12 Fantastic Christmas Cookies Slideshow

1. Bittersweet Chocolate Chip Cookies

Here's a twist on a bakery classic. Cookies are only as good as the chocolate you use to make them, so Sarah Levy, owner of Sarah's Pastries & Candies in Chicago, recommends purchasing couverture cocoa paste chocolate.

Click here to see the Bittersweet Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.

2. Christmas Mice Cookies

These macaroon-like cookies are easy to make, and kids will have fun helping to decorate them.

Click here to see the Christmas Mice Cookies Recipe.

3. Milk & Cookies Bakery Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is, by far, the biggest seller at Milk & Cookies Bakery. Leave these cookies with a glass of milk next to the tree, and you'll be in for a surprise in the morning.

Click here to see the Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe.

4. Cranberry Pumpkin Cookies

Dried cranberries give these festive pumpkin cookies a nice zing and fruitiness.

Click here to see the Cranberry Pumpkin Cookies Recipe.

5. Holiday Sugar Cookies

This sugar cookie recipe comes from Jay Muse, owner of Lulu Cake Boutique in New York City and Scarsdale, N.Y. It is perfect for making cookies of all shapes and sizes to decorate for the holidays.

Click here to see the Holiday Sugar Cookies Recipe.

6. Homemade Oreo Cookies with Cream Filling and Milkshake Shots

Homemade Oreo cookies and milkshake shots spiked with Coca-Cola bring to mind a perennial Christmas classic: Santa-themed Coke commercials.

Click here to see the Homemade Oreo Cookies with Milkshake Shots Recipe.

7. Lemon Shortbread Cookies

This lemon shortbread recipe takes the tart, fresh flavor of lemons and contrasts it beautifully with the richness of butter.

Click here to see the Lemon Shortbread Cookies Recipe.

8. Nutella Amaretto Icebox Cookies with Almonds

Two delicious cookie doughs combine to create striped and swirly patterns in this easy recipe.

Click here to see the Nutella Amaretto Icebox Cookies Recipe.

9. Peaceful Oats Cookies

This recipe comes to us courtesy of Ashley Swider, owner of YesUMay Cookies in Charleston, S.C.

Click here to see the Peaceful Oats Cookies Recipe.

10. Pine Nut Thumbprint Cookies with Fig Jam

A good cookie to make with young children, as they can help fill the cooled cookies with jam.

Click here to see the Pine Nut Thumbprint Cookies Recipe.

11. Snickerdoodles

You can find recipes for snickerdoodles in very old cookbooks. They are a Southern favorite — sugary, a little chewy, and filled with sweet spicy goodness.

Click here to see the Snickerdoodles Recipe.

12. Molasses Ginger Snaps

These guys are redolent of winter spices, but most importantly, they're packed with butter and molasses.

Click here to see the Molasses Ginger Snaps Recipe.