Whether you're leaving them with a tall glass of milk for Santa, giving them as a gift or enjoying them yourself, Christmas cookies are one of the greatest and tastiest parts of the holidays. There are gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies and several other unique recipes that are special only during this festive time of year, and the possibilities truly are endless. There's just something magical about a snowflake-shaped cookie or one that looks like a Christmas tree that makes them stand out from every other baked good we eat all year round.
Food Network chefs are known for being some of the most talented cooks in the world, and many of them are also some of the best bakers in the world. During the holidays, Food Network has several holiday-themed shows where these celebrity chefs show off their baking skills and share their favorite holiday recipes with the world, and we put together a list of what we think are some of the Food Network's best Christmas cookie ideas just in time for the holidays.
1. Mini Linzer Cookies
These mini cookies, courtesy of celebrity chef Ina Garten, are almost too pretty to eat. The powdered sugar-topping looks just like snow, and the raspberry filling pairs perfectly with the simple nut-free shortbread crust. Click here for recipe.
2. Gingerbread Cookies with Royal Icing
Gingerbread cookies are the holy grail of Christmas cookies. It wouldn't be Christmas without some sort of Christmas cookies, and the best part about them is that you can shape them any way you like and get as creative as you'd like when it comes to decorating. For these, recipe creator Sandra Lee suggests the classic gingerbread man shape or some candy canes, leaves or ornaments. The royal icing is also extremely easy to make, and you can add any color food coloring to it for even more decorating possibilities. Click here for recipe.
3. Super-Chunky Christmas Cookies
These are courtesy of the Food Network Kitchen and are bound to blow your guests away. It'll be hard not to eat them all yourself. The best part about this recipe is that you can put all the ingredients layered in a mason jar and give it to someone as an adorable gift so they can make these chunky and delicious cookies, which are filled with coconut, chocolate chunks, cashews, white chocolate chips and red and green M&M's, themselves. Click here for recipe.
4. Sugar Cookies
These are another Christmas classic that you have to have, and another you can make any shape you want and decorate any way you want. The Food Network Kitchen has come up with the perfect recipe so you can make sugar cookies in huge batches with just seven ingredients that you probably already have in your home if you've ever baked anything before. Click here for recipe.
5. Cake Mix Holiday Cookies
Cake mix has become a popular flavor in things like ice cream and even M&M's over the past few years, and now you can even make cake mix cookies. These cookies are extremely soft and tender and are topped with a white chocolate-cream cheese frosting. Finish them off with some festive Christmas sprinkles and they'll end up tasting, and sort of looking, just like mini cupcakes. Click here for recipe.
6. Peanut Butter Chocolate Tassies
These are unique because you use a mini-muffin pan to form little cups with the cinnamon-sugar coated pie crust, which you then fill with peanut butter-chocolate goodness for the most delicious tiny treats out there. Click here for recipe.
7. Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies
Salted Caramel has become a flavor of the holiday season, and you can never go wrong with a traditional chocolate chip cookie, so why not combine the two? These chewy, gooey cookies are simple and tasty, and some of the best of the season. Click here for recipe.
8. Ginger Molasses Cookies
"These are my knockoff of my fave chewy spiced cookie at a local bakery in Park Slope, Brooklyn, called Naidre's," chef Sunny Anderson said. "They are perfect for a frosty glass of milk. If you ever make it to my area, check them out; until then, enjoy the baking!" Click here for recipe.
9. Red Velvet Crackle Cookies
The color of red velvet alone makes any treat perfect for this time of year, and these cookies are no exception. The powdered sugar gives these the most perfect, festive finishing touch. Click here for recipe.
10. Chocolate-Peppermint Whoopie Pies
"My grandma only made whoopee pies on special occasions," chef Katie Lee said. "I was always so excited to see them in her kitchen. These are inspired by her recipe and dressed up for the holidays with the addition of crushed candy canes. They are easily adaptable to any season by substituting flavoring and candies. Have fun with them and get creative. They make great gifts too." Click here for recipe.
