Christmas cookies for kids
Discover our favourite Christmas cookie and biscuit recipes. Because they're easy enough for kids to help make, they're an ideal project to get the family feeling festive.
Nothing says Christmas like the aroma of sugar and spice, excited children and a bunch of well-used cookie cutters. All of these recipes have become firm family favourites and they also make great gifts for family and friends.
From charming snowmen to chocolate crinkle cookies, we've got plenty of cute ideas to get everyone in the festive spirit. For more inspiration, also check out our Christmas for kids recipes, Christmas biscuit recipes and Christmas baking ideas.
1. Snowman cookies
We created these cute cookies to celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Snowman and no one, young or old, will be able to resist. If your child's favourite part of baking is the decorating, then you can bake and freeze the biscuits ahead of time and bring them out for a winter's day activity.
Can't get enough of these friendly festive characters? Also try our melting snowman biscuits and snowman cake.
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2. Sugar cookies
These simple yet stunning iced sugar cookies are perfect for introducing your little ones to baking. Teach them how to mix up a basic biscuit dough and make some shapes with cookie cutters. These buttery biscuits only take 10 minutes to bake, but make sure to let them cool down before decorating. Kids will love getting creative with icing and sprinkles – show them how to use piping bags to make some pretty patterns.
3. Christmas chocolate crinkle cookies
What isn't there to love about crinkle cookies? With a rich, fudgy centre and sugar-dusted crispy edge, these chocolatey nuggets make the perfect bitesize snack. Try our extra-festive version with orange zest, mixed spice and cinnamon – delicious with a cup of tea or steaming hot chocolate.
Christmas chocolate crinkle cookies
Looking for more crinkle cookie inspiration? Try our classic chocolate fudge crinkle biscuits or mix it up with fun variations such as chocolate fudge sprinkle-crinkle biscuits and chocolate orange fudge crinkle biscuits.
4. Snow globe cookies
Looking for something to hang on the tree? These snow globe biscuits will look absolutely magical with fairy lights shining through the middles. They take a bit of effort but are a great project to occupy older kids. The cut-out biscuit centres are filled with crushed mints which melt in the oven to make a glass window effect. Finish with a scattering of edible sprinkles and stars, and you've have a dazzling decoration which is almost too pretty to eat!
5. Mince pie cookies
Mince pies and cookies are two of our favourite Christmas treats, so why not combine them? These fun festive biscuits incorporate mincemeat and dark chocolate chunks with a touch of cinnamon, giving them a rich, gooey centre and crispy outside. They are also great for using up any leftover mincemeat, so you'll be avoiding food waste as well as baking a tasty treat.
Try our mince pie brownies, mince pie baklava and cinnamon swirl mince pies for more festive foodie mash-ups.
6. Honey & spice cookies
Make the most of your Christmas cutters and take gingerbread to the next level with a special festive spice, the secret ingredient of these cookies. The spice can also be used in other recipes, including our Christmass latte, spiced buttercream and even chicken wings.
Kids will love cutting out the shapes and getting stuck into plenty of dipping fun. The dough makes around 35 cookies so everyone will get the chance for a bit of decorating.
7. Chocolate orange cookies
Chocolate orange is becoming an increasingly popular Christmassy dessert flavour and we're not surprised. The combo of rich dark milk chocolate with tangy citrus in these cookies is a delight, rounded off with a touch of sweetness from candied orange peel. Ready in just 30 minutes, they make a simple yet sophisticated looking gift.
Find more indulgent chocolate orange recipes.
8. Gingerbread cookies
It wouldn't be Christmas without gingerbread, so naturally we thought it best to recreate this popular festive bake in cookie form. Enriched with a fragrant mix of cinnamon, cloves and ginger spice, these moreish biscuits are sure to fill the house with festive aromas while baking.
Looking for more gingerbread ideas? Check out our ultimate easy gingerbread, vegan gingerbread and fun gingerbread jumpers.
9. Jammy star cookies
Set your little stars the challenge of making these joyously jammy cookie sandwiches. A festive take on the Jammie Dodger, these retro fruity bakes look dazzling but are pretty simple to make. Equipment-wise all you need are two shapes of cookie cutter and some piping bags to make the jammy icing filling. They are sure to have everyone going starry eyed!
also try out our indulgent British classic pudding, Queen of Puddings recipe.
10. Edible name place cookies
If you're entertaining on Christmas Day, here's a brilliant project to keep excited kids busy on Christmas Eve – edible place holders. They will love creating the finishing touches for the table. And if you haven't got time to start baking from scratch, they can decorate shop-bought cookies instead.
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We'd love to see your homemade creations! Tag us @bbcgoodfood and use #bbcgoodfood and we'll share some of our favourites.
