The 38 Easiest Christmas Cookies You Should Make This Year

Decorating elaborate Christmas cookies can be fun, but we don't all have the patience (or skill) for that. Instead, these easy Christmas cookies — while still made from scratch — include few ingredients and are perfect for beginners (as well as kids!). From traditional red and green cookies to unique ideas, a batch (or more) of these recipes will get you in the holiday-baking spirit without poring over all the meticulous details. Simply add a dollop of frosting, a handful of sprinkles, and all the sugar your heart desires, and you'll have the best Christmas cookies in town! Because less time baking means more time eating, right? See our favorite Christmas cookie recipes ahead.

— Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes

01
Chocolate Vanilla Pinwheel Cookies
The Cookie Rookie

Chocolate Vanilla Pinwheel Cookies

02
Chocolate and Sesame Thumbprint Cookies With Maple Tahini Caramel
Dolly and Oatmeal

Chocolate and Sesame Thumbprint Cookies With Maple Tahini Caramel

03
Hot Chocolate Lace Cookies
Half Baked Harvest

Hot Chocolate Lace Cookies

04
Goey Butter Cookies
The Cookie Rookie

Goey Butter Cookies

Get the recipe: gooey butter cookies

05
Raspberry Jam Thumbprint Cookies
The Cookie Rookie

Raspberry Jam Thumbprint Cookies

06
4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

08
3-Ingredient Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
POPSUGAR Photography

3-Ingredient Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

09
Peppermint Sugar Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting
Cooking Classy

Peppermint Sugar Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting

10
M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies
Averie Cooks

M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies

11
Chocolate Marshmallow Crinkle Cookies
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Chocolate Marshmallow Crinkle Cookies

12
Candy Cane Blossom Sugar Cookies
Averie Cooks

Candy Cane Blossom Sugar Cookies

13
Peppermint Oreo Cookie Balls
Spiced Blog

Peppermint Oreo Cookie Balls

15
Molasses Spice Cookies
A Modest Feast

Molasses Spice Cookies

Get the recipe: molasses spice cookies

16
Cowboy Cookies
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Cowboy Cookies

Get the recipe: cowboy cookies

17
Hot Chocolate Meltaway Cookies
Creme de la Crumb

Hot Chocolate Meltaway Cookies

18
Vanilla Bean Shortbread Cookies
Shugary Sweets

Vanilla Bean Shortbread Cookies

19
Lemon Snowball Cookies
Cooking Classy

Lemon Snowball Cookies

Get the recipe: lemon snowball cookies

20
Lollipop Sugar Cookies
Sprinkle Bakes

Lollipop Sugar Cookies

Get the recipe: lollipop sugar cookies

22
Gingerbread Cookies
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Gingerbread Cookies

Get the recipe: gingerbread cookies

23
Soft Frosted Chocolate Chip Cookies
Averie Cooks

Soft Frosted Chocolate Chip Cookies

24
Eggnog Cookies
Cooking Classy

Eggnog Cookies

Get the recipe: eggnog cookies

25
Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies
Creme de la Crumb

Double Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies

26
Cherry Almond Thumbprint Cookies
Self-Proclaimed Foodie

Cherry Almond Thumbprint Cookies

27
Molasses Cookies
Dinner at the Zoo

Molasses Cookies

Get the recipe: molasses cookies

29
Pistachio Amaretti Cookies
Love and Olive Oil

Pistachio Amaretti Cookies

30
Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
The Cookie Rookie

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

31
Italian Ricotta Cookies
Cooking Classy

Italian Ricotta Cookies

Get the recipe: Italian ricotta cookies

32
Cake Mix Cookies
Dinner at the Zoo

Cake Mix Cookies

Get the recipe: cake mix cookies

33
One Santa Cookie
Cooking Classy

One Santa Cookie

Get the recipe: one Santa cookie

34
Rum Snickerdoodles
Well Plated

Rum Snickerdoodles

Get the recipe: rum snickerdoodles

36
Nutella Cookies
Dinner at the Zoo

Nutella Cookies

Get the recipe: Nutella cookies

37
Thin and Crispy Red Velvet Cookies
A Beautiful Mess

Thin and Crispy Red Velvet Cookies

38
Easy Gooey Butter Cookies
A Beautiful Mess

Easy Gooey Butter Cookies