Chef John's Best Christmas Cookies

Chef John's Chocolate Chip Cookies

"Crispy around the edges, chewy and chocolaty in the middle, and thin, oh so thin," says Chef John. "The only real variable is the baking time, since we all scoop slightly different amounts. And yes, of course you can add nuts to yours!"

Chef John's Peanut Butter Cookies

If you're looking for an easy cookie recipe, this is it. In fact, watching the video gives you a great step-by-step demo on how to make just about any kind of cookie dough. Your cookie game is about to get strong.

Chef John's Gingersnap Cookies

Check out the spices that put the "snap" in these gingersnaps: cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, and two kinds of ginger. Can you handle this much flavor? "Yes" is always the right answer.

Chef John's Chocolate Mint Brownies

"This stripped-down recipe for brownies requires almost zero technique," says Chef John. I say that's music to a beginning baker's ears. Watch the video to see how easy it is to make these brownies.

Gingerbread Snowflakes

"Making Christmas cookies with my mom and aunts is one of my oldest and fondest memories," says Chef John. You can make these pretty cookies without using a cookie cutter: "Thinking of all those other cutter-less kitchens out there, I decided to figure out a way to get the same shape without one," by shaping strips of cookie dough.

Lace Cookies (Florentine Cookies)

"These Florentine lace cookies are simple to make and gorgeous to look at," says Chef John. "This cookie technique is versatile and adaptable to any kinds of nuts or chocolate. They also keep pretty well so they're perfect if you're looking for an idea for an edible holiday gift for any cookie lover on your list—just stack them up in a box and tie them with a bow!"

Gingerbread Whoopie Pies

Landing somewhere between a cookie and a cake, these soft, spicy whoopie pies are made extra luscious with a cream cheese frosting. Yep, there's an easy-to-follow video to show you every step.

Chef John's Russian Tea Cakes

To hear Chef John tell it, "As the old joke goes, these Russian tea cakes might not be Russian, but at least they're not cakes." Of course, Mexico and Italy also lay claim to them, calling them wedding cakes. Whatever their true origin, they're a Christmas favorite everywhere. Watch the video to see how they're made.

Chocolate Rum Snowballs

"The classic rum ball [is] one of the easiest, most delicious no-bake cookies ever." Chef John coats these in white chocolate and rolls them in coconut, "but you can also finish them more simply by rolling them generously in powdered sugar."

Chef John's Rosemary Shortbread Cookies

You can bake these as traditional shortbread fingers, but Allrecipes member Nicholio dressed hers up for the holidays: "Embossed with a patterned rolling pin before baking, and dipped in dark chocolate after. Sprinkled with sea salt and minced rosemary."

Perfect Thumbprint Cookies

"My mother, Pauline, made really nice thumbprint cookies, but I never wrote down her recipe. I knew the ingredients, but unless you have the right proportions, you won't get that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture. So, I did an image search and found a recipe that looked very similar, credited to a great-grandma named Mitzi. Since my last name is Mitzewich, that pretty much sealed the deal. In case you can't decide between a shortbread-focused cookie and a more jammy one, here's how to make both." — Chef John

Chef John's Almond Biscotti

"My version is pretty straightforward—a classic Italian dipping cookie," says Chef John. "But you can add hazelnuts, pistachios, and any type of dried fruit. Or dip them in dark chocolate." And reviewers agree, giving them a solid 5-star rating.

Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Macaroons

"Even first-time cookie makers can pull off super moist, tender, chewy macaroons. Using sweetened condensed milk streamlines the operation and produces a very nice texture. Simple to make and easy to transport, these are the ultimate cookies to bring to any potluck. Just stick an almond inside each macaroon if you want to relive that chocolate-coated coconut-filled candy bar of your childhood." — Chef John

Chef John's Chili Chocolate Cookies

Chef John says, "Just like adding a pinch of salt to dessert recipes makes them even sweeter and more delicious, the addition of pepper in this cookie really makes the chocolate even more chocolaty. The cookies aren't really spicy, but you can definitely tell something strange and wonderful is happening."

Chef John's Gingerbread Biscotti

Yet another gingerbread contender: "Whether eaten on their own or dunked into a cup of steaming hot coffee (an exceptional pairing!), these make a great holiday gift."

Chef John's Lemon Bars

Winter is citrus season, but these taste like a bite of summer sunshine. Liven up your cookie trays with bite-sized squares of Chef John's "intense, awesome sweet and tart lemon-flavored custard, perfectly contrasted against crisp, sweet, buttery shortbread cookie."

More to Explore

• Get More of Chef John's Dessert Recipes
• See Our Most Beloved Christmas Cookie Recipes
• Browse All Christmas Cookies