If you’re building a holiday cookie box this year, you’re in the right place. Below you’ll find a curated collection of homemade cookie recipes that are perfect for gifting—some quick and easy for busy weekdays, others a little more decadent and dramatic for when you want to go all out. Think buttery shortbread, deeply chocolatey classics, and a few showstoppers that always earn a “wow.“
Mix and match textures, flavors, and shapes to create a cookie box that feels thoughtful, festive, and unmistakably homemade. And in case it’s helpful, these are the disposable cookie boxes I buy every year to transport and giveaway baked goods. Easy and durable!
1
Foolproof Italian Rainbow Cookies Recipe
I've been making these Italian Rainbow Cookies (also known as tri color cookies) for over a decade — this recipe is foolproof, and dozens of you agree! They require a little planning, but they’re quite easy to make. Thin layers of soft almond cake are sandwiched together with sweet raspberry jam, then coated in chocolate. It's cake disguised as a cookie! As an added bonus, each batch yields 96 cookies!
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2
Flaky, Buttery Chocolate Rugelach with Raspberry Jam
These flaky chocolate and raspberry rugelach are my family's most requested holiday cookie! The dough is cream cheese and butter based, which gives the cookies a tender, buttery texture. But it's the combination of chocolate and raspberry jam that reminds me most of my favorite Jewish delicatessen cookie! Bonus: the dough is made in a food processor, making these easier than you think. Instructions for freezing included.
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3
Browned Butter Miso Chocolate Chip Cookies
When I think about perfect chocolate chip cookies, these 3 things come to mind: soft, chewy centers, crisp golden edges, and a nutty sweet taste. Thankfully, my Browned Butter Miso Chocolate Chip Cookies check all the boxes! These will become your new favorite cookie recipe, promise!
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4
Chewy Amaretti Cookies (Soft Italian Almond Cookies)
These chewy amaretti cookies taste like they belong in an Italian bakery window: almond-forward, slightly crisp on the outside, and tender and chewy in the center. A double roll in sugar gives them their iconic snowy crinkle, making them a standout treat for cookie boxes, holiday parties, or cozy afternoons with espresso. Bonus? They're naturally gluten-free.
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These soft almond cookies are not only easy to make and delicious, but they’re also naturally gluten-free and dairy-free!
5
Foolproof Chocolate-Dipped Biscotti with Pecans
These crunchy (but not too crunchy!) Chocolate-Dipped Biscotti with pecans have been described as, "the perfect biscotti recipe!" They're not-too-dense, not-too-crumbly, and absolutely delicious dunked into a hot cup of coffee. Add these to your holiday cookie exchange and watch them disappear.
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6
Buttery Pistachio & Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies
It's hard to put into words how much I love these buttery pistachio chocolate chip shortbread cookies, but they top the list of easy-to-make, foolproof, loved by all desserts that are a wonderful addition to holiday cookie boxes or for enjoying at home with family. Freezer-friendly!
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7
Bakery-Style Black And White Cookies
If you’ve never had a Black and White Cookie, you’re missing out on the ultimate New York treat! These are soft, cake-like cookies with a rich vanilla and chocolate glaze that perfectly balances sweetness in every bite. They’re easy to make, fun to frost, and guaranteed to impress—whether for a nostalgic treat or a homemade bakery-style dessert!
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8
Levain-Style Chocolate Cookies with Melty Peanut Butter
If you've never had a Levain Bakery cookie, it's hard to put into words what you've been missing out on. Thankfully, these giant, gooey, and rich chocolate peanut butter cookies are easy to make at home! They're almost brownie-like in texture with warm pockets of utterly melty peanut butter chips in every bite. The ultimate cookie recipe, whether gifting to friends and family or keeping all for yourself!
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Note: these cookies are absolutely giant. I’ll add just one to each cookie box (and even sometimes cut it into quarters so there are “multiples” of it for sharing).
9
5-Ingredient Rosemary Shortbread Cookies
Homemade Rosemary Shortbread has just 5 ingredients and can be made entirely in a food processor, making it a quick, easy cookie to bake! Perfect year round, but especially during the holidays! This shortbread recipe will quickly become a family favorite!
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10
Tender Chocolate Chip Mandel Bread (Jewish Cookies)
Mandel Bread is a traditional Jewish cookie that is twice-baked, yielding a crunchy exterior similar to biscotti, but with a more tender center. My favorite add-in's are mini chocolate chips and sliced almonds, the latter of which is enhanced by almond extract in the cookie dough. Be sure to have a cup of hot coffee on hand for dipping!
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Had trouble l keeping the cookies to stay together. Might be my fault that I kept the whole almonds chopped rather lightly. Flavor was nice.
Very tender like mandlebread
Hi Mekanue — are you referring to the Italian biscotti or a different recipe? I have a mandelbread recipe as well. 🙂 Cheers, Ari
Oh sorry, was referring to the Mandel bread recipe
Got it — when you said they were ‘tender like mandelbread’ I thought you had tried a different recipe. They’re one of my favorite cookies, especially dunked in a cup of coffee!!