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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    23 Christmas Cookies Made for the Busiest Part of December

    Published: Dec 13, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    December tends to move fast, especially once cookie season kicks into high gear. These Christmas cookies are made for the busiest stretch of the month, when time feels short but traditions still matter. Simple steps and familiar flavors keep baking from becoming overwhelming. Each batch fits right into packed schedules without losing that festive feeling.

    Eggnog Cookies for Busy December Baking

    Frosted Eggnog Cookies. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.


     

    Soft, warmly spiced cookies with a quick glaze that feels festive without slowing you down.
    Get the Recipe: Eggnog Glaze Christmas Cookies

    Triple Chocolate Cookies That Save Time

    Triple Chocolate Cookies With Grated Chocolate. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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    Rich, bakery-style cookies that look impressive but come together fast on packed schedules.
    Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Triple Chocolate Cookie Secret

    Confetti Cookies for Fast Holiday Trays

    confetti cookies stacked.
    Confetti Cookies. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Bright, buttery cookies that bake quickly and instantly dress up any Christmas spread.
    Get the Recipe: Festive Confetti Cookies for Christmas Tables

    Glazed Strawberry Cookies for Busy Bakers

    glazed strawberry cookies spread out on a baking rack.
    Glazed Strawberry Shortcake Cookies With Fresh Strawberries. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    A pop of color and flavor that feels special without adding extra holiday stress.
    Get the Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Cookies for the Holidays

    Double Chocolate Pecan Cookies Made Simple

    A rack of chocolate chunk cookies.
    Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies With Pecans. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Deep chocolate flavor and crunch that deliver big payoff for minimal prep time.
    Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Pecan Christmas Treats

    Pumpkin Spice Cookies for December Rush

    A stake of pumpkin frosted cookies.
    Pumpkin Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Soft, spiced cookies with creamy frosting that bring cozy flavor without all-day baking.
    Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Cookies from Grandma’s Fall Kitchen

    No-Bake Haystacks for December Crunch Time

    A close-up of a chocolate cupcake with white whipped frosting, topped with crumbled cookies and a halved chocolate sandwich cookie, sitting in a white paper liner—perfect for fans of cheesecake desserts.
    Four Ingredient Haystack Cookies With White Chocolate. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Fast, no-oven cookies that are perfect when your holiday to-do list is overflowing.
    Get the Recipe: No-Bake Haystacks Just Like Grandma Made

    3-Ingredient Cookies for Holiday Emergencies

    Quick And Easy Cake Mix Peanut Butter Cookies. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    When time is tight, these quick cookies deliver holiday cheer with almost no effort.
    Get the Recipe: Grandma’s 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

    Kitchen Sink Cookies for Busy December Nights

    Two kitchen sink cookies on a plate.
    Sweet And Salty Kitchen Sink Cookies. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    When December gets hectic, these loaded cookies save the day with sweet, salty, no-planning-required bites everyone grabs first.
    Get the Recipe: Ultimate Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

    Sugar Cookies That Fit Packed Schedules

    A hand sprinkling red, green, and white holiday sprinkles over a star-shaped sugar cookie with white royal icing on a cooling rack.

    These classic cut-outs are perfect for busy December days, with dough you can prep ahead and decorate whenever time allows.
    Get the Recipe: Make-Ahead Holiday Sugar Cookies

    Cranberry Shortbread for Fast Holiday Trays

    Christmas cookies made for the busiest part of December, these treats with pistachios and dried cranberries are cooling on a metal rack, while whole pistachios and cranberries add festive color to the textured surface nearby.
    Dried Cranberry Shortbread Cookies With Pistachios. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Slice-and-bake shortbread makes December easier, delivering buttery cookies that look impressive without extra effort.
    Get the Recipe: Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread from Grandma’s Tin

    Raspberry Lemon Cookies for Busy Hosts

    Lemonade cookies on a dessert plate.
    Pink Lemonade Cookies With Raspberry Lemon Filling. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Bright flavors and bold color make these cookies feel special, even when December baking time is in short supply.
    Get the Recipe: Raspberry Lemon Cookies Grandma Would Love

    S’mores Cookies for Cozy December Breaks

    Grilled chicken skewers with a glossy, seasoned glaze are arranged on a white plate, showing juicy, golden-brown pieces of chicken threaded onto wooden sticks and garnished with herbs—perfect for fans of air fryer recipes.
    Easy S’mores Cookies With Graham Cracker Crumbs. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    These oven-ready cookies deliver campfire comfort fast, perfect for busy nights when you still want something warm and fun.
    Get the Recipe: Classic S’mores Cookies from Grandma’s Campfire

    Peanut Butter Cookies for Nonstop Days

    peanut butter pretzel cookies on a wire rack.
    Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Chewy, salty-sweet cookies come together quickly, making them ideal for busy December snack trays and gift tins.
    Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Treats

    Peppermint Fudge Cookies When Time Is Tight

    Fudgy White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Rich chocolate and cool peppermint create instant holiday flair without complicated steps or long prep time.
    Get the Recipe: Peppermint Chocolate Cookies Grandma Saved for Guests

    Crunchy Oatmeal Cookies for Busy Bakers

    A batch of Rice Krispie oatmeal cookies on a rack.
    Chewy Rice Krispie Oatmeal Cookies. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    With pantry staples and quick baking time, these crunchy cookies are a smart pick for packed December calendars.
    Get the Recipe: Crispy Rice Oatmeal Cookies from Grandma’s Tin

    Zesty Lime Cookies for Cookie Burnout

    Individual challah buns on a wooden board.
    Cornmeal Lime Cookies With Lime Glaze. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    When December desserts feel repetitive, these quick lime-glazed cookies wake up tired taste buds fast.
    Get the Recipe: Cornmeal Lime Cookies from Grandma’s Pantry

    Iced Oatmeal Cookies for Busy Mornings

    Iced Oatmeal Cookies to Sneak Early. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Soft centers and crackly icing make these cookies irresistible, even when December mornings start early.
    Get the Recipe: Iced Oatmeal Cookies for Holiday Tables

    Strawberry Sandwich Cookies for Fast Wow

    strawberry sandwich cookies on a dark background.
    Soft And Chewy Strawberry Sandwich Cookies. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Sweet filling and soft cookies create bakery-style results without slowing down your December plans.
    Get the Recipe: Strawberry Sandwich Cookies for Christmas

    White Chocolate Cookies for Busy Weeks

    White Chocolate Cookie Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    These hearty oatmeal cookies balance sweetness and speed, perfect for December baking between errands and events.
    Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Oatmeal Holiday Cookies

    Chocolate Chip Shortbread for No-Fuss Days

    Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Simple ingredients and sliceable dough make these cookies a lifesaver during packed December baking sessions.
    Get the Recipe: Buttery Chocolate Chip Shortbread from Grandma’s Tin

    Almond Sugar Cookies for Quick Treats

    Almond Sugar Cookies You’ll Sneak Before Dinner. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Light almond flavor and fast prep make these cookies easy wins during December’s busiest weeks.
    Get the Recipe: Almond Sugar Cookies for Holiday Tables

    Lemon Shortbread Bites for Busy Parties

    Lemon Shortbread Bites Perfect for Sneaking. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    These small, buttery bites bake quickly and disappear even faster at December gatherings.
    Get the Recipe: Lemon Shortbread Bites for Christmas

    27 Classic Christmas Cookies People Keep Making Every Year

    A collage of three close-up images of chocolate chip cookies with visible chocolate chunks and nuts on wire racks and plates. The cookies look golden-brown, chewy, and freshly baked.

    Every year when the holidays roll in, I swear certain Christmas treats just sneak back into the kitchen like they own the place. It’s funny how people go right back to the same classic flavors and those cookies that never seem to stop showing up.
    Grab it here: 27 Classic Christmas Cookies People Keep Making Every Year

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    Barbara holds a tote bag filled with flowers, baguettes, and fresh produce at an indoor market.

    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

    More about me →

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