Impress friends and family this holiday season by whipping up some of these beautiful Christmas cookies from baking expert Anna Olson. Find the perfect snickerdoodle recipe, learn how to bake spice-filled gingerbread cookies, classic whipped shortbread and the best sugar cookie icing, for the ultimate holiday cookie spread.
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1/40
Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies
There’s a lot to love about these soft and chewy sandwich cookies, from their cake-like texture to the sweet cream cheese filling. They’re a great little treat at the end of an elaborate holiday meal.
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2/40
Chocolate Snowflake Cookies
Freeze this dough in advance and whip it out for holiday parties, cookie exchanges or the night before Christmas, so Santa can enjoy warm and chewy chocolate cookies.
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3/40
Easy Peanut Butter Cookies
The only peanut butter cookie recipe you’ll ever need, this crowd-pleaser uses pantry staples you likely already have, and can be whipped up quickly whenever a craving strikes.
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4/40
Icebox Jam Cookies
Icebox cookie dough is transformed into three festive treats by adding jam: orange marmalade crumble bars, apricot lemon rugelach and raspberry linzer cookies. Make a batch for your holiday entertaining needs and another batch for potlucks and cookie exchanges.
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5/40
Italian Pizzelle
“Pizze” means flat in Italian, and these flat, crisp waffle cookies make for great ice cream sandwiches. Alternatively, you can dip these treats in hot chocolate or coffee to satisfy your sweet tooth midday.
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6/40
Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft, gooey and chewy on the inside and crisp on the outside, these top-rated chocolate chip cookies will never disappoint.
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7/40
Warm Caramel-Centred Lava Cookies
An ooey-gooey surprise is discovered upon biting into this caramel-centred cookie complemented by a spicy cinnamon dough exterior. A cup of coffee or tea or a glass of milk is recommended to accompany these sweet treats.
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8/40
Anna Olson’s Pistachio Kipfli
These tender, nutty pistachio cookies infused with orange and cardamom melt in your mouth, making it impossible to stop at just one.
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9/40
Vanilla Bean Spritz Shortbread
These delicious shortbread cookies are made to look beautiful and taste absolutely lovely.
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10/40
The Cutest Ugly Christmas Sweater Cookies
Looking for fun, new Christmas cookie decorating ideas? Try Anna Olson’s a-dork-able gingerbread Christmas sweater cookies. Use a sweater cookie cutter, bake and flood with cookie icing before going to town with your wildest colours and candies. “More is more,” as Anna says.
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11/40
Almond Linzer Cookies
These teardrop-shaped cookies are eye-catching, beautiful, and delicious!
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12/40
Gingerbread Placecard Tags
Forget the paper and make these amazing edible placecard tags for your next dinner party!
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13/40
Royal Icing Sugar Cookies
The icing on these tender butter cookies isn’t just for decoration — although it does make a beautiful sight. It also adds stability to the tender crumb and some sweetness to offset the slight salt undertones to the cookie.
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14/40
Classic Florentine Cookies
These gorgeous cookies are actually quite easy to make and are sure to wow your guests.
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15/40
Pfeffernusse Cookies
Add a little spice to your dessert table with these dainty icing sugar-covered cookies.
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16/40
Pecan White Chocolate and Cranberry Cookies
Triangular instead of round, these nut, fruit and white chocolate cookies have many more surprises in store, including a to-die-for sweet spread accompaniment that you’ll want to slather on just about everything
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17/40
Empire Cookies
The dough can be prepared ahead of time and frozen for up to three months, so you don’t have to worry about a last-minute dessert.
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18/40
Classic Cranberry Almond Biscotti
Packed with almonds and dried cranberries, these nutty flavoured biscotti are crisp, tender and ideal for dipping in tea or coffee.
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19/40
French Macarons
These meringue-based cookies use ground almonds instead of flour, creating a sweet, nutty flavour.
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20/40
Checkerboard Icebox Cookies
Try making your own checkerboard cookies at home with Anna Olson’s simple, step-by-step recipe — it’s much easier than you think!
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21/40
Macaron Tower
Give your family and guests something to talk about with this stunning showpiece made with colourful macarons.
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22/40
Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies
Worth the extra effort, these cupcake-like sandwich cookies are light, airy and packed with rich chocolate and peanut butter flavour.
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23/40
Chocolate Vanilla Sandwich Cookies
These delicious cookies are great for both kids and adults. A must-try!
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24/40
Decorated Shortbread Cut-Out Cookies
Get creative with these fun chocolate shortbread cookies!
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25/40
Coconut Almond Madeleines
Attention coconut lovers! These coconut treats are not to be missed.
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26/40
Chocolate Shortbread and Raspberry Napoleons
An indulgent and decadent treat, with raspberries studded in cream, all between pieces of chocolate shortbread.
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27/40
Icebox Cookies
With three flavours to choose from — lemon, earl grey, and chocolate — these icebox cookies will satisfy any craving.
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28/40
Chocolate Slice Cookies
Not only are these chocolate slice cookies delicious, but they look beautiful, too!
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29/40
Scottish Pan Shortbread
This Scottish pan shortbread is lightly browned, flavourful and a real treat.
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30/40
Oatmeal Raisin Sandwich Cookies
A fun take on the traditional oatmeal raisin cookie, these sweet treats have a smooth peanut butter filling.
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31/40
Chocolate-Dipped Lady Fingers
These chocolate-dipped lady fingers are perfect treats for a simple dessert or for a party.
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32/40
Snickerdoodle Cookies
This twist on the classic sugar cookie has a crunchy exterior but with a chewy and tender middle, with a hint of spice.
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33/40
Basic Gingerbread Cut-Out Cookies
Sink your teeth into these rich and aromatic gingerbread cookies, spiced with cinnamon and allspice.
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34/40
Chocolate Pistachio Cantucci
Cantucci are just smaller biscotti that are sometimes lighter in texture. This yummy chocolate version is filled with crunchy pistachios and chunks of dark chocolate.
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35/40
Flourless Shortbread With Apple Pie Preserves
Try Anna’s flourless shortbread paired with yummy apple preserves.
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36/40
Anna Olson’s Ice Cream Sandwiches
Ice cream isn’t just for enjoying during those warm summer days. This is the perfect after-dinner treat any time of year.
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37/40
Citrus Madeleines
These cute orange-scented, shell-shaped sponge cakes are the perfect treat if you’re serving a crowd.
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38/40
Vanilla Icebox Cookies
Consider these cookies your saving grace for last-minute guests. Make the dough in advance and stash it in the freezer.
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39/40
Warm Chocolate Gingerbread Cookie Cakes
These individual flourless desserts are similar to a molten centre cake but better. Tender gingerbread cookie encases a rich chocolate filling that, when baked and served warm, surprises each guest when they break through the crisp cookie exterior.
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40/40
Swiss Meringue Gems
These little crisp meringue cookies are so tender and light. They are fantastic dessert nibbles, ideal for afternoon tea or part of a petit fours plate. Find more of your favourite Anna Olson recipes here.
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