Christmas cookies are an integral part of the holiday spirit. There's nothing quite like coming home on a cold day to warm up with a delicious sugary snack. This year, we have decided to celebrate the Christmas season with a Christmas Cookie Countdown. Everyday until Christmas we will be featuring our best cookie recipes so that you can be fully prepared with the most delicious recipes out there. You'll be the queen of family gatherings and cookie swaps. We'll have cookie recipes for everyone: from simple Christmas cookies, for those who don't like a lot of fuss or who want to make cookies in bulk, to traditional Christmas cookies. You won't want to miss out on a single recipe. Sign up for our free email newsletter, Quick and Healthy Recipes, to stay updated on the cookie countdown and to get a look at all of our fantastic recipes.
Without further ado, here is the Christmas Cookie Countdown:
30. Coconut Oatmeal Toffee Cookies (pictured left) No one can resist the sweet combination of flavors found in this easy cookies recipe. If you want to make this Coconut Oatmeal Toffee Cookies recipe healthier, luckily Averie of Averie Cooks includes suggestions on how to make these cookies vegan and gluten free. This baking idea would also be a great addition to your holiday cookie recipes list.
29. Sugar Plums Do visions of sugar plums dance in your head? You're not alone. This Sugar Plums Recipe is a traditional version of this Christmas favorite. Filled with nuts and dried fruits, this is a one-of-a-kind super food dessert.
28. Chocolate and Vanilla Pinwheel Cookies Christmas time can be any time with these Gluten-Free Chocolate and Vanilla Pinwheel Cookies. Regardless of the time of year, this pinwheel cookie recipe is sure to wow your friends and family. This is a great recipe to show off those baking skills.
27. Christmas Tree Cake How-To (pictured right) It's the most wonderful time of the year … and the most delicious. If you're looking to wow your guests this holiday season, follow this Christmas Tree Cake How-To to make an impressive tower of decorative Christmas cookies resembling a snow-filled tree. There will be peace on Earth and in their tummies.
26. Snowballs Low-Carb Version Traditionally a Christmas cookie, Snowballs can be smothered in calories. But, this Snowballs Low-Carb Version uses natural peanut butter and chocolate protein powder to boost nutrition. This is definitely a unique recipe for the health-conscious sweet eater.
25. Egg Nog Cookies Say hello to Gluten-Free Egg Nog Cookies, a sugar cookie recipe from one of our Featured Foodies. These cookies aren't just for Santa. They're quick, easy and delicious for any time of the year.
24. Chocolate Saltine Toffee (pictured left) Chocolate Saltine Toffee, also known as Christmas Crack, is one of the easiest and most addicting holiday dessert recipes we've come across. When you put chocolate and caramel together in a recipe that takes about ten minutes to make, you know you're in trouble. You won't want to, but try to save some for your guests.
23. Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Looking to make chocolate chip cookies that are a bit healthier for you? Then give this Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe a try. These are some of the best chocolate chip cookies around!
22. Almond Cookies (pictured above) This recipe for Almond Cookies will become an instant favorite with your first bite. These almond cookies have a soft, chewy texture that perfectly contrasts the crunchy almond slices and icing that top these tasty treats. This is an easy recipe to whip up for the holiday season. There's no need to spend a lot of time on dessert when you have this recipe up your sleeve. You can easily have a whole batch of cookies done in less than a half an hour when you add this recipe to your arsenal. If you're attending a cookie swap, this almond cookie recipe is a great choice.
21. Soft Gingerbread Spice Cookies Sugar and spice and everything nice! That's the case with these little Soft Gingerbread Spice Cookies. Prepare to embrace fall and the holiday season with this traditional cookie recipe for kids and adults alike. They're great for parties or just with milk after dinner. They are a favorite and an easy make ahead dessert.
20. Chocolate Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies (pictured right) These cookies have a secret ingredient that makes them an incredibly easy and quick recipe. That's right, you make these Chocolate Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies with cake mix. You'll never try a cookie quite like these ones. The cake mix gives them a thick, moist texture that is reminiscent of cake in all the right ways. Cream cheese adds a bit of a tangy undertone to the flavor and makes these a mega moist cookie perfect for any occasion.
19. White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies (pictured left) White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies are a classic treat that can be served at any time of the year. You can make these delicious cookies right in your own home with this simple recipe. You'll be delighted at how easily you can make these bakery-worthy cookies. The flavors of the white chocolate and macadamia nuts are perfect companions and create a symphony just for your taste buds. These cookies have a salty and sweet flavor and a chewy texture. Everyone will be enchanted by these unassuming-looking cookies that pack a big punch in the taste department.
18. Almond Crescent Cookies Without a doubt, Almond Crescent Cookie Recipes have been around since the beginning of time ... for good reason. These buttery and flaky Christmas cookies (traditionally) are loaded with nutritious almonds. Plus, they're quick and easy to make. Only 25 minutes from start to finish.
17. Coconut Banana Cookie Bars If you've got some bananas lying around the house and need to use them up, make up a batch of these Coconut Banana 
Cookie Bites to drive your brown-banana woes away. Coconut flakes give shape, texture, and flavor to the dough, while the mashed bananas act as a healthy replacement for butter. No one will miss the dairy in these vegan cookies, though! These easy coconut cookies are a perfect end of day snack for the entire family. You need to bake these homemade banana cookies at a low temperature for a while, so make sure you are able to hang around to keep an eye on them.
16. No-Bake Copycat Thin Mints (pictured right) If you love Girl Scout cookies, you'll love this No-Bake Copycat Thin Mints recipe. With surprising ingredients, this might be the easiest and most delicious copycat cookie recipe you'll find. You'll be shocked at how simple this recipe really is.
15. Vegan Maple Nut Chocolate Oaties Maple syrup has a subtle flavor that makes it a perfect natural sweetener for baking. This recipe for Vegan Maple Nut Chocolate Oaties takes full advantage of maple syrup as a healthy and flavorful ingredient. Coconut and chopped nuts add a little bit of extra flavor and give these healthy chocolate chip cookies an excellent texture. This is one of the best recipes for oatmeal cookies you'll find. These cookies are delicious and easy to make, just mix the ingredients, bake, and eat. The maple flavor makes these a great fall or winter cookie, but they'd be a stand-out success at any time of the year.
14. Orange Cookies (pictured left) This recipe for Orange Cookies with icing is a great holiday recipe that's sure to delight everyone who takes a bite. Oranges used to be placed in children's stockings because it was difficult to get fruit during the winter season. You can continue that tradition in cookie form by creating these delicious frosted orange cookies for your family. The soft texture and flavorful icing is sure to charm the entire family. You can't go wrong with these unique and indulgent cookies. Fruit flavored cookies are uncommon, so you're guaranteed to stand out from the baking crowd with this easy recipe for orange cookies.
13. Pumpkin Choclate Chip Cookies Pumpkin has a lot to offer bakers--it's got a great texture and that wonderfully seasonal flavor that's incredibly distinctive. These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are a perfect example of just how fantastic a bit of well-placed pumpkin puree can be. This is a fun recipe to pull out when you're planning on having kids in your baking audience. Adults love these healthy pumpkin cookies as well, so you could always show off and bring them to a workplace party. You'll look like a pro-baker with these cookies, but they're really very easy to make. You'll find yourself pulling out this simple pumpkin cookie recipe time and time again after you give it a try.
12. Giant Chocolate Cloud Cookies (pictured right) These Giant Chocolate Cloud Cookies are an indulgent treat that will satisfy any and all chocolate cravings, while delighting friends and family. Drizzling white and dark chocolate over the top of these cookies only makes them better. You'll find yourself pulling out the recipe for these giant chocolate cookies for all occasions. A bit of food coloring would dress up the white chocolate, making these cookies perfect for any event. Make 
the cookies red and green for Christmas, or make them the same colors as your favorite team for game day. Wherever you choose to serve these cookies, they're sure to be a huge success.
11. White Chocolate Peppermint Biscotti Curl up on a cold evening with a warm mug of hot chocolate and one of these White Chocolate Peppermint Biscotti cookies. This recipe yields a cookie that is softer than traditional biscotti, so you can eat them without dunking first. The peppermint flavor is a perfect seasonal touch that will make these a stand-out favorite at cookie swaps or family gatherings. The white chocolate drizzled over these cookies is a decadent touch that, besides adding extra sweetness, gives these cookies a festive, snow-covered look.
10. Chocolate Chip Toffee Oatmeal Cookies Toffee is a great ingredient for baking. It has a distinctive texture and flavor that complement sweet dishes, especially cookies, incredibly well. This recipe for Chocolate Chip Toffee Oatmeal Cookies takes full advantage of the crunchy texture and rich taste of toffee. It is paired with cinnamon, coconut flakes, and chocolate chips to create a chewy cookie with a complex taste. These easy oatmeal cookies can be made in about half an hour, so this is a great recipe to pull out when you're crunched for time.
9. Eggnog Cookies (pictured left) Celebrate the holiday season with these delicious Eggnog Cookies. A carefully blended selection of spices perfectly complements and captures the distinctive flavor of eggnog in cookie form. This dessert has a soft texture that is contrasted by the homemade icing that tops this Christmas favorite. Try serving these cookies with a cup of tea or a mug of hot cocoa for a delightfully warming treat. Your family is sure to fall in love with this Christmas-inspired dessert. This eggnog cookie recipe is a great way to spread the holiday spirit. The more you share these cookies, the happier everyone around you will be.
8. Pumpkin Hazelnut White Chocolate Biscotti You'll be delighted with these crispy Pumpkin Hazelnut White Chocolate Biscotti cookies that will perfectly complement hot chocolate, tea, coffee, or even milk. Pumpkin and hazelnut are two flavors that aren't often paired, but that make a dynam
o combo. Astound your holiday guests with this delicious white chocolate biscotti. This would make an excellent after-dinner treat, especially when served with coffee. The pumpkin flavor makes this an excellent recipe to pull out in late autumn or the winter, when you're in the mood for comforting spices and tastes.
7. Cran-Pistachio Cookies (pictured right) These Cran-Pistachio Cookies essentially embody the Christmas Spirit. Red and green, a perfect holiday color combination, are deliberately featured in these tasty pistachio cookies. Cranberries peek out of a green cookie dough, colored by pistachio pudding mix. There aren't any difficult techniques need to master this recipe. Instead, you'll find a couple of clever tricks that makes this a perfect cranberry cookie recipe to pull out in the busy holiday season.
6. Skinny No-Bake Cookies No-Bake cookies are one of the most delightful baking creations in the wide culinary world. There's no need to feel guilty about eating the dough, no waiting, and they're inevitably a delicious treat. These Skinny No-Bake Cookies are a tasty way to celebrate the holidays. Just roll these easy no bake cookies in a bit of powdered sugar and you'll have some snow-covered cookies on your hands. Don't waste these in a snow-ball fight, though. You're much better off eating these indoors, with a glass of milk.
5. Apricot Walnut Thumbprint Cookies These easy-to-make, gluten free cookies have a double dose of heart-healthy walnuts. Apricot Walnut Thumbprint Cookies have both finely ground walnuts in the cookie dough as well as a sprinkling of chopped walnuts on top. The apricot jam is sure to brighten up any cookie tray.
4. Rudolph's Red Nose Cookies (pictured left) Honor a favorite holiday character by making these Rudolph's Red Nose Cookies. Children especially will be enchanted by these festive treats. You'll love how easy it is to make these chocolate bon bon cookies, and adults will enjoy eating these delicious creations. A chocolate sugar cookie is the base to these tasty cookies, and they don't have any eggs. You'll have to be careful not to eat the dough raw! You could swap out the red M&M and serve these homemade cookies at any time of the year.
3. Best Ever Snickerdoodles Within the realm of all the cookie recipes from scratch in existence, are these really the Best Ever Snickerdoodles? We'll let you be the true judge of that, but this snickerdoodles recipe is unbelievably tasty, and deserves a spot in your healthy baking repertoire.
2. No-Bake Fudgy Snow Balls (pictured right) Some of the best cookie recipes are those that aren't very demanding in the labor department. 
These No-Bake Fudgy Snow Balls are about as easy as it gets. If you've got a food processor, you've won half the battle. These snow ball cookies have a fudgy, thick constancy that will delight your taste buds. But wait, there's more to this simple Christmas cookie. They're suitable for a number of dietary restrictions, since they're egg-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan friendly. If you've got a family member with a sensitive stomach, serve up these no-bake snow balls and include everyone in the festivities.
1. Chocolate and Pistachio Biscotti What's better than a twice baked potato? A twice baked cookie! Chocolate and Pistachio Biscotti are not just for the holidays. With simple ingredients like chocolate chips and nuts, this chocolate biscotti recipe is a year-round favorite.
