10 Easy Holiday Cookie Recipes Kids Can Make Together | Fun Family Baking Ideas

Hello, fellow busy parents! 🎄 The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to keep little hands busy while creating magical memories than baking cookies together? I’ve gathered 10 foolproof holiday cookie recipes that are perfect for baking with kids. Each recipe is tested, simple, and designed to make your kitchen the coziest place this season.

The holidays are the perfect time to spend cozy moments with your family in the kitchen. And what better way to make memories than by baking cookies together? Whether you’re making thumbprint jam cookies 🍓 or chocolate-dipped pretzel rods, these easy recipes will keep your little ones busy and excited. And if you’re looking for even more fun ideas to keep the kids entertained on those snowy days, be sure to check out our post on 20 Activities to Do on Snow Days—perfect for pairing with these tasty holiday treats!

Don’t forget to pin this post for later or share it with your friends—baking is always more fun with company! Let’s dive in.

1. Classic Sugar Cookies with a Twist 🍪

Perfect for holiday decorating and gift-giving!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 8-10 minutes
Kid-Friendly Tasks: Rolling dough balls, decorating with sprinkles

Ingredients:

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Colored sugar or sprinkles for decorating

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another. Combine gradually.
3. Let kids roll the dough into small balls and flatten them slightly.
4. Sprinkle with colored sugar or sprinkles.
5. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are golden.

Mom Tip: Set up a sprinkle station using a muffin tin—each cup can hold different colored sprinkles and contain the mess!

2. No-Bake Chocolate Oat Cookies 🍫

Great for impatient bakers who can’t wait for cookies!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Set Time: 30 minutes
Kid-Friendly Tasks: Measuring ingredients, scooping onto wax paper

Ingredients:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ½ cup milk
• 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 3 cups quick oats
• 1 cup peanut butter (or nut-free alternative)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, melt sugar, butter, milk, and cocoa over medium heat. Boil for 1 minute.
2. Remove from heat and stir in oats, peanut butter, and vanilla.
3. Let kids scoop spoonfuls onto wax paper.
4. Cool for 20-30 minutes until firm.

Mom Tip: Use an ice cream scoop for uniform cookies and easier handling by little hands.

3. Easy Thumbprint Jam Cookies 🍓

Look fancy but are surprisingly simple!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 12-15 minutes
Kid-Friendly Tasks: Rolling balls, making thumbprints, filling with jam

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup fruit jam (any flavor)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and sugar, then add vanilla and flour.
3. Roll dough into small balls and place on a baking sheet.
4. Have kids press their thumbs into the center of each ball.
5. Fill the indents with a small amount of jam.
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden.

Mom Tip: Use the back of a measuring spoon for uniform indentations.

4. Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Rods ⭐

A no-bake favorite that’s perfect for gifting!

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Set Time: 30 minutes
Kid-Friendly Tasks: Dipping pretzels, adding decorations

Ingredients:

• 1 bag pretzel rods
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• Assorted sprinkles or crushed candy canes

Instructions:

1. Melt chocolate chips and white chocolate in separate bowls.
2. Let kids dip pretzel rods into the chocolate and decorate with sprinkles or crushed candy.
3. Place on wax paper to harden.

Mom Tip: Use tall glasses for melted chocolate to make dipping easier for kids.

5. Soft Gingerbread Cookies 🎄

Holiday classics with just the right amount of spice!

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 8-10 minutes
Kid-Friendly Tasks: Using cookie cutters, decorating

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup molasses
• 1 egg

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix dry ingredients. Cream butter, sugar, molasses, and egg in a separate bowl. Combine gradually.
3. Roll dough out and use cookie cutters for festive shapes.
4. Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Mom Tip: Chill dough between batches for easier handling.

6. Peanut Butter Blossoms 🌟

Soft peanut butter cookies topped with a chocolate kiss—irresistible!

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 10 minutes
Kid-Friendly Tasks: Rolling dough in sugar, pressing chocolate kisses onto cookies

Ingredients:

• ½ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 bag chocolate kisses (unwrapped)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cream butter, peanut butter, and sugars. Add egg, flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until smooth.
3. Have kids roll the dough into small balls and coat them in sugar.
4. Bake for 8 minutes, then press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie while warm.

Mom Tip: Freeze chocolate kisses for 10 minutes before using to keep them from melting too much.

7. Snowball Cookies ❄️

Buttery, nutty cookies rolled in powdered sugar that look like little snowballs!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 12 minutes
Kid-Friendly Tasks: Rolling dough balls, coating in powdered sugar

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar (plus extra for coating)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter and powdered sugar, then mix in vanilla, flour, and nuts.
3. Let kids roll dough into small balls and place on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes. While warm, roll in powdered sugar.

Mom Tip: Double-coat cookies in powdered sugar for an extra snowy look.

8. Candy Cane Crinkle Cookies ❤️🤍

Soft, chewy cookies with a festive candy cane twist!

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 10-12 minutes
Kid-Friendly Tasks: Crushing candy canes, rolling dough in powdered sugar

Ingredients:

• 1 box white cake mix
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup crushed candy canes
• Powdered sugar for rolling

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix cake mix, eggs, and oil to form dough. Stir in crushed candy canes.
3. Let kids roll dough into balls and coat them in powdered sugar.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Mom Tip: Use a zip-top bag and a rolling pin to let kids crush candy canes with minimal mess.

9. Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies 🍬

A combination of cookies and peppermint bark for a delightful holiday treat!

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 8 minutes
Kid-Friendly Tasks: Decorating with peppermint pieces

Ingredients:

• 1 pouch sugar cookie mix (or use a homemade recipe)
• ½ cup crushed peppermint candies
• 1 cup white chocolate chips (melted)

Instructions:

1. Prepare and bake sugar cookies as directed. Cool completely.
2. Let kids drizzle melted white chocolate over cookies and sprinkle with crushed peppermint.

Mom Tip: Use parchment paper to catch extra peppermint for easy cleanup.

10. Holiday M&M Cookies 🎅

Bright and cheerful cookies packed with colorful M&M candies!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 10-12 minutes
Kid-Friendly Tasks: Mixing dough, adding M&Ms

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup holiday-themed M&Ms

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and mix until combined.
3. Let kids stir in the M&Ms and scoop dough onto a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden.

Mom Tip: Save extra M&Ms to press into the tops of the cookies for a bakery-style look.

Now that you’ve got a delicious batch of cookies ready, why not make the most of your cozy winter days? From arts and crafts to building the ultimate snow fort, there are so many ways to stay entertained indoors with your kids. For even more fun ideas to do on snow days, be sure to check out our post on 20 Activities to Do on Snow Days!

Which cookie recipe will you try first with your little ones? Share your baking experience in the comments below or tag us with your creations!

Pin this post to your holiday board for easy access all season long. Happy baking! 🎄🍪