Nothing says Christmas like the aroma of sugar and spice, excited children and a bunch of well-used cookie cutters. All of these recipes have become firm family favourites and they also make great gifts for family and friends.
From charming snowmen to chocolate crinkle cookies, we’ve got plenty of cute ideas to get everyone in the festive spirit. For more inspiration, also check out our Christmas for kids recipes, Christmas biscuit recipes and Christmas baking ideas.
1. Snowman cookies
We created these cute cookies to celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Snowman and no one, young or old, will be able to resist. If your child’s favourite part of baking is the decorating, then you can bake and freeze the biscuits ahead of time and bring them out for a winter’s day activity.
Snowman cookies
Can’t get enough of these friendly festive characters? Also try our melting snowman biscuits and snowman cake.
2. Sugar cookies
These simple yet stunning iced sugar cookies are perfect for introducing your little ones to baking. Teach them how to mix up a basic biscuit dough and make some shapes with cookie cutters. These buttery biscuits only take 10 minutes to bake, but make sure to let them cool down before decorating. Kids will love getting creative with icing and sprinkles – show them how to use piping bags to make some pretty patterns.
Sugar cookies
3. Christmas chocolate crinkle cookies
What isn’t there to love about crinkle cookies? With a rich, fudgy centre and sugar-dusted crispy edge, these chocolatey nuggets make the perfect bitesize snack. Try our extra-festive version with orange zest, mixed spice and cinnamon – delicious with a cup of tea or steaming hot chocolate.
Christmas chocolate crinkle cookies
Looking for more crinkle cookie inspiration? Try our classic chocolate fudge crinkle biscuits or mix it up with fun variations such as chocolate fudge sprinkle-crinkle biscuits and chocolate orange fudge crinkle biscuits.
4. Oreo reindeer cookies
These Oreo reindeers are as cute as they are easy to make. Simply dip them in your melted chocolate of choice and top with pretzel antlers, candy eyes and the classic red nose. Wrap up for an adorable homemade gift or enjoy over the festive period.
Oreo reindeers
5. Mince pie cookies
Mince pies and cookies are two of our favourite Christmas treats, so why not combine them? These fun festive biscuits incorporate mincemeat and dark chocolate chunks with a touch of cinnamon, giving them a rich, gooey centre and crispy outside. They are also great for using up any leftover mincemeat, so you’ll be avoiding food waste as well as baking a tasty treat.
Try our mince pie brownies, mince pie baklava and cinnamon swirl mince pies for more festive foodie mash-ups.
6. Honey & spice cookies
Make the most of your Christmas cutters and take gingerbread to the next level with a special festive spice, the secret ingredient of these cookies. The spice can also be used in other recipes, including our Christmass latte, spiced buttercream and even chicken wings.
Kids will love cutting out the shapes and getting stuck into plenty of dipping fun. The dough makes around 35 cookies so everyone will get the chance for a bit of decorating.
Honey and spice biscuits
7. Snow globe cookies
Looking for something to hang on the tree? These snow globe biscuits will look absolutely magical with fairy lights shining through the middles. They take a bit of effort but are a great project to occupy older kids. The cut-out biscuit centres are filled with crushed mints which melt in the oven to make a glass window effect. Finish with a scattering of edible sprinkles and stars, and you’ve have a dazzling decoration which is almost too pretty to eat!
Snow globe cookies
8. Gingerbread cookies
It wouldn’t be Christmas without gingerbread, so naturally we thought it best to recreate this popular festive bake in cookie form. Enriched with a fragrant mix of cinnamon, cloves and ginger spice, these moreish biscuits are sure to fill the house with festive aromas while baking.
Gingerbread cookies
Looking for more gingerbread ideas? Check out our ultimate easy gingerbread, vegan gingerbread and fun gingerbread jumpers.
9. Jammy star cookies
Set your little stars the challenge of making these joyously jammy cookie sandwiches. A festive take on the Jammie Dodger, these retro fruity bakes look dazzling but are pretty simple to make. Equipment-wise all you need are two shapes of cookie cutter and some piping bags to make the jammy icing filling. They are sure to have everyone going starry eyed!
also try out our indulgent British classic pudding, Queen of Puddings recipe.
Jammy star cookies
10. Edible name place cookies
If you’re entertaining on Christmas Day, here’s a brilliant project to keep excited kids busy on Christmas Eve – edible place holders. They will love creating the finishing touches for the table. And if you haven’t got time to start baking from scratch, they can decorate shop-bought cookies instead.
Edible name place cookies
Like this? You may also like…
Our best Christmas biscuit recipes
Christmas projects for kids
Christmas crafts for kids
All of our Christmas kids’ recipes
How to make salt dough
Christmas cooking ideas for kids
Christmas Eve box ideas for kids, teens and adults
We’d love to see your homemade creations! Tag us @bbcgoodfood and use #bbcgoodfood and we’ll share some of our favourites.
