12 Days of Christmas Cookies 2021 Round-Up

I’m not going to lie, this Christmas season has been an epic ride for me! In truth, I was thrilled to bring back the beloved 12 Days of Christmas Cookies with 12 new cookie recipes in a row! I also had the ambitious goal of 12 days on YouTube where I filmed some videos for fan favorites from Christmases past like Moravian Chrismtas Cookies. We didn’t quite make the 12 days in a row on YouTube but I hope you’ll forgive me! 

In the meantime, my online Pastry SHOP sold a record 400 cookie gift tins! My team worked in overdrive (until the wee hours) to make, package and ship 14,012 Christmas cookies. Altogether, that means we made, rolled, cut, baked and decorated over 1,000 Pounds of cookie dough! ? 

If you didn’t get your hands on one of our Christmas Tins this year before we sold out, no stress, because I’ve got you here on CLF! Here are 12 damn good Christmas Cookies you can bake instead right now! Likewise, don’t miss the 12 Days from 2014 or 2015, or my favorite xmas cookie of all time. 

Let’s get this cookie party started! 

On the 12th Day of Christmas...

Day 12 of the annual 12 Days of Christmas Cookies 2021 were Old Fashioned Gingersnaps!

Old Fashioned Gingersnaps

These old fashioned gingersnaps have all the flavors and snappiness of their store-bought counterparts! They have the perfect balance of ginger and molasses and a good amount of crunch!

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Mmmmm, No Bake Speculoos Rum Balls were Day 11 of 2021’s 12 Days of Christmas Cookies.

No Bake Speculoos Rum Balls

These easy, no-bake Speculoos Rum Balls are incredibly easy to pull together and delightfully boozy! They have a mix of rum and Grand Marnier for that extra bit of holiday flair!

Check out this recipe

Cant get over my SUCCESSFUL Day 10 Old Fashioned Fudge. Finally successful! I'm giving you all the tips so you can be successful too!

Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe

This Old Fashioned Fudge Recipe is chewy, fudgy with the perfect amount of chocolate. Step by Step instructions for perfect fudge every time!

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These stunning Homemade Speculoos Cookies were Day 9! Worth the effort! Even if I ended up making crumbs with half the dough! I used them in the rum balls above!

Homemade Speculoos Cookies

How to make homemade Speculoos Cookies from scratch! Old fashioned speculaas cookies are pressed into a mold for a beautiful finish!

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Day 8 (a new personal fave) was Double Chocolate Biscotti! Nothing beats a little chocolate dipped in coffee.

The BEST Double Chocolate Biscotti

These are the BEST Double Chocolate Biscotti. They have a rich chocolate flavor and additional chocolate throughout! Dip one of these into your morning coffee and be transported to a Tuscan villa. ☀

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Day 7 (Part 2) of the annual 12 Days of Christmas Cookies 2021 were Cinnamon Almond Bars! A little extra effort but a delightful change of pace with the lemon and toasted almond combination.

Cinnamon Almond Bars

These Cinnamon Almond Bars are thin crispy bar cookies with an unexpected combination of cinnamon, almonds, and lemon! A crunchy contrast for your next cookie platter!

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Traditional Raspberry Linzer Cookies were Day 7 (Part 1) of 12 Days of Christmas Cookies 2021! This will forever and always be my most requested cookie. At the restaurant they were nicknamed "Lindsey's Linzers."

Traditional Raspberry Linzer Cookies

Whole, toasted almonds and brown sugar are a wonderful backdrop for the sweet raspberry preserves. The cookies are not overly sweet themselves, so the preserves and powdered sugar make them more sweet than savory and a delightful addition to any cookie tray!

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These Cardamom Crescent Cookies were Day 6! An easy, crumbly, buttery cookie. The Italians really do know best!

Cardamom Crescent Cookies

These easy Cardamom Crescent Cookies are the traditional Italian crescents but updated with cardamom and hazelnut flour!

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We adored Part 2 of Day 5: the traditional Pfeffernüsse Cookies! A shining new edition to my Christmas repertoire! Delicious day 1 and even better on day 2. I can't attest to the taste on Day 3 because they didn't last that long!

Pfeffernüsse Cookies

These traditional Pfeffernüsse Cookies are delightfully spiced and easy to make! Look no further for your new favorite Christmas cookie!

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Part 1 of Day 5 was the wondrous: Moravian Christmas Cookie! One of the most popular Christmas cookie posts on CLF! It has quite a following in the Moravian community in North Carolina! (This is the most popular post, for curiosity's sake)

Moravian Christmas Cookies

Moravian Christmas Cookies are paper-thin, crispy, spiced molasses cookies. Sweet and gingery, they taste a bit like gingerbread but are waaaay more addicting!

Check out this recipe

My husband's favorite of 2022! Day 4 of the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies: Orange Financiers!

Orange Financiers

These easy Orange Financiers are flavored with browned butter, orange and almond flour. They are soft, tender and delightfully addicting!

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Day 3 of the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies: Pistachio Cranberry Sablee Cookies! This have been one of my favorites since I started making them in 2018. They have been in every single one of our Christmas Cookie Tins

Pistachio Cranberry Sablée Cookies

These Pistachio Cranberry Sablée Cookies are an easy, slice and bake cookie that are flavored with orange zest and cinnamon. These easy refrigerator cookies are perfect for a holiday cookie tray or a Christmas Cookie tin!

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We had Day 2 of the 12 Day Christmas Cookie celebration: Cashew Caramel Pretzel Blondies! Brace yourselves for all the chewy browned butter blondies covered in salted caramel pretzels.

Cashew Caramel Pretzel Blondies

These Cashew Caramel Pretzel Blondies have a browned butter blondie base that is topped with a mountain of caramel, roasted cashews and pretzels!

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Don’t forget about Part One of Day 2 of the 12 Day Cookie Extravaganza: Hungarian Walnut Rolls! This is the second most popular cookie post on CLF! Right after their cousins the Apricot Kolaches.

Authentic Hungarian Walnut Rolls

These traditional Hungarian Walnut Rolls have a sweet, nutty filling inside a flakey, rich pastry! While they are traditionally made at Christmastime, they are outstanding any time of year!

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And who could leave out Day 1, Italian Pizzelles!? Perfectly flavored was anise, sweet, crunchy addicting little cookies! Go put the kettle on and get ready for an epic afternoon tea.

Pizzelle Cookies

Italian Pizelle Cookies are crunchy and tender, and this pizzelle recipe is made in a pizzelle press! Flavored with anise and vanilla, they are a perfect accompaniment to coffee or with an affogato!

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We even had a BONUS day, courtesy of my mom, these super easy Chocolate Crackle Cookies!

Chocolate Crackle Cookies

These Chocolate Crackle Cookies are made from Devil’s Food cake mix! Simple, fast and made in one bowl. They are chewy and richly chocolatey.

Check out this recipe