18 Vintage Christmas Cookies That Are Truly Timeless

Cranberry Cornmeal Linzer Cookies
Photo by Allrecipes Magazine.

Looking to sweeten your holiday season? These timeless Christmas cookies will take your taste buds back to a simpler time. Whether you're looking for grandma-approved family recipes, retro desserts that will please everyone at your table, or traditional treats that are sure to impress, you'll find a tried-and-true new go-to in this collection of our best vintage Christmas cookie recipes.

01 of 19

Pizzelle

Pizzelles stacked on a white plate
ThatStephanie

Elegant pizelles, delicate Italian waffle cookies, will be the show-stopping centerpiece of any holiday dessert table.

02 of 19

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies
Husam Thaher

Make these classic cookies with just four ingredients: a jar of peanut butter, white sugar, an egg, and chocolate candy kisses.

03 of 19

Butter Rich Spritz Butter Cookies

a white plate holding alternating red star-shaped and green Christmas tree-shaped spritz cookies
achamberlain

Use a festive cookie press and food coloring to make these rich, buttery treats. "The kids love to decorate them as much as they love to eat them," according to recipe creator Sheri Lipp.

04 of 19

Eileen's Spicy Gingerbread Men

closeup of decorated gingerbread people with red flower buttons and white icing trim
Nika

Nothing screams "Christmas" quite like gingerbread people. This top-rated recipe has a bold flavor thanks to an ample dose of molasses and warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

05 of 19

Grandma's Gingersnap Cookies

gingersnap cookies in a white dish
Kristina Florez

"This melt-in-your-mouth ginger cookie recipe that I received from my grandmother has been enjoyed in my family since 1899," says recipe creator Marie Ayers.

06 of 19

Festive Shortbread

Festive Shortbread
Festive Shortbread. David F Shiffer

It couldn't be easier to make these three-ingredient cutout cookies with just butter, confectioners' sugar, and all-purpose flour.

07 of 19

Italian Cookies

Italian cookies with sprinkles
Kelincal

This old-fashioned Italian recipe has been passed down through the generations, according to recipe creator MARCEA. You can make these cookies with basic ingredients you probably already have on hand.

08 of 19

Crackle Top Molasses Cookies

A small white bowl filled with molasses cookies
Pictured: Molasses Cookies by Hanna. Hanna

This molasses cookie dough (which is made with vegetable oil instead of butter) is rolled into balls, coated with sugar, and baked until perfectly crinkly.

09 of 19

Aunt Bert's Fruitcake Cookies

Aunt Bert's Fruitcake Cookies
Aunt Bert's Fruitcake Cookies. the4taals

If you like traditional fruitcake, you'll love these fruitcake-inspired cookies. According to recipe creator the4taals, the flavor develops the longer the cookies sit.

10 of 19

Cranberry Cornmeal Linzer Cookies

Cranberry Cornmeal Linzer Cookies
Photo by Allrecipes Magazine.

These gorgeous Linzer sandwich cookies feature a sweet-yet-tangy cranberry filling. They're also delicious with raspberry jam, says reviewer KARENVG.

11 of 19

Granny's Shortbread Cookies

shortbread cookies with snowflake and snowman shapes and sprinkles
Abbey

These melt-in-your-mouth cookies are subtly spiced with just a pinch of nutmeg. "These cookies were fabulous," raves reviewer ashlee. "They were soft and extremely delicious."

12 of 19

Grandma Amico's Buttermilk Sugar Cookie Cutouts

decorated Christmas cookies in Santa, tree, and reindeer shapes
Lindsey Vedder

Buttermilk adds richness and tangy flavor to these old-fashioned sugar cookies. "These are like heaven," says reviewer Michelle. "So soft and sugary!"

13 of 19

Christmas Wreaths

Six Christmas wreath cookies on a red tray.

These festive cookies come together quickly with cornflakes, butter, marshmallows, food coloring, vanilla extract, and cinnamon candies.

14 of 19

Perfect Thumbprint Cookies

Perfect Thumbprint Cookies
Photo by Chef John.

"I was looking for a quick thumbprint cookie that didn't require refrigeration and here was Chef John's recipe to save the day," says reviewer and Allrecipes Allstar Kim. "Perfect shortbread tastes fantastic and looks beautiful!"

15 of 19

Pignoli Cookies

pignoli cookies on a rack
linda ch

These five-ingredient Italian cookies are gluten-free thanks to ingredients like almond paste and pine nuts. "I've been searching so long for a good recipe for pignoli cookies and I finally found it," says reviewer LUV2BAKE64.

16 of 19

Gingerbread Biscotti

gingerbread biscotti with white glaze
allrecipes magazine

"These spicy Italian cookies are the perfect accompaniment for cocoa or coffee during the holiday season," says recipe creator Cristina Gomez.

17 of 19

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

pinwheel cookie
Teresa Muro-Pagliuso

It's way easier than you think to make these red and green pinwheel cookies at home. You'll never buy the slice-and-bake stuff from the grocery store again.

18 of 19

Candy Cane Cookies

Regular and dyed cookie dough twisted together to emulate a candy cane
Allrecipes

Peppermint oil adds holiday-perfect flavor to these candy cane-shaped cookies. "My mom has made these cookies every Christmas since I can remember and they've always been my favorite," says reviewer AOLGUIN05.

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