious, and sure to become new favorites.

Elevate Your Holiday Baking: Get the Official 12 Days of Christmas Cookies Cookbooks!

For those who love to have all their favorite recipes neatly organized and readily available, we have a special treat! We’ve compiled the beloved collections from our 2019 AND 2020 “12 Days of Christmas Cookies” events into two convenient, beautifully organized digital cookbooks. These aren’t just collections of recipes; they’re packed with valuable bonus baking tips to ensure your holiday cookies turn out perfectly every time, plus two exclusive bonus recipes that you won’t find anywhere else on this blog!

Simplify your holiday baking preparation and unlock even more festive flavor. Having these cherished recipes and expert guidance at your fingertips means less stress and more deliciousness. Ready to dive into a world of holiday cheer? Click here to explore our entire cookbook collection and grab your copy today!

Our Curated 12 Days of Christmas Cookies Collection

Baking cookies at Christmas is not just a tradition; it’s a cherished ritual in our family, filling our home with heartwarming scents and delicious flavors. We’ve explored countless varieties of cookies, decadent fudge, chewy bars, and sweet candies over the years. To ensure you don’t miss out on any of the delightful recipes from our past “12 Days of Christmas Cookies” events, we’ve gathered them all below. Each one is a tested and loved recipe, perfect for sharing or savoring yourself. Simply click on the title of each cookie to access the full recipe and start your festive baking adventure.

Orange Crinkle Cookies
These soft and chewy orange crinkle cookies burst with vibrant citrus flavor, making them a delightful treat any time of year. With their beautiful powdered sugar coating, they add a touch of sunny elegance and zesty freshness to your holiday dessert table. They are incredibly easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.

Gingersnap Cookies
Nothing says “holidays” quite like the comforting aroma and taste of warm, soft gingersnap cookies. These classic treats boast a perfect balance of chewiness and spice, making them an irresistible addition to your festive baking. The blend of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves creates a truly delicious and invigorating flavor profile.

Chocolate Mint Cookies
The classic combination of rich chocolate and refreshing mint comes alive in these soft, delightful cookies. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of flavors, making them a festive favorite. Once the elegant drizzled topping has dried, these cookies can be stacked and tied with baker’s twine for charming and delicious homemade holiday gifts.

Cranberry Orange Spiral Cookies
These visually stunning cranberry orange spiral cookies are as delicious as they are beautiful, offering a wonderful blend of tart cranberries and bright orange zest. While this recipe does require a bit of planning due to essential chill times for the dough, the incredible flavor and impressive presentation are well worth the effort. Plan ahead to create these lovely holiday masterpieces.

Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies
A truly joyful twist on a classic, these Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies are incredibly easy to make and universally loved. Each jumbo-sized cookie is generously loaded with an abundance of melty chocolate chips and colorful M&M candies, making them a festive and fun treat for any holiday gathering or a sweet everyday indulgence.

Butter Cookies
These versatile and utterly delicious butter cookies are a baker’s dream. Whether you prefer to slice and bake them, use festive cookie cutters to create delightful shapes, or pipe them through a star tip for an elegant design, these buttery treats are perfect for any occasion. Their rich, tender texture and simple flavor make them a timeless classic.

Thumbprint Cookies
Thumbprint cookies are a deliciously popular choice, especially during the festive holiday season. These soft yet firm cookies feature a sweet, jam-filled center, offering a delightful contrast of textures and flavors in every bite. They are charming to look at and even more delightful to eat, making them a beloved staple on any holiday cookie platter.

Italian Anisette Cookies
Embrace a taste of tradition with these classic Italian anisette cookies, distinctive for their delightful licorice flavor imparted by anise extract. For those who prefer different flavor profiles, you can certainly customize them by choosing vanilla or almond extract instead. These light, tender cookies are often topped with a simple glaze, making them an elegant and beloved holiday treat.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Indulge in the rich, deep chocolatey flavor of these incredible Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. With a satisfyingly chewy texture reminiscent of a brownie and beautifully “snow”-topped crevices from the powdered sugar, these cookies are truly irresistible. They are a festive and decadent addition to any holiday cookie spread, guaranteed to disappear quickly.

Grandma’s Sugar Cookies
Nothing beats the nostalgic comfort of Grandma’s classic sugar cookies – sweet, perfectly chewy, and full of homemade charm. This timeless sugar cookie recipe is wonderfully easy to prepare, provides a delightful canvas for creative decorating, and is absolutely perfect for all your holiday celebrations and festive parties. These cookies are a tradition in themselves.

Shortbread Cookies
Embrace the elegant simplicity of these classic shortbread cookies. Made from a versatile slice-and-bake dough, these cookies transform into wonderfully buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treats. They are exquisitely perfect for an afternoon tea, charming additions to your holiday dessert platters, or simply enjoyed as a delightful everyday indulgence.

Gingerbread Cookies
Spicy, aromatic gingerbread cookies are an utterly delicious and essential part of the Christmas tradition. Whether you shape them into iconic gingerbread men, charming gingerbread women, or simply bake them in classic rounds, their warm, festive spices make them a must-make treat. These cookies fill your home with the true scent of the holidays.

We hope this collection inspires you to bake, share, and savor the magic of the holiday season through these delightful Christmas cookie recipes. Our “12 Days of Christmas Cookies” tradition continues to bring so much joy, and we’re already eagerly planning next year’s exciting lineup! Don’t forget to explore all of our diverse cookie recipes here for year-round baking inspiration. Happy baking and happy holidays!