The holidays are here, and with them come twinkling lights, cozy sweaters, and the irresistible smell of fresh-baked cookies. It’s the season of joy—and let’s be honest—total chaos, especially with little ones underfoot. But what if you could turn that chaos into connection?
Making xmas cookies with your kids isn’t just a fun activity—it’s a memory in the making. From sticky fingers to flour-dusted floors, this tradition is full of sweet moments (and yes, sweet treats). In this post, you’ll find 6 easy, fool-proof cookie recipes that kids will love helping with—plus toddler-friendly hacks to keep things stress-free. Whether you’re baking for Santa, school parties, or just for fun, it’s all about joy, bonding, and bite-sized holiday magic.
Why Making Xmas Cookies Is the Best Holiday Tradition
Making xmas cookies isn’t just about sugar and sprinkles—it’s a hands-on tradition that blends fun, learning, and connection. Here’s why this simple activity is one of the best ways to celebrate the season with your kids:
It’s Packed with Benefits for Kids
Baking together might feel a little messy, but it’s actually a developmental goldmine.
- Fine motor skills: Rolling dough, pressing cookie cutters, and sprinkling decorations all build coordination and hand strength.
- Early math + science: Measuring, mixing, and watching dough rise teaches cause-and-effect, sequencing, and numbers in a real-world way.
- Language & following directions: Reading recipes, naming ingredients, and learning steps improve vocabulary and listening skills.
- Confidence & independence: Even toddlers can take pride in making “their” cookies and sharing them with family.
It Builds Lasting Holiday Memories
There’s something nostalgic about the scent of vanilla, butter, and cinnamon in the air. Many of us remember making Christmas cookies as kids, and now it’s your turn to pass that joy on.
- Baking becomes a meaningful ritual kids look forward to year after year.
- Even when the cookies come out a little wonky, they’ll remember the laughter, music, and togetherness.
- It’s a screen-free, heart-full way to slow down during a fast-paced season.
Turn It Into Sensory Play (Without Losing Your Mind)
For toddlers especially, baking is a full-on sensory experience—smells, textures, and sounds included. The trick is setting up your space for fun, not frustration:
- Use a low table or kitchen tower: Create a dedicated toddler-friendly station where they can help safely.
- Make a “cookie-cutter zone”: Roll out a portion of dough just for them. Give them a bowl of flour, a few festive cutters, and let them press and play. No pressure for perfection—just fun.
- Offer easy tasks: Have them press chocolate chips into dough, sprinkle sugar on top, or help “paint” cookies with safe icing brushes.
When you prep the space with kids in mind, making xmas cookies becomes more play than project—and a whole lot more enjoyable for everyone.
What Basic Cookie Dough Do You Need for Easy Christmas Sugar Cookies?
If you’re planning on making xmas cookies with kids, a simple sugar cookie dough is your best friend. It’s easy to make, holds its shape well, and tastes buttery and delicious with or without icing. Plus, it’s endlessly customizable for all your favorite holiday cookie shapes and decorations.
Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipe (Kid-Friendly & Fool-Proof)
Here’s a basic sugar cookie recipe that’s perfect for cutting, icing, and decorating:
Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional for extra flavor)
Quick Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In one bowl, whisk together dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder).
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar together until smooth.
- Beat in egg and vanilla.
- Gradually add dry ingredients and mix until combined.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling and cutting.
This dough holds up beautifully for cut-out Christmas cookies and can be frozen for later use.
Make-Ahead Hacks for Busy Parents
Baking with toddlers? A little prep goes a long way in keeping things calm and fun:
- Mix the dry ingredients in a labeled jar the night before. Just pour and go when it’s time to bake.
- Double the batch and freeze half of the dough for later cookie days (or emergencies!).
- Pre-roll and chill dough discs so kids can jump right into cutting shapes with minimal waiting.
- Use parchment-lined baking sheets to avoid sticking and reduce cleanup time.
When the base dough is ready to go, you’ll spend less time measuring and more time making memories. And let’s be real—easy Christmas cookies start with smart shortcuts like these.
How to Make Christmas Cookie Dough Without the Mess
If the thought of flour-covered toddlers and sticky countertops makes you want to skip making xmas cookies altogether, don’t worry. There are clever, low-mess tricks that make baking with kids feel more joyful than chaotic.
“Make the Dough” in a Zip-Top Bag
Skip the stand mixer and go straight to a large gallon-sized zip bag:
- Add all your dry ingredients first.
- Drop in softened butter and other wet ingredients.
- Seal and let your child squish and mash the bag until the dough forms.
This hands-on method doubles as sensory play and saves you from scrubbing bowls. Once it’s mostly mixed, you can transfer it to a floured surface for a final knead.
Chill the Dough for Clean Cutouts
Chill the dough for 30–60 minutes before rolling. This step helps it firm up so:
- Cut cookies keep their shape while baking.
- Sticky dough won’t cling to little fingers or cutters.
- You get fewer flour explosions and more successful shapes.
You can also roll the dough between two sheets of parchment before chilling—easy to handle and no sticking.
Set Up a Secure, Kid-Ready Workstation
Toddlers love to “help,” which means the dough can fly. Try these setup hacks:
- Use painter’s tape to stick parchment paper to your table. This creates a work surface with flour that won’t slip or crumple.
- Portion the dough into small chunks for each child to work with.
- Keep a little extra flour nearby to keep the dough from sticking to cookie cutters.
With a simple setup and a few clever tricks, making Christmas cookie dough can feel like fun instead of a floury free-for-all.
Gear Check: Toddler Towers, Silicone Mats & Other Easy Baking Supplies
Before you dive into making xmas cookies with your little one, take a moment to prep your kitchen with tools that make the process safer, smoother, and more kid-friendly. Having the right gear can be the difference between joyful baking and a sticky disaster.
Toddler Towers Make a Big Difference
Let your toddler safely reach the action with a toddler tower (also called a learning tower). These secure step stools give kids a front-row seat without the risk of falling off a chair.
- Look for adjustable height options.
- Place it on a non-slip surface near your work zone.
- It’s perfect for stirring, sprinkling, and even watching cookies bake in the oven.
Silicone Mats & Rolling Pin Sizes
Working directly on your counter? Upgrade your surface with a silicone mat—it’s nonstick, easy to clean, and ideal for rolling the dough. For tiny hands, swap your regular rolling pin for:
- A small, kid-sized rolling pin.
- A clean plastic cup or jar as a substitute.
This makes cutting cookies easier and gives kids more control (read: fewer dough disasters).
Cookie Sheet vs. Baking Sheet
Quick tip: A cookie sheet typically has no raised edges, while a baking sheet does. Either works for holiday cookies, but:
- Use a baking sheet with a silicone liner or parchment for easy cleanup.
- Don’t overcrowd your cookies—give them space to spread as they bake.
Easy Cookie Icing Tools for Little Hands
Frosting can get messy fast. Instead of piping bags (which can be too big for small hands), try:
- Premade icing bags from the grocery store.
- Or repurpose plastic squeeze bottles (like the ones used for ketchup) for DIY royal icing. Just fill and let your kiddo go to town.
With the right cookie decorating setup, your kitchen becomes a creative holiday workshop—and your holiday cookie memories become a little easier to clean up.
Recipe #1 – Santa’s Trash Cookies: Quick, Fun & Kid-Approved
Few treats embody the chaos-turned-delicious vibe of making xmas cookies quite like Santa’s Trash Cookies. They start with a basic cookie dough, then get loaded with crushed pretzels, mini chocolate chips, and festive sprinkles—everything but the sleigh bells! Kids love the explosive colors; parents love the one-bowl ease.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar + ½ cup white sugar (cream the butter and sugar together)
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 cup crushed pretzels or potato chips
- ¼ cup holiday sprinkles
Toddler Hack for Cookie Decorating:
Place the pretzels and sprinkles in a zip-top bag and let toddlers crush the mix-ins—the crinkle-crunch noise is half the fun!
Step-by-Step (Fast & Easy)
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs and vanilla.
- Dry ingredients: whisk flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the wet mixture.
- Add chocolate chips plus the toddler-crushed “trash” mix-ins; fold to combine.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the sheet, leaving room for spread.
- Bake time: 10–12 minutes, until edges are golden.
- Allow cookies to cool on the pan 2 minutes, then move to a rack to set.
These holiday cookies come out chewy in the center, crispy at the edge, and loaded with salty-sweet surprises—proof that when you make Christmas cookies with kids, the mess can absolutely become the best cookies of the season.
Recipe #2 – Rolo Ornament Cookies: Make-and-Decorate Party Hit
These festive Rolo Ornament Cookies are a showstopper at any holiday gathering—and perfect for a cookie decorating party with toddlers and older kids alike. Using a classic cut-out sugar cookie dough base, each cookie gets topped with a melty Rolo candy that turns into a shiny “ornament” center, then finished off with a drizzle of easy cookie icing and colorful sprinkles.
What You Need:
- Your favorite sugar cookie dough (see basic recipe above)
- Rolo candies (unwrapped)
- Simple cookie icing drizzle (powdered sugar, milk, vanilla)
- Sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, crushed candy canes
Toddler Hack: Sprinkle “Stations”
Set out muffin liners or small bowls as single-serve sprinkle stations so little helpers can easily choose and sprinkle their favorite colors without a big mess. It keeps the decorating process fun and organized.
Step-by-Step:
- Roll the dough on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness.
- Use round or ornament-shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
- Place cutouts on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
- Gently press one Rolo candy into the center of each cookie.
- Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes. The Rolos will soften and spread, but stay mostly intact.
- Let cookies cool for a few minutes until the candy centers set.
- Mix a quick cookie icing drizzle and use a spoon or small piping bag to drizzle over the cooled cookies.
- Add sprinkles from your sprinkle stations for a pop of festive color.
These charming cookies double as edible decorations, making them a hit for holiday parties and making xmas cookies with kids who love to get creative. The combination of the soft sugar cookie base, gooey chocolate center, and bright icing makes these a true holiday cookie favorite!
Recipe #3 – Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups: Easy Christmas Cookies in a Mini Muffin Pan
These cozy Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups are the perfect blend of chocolatey goodness and festive fun—an ideal treat for making xmas cookies with toddlers. Using a simple dough ball method, each mini cookie cup is filled with rich chocolate ganache and topped with a fluffy marshmallow “ice” that melts into the warm cookie, creating a delicious holiday surprise.
What You’ll Need:
- Basic chocolate chip cookie dough or sugar cookie dough
- Mini marshmallows
- Chocolate ganache (made from melted chocolate and cream)
- Mini muffin pan
- Small squeeze bottles for ganache
Toddler Hack: Squeeze Bottle Ganache
Skip the mess of spoons—give kids a plastic squeeze bottle filled with ganache to easily fill each cookie cup. It’s less messy, more fun, and lets little hands practice their squeezing skills!
Step-by-Step:
- Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a mini muffin pan or line with mini paper liners.
- Roll cookie dough into small balls (about a tablespoon each) and press each ball gently into the muffin cup, forming a small cup shape with the dough going up the sides.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes or until edges are golden but the center is still soft.
- Remove pan from oven and immediately press a mini marshmallow into the center of each cookie cup to act as the marshmallow “ice”.
- Let cool slightly, then use the squeeze bottle to fill each cup with chocolate ganache—kids love squeezing and seeing their creation come to life!
- Chill the cookie cups briefly to set the ganache if needed.
These easy Christmas cookies are fun to make, visually impressive, and perfect for little hands to get involved without too much fuss. Plus, they’re a cozy treat for cold holiday nights and a festive twist on classic holiday cookies everyone will love.
Recipe #4 – Classic Chocolate Chip: Because Holiday Cookie Platters Need Familiar Favorites
When it comes to making xmas cookies, having a classic like the best chocolate chip cookies on your holiday platter is a must. Familiar favorites bring warmth and nostalgia to any celebration, balancing out the more decorative or themed cookies. Plus, chocolate chip cookies are a hit with kids and adults alike!
Why the “Best Cookies” Still Matter:
Even with all the fancy recipes, a batch of soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies is timeless. They’re simple to make, universally loved, and provide that comforting homemade feel to your holiday cookie spread.
Toddler Hack: Uniform Doughballs
To keep cookie sizes consistent and make baking easier, hand toddlers a mechanical ice-cream scoop to portion out the dough. It’s a fun, easy way for little helpers to get involved and keeps your cookie dough perfectly even—no uneven baking or guesswork!
Freezing Hack for Stress-Free Baking
Make the dough ahead, then freeze scooped cookie balls on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a zip bag so you can bake fresh batches whenever you want throughout the holiday season. This hack saves time and keeps your cookie baking stress-free.
Step-by-Step:
- Prepare your favorite chocolate chip cookie dough (or use a trusted recipe).
- Use the mechanical ice-cream scoop to portion dough into uniform balls.
- For fresh baking, place dough balls on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes or until golden around the edges.
- For later use, freeze dough balls on the sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag.
- Bake frozen dough balls directly, adding a couple of minutes to the bake time.
Adding these classic chocolate chip cookies ensures your holiday cookie platter has a beloved staple that everyone will reach for again and again. Plus, these toddler-friendly hacks make making xmas cookies smoother, more fun, and mess-free!
Recipe #5 – Cut Out Christmas Sugar Cookies to Decorate & Freeze
No holiday cookie collection is complete without classic cut-out Christmas sugar cookies—perfect for decorating, gifting, and sharing holiday cheer. These cookies are as much about the fun of decorating as they are about the delicious flavor, making them an ideal activity for kids and adults alike.
Make-Ahead Magic: Freeze the Dough
One of the best hacks for making xmas cookies less stressful is to roll the dough and freeze it ahead of time. Simply prepare your sugar cookie dough, roll it out between sheets of parchment paper, then wrap and freeze. When you’re ready, thaw just enough dough to cut cookies, keeping the rest frozen for later baking sessions.
Step-by-Step:
- Roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface or between parchment sheets.
- Use your favorite holiday-shaped cookie cutters to cut cookies.
- Place cut cookies on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and freeze for 10–15 minutes before baking to help them hold their shape.
- Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes or until edges just start to turn golden.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before decorating to prevent icing from melting.
Royal Icing Basics & Decorating Tips:
For decorating, a simple royal icing—made from powdered sugar, egg whites (or meringue powder), and a bit of water—works perfectly for that smooth, hard finish.
Toddler Hack: Use Large-Handle “Paintbrushes”
Skip the squeeze bags if you want a creative twist: hand toddlers large-handle, food-safe paintbrushes to paint edible colors and designs right onto the cookies. This creates an easy, mess-friendly way for little ones to decorate with a fun edible paint effect, turning cookie decorating into a festive craft activity.
Cut-out sugar cookies are a timeless favorite that brings everyone to the table, combining creativity with the joy of making xmas cookies together—plus, they freeze beautifully, so you can bake and decorate on your schedule!
Wrap Up Your Holiday Fun with Making Xmas Cookies!
Making xmas cookies is more than just baking — it’s about creating joyful memories, encouraging little hands to learn, and sharing festive fun together. With these 10 foolproof recipes and simple toddler-friendly hacks, baking becomes easier and more enjoyable for the whole family. From prepping dough ahead of time to using no-bake options and creative decorating tools, you can keep the process stress-free and full of smiles.
Remember, setting up a kid-friendly cookie-cutter zone and embracing the happy mess make this holiday tradition truly special. So, gather your ingredients, invite the little helpers, and start making xmas cookies that will fill your home with warmth, laughter, and holiday cheer!
FAQS
Q: How can I involve preschoolers in baking holiday treats?
A: Preschoolers love hands-on activities like crushing mix-ins in a zip bag or helping roll dough balls. Setting up a low table or a “cookie-cutter zone” makes it easier and safer for little ones to participate. Simple tasks like stacking the cookies or decorating with premade icing let them join the fun without feeling overwhelmed.
Q: What’s the best way to make decorating a breeze?
A: Using squeeze bottles for cookie icing or large-handle “paintbrushes” for edible art can make decorating sugar cookies simple and enjoyable. Setting out muffin liners as sprinkle stations also keeps decorations organized and accessible.
Q: Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! Mix your dry ingredients in a labeled jar the night before, then add wet ingredients when ready. Once your dough is made, placing dough into the fridge helps it chill and firm up, making dough and continue cutting much easier.
Q: How do I bake and store decorated cookies?
A: After you bake cookies and allow them to cool, iced cookies can be stacked carefully with parchment between layers and then freeze cookies to keep them fresh. When ready, simply thaw the decorated cookies and enjoy!
Q: What’s the easiest cookie dough for beginners?
A: A basic sugar cookie dough is perfect for making easy sugar cookies. It’s simple to roll out, use cookie cutters on, and bake cookies right away.
Q: How do I get the perfect shape when using a cookie cutter?
A: Roll the dough evenly on a floured surface, press firmly using your chosen cookie cutter, and transfer the cut-out cookies carefully to a cookie sheet. Using a round cookie cutter or festive shapes helps create cute decorated Christmas treats.
Q: Any tips for making gingerbread cookies with kids?
A: Gingerbread cookies are a favorite Christmas choice! Kids love decorating the cookies with royal icing and candies, making sugar sparkle and turning plain cookies into edible art. Setting up a cookie decorating party can turn this into a fun family event.
Q: What do cookies need to bake perfectly?
A: Cookies need proper bake time and an evenly preheated oven. Place cookies on a cookie sheet lined with parchment or silicone mats, and don’t overcrowd. Follow the recipe closely for best results.
Q: How long can decorated cookies last?
A: Decorated cookies, when stored properly in airtight containers and sometimes frozen, can last for several weeks. This makes them perfect edible gifts or holiday party treats.
Q: What’s a fun idea for holiday cookie gatherings?
A: Hosting a cookie decorating party where guests decorate sugar cookies or cut-out cookies together makes for a festive and memorable activity. It’s a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer while sharing tasty treats!
You might also be interested in…
Check out these tips on how to make holiday baking easier with your kids.
CONNECT WITH DAILY MOM
💖 NEWSLETTER: DAILY READS IN YOUR INBOX 💖
Sign up to receive our picks for the best things to do, see and buy so you can relax and focus on more important tasks! Let us help you be the best version of yourself you can be!
BE SOCIAL WITH US
📌 LOVE IT? PIN IT!📌
