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Home » Desserts

27 holiday cookies everyone grabs before dinner even starts

Published: Dec 24, 2025 by Shruthi · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Holiday cookies have a way of calling attention long before the main meal is served. Their sweet aroma fills the room, making it almost impossible to wait until dinner. Each cookie is a little bite of festive magic, perfectly portioned for sneaky snacking. Guests can’t resist sampling a few while chatting and laughing before the table is even set. By the time dinner begins, these treats have already set the tone for a joyful celebration.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Chocolate-Marshmallow-Cookies.jpg

Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

Easy Holiday Butter Cookies

A close-up view of holiday butter cookies on a white plate.
Holiday Butter Cookies. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

These buttery holiday cookies are simple to make yet irresistibly soft. Perfect for snacking before dinner, they’ll disappear from the platter fast.
Get the Recipe: Holiday Butter Cookies

Pecan Chocolate Chip Holiday Cookies

A close up photo of a stack of pecan chocolate chip cookies.
Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Crispy on the edges and chewy in the center, these cookies are pure holiday magic. Packed with pecans and chocolate chips, they vanish the moment you set them out.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Almond Peanut Butter Holiday Cookies

Side angle view of almond flour peanut butter cookies with one half-bitten cookie.
Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

These almond peanut butter cookies are rich, nutty, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Quick to make, they’re perfect for grabbing straight off the cookie tray before dinner.
Get the Recipe: Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies

Lemon Curd Thumbprint Treats

Close up view of lemon curd cookies with a lavender flower in background.
Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Bright lemon curd fills these buttery cookies for a tangy, festive flavor. They’re quick to make and vanish fast as a pre-dinner treat.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Curd Thumbprint Cookies

Jam-Filled Linzer Cookies

An overhead image of three Linzer cookies on a plate.
Linzer Cookies. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

These Linzer cookies are buttery, lightly spiced, and filled with sweet jam. Their festive look makes them irresistible before dinner even begins.
Get the Recipe: Linzer Cookies

Christmas Sugar Cookie Favorites

Overhead view of Christmas sugar cookies on a white plate, with cookies on the side as well.
Christmas Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

These classic sugar cookies are tender, buttery, and perfect for holiday fun. Their royal icing designs make them too tempting to wait until after dinner.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Sugar Cookies

Gluten-Free Gingerbread Men

Top view of Gluten-Free Gingerbread Men Cookies.
Gingerbread Men Cookies. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

These gluten-free gingerbread men are fun to bake and decorate. Their bold spice flavors make them an instant holiday favorite.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Men Cookies

Chocolate Peppermint Meringue Kisses

Someone holding a Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Meringue Kiss Christmas Cookie.
Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Meringue Kiss Christmas Cookies. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Delicate meringue kisses dipped in chocolate make an elegant holiday treat. Crisp, sweet, and irresistible, they’re perfect for impressing guests.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Meringue Kiss Christmas Cookies

Festive Peppermint Kiss Cookies

Peppermint Kiss Cookies on a circular wooden board.
Peppermint Kiss Cookies. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

Chocolate shortbread with candy cane centers creates a cheerful holiday cookie. These festive bites are ideal for sharing with family and friends.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Kiss Cookies

Raspberry Hazelnut Thumbprints

Raspberry hazelnut thumbrint cookies on a cooling rack.
Raspberry Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Buttery cookies filled with raspberry jam and hazelnuts are a sweet holiday treat. They’re perfect for pairing with coffee or hot chocolate during festive gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Hazelnut Thumbprint Cookies

Gooey Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies

An image of Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies.
Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

Soft chocolate cookies filled with gooey marshmallows delight every holiday crowd. They’re an easy homemade alternative to store-bought treats.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies

Easy Gluten-Free Linzer Cookies

Top view of Easy Gluten-Free Linzer Cookies.
Easy Linzer Cookies. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Gluten-free Linzer cookies are tender and filled with sweet jam for a festive treat. They’re simple to bake and perfect for holiday cookie platters.
Get the Recipe: Easy Linzer Cookies

Whimsical Grinch Crinkle Cookies

A stack of Crinkle Grinch Cookies.
Crinkle Grinch Cookies. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Bright red and green crinkle cookies add fun to any holiday cookie tray. They’re playful, colorful, and perfect for festive gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Crinkle Grinch Cookies

Quick Sugar-Free Nutella Cookies

Sugar-Free Nutella Cookies on a black cooking rack.
Sugar-Free Nutella Cookies. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

Four-ingredient sugar-free Nutella cookies bake quickly and pack chocolatey flavor. They’re perfect for last-minute holiday treats or surprise guests.
Get the Recipe: Sugar-Free Nutella Cookies

White Chocolate Ginger Cookies

A stack of white chocolate dipped ginger cookies on a plate.
White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Cookies. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Ginger cookies dipped in white chocolate are spicy, sweet, and festive. They can be made with milk or dark chocolate for personalized holiday treats.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Cookies

No-Spread Sugar Cookies

Top view of No Spread Sugar Cookies.
No Spread Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

Sturdy no-spread sugar cookies are perfect for intricate holiday decorating. Their buttery texture makes them ideal for creating festive designs at home.
Get the Recipe: No Spread Sugar Cookies

Chocolate Christmas Sugar Cookies

An image of Christmas Chocolate Sugar Cookies.
Christmas Chocolate Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Rich chocolate sugar cookies are festive and perfect for holiday parties. They’re irresistible and vanish quickly from any cookie platter.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Sparkling Cranberry Buttercream Cookies

Sparkling Frosted Cranberry Cookies. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

These cookies combine sugared cranberries and buttercream for a festive flair. Perfect for Christmas or Thanksgiving, they’re eye-catching and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Sparkling Frosted Cranberry Cookies

Festive Snowman Cookies

Snowman Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Adorable snowman cookies make the holiday season extra fun. They’re ideal for snacking before dinner and bring festive cheer to every plate.
Get the Recipe: Snowman Cookies

3D Gingerbread Tree Cookies

3D Gingerbread Tree Cookies. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

These 3D gingerbread trees are fun, festive, and full of flavor. Their eye-catching design makes them vanish quickly at any holiday gathering.
Get the Recipe: 3D Gingerbread Tree Cookies

Stacked Christmas Tree Cookies

3D Stacked Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Stacked tree cookies are layered with frosting and festive stars. Their whimsical design makes them irresistible to grab before dinner.
Get the Recipe: 3D Stacked Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies

Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies

Cranberry cookies with a bite taken out of them.
Cranberry White Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Tart cranberries and sweet white chocolate make these cookies a festive hit. They’re quick to bake and perfect for nibbling before dinner starts.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry White Chip Cookies

Nutter Butter Reindeer Treats

Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

These reindeer cookies are no-bake and super easy to make. Fun to assemble, they’re a holiday treat that disappears fast from the table.
Get the Recipe: Nutter Butter Reindeer Cookies

No-Bake Maple Pecan Cookies

A stack of maple pecan cookies on a white plate.
No Bake Maple Pecan Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Maple pecan cookies are sweet, nutty, and ready in minutes. Their no-bake convenience makes them perfect for quick holiday snacking.
Get the Recipe: No Bake Maple Pecan Cookies

Soft Spiced Gingerbread Cookies

Soft Spiced Gingerbread Cookies. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

These gingerbread cookies are soft, spiced, and full of holiday flavor. They’re perfect for decorating or grabbing before the main meal begins.
Get the Recipe: Soft Spiced Gingerbread Cookies

Chocolate Sugar Cookie Cutouts

Chocolate Sugar Cookie Cut-Outs. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Chocolate cutout cookies add a rich twist to holiday baking. They’re fun to decorate and vanish quickly when set out on a holiday tray.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Sugar Cookie Cut-Outs

Rosemary Lemon Shortbread Cookies

Rosemary Lemon Shortbread Cookies. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Lemon and rosemary flavor these buttery shortbread cookies for a fresh holiday bite. Perfect for a pre-dinner snack, they’re simple and festive.
Get the Recipe: Rosemary Lemon Shortbread Cookies

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Hi, I'm Shruthi! I am the owner and blogger at Parallel Plates. I love everything about food, and I hope that you can find the best recipe inspiration, trends, hacks, and more here.

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