Say hello to our Christmas Cookie Platter this year, filled with festive treats and holiday cheer. It has the perfect mix of colors, shapes, and flavors to impress — the best way to showcase your holiday baking this season. With just a bit of planning, and following our step-by-step guide, you can create a stunning cookie tray that’s as fun to assemble as it is to enjoy!
I’m sharing my complete how-to guide to building the best Christmas cookie platter. You’ll find tips for selecting cookies, arranging them beautifully, and even a few extra tricks to elevate your display. Whether you plan to bake every cookie from scratch or mix in a few store-bought favorites, this guide has everything you need. From choosing the best flavors to crafting the perfect presentation, you’ll find ideas for creating a festive, inviting platter that’s sure to be a highlight of the holiday season. Let’s make this the year of the unforgettable Christmas cookie platter!
How to Create the Best Christmas Cookie Platter
Step 1: Choose the cookies.
When selecting cookies for your Christmas cookie platter, aim for variety. Mixing different shapes, sizes, and flavors will make the platter visually appealing. You can include a combination of homemade and store-bought cookies, or go all-in with your own creations. I recommend choosing at least 6 different types, but don't hesitate to go above and beyond if you're feeling ambitious. Start planning about a month in advance, and adjust as new ideas and inspirations strike.
Step 2: Add other festive treats.
Consider adding a few extra goodies to your platter to really elevate it. Candy canes, peppermint bark, chocolate truffles, or even chocolate covered oreos make for great additions. These treats can add variety and texture to the platter, ensuring there's something for everyone.
Step 3: Check your baking tools.
Before you start, make sure you have all the necessary equipment. Depending on the cookies that you’re baking, you’ll typically need these basics: measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, electric mixer, and baking sheets. You might also need a silicone baking mat, wire cooling racks, a cookie scoop, or Christmas-themed cookie cutters and a rolling pin. Double-check your kitchen inventory to avoid any last-minute trips to the store.
Step 4: Create a shopping list.
Now that you've decided what cookies and extras to include, it's time to make your shopping list. Write down all the ingredients for your cookies, as well as any additional treats or candies you want to include. Don’t forget to check your kitchen for baking supplies to see if you need anything like cookie tins or liners, festive ribbons, or dividers to section off the platter.
Step 5: Plan your baking schedule.
With a full cookie platter ahead of you, it can feel overwhelming. To stay organized, make a baking schedule. Start by identifying the easiest cookies and work your way up to the more complex ones. Some cookies may need chilling, rolling, cutting, or decorating, so take that into account. Spread out your baking sessions across a few days if necessary — many cookies freeze well, so you can bake ahead and freeze the finished cookies until it's time to assemble the platter.
See our Christmas Baking Guide + Checklists for step-by-step help!
This comprehensive Christmas Baking Guide with free checklists includes info on baking ingredients and tools, tons of tips, mistakes to avoid, and recipes.
Step 6: Assemble the platter.
When it’s time to put your platter together, think about how to arrange the cookies to create visual interest. Group cookies of different shapes, sizes, and colors together, and avoid large sections where all the cookies look the same. To keep things organized, use mini cupcake liners for smaller cookies, burlap twine or ribbons to bundle cookies, and cardstock to create sections within your platter. A well-arranged platter is not only a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes!
Cookie Platter Tips and Tricks
- Create visual interest. Arrange cookies of varying sizes and shapes in sections around the platter. Place larger, round cookies on the edges and smaller, intricate cookies in the center for contrast. Cluster cookies by flavor or color to create a more organized look, or mix them up for a playful vibe.
- Use small bowls and liners for separation. Incorporate mini bowls or cupcake liners to hold smaller cookies, candies, or chocolate-covered pretzels. These not only help with portion control but add dimension to the platter. Layering different heights with stacked cookies or using small jars for peppermint candies can also add depth.
Cookies in our Christmas Cookie Platter
The cookies that I included in our Christmas cookie platter this year are:
- Gingerbread Macarons
- Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
- Red Velvet Blossoms
- Brookies Cookies
- Chocolate Ginger Cookies
- Cinnamon Roll Cookies
- Maple Cookies
- Coffee Cake Cookies
I usually like to include traditional holiday cookies like Christmas Sugar Cookies, Gingerbread Men Cookies, and Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, as well as a few fun additions like Mexican Wedding Cookies or festive Stained Glass Window Cookies. Here are some of my favorite cookies to add.
More Christmas Cookies
For a collection of all our Christmas recipes, see our Best Christmas Cookies. I am also sharing a handful below.
Christmas Monster Cookies are soft, chewy, festive and packed with holiday cheer! Loaded with oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and red and green MnM’s.
Classic gingerbread cookies are soft and chewy in the centre but crisp on the edges, and warmly spiced. Decorate with royal icing to complete the look on these festive holiday cookies.
Peppermint Macarons with festive red shells, creamy peppermint buttercream, and a white chocolate candy cane topping are the ultimate Christmas cookies.
Christmas sugar cookies with royal icing are golden brown and crisp on the outside, but soft and tender inside. The best and festive gourmet holiday cookie.
Sweet and crunchy Peppermint Kiss Cookies are the perfect Christmas cookies made with a sugar cookie dough, real candy canes, and a peppermint kiss on top.
Hot Chocolate Cookies are soft and chewy, loaded with classic hot cocoa ingredients, and is so easy to make in just 20 minutes (no chilling required!).
Jam Thumbprint Cookies are soft and buttery, with a sweet and fruity jam filling, and a drizzle of almond glaze. They literally melt in your mouth!
Stained glass window cookies with a soft crisp sugar cookie base and smooth jolly rancher hard candy center are the prettiest holiday cookies and easy too.
Italian Christmas Cookies (Ricotta Cookies)
Super moist, soft, and sweet Italian Christmas Cookies (Ricotta Cookies) are easy festive holiday treats that are ready in just 30 minutes!
Easy Peanut Butter Cup Cookies are tall and thick, classic Christmas cookies made with peanut butter cookie dough and a mini Reese's cup pressed in.
Snickerdoodles are a classic holiday cookie that are soft, puffy, and chewy with crisp edges and a cinnamon-sugar coating. Easy to make and easy to eat.
Chocolate Spritz Cookies are a rich and indulgent twist on classic buttery spritz cookies. Dip them in extra chocolate or top with colorful sprinkles.
Candy cane cookies are fun, festive holiday cookies with a red and white twist, buttery, crumbly, and sugary with peppermint for a classic Christmas flavor.
Recipe
Christmas Cookie Platter
Description
Say hello to our Christmas Cookie Platter this year, filled with festive treats and holiday cheer. It has the perfect mix of colors, shapes, and flavors to impress — the best way to showcase your holiday baking this season. With just a bit of planning, and following our step-by-step guide, you can create a stunning cookie tray that’s as fun to assemble as it is to enjoy!
Ingredients
- cookies - you may need flour, sugar, butter, baking powder, baking soda, salt, eggs, peanut butter, chocolate chips, sprinkles
- baking equipment - measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, stand mixer or hand mixer, half sheet baking pan, silicone baking mat, and wire cooling rack. You may also need a cookie scoop, Christmas cookie cutters, and a rolling pin.
- other treats - such as candy canes, chocolate and candies.
- cookie platter - you can use a large round tray or box.
- accessories - such as cupcake liners, burlap rope and/or ribbon.
Instructions
- Choose the cookies. When selecting cookies for your Christmas cookie platter, aim for variety. Mixing different shapes, sizes, and flavors will make the platter visually appealing. You can include a combination of homemade and store-bought cookies, or go all-in with your own creations. I recommend choosing at least 6 different types, but don't hesitate to go above and beyond if you're feeling ambitious. Start planning about a month in advance, and adjust as new ideas and inspirations strike.
- Add other festive treats.Consider adding a few extra goodies to your platter to really elevate it. Candy canes, peppermint bark, chocolate truffles, or even chocolate covered oreos make for great additions.
- Check your baking tools. Before you start, make sure you have all the necessary equipment. Depending on the cookies that you’re baking, you’ll typically need these basics: measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, electric mixer, and baking sheets. You might also need a silicone baking mat, wire cooling racks, a cookie scoop, or Christmas-themed cookie cutters and a rolling pin.
- Create a shopping list. Now that you've decided what cookies and extras to include, it's time to make your shopping list. Write down all the ingredients for your cookies, as well as any additional treats or candies you want to include. Don’t forget to check your kitchen for baking supplies to see if you need anything like cookie tins or liners, festive ribbons (or burlap twine), or cardstock dividers to section off the platter.
- Make a schedule. With a full cookie platter ahead of you, it can feel overwhelming. To stay organized, make a baking schedule. Start by identifying the easiest cookies and work your way up to the more complex ones. Some cookies may need chilling, rolling, cutting, or decorating, so take that into account. Spread out your baking sessions across a few days if necessary — many cookies freeze well, so you can bake ahead and freeze the finished cookies until it's time to assemble the platter.
- Assemble the platter. When it’s time to put your platter together, think about how to arrange the cookies to create visual interest. Group cookies of different shapes, sizes, and colors together, and avoid large sections where all the cookies look the same. To keep things organized, use mini cupcake liners for smaller cookies, burlap twine or ribbons to bundle cookies, and cardstock to create sections within your platter.
Notes
How to store: You can make or prepare all of these Christmas cookies ahead of time, and most keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for at least 3 days, up to one week.
How to freeze: Store these cookies in an airtight container in layers divided by parchment paper, or in a freezer bag (depending on the cookies), and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Making a batch of cookies at a time and storing in the freezer is the best way to make a holiday cookie box with a variety of cookies.
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