The search for some super easy Christmas Cookies recipes came after I had my first son. I wanted to make some amazing Christmas cookies — why, I don’t know, he was a baby and didn’t care. Probably the same instinct that led me in nesting mode to clean our basement ceilings and detail the toaster oven. If there’s three things babies care about, it’s Cookie assortments, clean basement ceilings and well-maintained toaster ovens.

So anyway I searched for some easy recipes and ended up producing cookies that only a mother could love. Like literally, my mom was the only one who took one. I knew there had to be better and easier options out there. So this is my go to list of easy Christmas cookies — a lot of them use a cookie or brownie mix as a base — and some I guess are more desserts (looking at you, Grinch cupcakes) but they all can be ready pretty fast, with minimal effort and they still taste great!

Easy Peanut Butter Blossoms

This is my husband’s #1 requested Christmas cookie. I used to do the full shortening from scratch recipe, but one time I subbed in a mix and he liked it better! Easier but tastier, a total win in my book. Get the full recipe here.

Poor Man’s Turtles

This is a go to recipe for me for literally every season, I just change up my bag of seasonal M&M’s. They’re almost deceptively simple — like three things? What taste level are we talking about? Through the roof sweet and salty goodness, friends. Full recipe here.

Easy Mint Sugar Cookies

This is another deceptively good one. A sugar cookie mix and Andes mints rolled in sanding sugar (or not! They’re a delight either way!) make for a minty sugary must-have cookie. Full recipe here.

No Bake Butter Cookie Wreaths

I found this in an old Quick Cooking magazine and love how cute they turn out. Plus kids can go to town on decorations plus it’s a no bake recipe in case you have a kid that’s obsessed with acting dangerously around a hot oven! I’ve got you! Full recipe here.

Grinch Cupcakes

Adding a box of Jello to a cake mix is 100% my signature move. It’s easy, fun and the possibilities are endless. Full recipe here.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Chex Mix

AKA Reindeer Feed, this one is another no bake recipe that makes a ton! Perfect for packaging up for gifts. Full recipe here.

One Bowl Gingerbread Brownies

Only one bowl required to make these rich and fudgy brownies. I cut them out into gingerbread men, but if you don’t have the effort in you, they’re awesome just in squares too. Full recipe here.

Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal Cracker Mix

I hope this Home Alone reference will resonate with people besides the 90’s kids! This is another salty sweet one with a free printable since the name is part of the fun here! Full recipe here.

Andes Mint Brownies

These recipes taste like you went full fancypants and iced them with a mint ganache. The real steps? Make a brownie mix, add some Andes mints on top while they’re warm, spread them out and cool them down. Full recipe here.

Hot Chocolate Cookies

These were a labor of love! I went through a lot of versions before landing on the easiest one ever that made the tastiest chocolate marshmallow cookie. Full recipe here.

Sweet and Salty Chocolate Chippers

Sweet and salty is where it’s at for me! These feature a super secret stay crispy glaze so your salties stay super crunchy in the cookie. Full recipe here.

Sugar Plum Fairy Cookies

I’ve always LOVED the idea of sugar plum everything. Sugar Plum candles? Yep! Sugar Plum lotion? I’m there! But then actual plums with sugar on it … umm, no thank you. It’s like I love the idea of hot buttered rum but do I actually want to drink hot rum with butter in it? So these are pretty and fruity and involve no actual plums. It’s the IDEA of sugar plums that make these delicious. An idea-based cookie, you know? Full recipe here.

What’s your cookie effort level feeling like this year? I’d love to hear in the comments!

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