29 Christmas Cookies Perfect for Making Ahead

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The holidays are creeping up, and the kitchen is calling for some serious festive prep. These Christmas treats are perfect for baking ahead, letting flavors meld while saving you last-minute stress. Imagine filling your home with sweet scents and knowing that your cookie stash is ready to go. Planning ahead with Christmas cookies today means more time for cozy moments and holiday cheer later.

Make-Ahead Peppermint Chocolate Cookies

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

Fudgy chocolate cookies with a peppermint twist—perfect to prep early for holiday trays.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Chocolate Cookies Grandma Saved for Guests

Crispy Oatmeal Cookies to Prep Now

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

Crunchy edges and soft centers make these oatmeal cookies perfect to bake ahead for holiday gifting.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Rice Oatmeal Cookies from Grandma’s Tin

Bright Lime Christmas Cookies to Prep Early

Cornmeal Lime Cookies With Lime Glaze. Photo credit: Easy Southern Desserts.

Buttery cornmeal cookies with a zesty lime glaze—make ahead for a fresh holiday surprise.
Get the Recipe: Cornmeal Lime Cookies from Grandma’s Pantry

Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies to Make Ahead

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

Classic shortbread cookies with chocolate chips—prep now for buttery holiday indulgence.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Chocolate Chip Shortbread from Grandma’s Tin

Triple Chocolate Cookies to Prep Today

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

Decadent triple chocolate cookies you can make ahead—perfect for cookie exchanges.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Triple Chocolate Cookie Secret

Pumpkin Spice Cookies to Make Ahead

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

Soft pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting—make ahead to enjoy cozy holiday flavors.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Cookies from Grandma’s Fall Kitchen

No-Bake Haystack Cookies for Holidays

Four Ingredient Haystack Cookies With White Chocolate. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Quick no-bake cookies you can prep now—perfect crunchy and creamy holiday treats.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Haystacks Just Like Grandma Made

Eggnog Cookies to Make Ahead

Frosted Eggnog Cookies. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Soft spiced eggnog cookies with glaze—make ahead to wow guests on Christmas day.
Get the Recipe: Eggnog Glaze Christmas Cookies

Ultimate Make-Ahead Kitchen Sink Cookies

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

Loaded with chocolate and festive mix-ins—prep ahead for the ultimate holiday treat.
Get the Recipe: Ultimate Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies

Classic Sugar Cookies Made Ahead

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.

Soft cut-out cookies ready to decorate—prep ahead and spread festive cheer easily.
Get the Recipe: Make-Ahead Holiday Sugar Cookies

Cranberry Pistachio Cookies to Prep Now

Overhead view of several cranberry pistachio shortbread cookies on a cooling rack and baking tray, surrounded by shelled pistachios and dried cranberries.
Dried Cranberry Shortbread Cookies With Pistachios. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Elegant cranberry pistachio shortbread—make ahead for an impressive holiday cookie tray.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread from Grandma’s Tin

Raspberry Lemon Cookies to Make Ahead

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

Bright raspberry-lemon cookies you can prep today—perfect for holiday dessert trays.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Lemon Cookies Grandma Would Love

S’mores Cookies to Make Ahead for Holidays

Easy S’mores Cookies With Graham Cracker Crumbs. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cookies—prep ahead for festive holiday fun.
Get the Recipe: Classic S’mores Cookies from Grandma’s Campfire

Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies to Prep Now

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

Soft, chewy peanut butter cookies—make ahead to fill stockings and cookie plates.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Treats

Make-Ahead Almond Sugar Christmas Cookies

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

Delicate almond cookies you can prep early for holiday trays.
Get the Recipe: Make-Ahead Almond Sugar Christmas Cookies

Quick 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

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

Soft, three-ingredient peanut butter cookies ready for make-ahead baking.
Get the Recipe: Quick 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Festive Confetti Cookies to Prep Early

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

Colorful sprinkle cookies that can be baked ahead for Christmas trays.
Get the Recipe: Festive Confetti Cookies to Prep Early

Strawberry Shortcake Cookies to Make Ahead

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

Bright glazed strawberry cookies perfect for prepping in advance.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Cookies to Make Ahead

Lemon Shortbread Cookies Ready in Advance

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

Buttery lemon shortbread you can bake ahead for holiday parties.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Shortbread Cookies Ready in Advance

Iced Oatmeal Cookies to Prep Early

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

Sweet iced oatmeal cookies you can make ahead for holiday trays.
Get the Recipe: Iced Oatmeal Cookies to Prep Early

Soft Peanut Butter Cookies to Bake Ahead

Soft Cake Mix Peanut Butter Cookies. Photo credit: Walking On Sunshine Recipes.

Chewy peanut butter cookies you can make in advance for Christmas.
Get the Recipe: Soft Peanut Butter Cookies to Bake Ahead

Chocolate Coconut Almond Make-Ahead Cookies

Chocolate, coconut, and almond cookies perfect for early bites. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Chocolate, coconut, and almond cookies you can prep ahead for holiday trays.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Coconut Almond Make-Ahead Cookies

Double Chocolate Pecan Cookies to Prep Early

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

Rich double chocolate cookies with pecans you can bake ahead.
Get the Recipe: Double Chocolate Pecan Cookies to Prep Early

Classic Pistachio Shortbread to Make Ahead

A plate of round pistachio shortbread cookies arranged around a bowl of shelled pistachios.
Pistachio Shortbread Cookies. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Nutty pistachio shortbreads you can bake ahead for holiday trays.
Get the Recipe: Classic Pistachio Shortbread to Make Ahead

Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies Ahead

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

Warm apple butter thumbprints you can make ahead for Christmas.
Get the Recipe: Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies Ahead

Strawberry Sandwich Cookies to Prep Early

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

Creamy strawberry sandwich cookies perfect for make-ahead Christmas trays.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Sandwich Cookies to Prep Early

White Chocolate Oatmeal Make-Ahead Cookies

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

Oatmeal cookies with white chocolate chunks ready for holiday prep.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Oatmeal Make-Ahead Cookies

Banana Oatmeal Cookies Ready to Prep

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

Soft banana oatmeal cookies perfect for make-ahead holiday trays.
Get the Recipe: Banana Oatmeal Cookies Ready to Prep

Zesty Lemon Curd Cookies to Make Ahead

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

Bright lemon curd cookies you can prep in advance for Christmas trays.
Get the Recipe: Zesty Lemon Curd Cookies to Make Ahead

18 Holiday Cakes That Belong on Every Dessert Table in the South

Down here, dessert tables are serious business once the holidays roll around. From rich layers of buttercream to slices of sweet, spiced perfection, every gathering has that one cake everyone talks about long after the party ends.
Grab it here: 18 Holiday Cakes That Belong on Every Dessert Table in the South

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