Every year, I have these grand ideas of creating 25 days of something. Last year, I did 10 different Advent calendars and gave them away. As much as I loved creating them and giving them away, it definitely took a lot of time. This year, I thought I would change it up a bit and create my 25 best Christmas Cookies. I even did 10 cocktails to go with them.

Cookies Are A Family Tradition

My family gets together and makes a bunch of cookies every year, and we always add or create a new recipe each year. The cookies below are a compilation of passed-down family recipes and recipes that we have changed or created over the years. If you have been a friend or family member, or even if you are new to my site, there will be a big surprise at the end that almost everyone I know has wanted from me for years. I hope you enjoy and create a few of these recipes. I know I enjoyed making them.

A New Recipe Each Day For The 25 Best Christmas Cookies

December 1st – Cherry Pie Bars

Ok, I know, it’s supposed to be 25 best Christmas Cookies, but I love cherry anything, so I started with a cherry bar. This is such an easy recipe to create, and wow, is it yummy.

Items Needed

• 1 Cup Softened Butter
• 2 Cups Sugar
• 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
• 4 Large Eggs
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 Teaspoon Almond Extract
• 3 Cups Flour
• 2 Cans Cherry Pie Filling

Directions

1. In a mixer, blend the butter, sugar, and salt for 4-6 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3. Slowly add eggs one at a time, making sure the mixer is on low.
4. Add the vanilla and almond extract and mix well.
5. Slowly add the flour.
6. Grease a large glass baking dish, a 10″ x 15″ would be great.
7. Carefully spread about 3 cups of the mixture on the bottom of the glass baking dish.
8. Pour the cherry filling over the dough.
9. Drop the remaining dough a little at a time around the top of the cherry filling.
10. Bake 40 minutes, or until golden brown.
11. Let cool completely.
12. If you would like to make a glaze for the top, it’s really easy.

Glaze Topping

• 1 Cup Powdered Sugar
• 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 Teaspoon Almond Extract

Pairs Great With A Cherry Whiskey Wine Cocktail

December 2nd – Peppermint Delight

Items Needed

• 1/2 Teaspoon Peppermint Extract
• 1 Cup Softened Butter
• 1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar
• 1 1/4 Cups Flour
• 1/2 Cup Cornstarch
• Parchment Paper

Frosting Items Needed

• 3 Tablespoons Softened Butter
• 2 Tablespoons Milk
• 1/4 – 1/2 Teaspoon Peppermint Extract
• 1/2 Cup Peppermint Candies Crushed
• Frosting Bag

Directions

1. In a mixer, blend the butter and powdered sugar until fluffy. 
2. Add the extract and mix well.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the flour and cornstarch.
4. Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture.
5. Place in a Saran Wrap and put it in the refrigerator for about an hour.
6. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
7. Pull the dough from the refrigerator and make 1″ balls.
8. Place the cookie balls onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
9. Bake 10 – 12 minutes.
10. Let the cookies cool completely.
11. While the cookies are cooling, make the frosting.
12. Mix the butter, powdered sugar, and then the milk until you have a frosting consistency.
13. Add the peppermint extract and mix well.
14. Place the frosting in a decorating bag or a zipper bag.
15. Cut the tip off the bag.
16. Place the crushed peppermint candies in a bowl.
17. Add a dollop of frosting to each cookie one at a time.
18. After you add the frosting, dip the cookie in the crushed peppermint candy.

Pairs Great With A Peppermint Martini

December 3rd – Lemon Melts

Items Needed

• 1 Box White Cake Mix
• 2 Teaspoons Lemon Extract
• 2 1/4 Cups Whipped Topping
• 1 Large Egg
• 1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a mixer, blend the cake mix, lemon extract, whipped topping, and egg on low.
3. The batter will be very sticky.
4. Using a teaspoon, drop a small portion into the powdered sugar and roll around until covered.
5. Place on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
6. Bake for 10 – 12 minutes, or until golden brown.

Pairs Well With a Lemon Drop Martini

December 4th – Cranberry Orange Shortbread

Items Needed

• 1 Cup Softened Butter
• 3/4 Cup Powdered Sugar
• 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 2 Cups Flour
• 1/2 – 3/4 Cups Cran-Raisons (I like a lot of these)
• Parchment Paper.

Frosting Items Needed

• 3 Tablespoons Softened Butter
• 2 Tablespoons Orange Juice
• 1/4 – 1/2 Teaspoon Orange Zest
• Frosting Bag

Directions

1. In a mixer, blend butter, powdered sugar, and salt.
2. Blend well, then add the vanilla.
3. Carefully mix in the flour.
4. With a spoon, stir in the cranberries.
5. Place the dough in the middle of 2 pieces of Saran Wrap, big enough to roll the dough out on.
6. Flatten the dough and place it in the refrigerator for about 1 hour.
7. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
8. Open the Saran Wrap to be able to roll the dough out on it.
9. Flour the top of the dough and the rolling pin.
10. Roll the dough out to around 1/4 inch.
11. Cut the dough into strips about 1/2 inch wide by 3 inches long.
12. Place the cookies on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
13. Bake 12 – 15 minutes or until golden brown.
14. Let them cool.
15. While the cookies are cooling, make the icing.
16. Once the cookies are cooled, pour a little icing on each one, and it will dry hard.

Pairs Well With a Cosmopolitan

December 5th – Chocolate Espresso Kisses

These have to be my absolute favorite cookies out of the 25 best Christmas cookies. Even my neighbors liked them. I plan to make these throughout the year; they are that good.

Items Needed

• 1 Cup Softened Butter
• 1 1/2 Cups Sugar
• 2 1/4 Cups Flour
• 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
• 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1 Egg
• 2 Heaping Tablespoons Instant Coffee
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons Carolan’s Coffee Liquor
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
• Chocolate Kisses

Directions

1. In a mixer, blend the butter, 1 cup of the sugar, baking powder, and salt, mix well.
2. Add the egg, vanilla, and liquor.
3. Slowly add the flour until completely blended.
4. Place the mixture on a piece of saran wrap and seal it up.
5. Place in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
7. Place the 1/2 cup of sugar and the instant coffee in a bowl and mix it up.
8. Take the dough out of the refrigerator.
9. Create 1-inch balls and roll them in the coffee sugar mixture.
10. Place the cookies on a parchment covered cookie sheet.
11. Bake for 10 minutes, do not let the edges go past golden brown.
12. While the cookies are still on the cookie sheet and hot, press a chocolate kiss in the middle of the cookie and press down.
13. Let the cookies cool.

Pairs Great With An Eggnog Latte

Related – Creating Christmas Treats With The Vitamix Aer Disc Container 

December 6th – Mexican Wedding Cakes

Items Needed

Directions

December 7th – Italian Shortbread Melts

Items Needed

Directions

December 8th – Cranberry Delight Spread

Items Needed

Directions

December 9th – Orange Cookie Batons

Items Needed

Directions

December 10th – Cherry Macaroons

Items Needed

Directions

December 11th – Apricot Envelopes

Items Needed

Directions

December 12th – Apple Oatmeal Cookies

Items Needed

Directions

December 13th – Cranberry Orange Swirls

Items Needed

Directions

December 14th – Basic Spritz Cookie

Items Needed

Directions

December 15th – Coffee Dippers

Items Needed

Directions

December 16th – Ruby Linzer Bars

Items Needed

Directions

December 17th – Double Cookie Kringle

Items Needed

Directions

December 18th – Toffee Crack

Items Needed

Directions

December 19th – Strawberry Shortbread

Items Needed

Directions

December 20th – Candy Shortbread

Items Needed

Directions

December 21st – Lemon Thyme Cookies

Items Needed

Directions

December 22nd – Caramel Brittle Bites

Items Needed

Directions

December 23rd – Cherry Almond Bars

Items Needed

Directions

December 24th – Lime Snowflakes

Items Needed

Directions

December 25th – Chocolate Logs

Ok, so if you are reading this recipe, you should know that this is a deep, dark family secret that I am sharing with you all. These chocolate logs have been a family tradition for longer than I’ve been alive. For years, people have begged me for the recipe to these amazing little pieces of heaven. I finally decided to share it in my 25 Best Christmas Cookies. I hope you enjoy them as much as my family and friends have.

Items Needed

Directions