Martha’s Most Popular Holiday Cookies—All the Classics Everyone Bakes Year After Year

Cookies may just be the best holiday dessert on Earth. They can be baked in large quantities, last a long time, and are easy to share. Not only that, they are charming to behold and a delight to eat—simply put, they are magical. And for anyone who relishes time in the kitchen stirring dough and coaxing sweet, sugary aromas from the oven, nothing beats making holiday cookies.

As the ultimate authority on seasonal baking, Martha knows a thing or two about creating the perfect cookie. And with that in mind, we’ve gathered her most popular recipes so that you, too, can bake your way through the season. All that’s left is to choose your first batch and let the holiday magic begin.

Gingerbread, Spice, & Everything Nice

What's more quintessential "holiday" than gingerbread?! From people and houses to (checks notes) the Downton Abbey estate, Martha has clearly mastered the art of gingerbread. But why stop there? Our most popular spiced treats include recipes that think outside the cookie box, along with the tried-and-true.

Christmas Classics

Some cookies simply belong to Christmas. They’re the treats that appear year after year—rolled in powdered sugar, studded with fruit, or brightened with peppermint. These are the recipes that anchor a holiday cookie plate and define the season—comforting, traditional, and undeniably merry.

The Crowd-Pleasers

The best cookies become essentials—the perfect chocolate chip cookies everyone asks for, the sugar cookies that hold their shape beautifully, and the peanut butter and jelly thumbprints that bring you right back to grade school. Not to mention the modern classics that are well on their way to becoming part of the cookie canon!

Bright & Citrusy

If merry and bright mean the cheery flavors of lemon, lime, and orange for you, we've got you covered. These crowd favorites steer clear of the chocolate-and-spice side and go straight for winter citrus. Consider this your cue to zest up the season.

Bars, Blondies, & Brownies

Bar cookies are the happy-go-lucky friends of holiday baking—easy to prepare and endlessly likable. Our most popular in this bunch bring together everything from rich and chocolatey to bright and fruit-filled, offering something for everyone. Whether you’re assembling a cookie plate or stocking your dessert table, these slice-and-serve favorites deliver—with minimal fuss.

Shortbread & Tin-Ready Treats

With timeless flavors and simple ingredients, these buttery classics never go out of style. From tender shortbreads to festive designs, these recipes taste like tradition in every bite. Whether you like something pressed, embossed, or finished with a jewel-like center, these favorites bring fun and elegance to the holiday cookie assortment.

Around the World

Many cookies take their cues from global traditions, and these recipes bring those influences to the forefront. From melt-in-your-mouth confections to caramel-filled delights, each of these recipes showcase a distinctive flavor profile and a touch of worldly flair—bringing that je ne sais quoi straight to your cookie plate.

Tips & Tricks

Now that you have a host of cookie recipes and are ready to go, don't forget to brush up on your cookie skills—holiday baking is even more rewarding when you have expert guidance at your side. Below, see some of the methods Martha relies on—from decorating sugar cookies to understanding the science behind perfect bakes. With advice on everything from bringing butter to room temperature to avoiding common mistakes and keeping cookies fresh, Martha's insights will help you achieve your most beautiful and delicious cookies yet.