Christmas Cookies, Candy and Sweets!

December 21, 2021

While the traditional cookie exchanges of past Christmases might be on hold for this year, that’s no reason not to make the coveted cookies that make this season so holly jolly! From across the country and around the internet, here are some of the most popular cookie recipes for the season of joy, peace and goodwill toward humanity.

Most Popular Cookie in the Country

The Spruce kicks things off for us with a map of the most popular cookies in each of the 52 United States. Curious about Colorado? The U.S. hottest holiday treats reveals that our colorful state gravitates toward Bizcochitos or Anise Cookies. And what are those, you might wonder? Anise can be a bit of an acquired taste, but if you like the licorice-like flavor, you’ll love these bizcochitos. Whole wheat flour gives this version a deeper, nuttier flavor, but you can use all-purpose if that’s what you have on hand. Feel free to skip the brandy or tequila if serving to kids.

FYI, and we tend to agree, the cookie that gets the most love from Americans is the Peanut Butter Blossoms – the most popular cookie in the U.S. Followed by Sugar Cookie M&Ms Bars, Sugar Cookie Cutouts and Easy Italian Christmas Cookies.

100s of Christmas Cookie Options!

You likely have your own favorite cookies for this time of year, but Real Simple steps it up with 93 Christmas cookie recipes that serve any holiday purpose or occasion (like we need an excuse to eat cookies?!). 

From Chocolate Peppermint Shortbreads and Italian Pignolis with almond paste and orange zest to Chewy Gingersnaps.

And from the Food Network’s collection of the Best Christmas Cookies’ collection comes this Edible Holiday Cookie Plate. Using an entire box of sugar cookie mix and rimmed oven-safe pie dish, you likely won’t be admonishing anyone to lick the plate clean!

Trader Joe’s Gingerbread Cake & Cookie Mix is back and if all you want to do is add an egg, oil and water, you can bake up either an incredibly moist and tender cake with plenty of sweetness (thanks to molasses, cinnamon and nutmeg), along with an impressive amount of crystallized ginger for a pleasant pop of flavor. It’s a seasonal product so stock up for $2.99 a box. 

And if you choose not to bake cookies at all this year, Trader Joe’s also has it’s Christmasy red tin of Belgian Cookies, made exclusively for the chain by a specialty baker in Belgium, whose reputation for delectable pastries is notorious. You’ll find 12 varieties of cookies – chocolate dipped shortbreads, cocoa cream wafers, and other crunchy, crispy, crumbly cookies.

Candy, Fudge and Sweets

Whether your tastes run toward peppermint, chocolate – milk and dark, or , there’s a confectionary tailored for your palate. 

Candy Cane Fudge from Yummly’s Recipe Girl has only four ingredients and takes two minutes to whip up. Taste of Home has 19 different Christmas fudge recipes that you can make and take to your next holiday potluck, serve to your family or give away as gifts. From Double Chocolate Walnut Fudge and Maple-Bacon White Chocolate Fudge to Dark Chocolate Raspberry Fudge and Easy Peanut Butter Fudge, there’s a flavor for everybody right here!

Joanna Gaines, host of HGTV’s Fixer Upper along with her husband Chip, are the geniuses behind the Magnolia market of furniture and home décor. She’s also a whiz in the kitchen and every year makes a boatload of cookies for the neighbors.

Joanna says that even though her foolproof Christmas Candy recipe “looks like poop”, the peanut butter balls recipe is a yummy holiday tradition and makes them every season. Take a look at how young Jo on the Magnolia Monday YouTube channel makes out with the recipe. 

And if you’d like some background music while you stir, roll, scoop and bake, here’s a link to some holiday tunes for your cookie or cooking adventures.

Cooking for Christmas in Southshore

The builders crafting new homes in the master-planned community of master-planned community of Southshore specialize in home chef kitchens. Check out the brand new homes from Taylor Morrison, Richmond American Homes and Toll Brothers – and coming soon — Century Communities. Life at the Lake is not just exclusive and packed with amenities – you’ll find the perfect ranch or two-story design, priced between the $400s and the $700s.