We did 12 days of Christmas cookies again this year after it was a big hit last year.  Instead of doing it 12 consecutive days (which is a lot of pressure), I decided to spread the baking out over 24 days.  This made it a lot more manageable.  To make it even easier I even shared my favorite dough that can make 4 different cookies which limits the mixing and different batters you have to make.  Since we are huge brownie lovers our round-up does include one!

Ways to Use Your Christmas Cookies

Most recipes make more than a dozen cookies and you may not want to eat them all right away.  I either bake them all and freeze the ones I don’t want to eat or freeze half of the dough and bake them later (you can even bake them into February if you want).

• If you host this is an easy way to have your Christmas dessert done.  I use a variety of the cookies to make Christmas dessert simple with ice-cream.
• Give them as gifts to friends or neighbors.  I like to bring a little box whenever we go to a friends house in the month of December.
• Holiday Gatherings
  • If you are hosting this is a great way to make a fun table of treats
  • If you are attending:
    • Bring a fun platter of a variety of cookies you made
    • Bring a box or tin as a hostess gift
• Make boxes/tins as gifts for teachers and/or coaches.
• Make small boxes or bags and leave them out for delivery workers in the month of December.

How to Freeze Dough or Cookies

Note: I do not think iced cookies or linzer cookies freeze well so I usually bake those close to when I want to use them OR refrigerate the dough until I will be using them.

• Freezing Dough:
  • After scooping/portioning your dough place the cookies you want to freeze on a parchment lined pan and put in the freezer for 1-2 hours.
  • After they are frozen, place them in a zip lock bag or freezer safe container and make sure they are sealed properly.
  • They will stay in freezer for up to 3 months.
  • When you are ready to cook, bake them from frozen and add 1-2 minutes onto cooking time.
• Freezing Baked Cookies:
  • After the cookies have cooled completely place in a ziplock bag or freezer safe container, make sure it is fully sealed otherwise you will have freezer burn.
  • They will stay in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • To defrost take them out of the freezer 1-2 hours before you want to eat or pop 3-4 in the microwave for 30 seconds.

2021 12 Days of Christmas Cookies Round-Up

Day 1: We kicked it off this year with one of our top favorites from last year, Lightened Up Ginger Molasses Cookies, that are adapted from the Healthy Maven.  I adjusted this recipe a lot so posted my full recipe this year.  It is definitely one of our favorites that we will do again next year!

2. Easy No Chill Roll Out Sugar Cookies and I bet you make  more than one batch during the holiday season.  These are simple elegant ones make great gifts or are perfect for a cookie platter at a party.  I have two versions which is how we roll around here a full butter, sugar and white flour that can be found here and a lightened up one that can be adapted to be gluten or dairy free and be found here!

3. One Bowl No Fuss Peanut Butter Cup Brownies we are big chocolate 🍫lovers so our list had to include a brownie! They are a must make indulgent treat. These brownies are dense, moist, and have the fudgy texture we love.

4. These healthy dairy free biscotti recipe are the perfect light treat when you are craving something sweet.  All you need for Holiday Cookie is less than 10 ingredients and it comes together in one bowl! This recipe is fairly easy and worth the effort because it makes a big batch!  I love making them as holiday gifts and for a variety of occasions that I may be going to or hosting. They last for up to 2 weeks so you can make them ahead of time which makes them a big win.

5. 6. & 7. Learn how to mix up this one basic cookie dough and bake 4 different cookies from an endless list of possibilities.  The base recipe comes together with 5 ingredients and then you can be creative with the varieties you make from it. Find all the details and variations here.

#5 = Chocolate Chip Pecan #6 = Linzer #7 = Chocolate Ganache Filled Stars

8. Healthy White Chocolate Cranberry Oat Cookies.  These were fun and a big here! Recipe is below – adapted slightly from Erin Lives Whole.

9. M&M Cookies from Two Peas & their Pod (the cookie expert!) were amazing and we are so excited there is a ton more dough in the freezer. These are a crowd pleaser for kids and adults. Hop over to her site to grab the recipe!

10. Mountain Snickerdoodles made easy from a @foodstirs mix while we were away skiing.

11. Chewy Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies!  This recipe was adapted from The Minimalist Baker and is a great perfect classic winter combination for the holidays or any chilly night!  The best use of candy canes in my opinion.  I made some adaptations and used the below ingredients.

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 2 candy canes (finely crushed)
• 1/4 cup mini white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup dark or semisweet chocolate chips

12. Snowballs which are a must make in our house! I had a different recipe to try but everyone wanted to make some more iced cookies and reindeer for Santa. I made another batch of my shortbread dough and added finely chopped walnuts and made walnut snowballs and thumbprints with the second half of the dough.

They can serve  Next year I may do 12 days of Christmas treats to expand beyond cookies.