15 Easy Christmas Cookies to Bake This Afternoon for Guests

Craving a stress-free way to serve homemade cookies for holiday guests? 15 options in this lineup offer straightforward steps and minimal fuss. Hosting doesn’t need to be complicated, especially when the oven does most of the work. Before you know it, the whole house smells like Christmas and you’re set for any afternoon gathering.

Close-up of several stacks of thumbprint cookies filled with red jam, with one cookie in the foreground showing a bite taken out.
Thumb Print Cookie. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Soft Spiced Gingerbread Cookies

Several gingerbread cookies shaped like people, decorated with white icing and small colorful candies, are perfectly arranged on a piece of parchment paper.
Soft Spiced Gingerbread Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Cold afternoons feel warmer with a plate of Soft Spiced Gingerbread Cookies on the counter. The cozy blend of spices smells like pure holiday magic. Friends frequently request the recipe after just one nibble. I keep these in rotation all winter for a reliable treat that always disappears in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Soft Spiced Gingerbread Cookies

Festive Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies

Christmas tree shaped cookies on a baking sheet.
Festive Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Bright colors and fun shapes make Festive Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies a favorite among kids and adults alike. Every tray looks like a tiny forest ready for celebration. People gather around to pick their favorite decorated tree. I love how these cookies turn decorating into an event all by itself.
Get the Recipe: Festive Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies

Decorated Christmas Sugar Cookies

A group of cookies decorated with icing and snowflakes.
Decorated Christmas Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Swirls of icing and playful sprinkles transform Decorated Christmas Sugar Cookies into edible art. No two cookies ever look the same, so each batch feels special. Guests snap pictures before taking a single bite. I often find these are the first to vanish from any dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Decorated Christmas Sugar 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.

Pops of red and white give Festive Candy Cane Oreos plenty of holiday cheer. The crispy cookie crunch makes every bite exciting. Anyone walking past the cookie dish sneaks another, even when they swear they’re full. I stash a few aside because these always go quickly.
Get the Recipe: Festive Candy Cane Oreos

Festive Christmas Tree Cookies for Hanging

Four Christmas tree-shaped cookies with powdered sugar on a wooden board, decorated with red and white string.
Festive Christmas Tree Cookies for Hanging. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Holiday decorating turns extra fun with Festive Christmas Tree Cookies for Hanging. These treats are sturdy enough to be ornaments yet so eye-catching they rarely last long on the tree. Everyone admires the creativity before sampling the sweetness. I hang a few, but always bake enough for snacking, too.
Get the Recipe: Festive Christmas Tree Cookies for Hanging

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.

Pumpkin brings soft, comforting flavor to every bite of Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. The gentle spice and gooey chocolate work together in the best way. Whenever these are on the table, people ask for more. I bake them for afternoons that call for something cozy and sweet.
Get the Recipe: Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Butter Pecan Cookies

Close-up of several pecan cookies on a white surface, with pecan halves on top and crumbs scattered around.
Butter Pecan Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Sweet, nutty notes shine through in Butter Pecan Cookies, giving each bite a warm, nostalgic feeling. The golden color is impossible to resist once spotted on a platter. Friends constantly ask what makes them taste so comforting. I bake these for gatherings when a classic, homey dessert is needed.
Get the Recipe: Butter Pecan 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.

Rich color and a soft center make Copycat Crumbl Red Velvet White Chip Cookies stand out on any Christmas spread. The snowy white chips brighten each hand-held treat. People are caught off guard by how much they love the combination. I reach for this recipe whenever the cookie table needs a pop of something different.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Crumbl Red Velvet White Chip Cookies

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.

Deep cocoa flavor gives Rich Double Chocolate Chip Cookies that extra chocolate punch. These treats invite chocolate lovers to come back over and over. Holiday parties quiet down the moment these hit the plate. I bake them just for a reason to pour one more cup of cocoa.
Get the Recipe: Rich Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cowboy Cookies

Two chocolate chip cookies with nuts stacked on top of each other in close-up view.
Cowboy Cookies. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Big, chunky texture puts Cowboy Cookies firmly in the holiday cookie rotation. The hearty bite always leaves people guessing what makes them so special. Every winter, I see smiles as soon as these appear on the dessert tray. I rely on them when I want a cookie that doubles as a conversation starter.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Cookies

Crunchy Biscoff Sandwich Cookies

Three peanut butter sandwich cookies are stacked, with the top cookie showing a large bite taken out. Crumbs and cookie pieces are scattered on a parchment-lined surface.
Crunchy Biscoff Sandwich Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Two crunchy cookies with a flavor twist make Crunchy Biscoff Sandwich Cookies unforgettable. The spiced filling feels right at home during Christmas gatherings. People nibble, then quickly ask if there are more somewhere in the kitchen. I bake a double batch because these never last past the first hour.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Biscoff Sandwich Cookies

Swirled Marshmallow Cookies

Close-up of a marshmallow swirl cookie with a bite taken out, revealing its gooey interior and white filling. Other cookies are partially visible in the background.
Swirled Marshmallow Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Swirls of color and soft, cloud-like centers turn Swirled Marshmallow Cookies into a holiday crowd-pleaser. Kids are especially drawn to the pretty patterns. Each bite seems to melt away, making it hard to stop at just one. I always save a few for myself before setting out the platter.
Get the Recipe: Swirled Marshmallow Cookies

Tangy Lemon and Blueberry Muffin Cookies

Close up image of lemon blueberry muffin cookies on a wooden board.
Tangy Lemon and Blueberry Muffin Cookies. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

A fresh, fruity twist sets Tangy Lemon and Blueberry Muffin Cookies apart from classic holiday desserts. Zingy lemon and pops of blueberry wake up everyone’s palate. Guests inevitably come back for more of the unexpected flavor. I reach for this batch when the cookie table needs a little brightness.
Get the Recipe: Tangy Lemon and Blueberry Muffin Cookies

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.

All the coziness of a cup of cocoa lives inside Rich Hot Cocoa Cookies. The wintry aroma brings everyone running to the kitchen. Friends often ask how such a small treat can carry so much comfort. I pair these with a warm drink for the perfect December afternoon.
Get the Recipe: Rich Hot Cocoa Cookies

Thumb Print Cookie

Close-up of several stacks of thumbprint cookies filled with red jam, with one cookie in the foreground showing a bite taken out.
Thumb Print Cookie. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Simple yet eye-catching, Thumb Print Cookie packs a punch with every vibrant, jam-filled center. Even people who don’t usually love sweets scoop these up fast. Every plate feels like a flashback to childhood. On snowy days, I bake a big batch to keep everyone smiling.
Get the Recipe: Thumb Print Cookie

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