10 Family Favorite Christmas Cookies & Candy

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Typically the week before Christmas we like to gather our cookie supplies and make loads of cookies. Everyone in our family has a different favorite cookie (of course they do). We’ve got a fairly diverse group of cookie lovers – from sugar to chocolate to nuts. There are also a few that prefer fudge…we’ll get to that too. (I found the EASIEST and BEST fudge recipe a few years ago.)

Kids – Since it’s the holiday season, we have to make Sugar Cookies. The kids love to help roll and decorate them with sugar and icing and sprinkles. Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love that buttery, sugary goodness? This recipe from Owl Baking are soft, thick and good for decorating fun.

Nana – Nana is coming to visit for the holidays so we need to make one of Nana’s favorite cookies too. It wouldn’t be Christmas if we didn’t make Peanut Blossoms (those peanut butter cookies with the Hershey Kiss). I typically do a double batch of these and I do half with a Hershey Kiss and half with a mini Peanut Butter Cup (the kids love these). The only tricky part is not eating all of the chocolates before the cookies are done (I’m looking at you Penelope).

Grandma – I don’t know if these were my grandmother’s favorite cookie or if she just made them so often because they were quick & easy. Snickerdoodles are soft cookies with a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar. I really like this recipe from Live, Love and Sugar.

Ginger Snaps are a classic spice cookie that my husband and kids love! This recipe from Persnickety Plates is wonderfully traditional with lots of spices and molasses.

Matt – This is a little outside of the holiday cookie box. But my husband’s favorite cookie is Chocolate with Peanut Butter Chips. I use this recipe from Hershey’s because I like that it uses cocoa. If you’re a fan of peanut butter & chocolate these are soft and delicious! Tip: Try a different version of these chocolate cookies for the holidays by replacing the Peanut Butter Chips with Peppermint Chips.

Uncle Dan – My brother LOVES Peanut Butter Fudge. My grandmother has been making peanut butter fudge as long as I can remember but the recipe called for boiling sugar on the stove and it was REALLY easy to mess up. So a few years ago, I came across this Alton Brown recipe that promised to be the best and easiest recipe for peanut butter fudge. I’ll be honest, I was more than a little suspicious (how could fudge be easy and good?). Anyway, I gave it a try and was blown away. You can make tons of fudge in no time at all and it’s AMAZING!

Healthy Fruit Cookie – Just kidding. PSA: No one wants healthy cookies for Christmas. When in doubt, add more butter. We do actually love a Thumbprint Cookie. And they actually do have some fruit jam. I usually use raspberry jam like this recipe from Saving Dessert.

Grandpa – We had to include Chocolate Chip Cookies for someone. And grandpa loves a good chocolate chip cookie! If I’m honest about it, my go to recipe for chocolate chip cookies is Tollhouse. However, I’ve been eyeing this NY Times recipe for a while and I may have to give it a go.

Gram – I have fond memories of my grandmother making these impossibly thin Sand Tart Cookies. They are one of the most delicious, crunchy, buttery cookies that you’ll ever have. This recipe was found in a newspaper from Reading, PA from 1936! It’s very similar to my grandmothers other than she didn’t typically add nuts.

Erin – My absolute favorite cookies are Mexican Wedding Cookies. I only make them once a year – it makes them feel more special that way. These are one of those cookies that you either love or you don’t (my husband doesn’t – more for me!). They’re very, buttery and nutty and coated in yummy soft powdered sugar…I can’t get enough. They’re also soooo easy to make and have just a few ingredients. Jot down the recipe below.

Recipe

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Cream together the butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar
3. Add in the vanilla
4. Mix in the flour
5. Add your nuts (I use walnuts but pecans work well too)
6. Form into 1 inch balls
7. Bake 12-14 minutes until very light brown
8. Let cool a few minutes and then coat in powdered sugar
9. After completely cool, toss in powdered sugar again.

Cookie Supplies I always hit up Target for my cookie supplies since I’m typically there 2 or 3 times a week anyway. They have loads of fun sprinkles too!

I use my Kitchen Aid Mixer for all of my cookies. It makes mixing up dough a breeze. I’ve had mine for 15 years and it still works great. I love some of the new colors that they have now!

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Cookie Sheets – I like to use half sheet pans for cookies.

Cookie Cutters – Metal cookie cutters make a much neater looking cookie than a plastic one.

Baking Mat – a non stick baking mat is great to avoid those pesky stuck cookies.

Cookie Storage – do not bake cookies without a plan for storage. Been there, done that.

HAPPY BAKING!