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The magic of holiday baking isn’t just about creating delicious treats—it’s about creating memories. And who better to guide us through a cookie-making adventure than the Barefoot Contessa herself, Ina Garten? Picture this: your kitchen transformed into a warm, flour-dusted wonderland, with little hands eagerly helping to roll, shape, and decorate cookies that will become this year’s most cherished family tradition.
Baking cookies with kids is like capturing pure holiday joy in every bite. It’s messy, it’s chaotic, and it’s absolutely perfect. From the moment you pull out the mixing bowls to the final sprinkle of powdered sugar, you’re not just making cookies—you’re making memories that will last long after the last crumb has disappeared.
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Ina Garten’s cookie collection is a treasure trove of delights that will have everyone from the tiniest baker to the most seasoned cook dancing around the kitchen. Imagine the excitement of little eyes widening at the sight of black & white cookies or the giggles that escape while pressing thumbprints into jam-filled cookies. The classic chocolate chip cookies will bring comfort and nostalgia, while the ginger shortbread cookies will fill your home with the warm, spicy aroma of the holidays.
From the nutty goodness of pecan sandies to the elegant chocolate hazelnut cookies, there’s something for every taste and skill level. The fruitcake cookies offer a playful twist on a traditional holiday treat, and the classic shortbread cookies are simple enough for even the smallest hands to help prepare.
So grab your apron, dust off the cookie sheets, and get ready for a baking adventure that’s equal parts delicious and delightful. These Ina Garten cookies are about to become your new holiday tradition.
Giant Crinkled Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Leave it to the Barefoot Contessa to put a new spin on an old classic. Her recipe for giant crinkled chocolate chip cookies (also known as pan-bang cookies) is just as described, churning out a batch of cookies that are bakery-sized, chocolatey, and perfect with a cup of cocoa or cold milk.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Black & White Cookies
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Is there any baked good more iconic than a New York City bakery-style black and white cookie? But while those from the bakery can sometimes leave a little something to be desired, these homemade ones from Garten live up to the hype. Add some sprinkles on top to really get the cheer going.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Salty Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies
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We’ve heard people complain about biting into an oatmeal raisin cookie expecting chocolate but getting disappointment. That won’t happen with these salted oatmeal cookies, which balance out the fruit (in this case, dried cranberries) with 3/4 of a pound of chopped bittersweet chocolate. The recipe originally features in Make It Ahead.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Spicy Hermit Bars
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Made with dark rum, golden raisins, and tons of flavorful spices, Garten’s Spicy Hermit Bars are a unique treat that will dazzle your tastebuds this holiday season! The recipe for these delicious gingerbread-esque bars was originally published in Garten’s 2016 cookbook, Cooking for Jeffrey.
Get the recipe from Clarkson Potter/Publishers.
Raisin Pecan Oatmeal Cookies
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While you might not think of oatmeal raisin cookies as a traditional holiday treat, Garten’s version is made with cinnamon and dark brown sugar that is simply irresistible! You could even switch out the raisins for dried cranberries for an extra festive feel. This recipe was originally published in the 2008 Back to Basics cookbook.
Get the recipe from Clarkson Potter/Publishers.
Ginger Shortbread Cookies
Gracie Carroll/Edit Seven.
A sprinkle of the season’s festive ginger makes these tasty shortbread cookies extra delicious. Garten’s Ginger Shortbread Recipe comes from her 2014 Make It Ahead book, and they are so easy to make.
Get the recipe from Edit Seven.
Pecan Sandies
Chana’s Art Room.
From roasted pecans to sugarcoated pecans, it’s hard to resist this nut during the holidays. And they’re the best on sandies. This pecan sandies recipe is from Garten’s 2012, New York Times best-selling cookbook, Barefoot Contessa Foolproof.
Get the recipe from Chana’s Art Room.
Ultimate Ginger Cookies
Eating My Words.
Gingerbread cookies are the ultimate Christmas cookie, and these ginger cookies from Garten are to die for. This recipe makes 12 to 16 cookies and cooks in just 13 minutes. You’ll just need some pantry staples like ground cloves, ground ginger, and unsulphured molasses.
Get the recipe from Eating My Words.
Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies
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Straight from the pages of Garten’s 2010 cookbook, How Easy Is That?, Garten writes of these irresistible shortbread cookies: “I love the combination of shortbread, roasted hazelnuts, and chocolate. The shortbread can be baked in advance, wrapped with plastic, and then filled with Nutella just before serving.” This recipe makes 18 cookies and bakes in just 20 to 25 minutes.
Get the recipe from People/Ina Garten.
Shortbread Cookies
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Sure, you have to wait an hour and 15 minutes before you can chow down on these shortbread cookies, but they’re 100 percent worth the wait. This recipe makes 20 cookies and comes from the Barefoot Contessa episode titled “Impromptu Dinner.” These cookies call for vanilla extract, so make sure to use Garten’s favorite.
Get the recipe from Ina Garten/Food Network.
Fruitcake Cookies
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I know, I know — why would I ever include fruitcake in a list of tasty recipes? Believe it or not, Ina has found a way to make this infamous holiday dessert not only palatable but downright delicious. Just trust us on this one, OK? You’ll just need to pick up a few things, including candied cherries, dried apricots, and dried figs.
Get the recipe from Ina Garten/Food Network.
Cherry-Pistachio Biscotti
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A cold day calls for a hot cup of joe and homemade biscotti — and Garten’s cherry-pistachio biscotti will be gone before you know it. Considered an intermediate-level recipe, this makes 25 to 30 biscotti and was published in Garten’s 2016 cookbook, Cooking for Jeffrey.
Get the recipe from Clarkson Potter/Publishers.
Jam Thumbprint Cookies
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They’re the cookies your grandma always set out every Christmas, and Garten’s recipe might just be as good as Meemaw’s. Filled with your pick of raspberry or apricot jam (you can’t go wrong with Bonne Maman), this intermediate recipe makes 32 cookies.
Get the recipe from Maura McEvoy/Clarkson Potter/Publishers.
Mini Linzer Cookies
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Another Christmas classic dessert, these traditional Linzer cookies will hit you with a wave of nostalgia. Much like thumbprint cookies, these sugar-dusted, bite-size delights are filled with raspberry preserves. And this particular intermediate recipe yields 36 cookies.
Get the recipe from Food Network/Clarkson Potter.
Chocolate Chunk Cookies
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We’ve saved the best for last: good, old-fashioned chocolate chip cookies. You absolutely cannot go wrong with a freshly baked batch of chocolate chunk cookies, and of course, Garten’s recipe is a reliable one. Making 36 to 40 cookies, this recipe, pulled from Garten’s 2001 cookbook, Barefoot Contessa Parties, calls for walnuts, semisweet chocolate chunks, brown sugar and more.
Get the recipe from James Merrell/Clarkson Potter/Food Network.
A version of this article was originally published December 2018.
Before you go, check out these Ina Garten-Approved holiday gift ideas:
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