If You're Not Making Sugar 'Cookie Trees' This Season, You're Not Doing Christmas Right

If there were an official season for cookies, it would definitely be the Christmas season. Not only is baking cookies a perfect winter activity, they also make great gifts for your foodie friends or contributions to Christmas parties. Luckily, we've rounded up the best Christmas cookies for you to bake this season, including German Christmas cookies, Italian Christmas cookies, and even some cookies you can make ahead of time. Of course, once they have cooled, it's time to get down to business and decorate the Christmas cookies, such as drizzling icing on top or dipping in chocolate with sprinkles!

We all know that Santa isn't the only one who will be munching on these delicious Christmas treats. From bar cookies to traditional sugar cookies and gingerbread men, there's something on this list for everyone. Whether you're bringing a platter to a cookie exchange or planning to devour the whole batch yourself (we support you!), these recipes bring the perfect amount of cheer to the Christmas season. Plus, these festive cookies, alongside other Christmas desserts are the perfect way to end any holiday dinner that you may be having. It's time to bake!

The secret to these traditional Austrian cookies is using a high-quality jam. Trust us, they taste just as good as they look.

Get the Linzer Stars recipe.

Don't these green cookies with a light dusting of sugar just scream Christmas? We'd bet no one else will bring something this creative to the cookie exchange this year.

Get the Matcha Snowball Cookies recipe.

The classic cake, now in cookie form. Honestly, who wouldn't want a chocolate cookie topped with whipped cream and cherries?

Get the Black Forest Cookies recipe.

No, you don't have to be a pro baker to pull off these picture-perfect cookies. Just use a cookie press!

Get the Chocolate Spritz Sandwiches recipe.

Skip the store-bought biscotti. These crunchy cookies feature ginger, orange zest, dried cranberries and pistachios for extra flair. They also pair perfectly with coffee.

Get the Cranberry-Pistachio Cornmeal Biscotti recipe.

Your favorite ice cream flavor, now in cookie form. These eye-catching cookies are easier to make than you think

Get the Neapolitan Cookies recipe.

These mini-pastries are made with spiced sugar, jam, and toasted walnuts, all rolled up in a perfectly buttery, flaky crust.

Get the Jammy Walnut Rugelach recipe.

Shh... no one has to know the madeleines are store-bought. Dip 'em in melted chocolate and sprinkle with chopped cranberries and pistachios so they look (and taste!) homemade.

Get the White Chocolate-Dipped Madeleines recipe.

"Glue" a stack of sugar cookies together with royal icing to create the perfect edible pine.

Get the Sugar Cookie Trees recipe.

Cookies or candies? No matter what you call them, they're delicious (gluten-free!) minty bites that are easy to make.

Get the Peppermint Meringues recipe.

RELATED: 25 Gluten-Free Desserts That Will Be the Hit of Any Party

Here, your base for epic holiday decorations.

Get the Basic Sugar Cookies recipe.

We skipped the cream cheese for chocolate chips to really double down on the deep flavor. Red food coloring make these fit for Christmas!

Get the Red Velvet Cookies recipe.

Make Basic Sugar Cookies but add 1 tsp grated lemon zest along with egg and vanilla. Cut and bake as directed. Once cool, make the Lemon Glaze: In a bowl, combine 1 cup confectioners’ sugar and 2 Tbsp lemon juice until smooth. Spoon over cookies. Let set, about 1 hour.

Wrap chocolate cookie dough around caramel candies for the best-ever surprise inside.

Get the Chocolate Caramel Cookies recipe.

Skip the flour to achieve a deliciously chewy (and extra chocolatey) bite.

Get the Flourless Chocolate-Walnut Cookies recipe.

Cut Sugar Cookie Dough into trees. When cool, dip half of each tree in melted dark chocolate and sprinkle with multi-colored sanding sugar.

Not a fan of gingerbread? You can still make (and eat!) this house.

Get the Mint Chocolate Cookie Dough recipe.

They may look store-bought, but with the help of a cookie press, these buttery treats are super simple to make at home.

Get the Christmas Spritz Cookies recipe.

These buttery, flaky bites are the perfect ending to any holiday dinner.

Get the Pecan-Apricot Rugelach recipe.

Is there anything better than chocolate and peanut butter?

Get the Old-School Peanut Butter Cookie Sandwiches recipe.

Cut Sugar Cookie Dough into rounds. With the smaller cutter, cut middles out of rounds. When cool, spread with frosting and decorate with red and green sprinkles.

Make Basic Sugar Cookies but reduce flour to 2 1/2 cups and add 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa. Drizzle cookies with 4 oz melted white chocolate. Sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies.

Chunky peanut butter lovers, this one's for you.

Get the Chunky Nut Butter Cookies recipe.

For smaller celebrations, bake one big, gooey cookie for just a few people to share. Top with ice cream, of course!

Get the Skillet Cookie Sundaes recipe.

Make Basic Sugar Cookies but fold in 1 cup finely chopped pecans before rolling. Combine ¼ cup granulated sugar and 1 tsp ground cinnamon and sprinkle over cookies before baking.

Light, bright lemon desserts are ideal after a heavy Christmas meal.

Get the Meyer Lemon Madeleines recipe.

RELATED: 33 Most Delicious Lemon Desserts to Help Celebrate Warmer Weather

Why should vegans miss out on the fun? You can make a warm batch of cookies 100% free of animal products.

Get the Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.

RELATED: 26 Easy Vegan Desserts That Taste Like the Real Deal

These precious cookies are sure to turn your after-dinner tea into a meal of its own.

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Get the White Chocolate and Lavender Madeleines recipe.

If you want, whip up the mouth-watering brown sugar frosting, too.

Get the Soft Apple Spice Cookies recipe.

Filled with gooey apple center, they're just like mini apple pies!

Get the Oatmeal Cookie Cups recipe.

Now these are our kind of shots. Take your milk and cookies up a level by filling these cute cookie cups with milk.

Get the Cookie Shooters recipe.

A healthy dessert that tastes like an indulgent treat? We all tend to over-eat during the holidays, but you don't have to think twice about grabbing another one of these veggie cookies.

Get the Sweet & Salty Zucchini Bread Cookies recipe.

Using almond flour will give your cookies a deliciously flaky and crumbly texture.

Get the Nutty Shortbread Cookies recipe.

Upgrade the holiday classic by sandwiching gingerbread cookies with decadent milk chocolate frosting.

Get the Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies recipe.

RELATED: 28 Best Gingerbread Cookie Recipes of All Time

Baked with protein and fiber, these are some cookies that you don't have to feel guilty about eating for breakfast.

Get the Pumpkin-Cherry Cookies recipe.

One cookie for you, one for the tree.

Get the Sugar Cookie Ornaments recipe.

Sure, you might be the only one in the family that loves Grandma's fruitcake (besides Grandma, of course!), but these cookies will win everyone over. Trust.

Get the Fruitcake Cookies recipe.

Why do we call these Christmas candy, you ask? It might have something to do with the pretzel, coconut, toffee, chocolate and caramel piled on top of the shortbread cookie.

Get the Christmas "Candy" Bars recipe.

It's what's on the inside that counts. Wrap each cookie in a personalized paper envelope to gift to all your loved ones this holiday season.

Get the Jam Sandwich Cookies recipe.

Everyone needs a good cut-out cookie recipe, and this one's super simple. Once they're cool, frost, glaze and decorate to your heart's content. Or, keep 'em plain (they taste just as great!).

Get the Traditional Cutouts recipe.

The recipe for an easy Christmas treat: Three ingredients, five minutes and zero frustration.

Get the No-Bake Waffle Dippers recipe.

For a more sophisticated — yet still magical! — take on gingerbread, slice up rolled-out dough with a pizza wheel and cover with sprinkles.

Get the Gingerbread Wands recipe.

The secret to these pretty-in-pink white chocolate cookies? Raspberry powder.

Get the White Chocolate Raspberry Thins recipe.

Don't forget to serve these cinnamon, ginger and cardamom-spiced cookies with a piping hot cup of tea.

Get the Chai Trees and Snowflake Cookies recipe.

These cookies look like snow-covered crescent moons. How dreamy!

Get the Walnut Crescent Cookies recipe.

Skip the bag of pistachios this year — try these nutty chocolate cookies instead.

Get the Slice and Bake Chocolate and Pistachio Cookies recipe.

If you like chocolate-covered orange rinds, you'll love this white chocolate-dipped cookie version. Talk about impressive.

Get the Chocolate-Citrus Cran Wheels recipe.

Dulce de leche is like caramel made from sweetened milk, so it's pretty much perfect on its own. Sandwich it between two buttery cookies and presto, you won the cookie swap.

Get the Dulce de Leche Sandwich Cookies recipe.

Or, drop a spoonful of the gooey caramel sauce into the center of a chewy chocolate cookie made from Chocolate Truffle Dough.

Matcha (green tea powder) was the hip ingredient of the year — and now you can add it to your cookies.

Get the Matcha Spritz recipe.

We call them pillows because of how they melt in your mouth, a pleasant side effect of using creamy ricotta in the batter.

Get the Lemony Ricotta Pillows recipe.

Keep it classic this holiday season with these versatile shortbread goodies.

Get the Shortbread Squares recipe.

You knew you bought that thyme plant for a reason ... cookies!

Get the Lemon Thyme Herb Cookies recipe.

You'll never believe how simple these rainbow meringues are to make. Choose from almond, lemon, mint and blueberry, or get creative with your own add-ins.

Get the Merry Meringues recipe.

Be the MVP of your cookie swap with these cute treats made with warm, spiced dough.

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Get the Winter Spice Dough recipe.

Our honey-kissed thumbprints are a delicious update to the classic Swedish cookie. Pick your favorite jam for the filling or better yet, Nutella.

Get the Razzy-Jammy Thumbprints recipe.

Do these cookies come in double-stuffed? The choice is yours.

Get the Ginger and Cream Sandwich Cookies recipe.

Fold a bit of cocoa powder and melted chocolate to transform sugar cookie dough into — wait for it — chocolate.

Get the Cocoa Stars recipe.

Sometimes you need a sophisticated spice cookie that's not shaped like a gingerbread man or Christmas tree. Enter these sparkly little guys.

Get the Spiced Drops recipe.

No cookie press? Transfer dough to a piping bag (or Ziploc!) to squeeze out pretty rippled shapes.

Get the Chocolate-Almond Tea Cookies recipe.

Wear your heart on your sleeve with these adorable Santa treats. Just grab a heart-shaped cookie cutter and make basic sugar cookies. With white frosting, add Santa's beard and eyes. Then use red frosting to add Santa's hat and rosy nose. Add the finishing touches with another round of white frosting for the hat and a dot of black frosting for the pupils.

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Roll dough in chopped pecans and walnuts before baking to add a hit of saltiness that pairs perfectly with a sweet jammy center.

Get the Jammy Thumbprints recipe.

How are we updating the classic cutout cookie? With subtle almond and vanilla flavors, plus a crazy-simple decorative glaze.

Get the Glazed Vanilla-Almond Cutout Cookies recipe.

Transform a classic gingerbread man into Rudolph and his pals. Use brown and white frosting to create the reindeer head and antlers. Top it off with Red Hots or red M&M's for Rudolph's famous nose.

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Customize these chewy gluten-free cookies with your choice of chips, whether that's milk, dark, white, butterscotch — you name it.

Get the Chocolate Volcano Cookies recipe.

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are kinda good for you, right? That means these cookies are, too.

Get the PB and J Pinwheels recipe.

What's really behind the best-ever holiday cookies? A super reliable dough that never lets you down.

Get the Vanilla Sugar Dough recipe.

Can't decide if the fam deserves coal this year? Sprinkle a little dark black cocoa powder onto red velvet crinkles to give them a hint.

Get the Black and Red Crinkle Cookies recipe.

Dunk these cookies into peppermint mocha for a fully caffeinated treat.

Get the Mocha Men and Star Cookies recipe.

Arrange any type of cookie (or baked good!) into a wreath and add an assortment of bows and ornaments for an instant dose of holiday cheer.

Get the Pinecone Brownie Wreath recipe from Country Living.

Royal icing is beautiful and all, but by our third batch of cookies, we just want to sprinkle some confectioner's sugar over everything and call it a day.

Get the Pecan Snowflake Cookies recipe from Country Living.

This is the sweetest way to show off an ugly Christmas sweater.

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Get the Polar Bear Sugar Cookies recipe from Woman's Day.

No baking needed to make these ultra easy (and keto-friendly) cookies!

Get the Keto Peanut Butter Cookies recipe from Delish.

It's spritz season: The time has finally come for you to dust off your trusty cookie press.

Get the Cream Cheese Spritzes recipe from Woman's Day.

Take your traditional chocolate chip cookies up a notch by adding cardamom, brown butter and some creamy pumpkin.

Get the Brown Butter Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe from A Cookie Named Desire.

You may know these fruity and cake-y cookies as Sicilian fig cookies or cucidati. And if you don't recognize the name, you'll certainly recognize the sweet-and-sour taste, thanks to the fresh lemon zest in this recipe!

Get the Italian Fig Cookies recipe from Saving Room for Dessert.

Maybe sugar isn't your thing. Maybe you want a cheesy cookie stuffed with a red currant jam. We understand you.

Get the Pimiento-Cheese Tea Cookies recipe from Woman's Day.

What's small and white and filled with rum? These boozy pumpkin spice balls, that's what. Did we mention they're no bake?

Get the Pumpkin Spice Rum Balls recipe at Will Cook for Smiles.

Smashed candies, sprinkles, and sanding sugar light up these icy blue and mint bulb cookies.

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Get the Christmas Light Sugar Cookies recipe from Country Living.

These sweet-and-salty cookies are loaded with chocolate chips, pretzels, sprinkles and potato chips.

Get the Santa's Trash Cookies recipe from Delish.

You know what'll make these adorable treats taste even better? A massive mug of hot chocolate.

Get the Mini Hot Cocoa Brownie Cups recipe from Delish.

Thick, chewy, and perfectly spiced — that's how we like our ginger cookies.

Get the Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies recipe from Gimme Some Oven.

Let's not forget about Hanukkah cookies either.

Get the Halva Rugelach recipe from My Name Is Yeh.

RELATED: 30 Traditional Hanukkah Foods to Complete Your Holiday Dinner

If you're from the South, you know that pecans are a holiday staple. And if have no clue what we're talking about, then try these cookies and see for yourself.

Get the Pecan Shortbread Cookies recipe from Country Living.

Have you ever seen a more lovable cookie? Almost makes us feel bad about eating them ...

Get the M&M Gingerbread Cookies recipe from Erica's Sweet Tooth.

Eat these dainty cookies freshly baked if you like em' thin and crispy or wait a day if you prefer the chew factor.

Get the Almond Lace Sandwich Cookies recipe from Love and Olive Oil.

Mint and cream icing swirls make the perfect snowy scene on gingerbread trees.

Get the Swirly Gingerbread Trees recipe.

Because cake batter is appropriate for every holiday.

Get the Cake Batter Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe at Sally's Baking Addiction.

These decadent cookies are a little bit naughty (crunchy shell) and a little bit nice (fudgey inside). We like.

Get the Chocolate Crinkle Cookies recipe from Woman's Day.

Reinvent the "dunking" process so you can have your cookies and your milk, too.

Get the Milk and Cookie Shots recipe from Delish.