Christmas 2023: 7 Festive Cookies To Gift Or Serve At Home

What is Christmas Eve without a glass of milk and cookies set out for Santa? And legend has it, that if the cookies are really good, you’ll get an extra present in your stocking. Well…perhaps not, but there’s no real downside to having some delicious Christmas cookies on hand. 

Baking is a huge part of many people’s Christmas traditions. It’s a time to gather families, get creative with decorating and dole out sweet treats that can be savoured through the holiday season or handed out as thoughtful gifts. 

Here are 7 traditional (and some not-so-traditional) options you can whip up this Christmas.

1. Traditional Gingerbread Men:

No Christmas cookie list is complete without the classic gingerbread men. These spiced delights, shaped into charming little figures, capture the essence of the season. Decorate them with icing for a festive touch, and watch them become a favourite among both the young and the young at heart. And if you’re feeling really ambitious, 

2. Peppermint Candy Cane Cookies:

Candy canes are an iconic part of Christmas celebrations and what better way to give them a new life than in some tasty Christmas cookies? Crush and crumble some candy canes and use them on top of chocolate-flavoured biscuits with a hint of peppermint flavouring to evoke the enchanting spirit of the holidays.

3. Snowball Cookies:

Aside from being visually apropos for the season, they’re also incredibly delicious, so it’s a win-win. Also known as Russian Tea Cakes or Mexican Wedding Cookies, these smooth and nutty biscuits are rolled in powdered sugar and melt in your mouth with a buttery finish. Simple yet elegant, snowball cookies are perfect for any Christmas table.

4. Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies:

Scottish Shortbread used to be an expensive luxury that families would buy only once a year for Christmas, and the tradition continued through the years. Elevate your Christmas shortbread with the tangy cranberry and the zing of orange for a new twist on an old classic. These shortbread cookies boast a perfect balance of sweet and tart, making them a sophisticated addition to your holiday dessert table.

5. Chocolate Dipped Almond Biscotti:

In Italian, biscotti means twice cooked and it’s this double baking technique which gives biscotti their crunchy texture. Though the traditional flavour is almond, you can amp it up with any additions that you feel like and adding a dose of chocolate can improve any situation. The crunchy texture, combined with the richness of chocolate and almonds, makes these cookies an excellent companion to a cup of tea or coffee during the festive season.

6. Linzer Cookies:

A hint of Christmas spirit from Austria, these sandwich cookies are delicious and completely customisable which makes them the perfect option for holiday gifting (or eating).  These sandwich-style treats feature a layer of jam sandwiched between two almond-flavoured cookies, with a cutout on the top which can be made in any shape. For an extra Christmas touch use cinnamon cookies with orange jam for a cosy treat. 

7. Boozy Sugar Cookies:

Who could resist the allure of a timeless sugar cookie adorned with adult-inspired flavours? Characterised by a delicate crispiness on the exterior and a delightfully chewy interior, these cookies stand out as truly exceptional. Just add a few glugs of alcohol to your favourite cookie batter bake and decorate with royal icing for a delightful holiday activity.