Top 10 Christmas Cookies We Can't Wait to Eat

Not all holiday desserts need to be overbearingly sweet, and no other melt-in-your mouth treat proves this more than this classic favorite. This light and perfectly airy cookie is defined by the combination of whipped egg whites and sugar. Meringue cookies can be flavored with vanilla, coconut or almond to taste and often possess a crunchy exterior and – if made correctly – a chewy interior. Dress it up like a Christmas wreath or tree, a Santa hat, or even just some sprinkles, and take a bite!

#9: Chocolate Mint Cookies

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The flavor combination of sweet chocolate and fresh mint is one with a long and yummy history. Chocolate Mint Cookies are just one fan favorite way of melding together these two tastes around the holiday season, bringing together ingredients to create a refreshing, decadent dessert. One popular preparation of Chocolate Mint Cookies includes layering in chocolate mint candies within a typical cookie batter of butter, sugar, eggs, flour and chocolate chips, while a pinch of salt is also used to bring out the chocolate’s natural sweetness. These cookies can be as thin and crispy, or soft, chewy and luxurious as you want, and are a perfect thing to bake as the snow falls!

A pastry by any other name should taste as sweet! Also called Mexican Wedding Cakes, Italian Wedding Cookies, butterballs or snowballs, these cookie-cakes are simple to prepare. You only need a few ingredients to make these powdery delights, namely flour, water and butter, with the variable ingredient being the chef’s choice of nuts. While you’re getting these puppies ready, give them a decent helping of confectioner’s sugar, but while they’re still a little toasty, add another healthy dusting of the powdered sugar! Variations on the nut topping of Russian Tea Cake include pecans, hazelnuts or almonds. Sometimes you feel like a nut, but when it’s Christmastime, you feel like one of these tea cakes.

Lebkuchen may not be on the menu during everyone’s holiday party – that is, unless you grew up in a big German family. But there’s no time like the present to dig into these traditional sweet pastries! These baked cakes are like a Deutschland gingerbread, often sweetened with sugar and honey along the way. Aromatic additions like spicy anise, coriander and cardamom also go into the preparation of these large round cakes, as well as sweeter toppings like candied fruit or chocolate. This versatility and variety make Lebkuchen one of our favorite cookies to eat around the holidays.

#6: Christmas Thumbprint Cookies

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Making a batch of these fruit-filled and nutty treats is a sure-fire way to tempt our taste buds during Christmastime! Christmas Thumbprint Cookies are a fun and sneaky way to get in your daily dose of healthy fruit! At least that’s the story we’re going with. Separating the egg yolks from the white is key in preparing these cookies, and the egg whites come in handy for rolling your dough balls in, followed by the nut topping. Then it’s baking time! After these little round delights come out of the oven, it’s time for the step that gives them their name! Gently press your thumb into them, making a nice little nest for whatever fruit or jam your heart desires. Go nuts, it’s the holidays!

There’s nothing quite like a candy cane to get you into the holiday spirit; just the thought of them makes you think of ice-skating and hot chocolate! Well we’ve got news for you! These Candy Cane Cookies are a fantastic and effective way of baking something both festive and fun and includes our… second-favorite red and white Christmas symbol. The flavor of these treats is sweet, simple and nostalgic, using a little bit of red food coloring and a twisting technique to transform a little bit of dough into red and white candy cane treats. These cookies can also be a major hit with kids, especially if they get involved preparing these little candy canes for the dessert table.

#4: Christmas Snickerdoodles

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Let’s face it: there’s probably no wrong way to make a snickerdoodle, but these holiday themed treats are definitely a cut above the rest. These cousins of the sugar cookie are known for being rolled in cinnamon, but chefs can add a little holiday razzle dazzle by coating these treats with red and green sugar. This makes the Christmas Snickdoodle not only taste great, but look right at home on the holiday table as well. Add to this the fact that snickerdoodles are a relative cinch to prepare, and you have a tried ‘n true go-to when it comes to holiday entertaining.

You didn’t think we’d forgotten about these beauties, did you? This type of dessert is a confectionary chameleon, since they can be decorated to suit whatever holiday, but Christmas is when a sugar cookie can really shine. It might be the sugar cookie’s easily malleable nature that makes them a holiday favorite, as these simple-to-prepare snacks can be pressed, pulled and cut into a variety of shapes. Just check the local store for your favorite cookie cutter shape, and you’re off to the races. You can bake up Christmas Tree sugar cookies, snowflakes, stars or just about any holiday shape your egg noggin can imagine!

If you’re looking for a cookie that’s easy to prepare, it doesn’t get much simpler than this classic biscuit. Sugar, butter and flour are just about all it takes to bake up a traditional shortbread, a recipe whose origins can be traced back to Scotland. This recipe can often include vanilla extract as well, but sometimes you can keep things simple as well, and let the rich, fluffy and buttery flavor of the shortbread speak for itself. Shortbreads can also pair extremely well with a hot cup of tea or coffee, making this holiday treat great for both breakfast and dessert! Just don’t forget to give it some red and green flair! Before we announce our tastiest Christmas treat, here are a few honorable cookie mentions!- - Christmas Fruit Drop Cookies - Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

#1: Gingerbread

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Whether it’s shaped like tiny smiling men or the houses they live in, gingerbread is as versatile as it is quintessentially Christmas! We can thank Germans for bringing this scrumptious innovation to Sweden in the 13th century. Gingerbread is commonly baked with sweet honey, cloves, nutmeg, and of course ginger, before being baked and crafted into any shape your heart desires. Icing is optional on these tasty treats, but many chefs love to get creative with their decorating ideas, and gumdrop buttons are kind of a must. Oh, and if you want a gift idea that’s sure to please anyone, batches of Gingerbread Men are always thoughtful and adorable! Do you agree with our list? Which holiday cookie makes your mouth water? For more oven-baked top 10 lists published every day, please subscribe to MsMojo.