21 Vintage Christmas Cookie Recipes
Step back in time with these vintage Christmas cookie recipes that bring the cozy warmth of the past right to your kitchen. These classics have been sweetening holiday seasons for generations, each bite filled with the timeless joy and simplicity of yuletide cheer. From the familiar snap of old-fashioned Molasses cookies to classic Vanillekipferl cookies, these treats are more than just snacks; they’re a sprinkle of holiday magic and a dash of tradition that never goes out of style.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
These delightfully chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are loaded with healthy rolled oats and sweet raisins with delicate caramel and vanilla flavors. Golden brown with a crisp edge on the outside but buttery and soft inside. These homemade cookies are so easy to make and delicious that you will never go back to buying them again.
Get the Recipe: Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Thumbprint Cookies
Thumbprint Cookies are made with a simple German buttery shortbread cookie recipe filled with a dollop of jam. Our cookies bring together a rich dough and a dollop of jam, creating a mix of melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Get the Recipe: Thumbprint Cookies
Strudel Cookies
Strudel Cookies are small, delicious pastries that look like they came from an old-fashioned bakery. These cookies blend the tartness of apricot and the sweetness of cherries into an irresistible treat.
Get the Recipe: Strudel Cookies
Cornflake Cookies
Enjoy these delicious Cornflake Cookies that are quick to make and sure to please a crowd. This recipe stars cornflakes, almonds, and a hint of cinnamon. It’s so easy and incredibly delicious.
Get the Recipe: Cornflake Cookies
Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
With their soft and chewy texture and sweet-tangy flavor combination of hearty rolled oats and dried cranberries, these Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies are a delicious treat!
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
Hausfreunde Cookies With Caramelised Cashews
Layers of crispy shortcrust pastry are slathered with apricot jam and covered with sweet almond paste. Dipped in rich dark chocolate and garnished with caramelized cashews. These cookies are a crowd-pleaser and will delight your family and friends over the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Hausfreunde Cookies With Caramelised Cashews
Old Fashioned Molasses Cookies
These old-fashioned molasses cookies have been in my family forever, and I have made them approximately one billion times. And I know these are typically saved for the holidays, but I make them all year because I can’t live without them. So, without further adieu, let’s get into what makes these soft, rolled molasses cookies so undeniably awesome.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Molasses Cookies
Vanillekipferl
These German Vanillekipferl (Almond Crescent Cookies) are a hit you won’t want to miss. Made with simple ingredients like butter, vanilla sugar, and almonds, they’re as tasty as they are easy to whip up.
Get the Recipe: Vanillekipferl
Spritz Cookies
Buttery Spritz Cookies are an easy and buttery Christmas cookies made with basic ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Spritz Cookies
Santa Claus Cut-Out Cookie Recipe
With a crispy outside and soft inside, this is the best cut-out cookie recipe you will ever try! Perfect plain or decorated.
Get the Recipe: Santa Claus Cut-Out Cookie Recipe
Ischler – Austrian Shortbread
These Ischler Törtchen are chocolate-covered almond shortbread with apricot filling! A favorite vintage Christmas cookie!
Get the Recipe: Ischler – Austrian Shortbread
Banana Pudding Cookies
Our old-school Banana Pudding Cookies are the perfect treat for any occasion, made with real bananas, brown sugar, and white chocolate chips.
Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding Cookies
Double Chocolate Mint Cookies
These mint double chocolate chip cookies are the perfect holiday cookie, especially if you enjoy mint chocolate as a flavor.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Mint Cookies
Black Cherry Cup Cookies
Black Cherry Cup Cookies are an update on the traditional cherry pie cookie using a homemade filling and a touch of cinnamon and brandy. Add these gourmet cookies to your Christmas cookie tradition.
Get the Recipe: Black Cherry Cup Cookies
Spekulatius
Spekulatius are classic German spiced Christmas cookies. These buttery shortbread cookies are gently spiced with cardamom, cloves, and other warm spices. Perfect with a cup of hot chocolate, coffee, or tea.
Get the Recipe: Spekulatius
Strawberry Jam Cookies
These strawberry jam cookies are easy to make and require no chill time! They have a melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookie base, strawberry jam filling, and a simple icing on top. Your family will love these thumbprint cookies.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Jam Cookies
Cranberry Pistachio Tea Cookies
The holidays are all about tradition (cue the music and Tevya entering stage left). A steady and reliable occurrence year after year. Something you’ve come to expect. Whether it’s annual tickets to the Nutcracker or a night spent watching, It’s a Wonderful Life. Whether it’s latkes, bûche de noél or egg nog. Established customs. The things you’ve come to expect on a certain day of the year. For everyone, those traditions are different.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Pistachio Tea Cookies
Christmas Tree Shortbread Cookies
These Christmas Tree Shortbread Cookies are flakey with a sweet vanilla taste, made from scratch, and topped with candy melts and Christmas sprinkles!
Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Shortbread Cookies
Stained Glass Window Shortbread Cookies
These Stained Glass Window Shortbread Cookies are a classic Christmas Cookie Recipe featuring candied cherries and ground almonds. Make the dough ahead, then slice and bake when ready!
Get the Recipe: Stained Glass Window Shortbread Cookies
Salted Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Salted Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies! A grown-up and decadent vegan chocolate chip cookie! Naturally sweetened with maple syrup and gluten-free.
Get the Recipe: Salted Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Jam Filled Cookies
These vintage Jam Filled Cookies are a brown sugar cut-out dough that is so flavorful. They’re filled with nuts and jam and are super easy!
Get the Recipe: Jam Filled Cookies
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.