How To Make The Perfect Christmas Cookie Box

The holiday season is a time for warmth, togetherness, and, of course, the sweet delights of freshly baked cookies. A thoughtfully curated Christmas cookie box is the perfect way to share festive cheer with loved ones, whether as a gift or a treat to enjoy together. Imagine an assortment of beautifully crafted cookies, each one offering a unique blend of flavors and textures, from the classic sweetness of sugar cookies to the rich decadence of chocolate crinkles and the refreshing zest of peppermint bark.

In this guide, I'll take you through the essential cookies to include in your holiday cookie box, each thoughtfully chosen to be festive and compliment each other wonderfully. From delicate shortbread to spiced gingerbread, these cookies are as delightful to the eye as they are to the palate. With refined recipes, expert tips, and ideas for elegant packaging, this post will help you create a cookie box that embodies the spirit of Christmas, offering a delicious taste of tradition, joy, and festive charm.

Note: These recipes use cane sugar as the sweetener as I recommend using less processed natural sugars, if wanted you can also use coconut sugar.

Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are a holiday classic—sweet, simple, and perfect for decorating. Their versatility makes them a must-have in any Christmas cookie box, as they can be personalized with royal icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter. Easy to make, simply roll out dough, cut into festive shapes, and bake. Once cooled, decorate with your choice of icing or colored sugar for a festive touch. For a crisp finish, chill the dough before baking. Try fun shapes like stars or candy canes, and experiment with different toppings to make each cookie unique.

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

• 1 1/2 cups cane sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

• Whisk together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.

• Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla/almond extract.

• Gradually mix in dry ingredients.

• Roll dough into balls, flatten, and sprinkle with sugar.

• Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden at the edges. Let cool before decorating.

Instructions

Ingredients

Gingerbread Cookies

Spicy and aromatic, gingerbread cookies are a holiday favorite and a must have, it's not a Christmas cookie box without them. With their distinct flavor and durability, they are perfect for both eating and decorating. Making these classic treats involves ingredients like molasses, cinnamon, and ginger, and the fun doesn't stop there, decorating them with royal icing can turn them into cute gingerbread men or even ornaments for the tree. Here's how you can make and enjoy these festive cookies at home.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 tablespoon ground ginger

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

• 1/2 cup packed brown cane sugar/coconut sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1/2 cup molasses

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

• In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla, and beat until well combined.

• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes, and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.

• Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to brown. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

• Once cooled, decorate the cookies with icing or leave as is.

Shortbread Cookies

Rich, crumbly, and melt-in-your-mouth, shortbread cookies are a timeless treat that bring warmth to any holiday gathering. With their buttery texture and simple yet delightful flavor, they are a must-have in any Christmas cookie box. Perfect with a cup of tea or coffee, these cookies can be enjoyed plain or dressed up with a sprinkle of sugar or a drizzle of chocolate. Here’s how you can make these classic cookies at home.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

• 1/2 cup powdered cane sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• In a large bowl, beat the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.

• Gradually add the flour and salt to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently until smooth. Roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness and use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Place the shapes onto the prepared baking sheet.

• Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

• Once cooled, you can sprinkle the cookies with powdered sugar or dip them in melted chocolate for a festive touch.

Instructions

Chocolate Candy Cane Bark

Now I know what you're thinking, "These aren't cookies!". Hear me out. These may not qualify as a cookie however they are absolutely essential not only for Christmas but for a Christmas cookie box! They provide the perfect texture and visual contrast to all the other cookies in the box, their festive and their easy-to-make. With its layers of dark and white chocolate and a sprinkle of crushed peppermint candies, here’s how you can make this delicious treat at home.

Ingredients

• 1 cup dark chocolate chips (or milk chocolate)

• 1 cup white chocolate chips

• 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies/candy canes

Instructions

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the dark chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.(You can also melt it on low in a small pot).

• Pour the melted dark chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it into an even layer. Allow it to cool and set slightly.

• In a separate microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Pour the melted white chocolate over the set dark chocolate layer and spread it evenly. (Again you can also use a pot instead).

• Immediately sprinkle the crushed peppermint candies over the top while the white chocolate is still soft.

• Allow the bark to set completely at room temperature or in the refrigerator until firm, then break into pieces and enjoy!

Thumbprint Cookies

Thumbprint cookies stand as timeless jewels in the festive cookie box. These delicate, buttery cookies cradle a heart of sweet jam, bringing a burst of color and flavor to every bite and they provide a great visual interest almost looking like ornaments in a Christmas cookie box. Their charming simplicity and delightful taste make them a beloved treat, perfect for sharing with loved ones or enjoying by a cozy fire. Here’s how you can create these delightful cookies at home.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

• 2/3 cup cane sugar

• 2 large egg yolks

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup jam (such as raspberry, strawberry, or apricot)

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.

• Gradually add the flour and salt to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.

• Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Use your thumb or the back of a teaspoon to make an indentation in the center of each cookie.

• Spoon a small amount of jam into each indentation.

• Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Snickerdoodles

Snickerdoodles, with their soft and chewy texture and cinnamon-sugar coating, bring a comforting warmth to the holiday season. These delightful cookies, with their slightly tangy flavor from the cream of tartar, are a beloved classic that never fails to bring smiles, you can't go wrong with these. Plus, this cookie is perfect for those plain janes and they also make the perfect palette cleanser when taste testing your cookies. Perfect for cozy winter afternoons or sharing with loved ones, snickerdoodles add a touch of homemade charm to any festive gathering. Here’s how you can make these scrumptious cookies at home.

Ingredients

Instructions

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

• 1 1/2 cups cane sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (for rolling)

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for rolling)

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• In a large bowl, beat the butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.

• In a small bowl, mix the 3 tablespoons sugar and ground cinnamon. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and then roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until coated.

• Place the coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Calling all the chocolate lovers! These Chocolate crinkle cookies are like little bites of winter magic, their rich, fudgy centers contrasting beautifully with their powdered sugar-dusted exterior. When baked, these cookies develop a unique cracked surface that adds to their visual appeal and texture. Perfect for any festive gathering, these cookies are sure to delight with their intense chocolate flavor and irresistible chewiness. Here’s how you can create these decadent treats at home.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.

• In a large bowl, whisk together the oil and granulated sugar until well combined. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, and then stir in the vanilla extract.

• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight, until firm.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Roll each ball in powdered sugar until well coated.

• Place the coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies have spread and the tops are cracked. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Marzipan Amaretto Cookies

Every time I think of Christmas flavors I always think of marzipan, there's something so nostalgic and Christmassy about a German or Dutch treat that contains a chewy and delicious almond paste. These marzipan amaretto cookies blend the rich, nutty essence of marzipan with the smooth, aromatic notes of amaretto, creating a sophisticated holiday treat. Their buttery texture and delicate flavor make them a standout addition to any festive gathering and will truly complete your Christmas cookie box. Let's make them!

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 teaspoon almond extract

• 2 tablespoons amaretto liqueur

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup marzipan (almond paste), grated or finely chopped

• Sliced almonds, for topping

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, almond extract, and amaretto liqueur, and mix until well combined.

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Fold in the grated or chopped marzipan.

• Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Gently flatten each ball with your fingers and press a few sliced almonds on top.

• Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

• Delight in the rich, almond-flavored cookies with their soft texture and festive touch.

As the final touches are added to your Christmas cookie box, there's a sense of joy and accomplishment in creating your own collection of treats that bring warmth and cheer to the season. Each cookie, from the classic gingerbread to the sophisticated marzipan amaretto, contributes its unique flavor and charm, making the box a delightful journey of tastes and textures. Sharing these homemade confections with loved ones not only brings smiles but also embodies the spirit of giving and togetherness. With your box complete, you have crafted a perfect assortment that celebrates the magic of the holidays one delicious bite at a time. Happy baking! 🎄🍪✨

Saved by grace through faith ✞