The Best Cookies To Pair With Your Favorite Christmas Movies

The pairing guide you never knew you needed.

clark griswold on the left and eggnog cookies on the right
Photo:

Warner Bros./Dotdash Meredith

Yeah, OK, gingerbread is wonderful and delicious and perfect in every way. But it’s not the only Christmas cookie, and that’s something we as a society need to understand. Similarly, there’s more than one Christmas movie: We don’t watch Elf every day of December like we’re living in some sort of festive Groundhog Day. No, there are dozens of holiday films that deserve our attention, love, and respect. Don’t do yourself a disservice this year—perfectly pair your movies and cookies for the ideal warm and cozy experience.

01 of 13

A Christmas Story: Mitten-Shaped Sugar Cookies

The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies

These mitten-shaped cookies are the perfect way to honor that iconic moment in cinematic history when Randy Parker uttered those five immortal words: “I can’t put my arms down!”

02 of 13

Elf: Maple Cookies

Maple Cookies

Because we all know elves try to stick to the four major food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup. 

03 of 13

Christmas Vacation: Eggnog Cookies

Eggnog cookies on a plate.

ALLRECIPES / QI AI

These festive cookies will make you the jolliest a**hole this side of the nuthouse. 

04 of 13

It's a Wonderful Life: Easy Sugar Cookies

an overhead view of a round platter of easy sugar cokies
Meredith Food Studio

It’s a Wonderful Life is widely considered the best Christmas movie of all time, so it deserves an equally esteemed cookie. Take one bite, and you’ll instantly see why this is one of our highest rated recipes. 

05 of 13

White Christmas: Snowball Cookies

snowball II cookies

TummyYummy

Snow isn’t in the forecast for you this Christmas? These snowball cookies are the next best thing. 

06 of 13

Home Alone: Christmas Light Sugar Cookies

cookies decorated like little Xmas lights
Kim

This isn’t talked about enough, but the McCallisters really gave the Griswolds a run for their money when it came to holiday decorating. 

07 of 13

The Grinch: Grinch Cookies With M&M's

Grinch Cookies with M&M's®

Whether you’re loyal to the 1966 cartoon or Jim Carrey’s live action version (we won’t speak of the Ryan Reynolds abomination currently in theatres), these cookies will make you feel like a bona fide Who.

08 of 13

Love Actually: Heart-Shaped Cookies

heart-shaped cookies with powdered sugar and strawberry jam

Kim

Don't wait until February to break out your Valentine's Day cookie cutters. These heart-shaped cookies are the perfect accompaniment to a cozy Love Actually viewing party.

09 of 13

Die Hard: Snickerdoodles

a close up view of a plateful of mrs sigg's snickerdoodle cookies.

Danielle K

We recently reported that snickerdoodles might be German in origin, so it’s a natural assumption that they’re Hans Gruber’s favorite cookies. Enjoy. 

10 of 13

The Holiday: Linzer Cookies

close up view of a pile of Linzer Torte Cookies with jam, garnished powdered sugar, on a white plate
Kanata Dweller

Linzer cookies aren’t technically British, but they’re similar enough to jammy dodgers to earn this coveted spot. 

11 of 13

The Nightmare Before Christmas: Spider Cookies

Peanut Butter Spider Cookies

Because Halloween ain’t over until you say it’s over. 

12 of 13

The Santa Clause: Santa Sugar Cookies

Santa Sugar Cookies

If you ignore the incredibly upsetting first 20 minutes of this film—in which our protagonist literally murders Santa—this is just an innocent story about the magic of Christmas. Celebrate accordingly with these sweet meringues. 

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