15 Christmas cookie ideas that hit peak popularity in early December

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The first signs of holiday baking usually show up even before the decorations are finished. That’s when all 15 Christmas cookie ideas in this collection start becoming the treats people reach for in early December. A quick look at your plans often shows a need for options that feel special but still easy to handle. Busy days, casual get-togethers, and quiet nights all feel a little more fun when there’s something sweet to pass around.

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.

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.

Some cookies just put you in the holiday spirit the second you try them. With the cozy chocolate flavor of this Rich Hot Cocoa Cookies, people always ask if they’re straight from a mug. Each bite melts in your mouth, bringing back childhood memories of cold nights. You’ll find these gone from the cookie tray faster than you expect.
Get the Recipe: Rich Hot Cocoa Cookies

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.

What really sets this Festive Candy Cane Oreos apart is the burst of peppermint that arrives with every bite. The crunchy shell hides a creamy middle that everyone comes back for. After one, hands reach for seconds before you can pass the plate. Holiday gatherings just don’t feel complete without them.
Get the Recipe: Festive Candy Cane Oreos

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.

Red and white stripes in this Candy Cane Cookies give any cookie platter an instant holiday lift. People love the snap of peppermint paired with gentle sweetness in each piece. Whenever these are served, the tray empties out before dinner is even done. These are the treats folks remember best when December is over.
Get the Recipe: Candy Cane Cookies

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.

The charm of this Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies lies in how the center stays gooey while the edges are lightly crisp. Every time you share these, the room gets quieter as folks double-check there’s enough for another round. Kids and adults both reach for a stack at every get-together. One batch is never enough.
Get the Recipe: Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip 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.

On chilly afternoons, this Soft Peanut Butter Cookies seems to bring smiles with simple joy. The soft bite and nutty smell fills the whole kitchen. There’s something about the way these stay tender that draws people in for repeat visits to the cookie tin. They disappear almost as soon as they’re shared.
Get the Recipe: Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

Buttery Shortbread Cookies

Close-up view of a pile of Shortbread Cookies with visible small holes on the surface.
Buttery Shortbread Cookies. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Holiday tins truly need this Buttery Shortbread Cookies for that rich, melt-in-the-mouth taste. Each piece holds a gentle crunch with a lingering buttery finish people remember. Plates filled with these tend to lighten up quick, even after a big meal. Once you set these out, you’ll just watch folks quietly take extra.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Shortbread Cookies

Soft Lemon Cookies

A stack of lemon cookies on a cooling rack.
Soft Lemon Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A gentle hint of citrus sets this Soft Lemon Cookies apart from the classic lineup. The soft texture surprises everyone since it’s not the typical crisp sugar option. People ask what gives them their signature brightness at first bite. These are the cookies that add a little sunshine to any winter afternoon.
Get the Recipe: Soft Lemon 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.

Warm spices and chocolate make this Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies a hit among cookie lovers craving cozy flavors. The blend brings all the favorite tastes of the season into one delicious treat. The moment they’re served, folks gather for just one more before heading home. A comforting mix that never gets overlooked.
Get the Recipe: Soft Pumpkin 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.

Deep red color paired with white chips gives this Copycat Crumbl Red Velvet White Chip Cookies instant holiday flash. Bite into one and there’s a soft, cake-like texture with a pop of chocolate that draws raves. Because of how bold and bright they look on the tray, everyone wants to try them first. December desserts just aren’t the same without them.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Crumbl Red Velvet White Chip Cookies

Soft Sugar Cookies Without Butter

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

Some folks reach for this Soft Sugar Cookies Without Butter when they want a classic holiday cookie but with a lighter touch. Each one gives a gentle sweetness and a pillowy bite that’s easy to love. Even people who don’t usually like cookies find themselves grabbing seconds. It’s a gentle option for the big cookie exchange.
Get the Recipe: Soft Sugar Cookies Without Butter

Copycat Crumbl Cookie Dough Cookie

Enjoy these delectable cookies topped with white frosting, chocolate chips, and small cookie dough pieces—a perfect Copycat Crumbl Cookie Dough Cookie recipe.
Copycat Crumbl Cookie Dough Cookie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Bringing together classic flavors with a soft center, this Copycat Crumbl Cookie Dough Cookie has a chewy taste that makes it feel homemade. The doughy inside is what guests keep talking about after the party ends. These offer something truly different from every other cookie on the plate. They always get picked first.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Crumbl Cookie Dough Cookie

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.

When folks want a real chocolate fix, this Rich Double Chocolate Chip Cookies fits the bill instantly. The super dark cookie base combined with extra chips is a treat for diehard chocolate fans. Trays filled with these tend to clear out fast once dessert begins. It’s a favorite for anyone looking to indulge a bit.
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.

Layers of chocolate and marshmallow make this S’mores Stuffed Cookies completely unforgettable. You don’t need a campfire to enjoy the gooey sweetness packed into every bite. These turn any holiday event into a cozy, fun gathering. Kids especially flock to these before all the grown-ups can have one.
Get the Recipe: S’mores Stuffed Cookies

Warm Spiced Apple Cookies

Close-up of three stacked cookies topped with a chunky fruit filling and a sprinkle of crumbs, placed near an apple.
Warm Spiced Apple Cookies. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Aromatic and tender, this Warm Spiced Apple Cookies draws people in with its inviting scent. The apple pieces inside always get people guessing the recipe’s secret. Out of all the holiday bakes, these bring the spirit of winter season without being too heavy. Friends love pairing them with a cup of mulled cider.
Get the Recipe: Warm Spiced Apple 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.

Cracked sugar tops give this Crackled Chocolate Crinkle Cookies a distinct winter look right out of the oven. Inside, you get a soft, dense chocolate bite everyone seems to crave. These cookies stay popular because they offer something richer than basic sugar cookies. They’re always the first plate to empty at swap parties.
Get the Recipe: Crackled Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

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