Home cooks shared the Christmas treats that make the season feel extra special. From sugar plum thumbprints to dunkable triple-ginger biscotti, you'll have plenty of new recipes to add to your holiday cookie platter this year.
1/12
1st Place: Chocolate Thumbprints with Irish Cream Ganache
From the Recipe Creator:
After creating a dark chocolate ganache-filled cookie, I thought it would be fun to try an Irish Cream version. My husband and I thought these turned out great! The Irish Cream flavor is more pronounced the next day, so it's a good idea to make these a day or two before you'd like to serve them. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
2/12
2nd Place: Raspberry Logs
From the Recipe Creator:
Sometimes a cookie tray needs something new that's not one of the old standards. With a big punch of raspberry flavor and a side of chocolate, these raspberry logs are just that! —Cindy Nerat, Menominee, Michigan
3/12
3rd Place: Loaded Snickerdoodles
From the Recipe Creator:
I’ve been making these cookies for over 40 years. I combined snickerdoodles with some of my favorite ingredients to satisfy every craving. Everyone can barely wait for the cooler weather to arrive because that's when I’m known to bake these cookies. —Gayle Clanton, Odessa, Texas
4/12
Runner-Up: Iced Chestnut Cookies with Bourbon Brown Butter Icing
From the Recipe Creator:
I love the earthiness and nuttiness of chestnuts, so I try to use them in my holiday baking as much as I can. A few years back, I noticed they paired beautifully with rich browned butter, so I set out to develop a cookie that spotlighted this beautiful combination of flavors. Now, they can always be found on my holiday table! —Kristin Bowers, Gilbert, Arizona
5/12
Runner-Up: Chocolate Panettone Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Panettone is a family tradition in my stepdad's family. I came up with these bread-inspired cookies as a surprise for him on my annual Christmas cookie plate. —Deborah Biggs, Omaha, Nebraska
6/12
Runner-Up: Chocolate Gingerbread Cutout Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
I have been making this recipe for Christmas since my kids were tiny! They have their own families now, but it's STILL requested by the adults—and now grandchildren. —Stephanie Sutphin, Radford, Virginia
7/12
Runner-Up: Sugar Plum Thumbprint Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Sugar plums are used to make the jam in these cookies, pairing their sweet flavors with the buttery goodness of the cookies. I suggest you double or triple this recipe—you’ll want more! —DonnaMarie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts
8/12
Runner-Up: Cookie Butter Clusters
From the Recipe Creator:
I've been obsessed with cookie butter since I first tried it a few years ago, so I created this easy recipe to feature my favorite ingredient. For Christmas, I put them in decorative mini muffin liners to give as gifts. —Julie Herriges, West Bend, Wisconsin
9/12
Runner-Up: Golden Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
I LOVE turmeric. I often make turmeric granola, and wanted to create a cookie as a spin-off to the flavors in my granola. I infused a simple sugar cookie with a ton of warm spices for flavor. —Lynne Ogg, Cedar, Minnesota
10/12
Runner-Up: Vegan Rocky Road Peppermint Fudge
From the Recipe Creator:
I love this recipe for its simplicity. It also adds a pretty, festive look to the table during the holidays. —Jodi Halem, Newbury Park, California
11/12
Runner-Up: Mom’s Sour Cream Butterscotch Fudge
From the Recipe Creator:
This was one of mom's favorite recipes. It's creamy and nutty, and has lots of old-fashioned flavor. The recipe is well over 100 years old! —Kallee Krong-MCCreery, Escondido, California
12/12
Runner-Up: Triple-Ginger Biscotti
From the Recipe Creator:
Biscotti-making has been a cherished tradition in my Italian family for generations. I wanted to create something new—a twist on the familiar—and because I love ginger snaps, I imagined that bold, spicy flavor in a biscotti form. That idea led me to create this lovely recipe. —Therese Ciofalo, Sparks, Nevada
