The holiday season is arguably the best time of the year to bake cookies, and it wouldn’t be complete without the familiar sight of a decorative cookie tin residing on the kitchen counter or preparing to be given to a neighbor or friend. Whether you’re baking to share a special moment with loved ones or need a treat to take to your next holiday gathering, there’s no better way to celebrate than with a festive assortment of cookies packaged inside a beautiful container. Here are 12 holiday cookie tin recipes that will fill your kitchen with festive flavors and seasonal cheer.
Credit:
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
These buttery thumbprint cookies leave a good impression at any holiday gathering. Fill them with fresh fruit preserves, chocolate-hazelnut spread, or even frosting.
Credit:
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Bring a touch of winter magic to your holiday season (even if there’s no snow in sight) with our easy 5-ingredient snowball cookies. These cookies call for a double coating of powdered sugar for added sweetness and that snowy, fluffy finish. You can also choose to add nuts (try our highly-rated Pecan Snowball Cookies).
Credit:
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
There’s something undeniably festive about red velvet. If you love the fluffy texture of a classic red velvet cake and the chewy texture of chocolate chip cookies, these belong in your holiday cookie lineup.
Credit:
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Like all kitchen-sink recipes, these cookies are designed to be customizable. Use whatever you have on hand (we put pretzel pieces, chocolate chips, and marshmallows in ours). For an extra festive touch, get a bag of red and green Christmas M&M’s.
Credit:
Brian Woodcock; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
We love traditional sugar cookies, but they can feel a little too simple during the holidays. That’s why we transformed the cookies (with little mess and lots of color) using our stained glass cookie recipe, made with melted hard candies that create a beautiful stained glass effect right in the center.
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Make your next batch of butter cookies all the more festive by adding notes of cranberry and orange. This easy slice-and-bake recipe not only tastes delicious but it makes a stunning presentation when packaged in a decorative tin.
Credit:
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
These simple, nostalgic cookies leave lots of room for imagination thanks to their wide variety of shape possibilities. Simply grab your cookie press and get to work—the dough comes together in just five minutes.
Credit:
Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Switch up your holiday dessert rotation with these eye-catching strawberry shortbread cookies. Thanks to freeze-dried strawberries, they have a gorgeous pink hue and a bright, fruity flavor.
Credit:
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: KAY E. CLARKE; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL
Sprinkles here, there, and everywhere. These sandwich cookies are filled with a delicious vanilla buttercream and covered in a festive coating of colorful sprinkles.
Credit: Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
In this timesaver (and lifesaver) of a holiday treat, chocolate wafers get a major upgrade with a smooth peppermint cream filling and a rich melted chocolate coating. No baking required—just chill the assembled sandwiches for 30 minutes until set.
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Katie Sikora / Southern Living
Being festive through flavor is one thing, but we love a treat that looks the part too. These no-bake wreath cookies come together with just seven ingredients: mini marshmallows, butter, green food coloring, vanilla and almond extract, cornflakes, and red hot candies.
Credit:
Molly Bolton
When it comes to the holiday season, a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie will never go out of style. The rich, nutty flavor from the browned butter is sure to make you and your loved ones want to cozy up by the fire.
Dining and Cooking