22 Cut Out Cookies Recipes Perfect for Festive Decorating
Cut-out cookies are a holiday tradition that everyone can enjoy, whether you’re hosting a festive party, planning a family baking day, or simply looking to spread a little holiday cheer. There’s something timeless and special about rolling out dough, cutting it into festive shapes, and transforming plain cookies into edible masterpieces with icing, sprinkles, and colorful decorations. These cookies are more than just a sweet treat—they’re an activity that brings people together, sparking creativity and holiday magic for all ages.
From classic stars and snowflakes to whimsical reindeer, candy canes, and Christmas trees, the shapes you can create are endless. And the decorating? That’s where the fun really begins! Kids can go wild with bright sprinkles and edible glitter, while adults might enjoy crafting intricate designs or experimenting with royal icing techniques. No matter your skill level, each cookie becomes a unique creation, and the process is just as delightful as the result.
These recipes are perfect for creating cookies that look as good as they taste. They make wonderful gifts for neighbors, teachers, and friends or can be used to fill up a festive cookie tray for holiday gatherings. Plus, the memories made while decorating together are priceless. Whether you’re laughing over a cookie that didn’t quite go as planned or admiring a particularly artistic design, it’s an experience that adds heart to the holiday season.
So gather your family, friends, or even just your favorite Christmas song playlist, and get ready for some flour-dusted fun that is Santa approved. With these cut-out cookie recipes, you’re not just baking—you’re making memories that will last long after the cookies are gone.
Christmas Sugar Cookies
These Christmas Sugar Cookies are soft, buttery, and perfect for decorating. A classic for any holiday baking, this cut-out cookies recipe holds its shape wonderfully, making them a fun project for the whole family to customize.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Sugar Cookies
Rudolph Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
Made with a delicious chocolate shortbread base, these Rudolph-shaped cookies are an exciting way to add holiday spirit. This cut-out cookies recipe creates a rich, crisp texture that’s perfect for enjoying through the festive season.
Get the Recipe: Rudolph Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
Perfect Cut-out Sugar Cookies
This cut-out cookies recipe creates a tender, buttery base that keeps its shape beautifully for all your decorating ideas. Their light color after baking provides the perfect blank canvas to let your creative holiday ideas shine.
Get the Recipe: Perfect Cut-out Sugar Cookies
Keto Gingerbread Cookies
Enjoy the holiday taste without the carbs with this keto-friendly gingerbread cut-out cookies recipe. Each crispy, spiced cookie is perfect for trimming in low-carb icing and makes a deliciously festive addition to your cookie lineup.
Get the Recipe: Keto Gingerbread Cookies
3-Ingredient Buttery Shortbread Cookies
With only three ingredients, these buttery shortbread cookies are as easy as they are delicious. Ideal as a cut-out cookies recipe, they’re simple to shape and make for a wonderful addition to any cookie plate or gift box.
Get the Recipe: 3-Ingredient Buttery Shortbread Cookies
No Spread Sugar Cookies
Perfect for intricate designs, this no-spread cut-out cookies recipe lets you skip the chilling step while still achieving smooth, sharp edges. Decorate to your heart’s content with icing that stays right where you want it.
Get the Recipe: No Spread Sugar Cookies
Chocolate Peppermint Sugar Cookies
This dark chocolate and peppermint cut-out cookies recipe features bits of candy cane for added holiday flair. Soft, rich, and easy to decorate, they’re a great way to bring holiday magic to your cookie tray.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Peppermint Sugar Cookies
Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies
These gingerbread cut-out cookies are chewy and warm with spices, offering a softer take on the classic. Perfect for holiday decorating, they bring comfort and flavor in every bite, making them a top pick for seasonal baking.
Get the Recipe: Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies
Cut-Out Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
Rich, spiced, and slightly crisp, these chocolate gingerbread cut-outs bring a festive twist to traditional cookies. Their fun shapes and deep flavor make this cut-out cookies recipe a holiday favorite for kids and adults alike.
Get the Recipe: Cut-Out Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
Heart-shaped Walnut & Cinnamon Cookies
Add a touch of warmth to your baking with these walnut and cinnamon heart-shaped cookies. This cut-out cookies recipe is perfect for special occasions, offering a nutty and comforting flavor that’s ideal for gifting or sharing.
Get the Recipe: Heart-shaped Walnut & Cinnamon Cookies
Marranitos Mexican Pig Shaped Cookies
Inspired by Mexican pan dulce, these pig-shaped marranitos are a fun and tasty cut-out cookies recipe. With soft, lightly spiced flavors, they’re as delightful to decorate as they are to enjoy with family and friends.
Get the Recipe: Marranitos Mexican Pig Shaped Cookies
Gluten-Free Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
These gluten-free, Christmas tree-shaped cookies are perfect for anyone with dietary restrictions. This easy cut-out cookies recipe lets everyone join the holiday fun, and the colorful decorations make each one look extra festive.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
Pumpkin Cut-Out Cookies
Bring a taste of fall to your Christmas cookies with these pumpkin-shaped treats. This pumpkin cut-out cookies recipe provides a soft and flavorful base that’s easy to shape and decorate, bringing warmth and color to your cookie platter.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Cut-Out Cookies
Cake Mix Cookies With Butter
Simple yet delicious, these buttery cake mix cookies are a great cut-out cookies recipe for last-minute baking. Their soft texture and rich flavor make them an easy and kid-friendly addition to any holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Cake Mix Cookies With Butter
Molasses-Free Gingerbread Cutout Cookies
If you love gingerbread but want a healthier option, this cut-out cookies recipe uses no molasses for a light but flavorful holiday treat. Perfect for anyone looking to enjoy festive cookies with less sugar.
Get the Recipe: Molasses-Free Gingerbread Cutout Cookies
Panda Cookies Recipe
These adorable panda-shaped cookies combine vanilla and chocolate dough for a fun, themed cut-out cookies recipe. Easy to shape and even more fun to eat, they make a charming addition to any cookie plate or celebration.
Get the Recipe: Panda Cookies Recipe
Heart Sugar Cookies
Get ready for sweet baking memories with these heart-shaped cut-out cookies, perfect for decorating with kids. They’re easy to make, taste delicious, and are ideal for gifting or sharing a little holiday love.
Get the Recipe: Heart Sugar Cookies
Traditional German Butter Cookies
Simple and classic, these German butter cookies are a cut-out recipe that brings tradition and taste together. With only five ingredients, they’re perfect for holiday decorating or enjoying plain with family and friends.
Get the Recipe: Traditional German Butter Cookies
Chewy, Soft Gingerbread Cookies
These soft gingerbread cut-outs bring all the flavor without the crunch. Customize with your favorite decorations for a cookie that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, making this recipe a holiday season must.
Get the Recipe: Chewy, Soft Gingerbread Cookies
Sugar Cookie Icing
Perfect for all your decorating needs, this easy sugar cookie icing hardens beautifully on any cut-out cookies recipe. Adjust the flavor and color to match your theme and create cookies that look as good as they taste.
Get the Recipe: Sugar Cookie Icing
Tri-Color Christmas Sugar Cookies
Bright and cheerful, these tri-color sugar cookies make an eye-catching addition to any holiday cookie plate. This cut-out cookies recipe brings the festive colors of the season to life with every bite.
Get the Recipe: Tri-Color Christmas Sugar Cookies
Maria Puck’s Linzer Cookies
With layers of hazelnut and raspberry, these Linzer cookies bring elegance to any holiday table. A delicious cut-out cookies recipe for special occasions, they’re sure to become a new family favorite during Christmas.
Get the Recipe: Maria Puck’s Linzer Cookies