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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    27 Holiday Cookie Recipes Worth Baking Ahead of a Busy Week

    Published: Dec 16, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    The days leading up to the holidays have a habit of disappearing faster than expected. One moment you’re planning, and the next the week is nearly gone. These holiday cookie recipes are the kind you’ll be glad you baked before time slipped by. They bring familiar flavors, cozy aromas, and a small pause that makes the season feel real again.

    White Chocolate Oatmeal Holiday Cookies

    a black plate topped with three white chocolate oatmeal cookies.
    Chewy white chocolate oatmeal cookies that disappear quickly. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.


     

    Chewy oats and creamy white chocolate make these the kind of holiday cookie people grab before browsing the rest of the tray.
    Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Oatmeal Holiday Cookies

    Pumpkin Snickerdoodles for Busy Weeks

    A tray filled with cookies.
    Soft pumpkin snickerdoodles that vanish quickly. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

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    Soft pumpkin and cinnamon sugar turn these into a fast holiday bake that feels festive without slowing your week down.
    Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Snickerdoodles for Busy Weeks

    Raspberry Lemonade Holiday Cookies

    Bright raspberry lemonade cookies that disappear fast. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Bright berry flavor and citrus snap add a playful surprise that makes these worth clicking through for details.
    Get the Recipe: Raspberry Lemonade Holiday Cookies

    Frosted Pumpkin Cookies Worth the Wait

    Soft pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting that disappear fast. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Spiced pumpkin and creamy frosting deliver that bakery-style payoff people expect from holiday cookies.
    Get the Recipe: Frosted Pumpkin Cookies Worth the Wait

    Strawberry Sandwich Cookies for Holidays

    Buttery strawberry sandwich cookies that vanish quickly. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Jam-filled centers and buttery layers make these feel nostalgic and special without complicated steps.
    Get the Recipe: Strawberry Sandwich Cookies for Holidays

    Kitchen Sink Cookies for Holiday Crowds

    Cookies packed with chocolate, pretzels, and more that disappear quickly. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Packed with sweet and salty bites, these cookies reward anyone who clicks through to see what’s inside.
    Get the Recipe: Kitchen Sink Cookies for Holiday Crowds

    Old-Fashioned Walnut Holiday Cookies

    Tender cream cheese walnut cookies that disappear fast. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Soft, nutty, and timeless, these cookies are often baked first when holiday schedules fill up fast.
    Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Walnut Holiday Cookies

    Cowboy Cookies Made for the Holidays

    Oat, chocolate, and pecan cookies that disappear fast. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Hearty oats, chocolate, and pecans create a cookie that feels filling enough for long holiday days.
    Get the Recipe: Cowboy Cookies Made for the Holidays

    Pistachio Shortbread for Holiday Trays

    A tray filled with golden pistachio shortbread cookies and a small bowl of pistachios.
    Delicate, nutty pistachio shortbread that disappears quickly. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Buttery shortbread with pistachio crunch adds a polished option when cookie trays need variety.
    Get the Recipe: Pistachio Shortbread for Holiday Trays

    Apple Butter Thumbprints for Christmas

    Apple butter-filled thumbprints rolled in cinnamon sugar. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

    Warm spice and apple butter filling give these thumbprints a comforting, bakery-style appeal.
    Get the Recipe: Apple Butter Thumbprints for Christmas

    Banana Oatmeal Cookies for the Holidays

    Soft banana oatmeal cookies with chewy texture. Photo credit: The Kitchen Magpie.

    Soft banana flavor and hearty oats make these ideal when you want something cozy and familiar.
    Get the Recipe: Banana Oatmeal Cookies for the Holidays

    Funfetti Cookies That Brighten Holidays

    A skillet of chicken thighs with olives and grapes.
    Colorful Funfetti cookies that disappear fast. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    Bright sprinkles and soft texture make these especially tempting when scrolling holiday cookie ideas.
    Get the Recipe: Funfetti Cookies That Brighten Holidays

    Lime Cornmeal Cookies for Holiday Baking

    Cornmeal Lime Cookies Worth Sneaking First. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Citrus glaze and tender cornmeal crumb give these cookies a fresh twist during busy baking weeks.
    Get the Recipe: Lime Cornmeal Cookies for Holiday Baking

    Classic Sugar Cookies for Holiday Plans

    A baking tray filled with decorated holiday sugar cookies, including Christmas trees, snowflakes, stars, a bell, a gingerbread person, and a snowman, all with colorful icing and sprinkles.

    These cut-out classics are often the first cookies planned when holiday calendars start filling up.
    Get the Recipe: Classic Sugar Cookies for Holiday Plans

    Triple Chocolate Cookies for December

    Triple Chocolate Cookies You Can’t Wait For. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Rich chocolate layers make these cookies irresistible when you need one more standout bake.
    Get the Recipe: Triple Chocolate Cookies for December

    Carrot Cake Cookies to Bake Before the Week Ends

    A marble platter with cream cheese filled carrot cake cookiees
    Carrot Cake Cookies for Early Thanksgiving Treats. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Spiced, soft, and topped with frosting, these cookies feel like a shortcut to holiday baking success.
    Get the Recipe: Carrot Cake Cookies for Early Thanksgiving Treats

    Lemon Curd Cookies Worth Making This Week

    Sneaky Lemon Curd Cookies for Thanksgiving. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Bright citrus flavor cuts through rich holiday treats, making these a standout in any cookie spread.
    Get the Recipe: Zesty Lemon Curd Cookies Everyone Loves

    Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies to Bake Now

    Two plates with chocolate chip cookies, one with two cookies on a gray cloth and the other with five cookies. Small pretzel pieces are scattered on the surface nearby.
    Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies to Sneak Early. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Sweet dough, salty pretzels, and chocolate chips make these disappear faster than planned.
    Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies Gone Fast

    Oatmeal Krispie Cookies to Bake Before Busy Days

    Crispy Rice Krispie Oatmeal Cookies Sneakable. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Part chewy, part crunchy, these cookies feel nostalgic and practical when time is short.
    Get the Recipe: Crispy Rice Krispie Oatmeal Cookies

    Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread to Bake Ahead

    Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread You’ll Want Early. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Elegant but simple, these buttery cookies look impressive without taking over your schedule.
    Get the Recipe: Chocolate-Dipped Shortbrea

    Oatmeal Coconut Cookies to Make Before Holidays

    Oatmeal Coconut Raisin Cookies Sneak-Worthy. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Hearty oats and coconut deliver a bake-once cookie that lasts through busy holiday weeks.
    Get the Recipe: Oatmeal Coconut Raisin Cookies Sneak-Worthy

    Chocolate Pecan Cookies to Bake Before Christmas

    Double Chocolate Pecan Cookies to Sneak Early. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

    Rich chocolate and toasted nuts make these feel like a splurge worth planning ahead.
    Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Pecan Cookies to Sneak Early

    White Chocolate Haystacks for Last-Minute Wins

    An individual haystack cookie.
    White Chocolate Haystacks Worth Sneaking. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    No oven required, these are perfect when you want holiday treats without rearranging your day.
    Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Haystacks Worth Sneaking

    Glazed Strawberry Cookies to Brighten the Table

    Five strawberry scones topped with white icing drizzle are arranged on a round cooling rack—a delightful quick dessert, with part of a gray cloth napkin visible to the side.
    Glazed Strawberry Cookies to Sneak Early. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Colorful and sweet, these cookies add something unexpected to classic holiday spreads.
    Get the Recipe: Glazed Strawberry Cookies to Sneak Early

    Almond Sugar Cookies to Bake Before Schedules Fill

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

    Simple, classic, and versatile, these cookies fit any holiday tray with zero stress.
    Get the Recipe: Almond Sugar Cookies You’ll Sneak Before Dinner

    Lemon Shortbread Bites to Bake Ahead of Time

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

    Light and buttery, these small bites are ideal for early baking and easy sharing.
    Get the Recipe: Lemon Shortbread Bites Perfect for Sneaking

    Iced Oatmeal Cookies to Bake Before It’s Late

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

    Old-fashioned spice and icing make these feel comforting when holiday weeks get hectic.
    Get the Recipe: Iced Oatmeal Cookies to Sneak Early

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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.

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