Holiday Cookie Recipes 2025: A Festive Collection

Amanda George
Dec 19, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Jan 7

By: Amanda George, Realtor | George Group Boston, powered by Lamacchia Realty

Every holiday season, I pull out the same stack of handwritten recipe cards. These cards smell like butter, sugar, and nostalgia. The Holiday Cookie Recipes 2025 are the cookies I bake year after year. I share them with friends and bring them to holiday gatherings. They’re simple, classic, and meant to be enjoyed with coffee, family, and a little bit of chaos in the kitchen.

Below is a round-up of my favorite holiday baking ideas, straight from my family collection. There are no trends or shortcuts here, just cookies that always disappear first.

Sprinkle Cookies

Soft, lightly sweet, and topped with classic rainbow sprinkles, these are a must on any holiday cookie tray.

Why I love them: They’re easy, forgiving, and perfect for baking with kids. The texture stays soft for days, making them ideal for gifting.

Bake tip: Don’t overbake — pull them when the bottoms are just set.

Sour Cream Twists

These tender, flaky twists are rolled with cinnamon sugar and baked until lightly golden.

What makes them special: The sour cream keeps the dough incredibly soft, almost pastry-like.

Best for: Christmas morning, brunch trays, or anyone who loves a not-too-sweet cookie.

Molasses Cookies

Chewy, spiced, and rolled in sugar — these are the definition of cozy.

Flavor notes: Cinnamon, molasses, and just enough warmth without being overpowering.

Pro tip: They taste even better the next day once the flavors settle.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Classic, slightly crisp on the outside, soft in the center — no explanation needed.

Why these work: They’re balanced, reliable, and everyone’s favorite fallback cookie.

Bake tip: Underbake slightly and let them finish setting on the pan.

Lemon Ricotta Cookies

Soft, pillow-y cookies with a light lemon glaze.

Why they stand out: The ricotta makes them incredibly moist, and the lemon keeps them bright among richer cookies.

Perfect for: Cookie swaps when you want something lighter and unexpected.

Peanut Butter Cookies

Old-school, criss-crossed with a fork, and deeply comforting.

Texture: Soft with lightly crisp edges.

Best enjoyed: With coffee or as a late-night snack during wrapping marathons.

Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal Cookies

Chewy, hearty, and just sweet enough.

Flavor profile: Maple, brown sugar, and oats — very New England.

Why they belong on the tray: They balance out the sugar-heavy cookies and feel a little rustic.

Pignoli Cookies

An Italian classic made with almond paste and pine nuts.

Why they’re special: Crisp on the outside, chewy inside, and unmistakably festive.

Note: These are often the first to go.

Sesame Cookies

Crunchy and chewy, nutty, and lightly sweet.

Best for: Fans of traditional Italian cookies and anyone who loves texture.

Sugar Cookies

Perfect for decorating, gifting, and letting creativity run wild.

Why they’re essential: They’re the base of every holiday baking memory.

Bonus Desserts

Scratch-made marshmallows or poppyseed bread are easy alternatives to make instead or in addition to your yummy cookies!

🎄 Final Thoughts

These Holiday Cookie Recipes 2025 aren’t about perfection — they’re about tradition, sharing, and enjoying the season. Whether you bake one recipe or all of them, this collection is meant to be used, stained with butter, and passed down.

And if the holidays have you thinking about a new home, a bigger kitchen, or hosting next year in a new space — I’m always here.

📞 Thinking about *buying or **selling this winter or into the new year? **Amanda George is your go-to Realtor and cookie connoisseur!*