The holiday season always brings a special kind of joy to kitchens everywhere. There’s the anticipation of snow outside, family and friends gathering around, the sound of laughter, and the irresistible aroma of cookies baking in the oven. For many of us, Christmas wouldn’t feel complete without a cookie plate brimming with homemade treats, each made with a bit of love and a lot of butter. But when the season gets busy (and whose doesn’t?), “easy” recipes are the key to keeping the magic alive.
Whether you’re organizing a cookie swap, baking with kids, or looking to whip up something festive for surprise guests, reaching for a no-fuss recipe means less stress and more fun. The secret to that unforgettable cookie melt? It starts with real, high-quality butter. For generations, Minerva Dairy’s salted and unsalted butters, made with milk from pasture-raised cows and churned the old-fashioned way, have been at the heart of holiday baking. Their rich flavor and creamy texture make every cookie taste like a family tradition.
Read on, and you’ll find a collection of classic and playful Christmas cookie ideas that anyone, yes, even absolute beginners, can confidently bake. These cookies rely on pantry staples, simple steps, and Minerva Dairy’s exceptional butter to deliver tastier, softer, and more memorable treats every time.
Easy Christmas Cookie Ideas
If we’re doing this right, holiday cookies should be as fun to make as they are to eat. Each of these crowd-pleasers features easy-to-follow instructions, approachable ingredients, and a starring role for Minerva Dairy butter. Most require just one bowl, minimal chilling (or none at all), and are perfect for busy bakers or last-minute holiday cravings. So then, let’s take a stab, or a bite, at these Elite 6 cookie creations.
1. Classic Christmas Sugar Cookie
Nothing says Christmas quite like a tray of sugar cookies, ready for decorating with icing and sprinkles. These cut-outs come together easily with a simple dough. Minerva Dairy unsalted butter is creamed with sugar and eggs, then mixed with flour and a hint of vanilla. The butter guarantees tender, flavorful cookies that hold their shape yet practically melt in your mouth. Decorate with a glaze or easy buttercream for family fun.
What makes them easy: simple, no-fuss ingredients; make-ahead, freezer-friendly dough; and quick mixing by hand or with a mixer.
2. M&M’s Holiday Cookies
These cheerful cookies are a hit with kids and adults alike. The dough only needs one bowl: cream softened Minerva Dairy butter with sugar, beat in eggs and vanilla, then stir in flour, baking soda, M&Ms, and chocolate chips. Bake them right away, no chilling needed!
What makes them easy: Scoop-and-bake dough, pantry staples, and festive candy mix-ins for instant color.
3. Old-fashioned Butter Shortbread
With just four ingredients, butter, flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt, shortbread is the ultimate beginner-friendly Christmas cookie. The secret is good butter: Minerva Dairy’s 85% butterfat content means these cookies have a rich, classic crumb and golden edges. Press into a pan, score, and bake, no rolling or chilling required.
What makes them easy: One-bowl mixing, slice-and-bake, or pat-in-the-pan, making them easy for small hands.
4. Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies
Spiced cookies like these are a holiday staple. Cream together Minerva Dairy butter and brown sugar; beat in the egg and molasses, then stir in the cinnamon, ginger, and flour. The dough is scoopable, so you can roll it into balls, dredge them in sugar, and bake them straight away for wonderfully chewy centers and crisp edges.
What makes them easy: No chilling required, forgiving dough, and perfect with a cup of cocoa.
5. Peanut Butter Kiss Blossoms
These classic cookies use just a few ingredients: peanut butter, butter, sugar, an egg, and flour. Use Minerva Dairy butter and peanut butter for extra creaminess. Bake until puffed, then press a chocolate kiss into the center of each warm cookie.
What makes them easy: No need for multiple bowls, minimal measuring, great for little helpers.
6. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Chocolate-lovers, this is your moment. These crinkle cookies are super simple: melt Minerva Dairy butter, then mix in cocoa, sugar, eggs, and flour. Roll in powdered sugar before popping it in the oven. They bake up with a gorgeous crackled look and rich, fudgy flavor.
What makes them easy: Melted butter means no creaming, dough can be made ahead, and rolling in sugar is fun for all ages.
7. Lemon Snowball Cookies
Brighten your cookie plate with these melt-in-your-mouth treats! Minerva Dairy unsalted butter is the base for a delicate dough flavored with lemon zest and vanilla, then rolled in powdered sugar after baking. No chilling, no rolling pins, just scoop, bake, and dust.
What makes them easy: Minimal ingredients and steps, easy shaping, and a festive, snowy look.
8. Cinnamon Roll Cookie Bites
Channel the cozy flavor of cinnamon buns without fussing with yeast by swirling cinnamon sugar into a butter-rich dough, then slicing it into pinwheels. The magic of Minerva Dairy butter helps them brown perfectly and creates a soft, layered texture.
What makes them easy: Quick-mix dough, simple rolling technique, and fun, spiraled results.
Butter Baking Tips
Great cookies start with great butter, but a few pro tips can make all the difference for holiday baking success:
Salted vs. Unsalted Butter
Use unsalted butter in most cookie recipes, as this lets you control salt levels for the best flavor and texture. Save salted butter for finishing: brush it onto hot-from-the-oven cookies, or use it in savory bakes for a boost of flavor.
Butter Temperature Matters
- Softened Butter: Creaming softened butter with sugar creates air pockets, giving cookies lift and softness. Softened butter should yield slightly to a gentle press but not melt or feel oily.
- Melted Butter: Often used for chewy or fudgy cookies; makes for easy hand-mixing.
- Browned Butter: Adding brown butter brings a nutty, toffee-like flavor. Try it for special cookie upgrades!
Why High-Fat, Slow-Churned Butter?
Minerva Dairy’s slow-churned, high-butterfat butter gives cookies a richer flavor, a delicate crumb, beautiful color, and that irresistible bakery-style bite. It helps your cookies spread just right, stay moist longer, and bake up golden and perfect every time.
Simple Troubleshooting
- Cookies Spreading Too Much: Check your butter’s temperature; if it’s too soft or melted, the cookies may spread too much. Chill the dough briefly if needed.
- Not Spreading Enough: Add a tablespoon or two of room-temperature butter, or press balls slightly before baking.
- Dryness: Be sure to measure flour correctly (spoon and level); always use high-quality, fresh butter for maximum moisture.
Bake the Merriest Cookies Ever With Minerva Dairy
Nothing brings people together like a batch of fresh, homemade cookies, and nothing makes cookies better than real, creamy butter. This holiday season, start a new baking tradition (or pass along an old one) with Minerva Dairy’s salted and unsalted butters. Their rich taste and quality ingredients will help your cookies earn rave reviews at every gathering, cookie exchange, or cozy night in.
Make sure to add Minerva Dairy butter to your holiday shopping list, and let the baking begin! Find our products in local stores using our Store Finder, or order online for doorstep delivery through Instacart or GoldBelly. Here’s to a holiday season filled with sweetness, laughter, and the simple joy of sharing warm, buttery cookies with the ones you love.
Wishing you a season filled with sweet moments, warm ovens, and cookies made with love (and plenty of butter).
