It isn't Christmas without an assortment of retro treats on the table! These vintage Christmas cookies have brought joy to holiday gatherings for many years.
26 Vintage Christmas Cookies to Make This Year
Updated Feb. 15, 2024
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Linzer Tarts
With a creamy chocolate and hazelnut filling, these decadent Christmas cookies look and taste amazing. Guests will never guess how relatively easy they are to make. —Mary Maddox, Bellmore, New YorkCheck out our favorite Christmas cookie cutters.
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Cinnamon Sugar Crackle Cookies
I get lots of compliments on these crunchy cookies. They're always part of my Christmas cookie platter. —Sarah Miller, Wauconda, Washington
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Red Velvet Spritz Cookies
I had never come across a red velvet spritz recipe, so I decided to create one. The hint of cocoa makes these taste like red velvet cake. Add peppermint flavoring for a little extra kick. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, ColoradoShould you use Grandma’s vintage cookie press or your new one? Here’s the scoop.
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Chocolate Macadamia Meltaways
I came up with this recipe by accident one day when I wanted to make some cookies. I decided to use some ingredients already in my cupboard, and these were the delicious result. —Barbara Sepcich, Galt, California
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Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
Rosemary shortbread cookies are buttery and sweet, with the pleasant, woodsy aroma of one of our favorite culinary herbs. Confectioners' sugar is the secret to their melt-in-your-mouth texture.
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Chocolate-Covered Cherry Thumbprints
When I dig out my best cookie recipes, I'm reminded of baking with my children when they were little. These thumbprints with cherries elicit such sweet memories. –Deborah Puette, Lilburn, Georgia
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Grandma's Raspberry Rugelach
I remember sitting on my great-grandmother's couch with a pad and pen in hand as she told me each ingredient and measurement for her special rugelach. Her recipe stands apart because it's a fun twist from typical versions. —Dalya Rubin, Boca Raton, Florida
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Double-Drizzled Biscotti
Semisweet and white chocolate drizzles give these biscotti a pretty look. The baking time is shorter than for some biscotti, so they're a little softer. —Cheryl Ludemann, Boonville, New York
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First-Place Coconut Macaroons
These coconut macaroon cookies earned me a first-place ribbon at the county fair. They remain my husband's favorites—whenever I make them to give away, he always asks me where his batch is! I especially like the fact that this recipe makes a small enough batch for the two of us to nibble on. —Penny Ann Habeck, Shawano, Wisconsin
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Christmas Wreath Cookies
Cornflakes take the place of traditional rice cereal in these sweet, no-bake Christmas wreath cookies. Dressed up with green food coloring and red candies, they’re a pretty addition to cookie platters and dessert buffets. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Pignoli Cookies
Don't let a holiday go by without baking these traditional almond cookies rolled in pine nuts.
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Chocolate-Nut Pinwheel Cookies
As a little girl, I made these with my mother every Christmas. Now I make them every year with my daughters-in-law, daughters and grandchildren!—Sedonie Zeitler, Luxemburg, Wisconsin
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Gingerbread Cookies
You can make a variety of festive holiday shapes with this gingerbread cookie recipe. Decorate each cutout with frosting or icing, sprinkles and gumdrops!
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Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
These rich and fudgy chocolate crinkle cookies are perfect for sharing at holiday get-togethers.
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Fruitcake Christmas Cookies
A twist on classic fruitcake, these easy fruitcake cookies are as festive as they are fun to bake.
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German Christmas Cookies
Looking for a new holiday cookie to make this year? Our German Christmas cookies look like little snowballs and are full of holiday spice and flavor.
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Molasses Cookies
Learn how to make molasses cookies with our top-rated recipe and step-by-step tips from an expert baker.
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Chocolate Almond Pizzelles
If you love fun baking gadgets, you'll enjoy making these crispy, almond-flavored cookies, which get their unique waffle design from a pizzelle maker. They bake up golden brown in only a few minutes. Feel free to double the chocolate drizzle if you'd like to cover the cookies more generously. —Hannah Riley, Norwalk, Ohio
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Rum Balls
With a punch of rum and a dip in confectioners' sugar, these nutty, chocolaty rum balls are a tasty treat for the holidays—or an adult-themed gathering any time of year.
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Lemon Snowdrops
I save my snowdrop cookies for special occasions. The crunchy, buttery sandwich cookie has a puckery lemon filling. —Bernice Martinoni, Petaluma, California
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Chocolate Almond Crescents
If you like chocolate-covered almonds, you’re in for a treat. These buttery, crumbly cookies make a thoughtful holiday gift. —Vicki Raatz, Waterloo, Wisconsin
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Pecan Sandies
Pecan lovers won't want to miss these buttery, tender pecan sandies. Our six-ingredient recipe is oh-so simple.
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Neapolitan Cookies
My sister shared the recipe for these tricolor treats several years ago. The crisp cookies are fun to eat one section at a time or with all three in one bite. —Jan Mallo, White Pigeon, Michigan
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Sugar Cookies
Think sugar cookies are just for the holidays? Think again! Learn how to make sugar cookies from scratch that you can enjoy all year long.
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Chocolate Lebkuchen
Having lived in Germany, I try to keep my German cooking as authentic as possible. This lovely lebkuchen recipe is a culinary Christmas custom. —Cathy Lemmon, Quinlan, TexasDon’t miss our other vintage Christmas dishes worth trying today.
Originally Published: November 17, 2021
