Some cookie tray classics never even make it to the dessert table—they’re the first ones everyone reaches for the moment the lid comes off the tin. This lineup is packed with holiday cookie tray classics like buttery snowball cookies, soft blackstrap molasses cookies, crisp gingersnaps, peppermint candy cane sugar cookies, and gooey Hello Dolly bar cookies that taste like pure nostalgia. If you’re building a holiday cookie tray that’s guaranteed to disappear fast, start with these tried-and-true favorites.

Classic Snowball Cookies

Classic Snowball Cookies. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

These soft, buttery snowball cookies are filled with chopped walnuts and coated in powdered sugar. No chilling required, they’re a festive favorite for holiday trays.
Get the Recipe: Classic Snowball Cookies

Soft Blackstrap Molasses Cookies

Soft Blackstrap Molasses Cookies. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Full of warming spices and rich molasses, these soft and chewy cookies are an old-fashioned holiday favorite with deep flavor.
Get the Recipe: Soft Blackstrap Molasses Cookies

Grinch-Inspired Christmas Cake Mix Cookies

Grinch-Inspired Christmas Cake Mix Cookies. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

These bright green cookies are soft, festive, and perfect for a whimsical holiday treat inspired by a Christmas classic.
Get the Recipe: Grinch-Inspired Christmas Cake Mix Cookies

Lemon Blueberry Cake Mix Cookies with Glaze

Lemon Blueberry Cake Mix Cookies with Glaze. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

These soft lemon blueberry cookies start with cake mix and finish with a sweet glaze—ideal for brunch, showers, or spring desserts.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Blueberry Cake Mix Cookies with Glaze

A computer monitor displays "Printable Cookie Exchange Party Kit" with a printer beside it. Around the screen are festive printables for a cookie exchange, including voting ballots and certificates with holiday cookie designs.
Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality

Hosting a Christmas cookie exchange shouldn’t be complicated — it should be sweet and joyful! This coordinated set takes care of every detail, from the welcome sign to the award certificates. Each piece features matching holiday cookie designs that tie your décor together and bring instant festive flair to your celebration. To learn more: Christmas Cookie Exchange Kit

Quick Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Quick Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

These cake mix cookies bring the cozy spices of carrot cake into bite-sized treats. Finished with cream cheese frosting, they’re easy to make and taste homemade.
Get the Recipe: Quick Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Easy Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookies

Easy Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookies. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Made with just five pantry staples, these cake mix peanut butter cookies are soft, chewy, and ready in no time—perfect for everyday cravings or casual gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Easy Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookies

Salted Cashew Cookies in a Jar

Salted Cashew Cookies in a Jar. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This soft and chewy salted cashew cookie mix makes a thoughtful gift or a convenient way to whip up a batch of cookies at home.
Get the Recipe: Salted Cashew Cookies in a Jar

4-Ingredient Christmas Cake Mix Cookies

4-Ingredient Christmas Cake Mix Cookies. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

These festive cookies require just four simple ingredients and under five minutes of prep. A perfect go-to for quick holiday baking.
Get the Recipe: 4-Ingredient Christmas Cake Mix Cookies

Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Close-up of hands breaking a chocolate chip cookie in half. The cookie is golden-brown with melted chocolate chips inside, showcasing a gooey texture.
Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Packed with hearty oats and rich vegan chocolate chips, these chewy cookies deliver classic flavor with a plant-based twist.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies (No Eggs)

Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies (No Eggs). Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

These thick, chewy peanut butter cookies are completely egg-free and vegan. A simple, satisfying treat with bold peanut flavor.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies (No Eggs)

No-Bake Cookie Dough Bites (Ready in 10 Minutes). Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

These soft, chewy cookie dough bites are no-bake and totally safe to eat. Quick to make and totally irresistible.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Cookie Dough Bites (Ready in 10 Minutes)

DIY Cookie Mix Gift Jar. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This adorable cookie mix in a jar is a perfect homemade gift idea. Just add a tag with instructions, and you’re ready to spread sweet holiday cheer.
Get the Recipe: DIY Cookie Mix Gift Jar

4-Ingredient Cool Whip Lemon Cookies

4-Ingredient Cool Whip Lemon Cookies. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

These light, chewy lemon cookies are made with cake mix and Cool Whip for a quick citrusy treat. Perfect for brunches, swaps, or springtime sweets.
Get the Recipe: 4-Ingredient Cool Whip Lemon Cookies

Soft Classic Gingerbread Cookies

Soft Classic Gingerbread Cookies. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

These classic gingerbread cookies are spiced just right and soft enough for decorating or enjoying plain. A timeless recipe for festive baking.
Get the Recipe: Soft Classic Gingerbread Cookies

Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies

Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Bright, cheerful, and easy to make, these Funfetti cookies are a colorful dessert using just cake mix and basic staples. Great for birthdays or everyday fun.
Get the Recipe: Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies

Rich and Fudgy No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies

Rich and Fudgy No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

These no-bake oatmeal cookies are made with cocoa, peanut butter, and oats for a fudgy, old-school treat that comes together in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Rich and Fudgy No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies

Chewy Pistachio Cranberry Cookies

Chewy Pistachio Cranberry Cookies. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

These pistachio cookies are chewy, nutty, and dotted with tart cranberries for a festive and flavorful twist on a classic.
Get the Recipe: Chewy Pistachio Cranberry Cookies

Soft Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Soft Pumpkin Spice Cookies. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

These pumpkin cookies are chewy, flavorful, and filled with fall spices—perfect for cool evenings or cozy baking days.
Get the Recipe: Soft Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Pumpkin Sugar Cookies Rolled in Cinnamon

Pumpkin Sugar Cookies Rolled in Cinnamon. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Soft, chewy, and coated in cinnamon sugar, these pumpkin spice cookies are an irresistible treat for autumn baking.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Sugar Cookies Rolled in Cinnamon

Easy Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies

Easy Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

With a crisp sugar-dusted top and soft interior, these strawberry cookies are easy to make and perfect for springtime parties or weekday fun.
Get the Recipe: Easy Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies

Gluten-Free Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Gluten-Free Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. Photo credit: Blackberry Babe.

These gluten-free oatmeal raisin cookies are soft, chewy, and spiced just right for a comforting, wholesome treat anyone can enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Classic Crispy Gingersnap Cookies

Classic Crispy Gingersnap Cookies. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

These homemade gingersnaps are thin, crisp, and perfectly spiced. A nostalgic cookie ideal for gifting or dunking.
Get the Recipe: Classic Crispy Gingersnap Cookies

Hello Dolly Bar Cookies (Magic Cookie Bars). Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Layers of chocolate, coconut, pecans, and butterscotch over graham crust, all topped with sweetened condensed milk—these bars are a holiday classic.
Get the Recipe: Hello Dolly Bar Cookies (Magic Cookie Bars)

Peppermint Candy Cane Sugar Cookies

Peppermint Candy Cane Sugar Cookies. Photo credit: Life Currents.

Buttery sugar cookie dough twisted with peppermint flavor and sprinkled with crushed candy canes for a festive, fun holiday treat.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Candy Cane Sugar Cookies

Festive Cake Mix Christmas Cookies

Festive Cake Mix Christmas Cookies. Photo credit: Walking On Sunshine Recipes.

Made with cake mix, M&Ms, and sprinkles, these colorful cookies are perfect for quick, festive baking with the whole family.
Get the Recipe: Festive Cake Mix Christmas Cookies

Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies

Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies. Photo credit: The Kitchen Magpie.

These cream cheese-based cookies are tender and slightly tangy—perfect for pressing in a bit of jam or peppermint candy.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies

Holiday Cinnamon Lattice Cookies

Holiday Cinnamon Lattice Cookies. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Beautifully patterned and spiced with cinnamon, these lattice cookies are an impressive and flavorful addition to any holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Holiday Cinnamon Lattice Cookies

White Chocolate Haystack Cookies (No-Bake)

White Chocolate Haystack Cookies (No-Bake). Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Made with crunchy chow mein noodles and melted white chocolate, these no-bake haystacks are sweet, salty, and fun to make with kids.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Haystack Cookies (No-Bake)

Loved these recipes?  TAP TO FOLLOW  Intentional Hospitality for daily recipes and easy hosting ideas.