We're not sure you can find a holiday cookie as festive as the gingerbread man—or gingerbread woman. These gingerbread cookies can stand alone, or you can decorate with icing, fruit, nuts and candy.
Recipe: Finnish Gingerbread Men
Tahini Malt Cookies
Tahini, otherwise known simply as sesame paste, may sound familiar—it's one of the main ingredients in hummus. But here, it lends a rich, nutty flavor similar to that of peanut butter. These cookies are rolled in turbinado sugar before baking for extra sweetness and crunch.
Recipe: Tahini Malt Cookies
Chocolate Ranch Cookies
A chewy combination of chocolate chips, coconut and walnuts is scattered throughout a dark, chocolatey base—these beg to be eaten two (or three) at a time. We love them fresh from the oven or wrapped up tight as a hostess gift.
Recipe: Chocolate Ranch Cookies
Cocoa Cookies
Almonds and oats and cocoa—oh my! If you prefer, you can even give these chocolatey cookies another healthy touch by using whole-wheat flour. Whichever flour you use, they'll be delicious.
Recipe: Cocoa Cookies
Molasses Crackle Cookies
These cookies are soft, but not too chewy and sweet, but not too sweet. They come out of the oven with deep cracks, as their name would suggest, creating a beautiful, rustic look that makes them a lovely choice for the holiday season.
Recipe: Molasses Crackle Cookies
Chocolate Caramel Pecan Sandies
We urge you not to skip the sea salt on these gorgeous pecan sandies. A subtle saltiness alongside the sweetness of chocolate and caramel makes these sandies a standout.
Recipe: Chocolate Caramel Pecan Sandies
Lime Coconut Cookies
These simple glazed cookies offer a hint of citrus flavor and a light, refreshing change from heavily spiced and sweetened holiday desserts. Don't get us wrong, we love those too—but these coconut lime cookies are delicious.
Recipe: Lime Coconut Cookies
Malted Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
A definite twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie, these bake up beautifully, with just enough pecan crunch in each bite. You can substitute to suit your preferred nut, but we love the pecans.
Recipe: Malted Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ginger and Molasses Cookies
An alternative to the old-fashioned gingersnap, these perfectly spiced cookies couldn't be more seasonally appropriate. Serve alongside a warm winter beverage.
Recipe: Ginger and Molasses Cookies
Double Chocolate Mocha Meringues
Our meringue drops may appear incredibly decadent, but they're light as air and fat-free to boot. They're pretty—and tasty—enough to stand alone, but also look great on top of a holiday cake.
Recipe: Double Chocolate Mocha Meringues
Biscotti with Apricots
This traditional (not to mention delicious) Italian cookie packs a satisfying crunch making it perfect for dunking. Apricot and hazelnut star in this biscotti, but feel free to experiment with other dried fruits, nuts and even chocolates.
Recipe: Biscotti with Apricots
Biscotti Regina
The slight sweetness of these traditional Sicilian cookies will be welcomed after finishing a rich and heavy holiday meal. The nuttiness of sesame seeds makes them a natural companion to fresh-brewed coffee.
Recipe: Biscotti Regina
Nutella Sandwich Cookies
Our classic cookie dough provides the stage for the true star in these sandwich cookies—creamy chocolate-hazelnut spread. Finish with a dusting of powdered sugar for a festive touch.
Recipe: Nutella Sandwich Cookies
Swedish Butter Cookies
The appearance of this almond-infused cookie (also known as Mandel Kakor) resembles biscotti, but the texture can be easily customized. Whether you tend towards crunchy or chewy, we hope you like butter!
Recipe: Swedish Butter Cookies
Chewy Flourless Chocolate Cookies
These chocolate cookies come out of the oven glossy and crackling, looking rich as can be, and chewy as you'd expect. You'd never guess they're flourless.
Recipe: Chewy Flourless Chocolate Cookies
Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting
'Tis the season for sugar cookies. Luscious buttercream frosting can be dyed any of your favorite colors for a fun decorating project. Add edible pearls or colored sugar for a little extra holiday sparkle.
Recipe: Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting
Vermont Maple Pecan Cookies
Nothing says holidays like the sweet scent of maple. Both chewy and crunchy, these flavorful pecan cookies are hard to resist and just beg for a tall, cold glass of milk.
Recipe: Vermont Maple Pecan Cookies
Rolled Sugar Cookies from the Gluten-Free GIrl
These gluten-free sugar cookies are perfectly customizable. They can be cut into any shape you please, and are beautiful served plain, dusted with cocoa or powdered sugar, or iced to perfection.
Oatmeal Cookies with Macadamia Nuts and Dried Cranberries
Here, the combination of macadamia nuts and dried berries give the classic oatmeal favorite a sophisticated facelift. We'd go so far as to describe these tasty morsels as "hearty."
Recipe: Oatmeal Cookies with Macadamia Nuts and Dried Cranberries
German Drop Cookies
The ingredients in these low-maintenace sugar-pecan cookies can be easily mixed by hand. Once baked, finish them off with a generous dusting of powdered sugar.
Recipe: German Drop Cookies
Applesauce Cookies from the Algeo Family
This walnut-laced recipe is courtesy of the Algeos, a family charged with safeguarding the last known tree planted by John Chapman, more commonly known as Johnny Appleseed.
Recipe: Applesauce Cookies from the Algeo Family
Almond Butter Turtle Cookies
The addition of almond butter makes these cookies unique, and the chopped caramel and chocolate candies make them irresistible. We bet they wouldn't say no to an extra drizzle of caramel, either.
Recipe: Almond Butter Turtle Cookies
World Peace Cookies
These chocolatey cookies are reportedly accompanied by a sense of peace and happiness. Hard to imagine a tastier—or more humanitarian—homemade gift for friends and family.
Recipe: World Peace Cookies
Chocolate Espresso Cookies
Both a coffee lover's and a chocolate lover's cookie, double-duty chocolate espresso cookies make a fantastic holiday gift or topper on a bowl of your favorite ice cream.
Recipe: Chocolate Espresso Cookies
Banana Oatmeal Cookies
If you like banana bread, you'll love these cookies. They're a chewy twist on a familiar oatmeal cookie, with surprise appearances by banana and chocolate. Try adding a dollop of peanut butter.
