Christmas Cookies & Desserts: Sweet Traditions for the Holiday Season

Holiday baking represents one of the most cherished traditions of the Christmas season, filling homes with wonderful aromas, bringing generations together in the kitchen, and creating edible gifts that share love and sweetness with friends and family. This festive collection gathers recipes for all the cookies and desserts that define this special time of year. You'll find classics that appear on cookie platters year after year - buttery spritz cookies, fragrant gingerbread, rich chocolate crinkles, and delicate snowballs - alongside more elaborate creations perfect for centerpiece desserts and holiday entertaining. The collection includes both quick, make-ahead options ideal for busy holiday schedules and more intricate recipes perfect for afternoons devoted to the therapeutic pleasure of holiday baking. We've included guidance on creating beautiful cookie gift packages, organizing successful cookie exchanges, and adapting recipes for various dietary needs so everyone can participate in the seasonal sweetness. Whether you're maintaining long-standing family traditions or creating new ones, these recipes help make the Christmas season more delicious, more generous, and more connected to the people who matter most.