This collection of Small Batch Cookie Recipes is perfect for the holiday baking season. Whether you’re making a batch of Christmas cookies for your family to enjoy or filling a few cookie boxes for neighbours, this list has plenty of variety and you don’t need to spend hours baking cookies!
I love variety in Christmas cookies. It’s not uncommon to find 12-14 different kinds of cookies in my freezer at Christmastime. And while we enjoy our sweet treats, we don’t eat them all. I use the cookies to fill out dessert trays for entertaining and cookie boxes for family and friends.
That’s why I love small batch cookies. You get plenty of variety without baking four dozen of the same cookie!
What are small batch cookies?
A batch of cookies is just the total number of cookies a recipe makes at one time. For instance, a chocolate chip cookie recipe might note in the recipe that it “makes 4 dozen”. That would be the batch of cookies.
For me, that’s a lot of cookies. It’s more than we need, and it’s a big commitment of time since multiple pans of cookies will need to be baked in order to complete the batch.
I define small batch as any recipe that can be baked on one baking sheet or in a small 8 or 9-inch pan. While some bakers will define 8-10 as a small batch, I think 12-16 is the perfect number for Christmas cookies. It’s just enough to include in a few holiday cookie boxes with some left over for you to enjoy yourself.
Why you’ll love these small batch cookie recipes
- I’ve included all of my favourite small batch treats on this list – from drop cookies and bars, to rolled cookies and chocolate bark.
- They all make great options for gifting in cookie boxes or as dessert for small Christmas gatherings.
- There’s a mix of bake and no-bake treats, and most of them are freezer-friendly too.
- This list also includes cookies that are dairy-free, gluten-free and/or vegan, so there are options for all the cookie lovers in your life.
- All of the cookies on this list make about 12-16 cookies and come together easily to save you time and effort.
More Christmas cookie collections to enjoy
If you try any of these small batch Christmas cookies this holiday season, be sure to let me know which ones in the comments below.
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Small Batch Cookie Recipes for Christmas
This collection of Small Batch Cookie Recipes is perfect for the holiday baking season. Whether you're making a batch of Christmas cookies for your family to enjoy or filling a few cookie boxes for neighbours, this list has plenty of variety and you don't need to spend hours baking cookies!
Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are made with cocoa and dark chocolate chunks, with peppermint extract and crushed candy canes for an extra peppermint twist. The recipe yields 15 cookies and they freeze well too.
Crispy Peanut Butter Balls
Crispy Peanut Butter Balls are vegan, gluten-free and naturally sweetened, made with maple syrup and no powdered sugar. You'll want to add these healthier peanut butter balls to your no-bake cookie list. The recipe yields 12-15 balls.
Ginger Molasses Cookies
Ginger Molasses Cookies are chewy and soft with warming molasses and ginger. You don't need to chill the dough, so you can make a batch of these classic Christmas cookies in less than 30 minutes. You'll get 15 good-sized cookies with this recipe.
Cranberry Thumbprint Cookies
Cranberry Thumbprint Cookies are filled with cranberry orange chia jam, which pairs nicely with the sugar coating and chewy almond flour texture. The recipe makes a batch of 12-14 cookies and is the perfect addition to your Christmas cookie tray.
Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies are a festive twist on classic chocolate chip cookies with fresh cranberries and orange zest. They're also bars not drop cookies, so they're easy to make. And you get 16 generously-sized bars with this recipe.
Chocolate Chickpea Bark with Cinnamon and Raisins
Chocolate Chickpea Bark is loaded with crunchy, cinnamon roasted chickpeas and plump, juicy raisins. This bark freezes well and makes about 16 large pieces. Perfect for gifting or for a holiday cookie tray.
Peppermint Mocha Fudge Brownies
Peppermint Mocha Fudge Brownies are a must-make holiday brownie. They're a decadent treat but made with wholesome ingredients including a chocolate peppermint avocado frosting. One small pan yields 16 delicious brownies.
Cookie Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cookie Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are packed with chocolate chips and toasted coconut with the warming flavours of cinnamon, ginger and cookie butter. Perfect for Christmas or any time of year. The recipe yields 15 cookies.
Apricot Coconut Balls
Apricot Coconut Balls are sweetened with apricots, raisins and honey, and packed with coconut, oats and nuts. You only need 15 minutes to make 12-14 of these freezer-friendly treats.
Chocolate Oat Bars with Chai Spices
Chocolate Oat Bars are meant for the chocolate lovers on your Christmas cookie list. They're made with warming chai spices and a rich and fudgy chocolate filling. They’re also gluten-free and vegan, and the recipe makes 16 hearty bars.
So many good options Leanne!! I love small batch cookies, too. My kids honestly get sick of the same cookie after a while so I end up freezing half anyway! I want to try every kind you have here!
I always end up freezing larger batches too. Thanks Katherine! Hope you get to try a few over the holidays!