Cookie Countdown: December

Updated: November 30, 2017
We're celebrating every day of December this year with a new cookie. WIth favorites like frosted sugar cookies and gingerbread men, you're bound to find a favorite cookie to help you celebrate the holidays. Satisfy that sweet tooth with these fantastic cookie recipes that are great gift as gifts and share with friends and family.
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Christmas Cookies 4 Ways

Whether you're craving chocolate cookies, lemon cookies, spice cookies, or sugar cookies, you can tweak this foolproof cookie base to bake a variety of Christmas cookies.
Christmas Cookies 4 Ways Recipe
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Gingerbread Men Cookies

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

Gingerbread Men Cookies are a favorite holiday tradition. involve the little ones in your family by letting them decorate these spice cookies. Use a variety of cutter sizes, if desired.


Gingerbread Men Cookies Recipe

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Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookies

Photo: Oxmoor House

This dough will work for slice-and-bake cookies or as a rolled dough for your favorite cookie cutters.


Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookies Recipe
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Belgian Spice Cookies

Photo: Linda Pugliese, Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas, Buffy Hargett Miller

To create a lacy design on these cookies (also known as Speculoos), place a stencil or doily over the cooled cookies before dusting with powdered sugar.


Belgian Spice Cookies Recipe

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Chocolate Thumbprints with Caramel and Sea Salt

Photo: Erin Kunkel; Styling: Kelly Allen

From Great Falls, Montana, Colette Tihista-Longin writes, "I found this cookie recipe in an old collection at a yard sale. The original recipe has a chocolate filling, but I adapted it to include caramel and sea salt several years ago. It's a hit every year at our cookie exchange." Despite the name for this style of cookie, the end of a wooden spoon makes a neater, deeper depression in the cookie than your thumb will.


Chocolate Thumbprints with Caramel and Sea Salt Recipe

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Elsa's Chocolate-Dipped Macaroons

Photo: Erin Kunkel; Styling: Kelly Allen

These macaroons are the most delicious we've ever tasted in the Sunset Test Kitchen. The recipe comes from Karen Dannenbaum of Topanga, California, who inherited it from her mother, Elsa, an outstanding cook. Of all the recipes Elsa left behind in her handwritten notebooks, "this was one of her best, and a family favorite," Dannenbaum says. She also included an option for double-dipping the cookies in melted white chocolate over the dark. We loved them as-is, but if you'd like to double-dip, feel free!


Elsa's Chocolate-Dipped Macaroons Recipe
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Pecan Pie Bars

Oxmoor House
Splurge on these wonderful little pecan pie bars! They are a unique idea for a church social or holiday cookie exchange.
Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

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Triple-threat Chocolate Cookies

Photo: Peden & Munk; Styling: Amy Wilson    
Prepare to abandon all restraint when you try one of these cookies, made with melted chocolate and chocolate chips in the batter and layered with a chocolate ganache filling.
Triple-threat Chocolate Cookies Recipe

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Glazed Fruitcake Bars

Photo: Linda Pugliese, Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas, Buffy Hargett Miller

These dense, chewy fruitcake bars are a fresh version of the kind passed around at holiday parties. We love raisins and dried cherries in this recipe, but use your favorite combinations.


Glazed Fruitcake Bars Recipe
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Hummingbird Oatmeal Cookies

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas 

No time for frosting? Bake anyway! We loved these plain too.


Hummingbird Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

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5-Ingredient Sugar Cookies

Photo: Linda Pugliese, Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas, Buffy Hargett Miller

When glazing, use a shallow bowl that will accommodate the entire cookie.


5-Ingredient Sugar Cookies Recipe

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Rocky Road Brownies

Photo: James Carrier
Mini marshmallows melt into this walnut-topped brownie during baking, giving it a gooey, fudgy texture.
Rocky Road Brownies Recipe
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Chocolate-Peppermint Crackle Cookies

Photo: Linda Pugliese, Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas, Buffy Hargett Miller

For the best "crackle" effect, reroll balls in powdered sugar just before baking to cover any exposed dough.


Chocolate-Peppermint Crackle Cookies Recipe

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Frosted Ginger Cookies

Leigh Beisch
We love these frosted ginger cookies' soft texture and bright spice flavor.  Frosted ginger cookies are perfect for gifts and Christmas cookie swaps.
Frosted Ginger Cookies Recipe

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Layered Eggnog Blondies

Photo: Linda Pugliese, Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas, Buffy Hargett Miller

These treats have a split personality: 1 part blondie, 1 part eggnog cheesecake. Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container up to one week.


Layered Eggnog Blondies Recipe
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Chai Shortbread

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Jan Gautro

A combination of cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper gives these chai cookies a taste reminiscent of Indian spiced tea. The fine texture of powdered sugar helps them retain the characteristic shortbread crunch.


Chai Shortbread Recipe

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Thumbprint Cookies

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Styling: Susan Vajaranant
Fill the center of these Thumbprint Cookies with your favorite jam. Our jam of choice for these buttery, nutty cookies were apricot and strawberry.
Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

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String-of-Lights Cookie Wreath

Photo: Lee Harrelson; Styling; Mindi Shapiro
Brighten your Christmas spread with a sweet string of lights! The thick, creamy vanilla frosting highlights our best-ever shortbread cookie.
String-of-Lights Cookie Wreath Recipe
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German Chocolate-Pecan Pie Bars

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
Everyone will ask you for the recipe for these bars after just one bite! They're easy to make and everyone will love them at your next gathering or party.
German Chocolate-Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

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Pecan Snowballs

Photo: Kana Okada; Styling: Sara Quessenberry
Sprinkle a little sweetness on your holiday table when you serve these delicate cookies. No matter your location, we guarantee a white Christmas!
Pecan Snowballs Recipe

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Chewy Ginger Cookies

Photo: Linda Pugliese, Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas, Buffy Hargett Miller

Fresh ginger and black pepper bring a kick to this classic cookie. Prep tip: Swirl a liquid measuring cup with a thin coat of vegetable oil before measuring molasses for the most accurate (and least sticky) result.


Chewy Ginger Cookies Recipe
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Chocolate Confetti Cookies

Photo: Dhanraj Emanuel; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
Bake 8 minutes for a soft and chewy cookie or up to 12 minutes for a crisp cookie.
Chocolate Confetti Cookies Recipe

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Chocolate-Frosted Cookies

Photo: Oxmoor House
This recipe, reminiscent of the classic black and white cookie, is a quick and easy gluten-free option that everyone will love. In addition to adding whole grains, sorghum flour adds a nutty flavor that pairs well with bittersweet chocolate.
Chocolate-Frosted Cookies Recipe

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Mississippi Mud Brownies

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Heather Chadduck
These Mississippi Mud Brownies are rich, chocolaty, and drizzled in peanut butter! What more could you want in a brownie?
Mississippi Mud Brownies Recipe
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Gingerbread Men

Photo: Oxmoor House
These fun fellows are always invited to cookie parties. Let the kids help dress them!
Gingerbread Men Recipe

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Pecan-Cranberry Shortbread

Photo: Linda Pugliese, Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas, Buffy Hargett Miller

Making shortbread with melted butter skips the wait for it to soften.


Pecan-Cranberry Shortbread Recipe

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Red Velvet Thumbprints

Photo: Linda Pugliese, Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas, Buffy Hargett Miller

There's no need to use a pastry bag to fill cookies. Just transfer the frosting to a zip-top plastic freezer bag, and snip the corner.


Red Velvet Thumbprints Recipe
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Chocolate Crinkle Candy Surprise Cookies

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham
From the kitchen of Megan Porta, pipandebby.com

"Be careful not to overbake these cookies. Ten minutes is the sweet spot for most ovens."
Chocolate Crinkle Candy Surprise Cookies Recipe

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Lemon Delights

Oxmoor House
These cookies are wonderful made with fresh Georgia pecans!
Lemon Delights Recipe

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Coconut Snowballs

Photo: Linda Pugliese, Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas, Buffy Hargett Miller

If the melted white chocolate is too firm after it is heated, stir in about 1/4 tsp. coconut oil.


Coconut Snowballs Recipe
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Snickerdoodles

Photo: Oxmoor House
Serve these spiced cookies during the holidays with a mug of hot cocoa or anytime you're craving a tasty cinnamon treat.
Snickerdoodles Recipe
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