Baking cookies that freeze well is one of our favorite ways to get a head start on the holiday season. Freezing baked cookies now gives you a leg up on holiday prep and ensures Santa has something to snack on. Each of these make ahead Christmas cookies lasts in the freezer up to three months.
Pumpkin Cookies with White Chocolate Chips
Jason Donnelly
This big-batch holiday baking recipe makes a whopping 60 cookies. Whip them up when pumpkins are in season and enjoy them all winter long. You’ll love the combination of classic pumpkin pie flavors and creamy white chocolate chips.
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Scott Little
Peanut butter and chocolate work together like Santa and his elves, helping one another to make the best possible result. The recipe for these classic Christmas cookies makes 54, which might be enough to last as long as they can be frozen (up to three months). With a batch of these in the freezer, all you need to do is thaw them in time for your cookie exchange.
Chocolaty Melting Snowmen
Jason Donnelly
Our hearts broke a little when we watched Frosty melt. But we can take solace in these adorable melty snowmen cookies. Peanut butter cup hats and sprinkle noses charm anyone eating one of these Christmas cookies. Best yet, these freezer-friendly cookies will live on for three months when frozen.
Mississippi Mud Cookies
Brie Passano
A fluffy marshmallow frosting is what takes these chocolate Christmas cookies totally over the top. Finish them with toasted pecans and a drizzle of chocolate and they’ll be ready to freeze up to three months before the holidays.
Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars
Jacob Fox
Red Velvet Cake? Cheesecake? Chocolate? Check, check, check. These bars have the best of those three flavors in every bite. And they’ll stay creamy and smooth for up to three months in the freezer. For extra decadence, drizzle on milk chocolate before serving.
Easy Sugar Cookies
Blaine Moats
These are no ordinary sugar cookies (although there’s certainly nothing wrong with those). This recipe, one of our best cookies to freeze, can be customized seven different delicious ways, so there’s sure to be a flavor for everyone. Every variation can be frozen for up to three months. White chocolate and pistachio, anyone?
Chocolate-Peppermint Waffle Cookies
Andy Lyons
Instead of making batch after batch of these chocolate cookies the day you need them, make them ahead. Before serving, finish the thawed chocolate freezer cookies with a rich chocolate glaze and crushed peppermint candies.
7-Layer Bars
Jason Donnelly
In addition to all the sugary sweets, the holidays need a few healthy-ish treats. Enter, this seven-layer dessert inspired by trail mix. Guests will still feel like they’re indulging after tasting the orange, coconut, and cranberry flavors in these freezer-friendly cookie bars.
Almond Icebox Rounds
Blaine Moats
The cream cheese gives this cookie batter richness and tang. A triple dose of almond ensures each treat is big on flavor. Perfect for Christmas, this big-batch cookie recipe makes 60 cookies that will last up to three months in the freezer.
Copycat Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
Blaine Moats
This Christmas cookie recipe is a play on your favorite Girl Scout cookie! Each bite of these shortbread cookies is filled with creamy peanut butter and milk chocolate. Thaw and serve them with a cold glass of milk!
The Best Sugar Cookies
Jason Donnelly
Take a note from Santa and eat these sugary cookies with big glasses of milk. These treats are soft, moist, and chewy—not crispy—even after up to three months in the freezer.
Macarons
Blaine Moats
These colorful macarons will be the star of the Christmas cookie exchange. Once you’ve mastered the baking technique, decorate the homemade holiday cookies with sprinkles, metallic icing, and cocoa powder. Freeze the macarons for up to two months before serving.
No-Bake Lemon Drops
Blaine Moats
These lemony, no-bake Christmas cookies couldn’t be simpler. Seven ingredients, three steps, and 30 minutes yields 36 cookies. And, yep, they freeze like a dream. Don’t forget the crushed lemon drops on top to hint at the mouth-puckering flavor inside.
Mint Meringue Kisses
Jason Donnelly
Kissed by mint and charmed by chocolate, these gorgeous green sandwiches hit all the right flavor notes. Even though they’re light as air and made primarily with egg whites, they freeze well. After baking, freeze them unfilled. Then thaw, pipe with chocolate, and sandwich two little stars together.
Meyer Lemon-Rosemary Slices
Peter Krumhardt
Fresh rosemary (which might make you think of Christmas trees) makes the transition from savory to sweet in this dessert. Opt for a Meyer lemon (a lemon-orange hybrid) when you make these sweet-savory cookies for a barely tart slice-and-bake freezer cookie.
Buckeye Cookies
Brie Passano
Does it get any better than chocolate and peanut butter? These rich cookies take it one step further with a creamy peanut butter frosting and dark chocolate drizzle. They freeze beautifully for up to three months before Christmas.