best-christmas-cookie-recipes

10 Ridiculously Easy Christmas Cookies You Can Make with 5 Ingredients or Less

If you’re looking for quick and easy Christmas cookie recipes that won’t require a mile-long shopping list, you’re in the right place!

These simple, 5-ingredient or less Christmas cookies are perfect for the busy holiday season.

From no-bake treats to festive classics, here are 10 delicious cookie recipes that keep things sweet and simple.

1. Peanut Butter Blossoms

These classic holiday cookies are soft, chewy, and topped with a chocolate kiss.

christmas-peanut-butter-blossom-cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 24 Hershey’s Kisses

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix peanut butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Roll into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet.

Bake for 10-12 minutes. Press a Hershey’s Kiss into each cookie while warm.

2. Snowball Cookies (Russian Tea Cakes)

These delicate, nutty cookies are rolled in powdered sugar for a “snowy” finish.

snowball-cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar (plus extra for rolling)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Mix all ingredients until well combined. Roll into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

While warm, roll cookies in powdered sugar.

3. Nutella Hazelnut Cookies

Rich, chocolatey cookies made with only three ingredients!

nutella-hazelnut-cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Nutella
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix Nutella, flour, and egg until a dough forms.

Roll into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet. Flatten slightly with a fork. Bake for 8-10 minutes.


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4. 3-Ingredient Shortbread Cookies

These buttery cookies melt in your mouth and are incredibly easy to make.

3-Ingredient-Shortbread-Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 cups flour (at least 11% protein)

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Cream butter and powdered sugar together. Gradually mix in flour.

Roll dough into a log, slice into rounds, and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

5. Butter Pecan Cookies

These buttery, nutty cookies have a rich flavor and a crisp texture, making them perfect for holiday gatherings.

butter-pecan-cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cream together the butter and brown sugar. Mix in the vanilla extract, then gradually add flour until a dough forms.

Stir in the chopped pecans. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet. Flatten slightly with the back of a spoon.

Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges are golden.

6. Cake Mix Christmas Crinkle Cookies

These soft, chewy cookies are made with a box of cake mix and have a festive crinkle effect from the powdered sugar coating.

red-velvet-christmas-crinkle-cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 box red velvet or chocolate cake mix
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract until well combined.

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and coat each ball in powdered sugar. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Let cool for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

7. Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

All the deliciousness of chocolate chip cookies without the hassle of scooping dough.

chocolate-chip-cookie-bars

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter, melted
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Spread the batter evenly in a greased 8×8-inch baking dish.

Bake for 20-25 minutes.

8. Easy Ginger Snaps

ginger-snap-cookies

These spicy-sweet cookies are crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix all ingredients until a dough forms.

Roll into small balls, flatten slightly, and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

9. No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

A quick and easy cookie that’s perfect for last-minute holiday prep.

No-Bake-Chocolate-Oatmeal-Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 3 cups quick oats

Instructions:
In a saucepan, melt butter and stir in sugar, milk, and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil for 1 minute.

Remove from heat and stir in oats.

Drop spoonfuls onto parchment paper and let cool.

10. Peppermint Meringue Cookies

Light and airy, these festive cookies have a subtle peppermint flavor and melt in your mouth.

Peppermint-Meringue-Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 2 egg whites
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • Red or green food coloring (optional)

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 225°F (110°C). Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Mix in peppermint extract.

Pipe small mounds onto a lined baking sheet.

Bake for 1 hour.

These 5-ingredient or less Christmas cookies are perfect for simplifying your holiday baking without sacrificing flavor.

Whether you prefer classic treats or want to try something new, this list has a little something for everyone.

Happy baking and Merry Christmas!

8 thoughts on “10 Ridiculously Easy Christmas Cookies You Can Make with 5 Ingredients or Less”

    1. They’re all so different that it’s hard to say. At least a dozen but some of them will yield up to two dozen! 🙂

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