9 Drop Cookie Recipes for the Easiest Holiday Baking

The holiday season is upon us, bringing with it the joy of baking delicious treats to share with loved ones. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, drop cookies are a fantastic option for easy, yet delightful, holiday baking. These recipes require no rolling, chilling, or shaping—simply drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet and watch them transform into scrumptious treats. From classic chocolate chip to festive peppermint, here are 9 drop cookie recipes that will fill your home with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked goodies.

1. Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
3. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
4. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; gradually add to butter mixture.
5. Stir in chocolate chips.
6. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets.
7. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Cool on wire racks and enjoy!

2. Holiday Spiced Snickerdoodles

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for rolling)
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (for rolling)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs one at a time.
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually add flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing well after each addition.
6. In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons sugar and cinnamon for rolling.
7. Shape dough into 1-inch balls and roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture.
8. Place balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
9. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set but not too hard.
10. Cool on wire racks and enjoy the warm, spiced goodness!

3. Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup white chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
4. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; gradually add to butter mixture.
5. Fold in dried cranberries and white chocolate chips.
6. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets.
7. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly golden.
8. Cool on wire racks and enjoy the perfect balance of tart cranberries and sweet white chocolate!

4. Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 36 milk chocolate kisses, unwrapped

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and peanut butter until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in egg and vanilla.
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, mixing well after each addition.
6. Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
7. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly golden.
8. Immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie.
9. Cool on wire racks and enjoy the classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate!

5. Almond Joy Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped almonds

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
4. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; gradually add to butter mixture.
5. Fold in coconut, chocolate chips, and almonds.
6. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets.
7. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly golden.
8. Cool on wire racks and enjoy the tropical flavors of coconut, chocolate, and almonds!

6. Lemon Glazed Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• For the Glaze:
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing well after each addition.
6. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets.
7. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
8. Cool on wire racks.
9. For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth.
10. Drizzle glaze over cooled cookies and let set before serving. Enjoy the bright, citrusy flavor!

7. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup raisins

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
5. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture.
6. Stir in oats and raisins.
7. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets.
8. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly golden.
9. Cool on wire racks and enjoy the comforting flavor of oatmeal and raisins!

8. Peppermint Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup crushed peppermint candies

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs and peppermint extract.
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, mixing well after each addition.
6. Fold in chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies.
7. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets.
8. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set.
9. Cool on wire racks and enjoy the delightful combination of chocolate and peppermint!

9. Maple Pecan Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons maple extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then stir in maple extract.
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, mixing well after each addition.
6. Stir in chopped pecans.
7. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets.
8. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly golden.
9. Cool on wire racks and enjoy the rich, buttery flavor of maple and pecans!

With these 9 delicious drop cookie recipes, your holiday baking will be a breeze. Whether you’re craving classic chocolate chip or festive peppermint, there’s a cookie here to satisfy every sweet tooth. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let the aroma of freshly baked cookies fill your home with warmth and joy this holiday season. Happy baking!