Giftable Christmas Cookie Dough
This Christmas Cookie Dough is the sweetest way to spread holiday cheer. Buttery dough is loaded with white chocolate chips, crunchy red-and-green M&M’s, and festive sprinkles, then pressed into a slab, cut into cubes, and wrapped into gift-ready packs. Recipients can bake cookies whenever the craving strikes, filling their kitchen with the smell of fresh-baked Christmas magic. It’s the perfect DIY holiday gift… simple to make, fun to package, and guaranteed to bring smiles. Forget the store-bought tins! These thoughtful cookie dough Christmas packs are festive, homemade, and absolutely irresistible.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE CHRISTMAS COOKIE GIFTS
- Easy Prep: Ready in just 20 minutes.
- Versatile: Refrigerate or freeze for weeks.
- DIY Gifts: Perfect for neighbors, teachers, and holiday parties.
- Built-in Wow Factor: Recipients can bake fresh cookies at home.
- Personalized: A thoughtful, homemade gift that feels festive and fun.
Christmas Cookie Dough
Okay, let’s be real… who wouldn’t want the gift of warm, gooey Christmas cookies on demand??? That’s why this giftable dough is my secret holiday hack.
I press it into a slab, cut it into cubes, wrap it in plastic, and tie it with a bow. Instant homemade magic.
These Christmas cookie gifts are way cuter (and tastier) than a store-bought tin, and they make you look like Martha-level festive without the stress.
And trust me… once friends realize they can pop these cubes straight into the oven for soft, chewy cookies? You’ll be the holiday MVP. Wrap it, gift it, done!
Prefer to spend the day baking and decorating instead? I’ve also got the best sugar cookie recipe for cut-out cookies, plus all my best tips for icing and packaging… even if you need to ship them!
INGREDIENT NOTES
- Unsalted Butter: Unsalted gives you control over flavor. Add kosher salt separately to balance the sweetness.
- Sugars: Granulated + brown sugar = crisp edges with chewy centers. Dark brown sugar creates a deeper molasses flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla brings warm holiday notes. Almond extract is a fun swap for a nutty twist.
Vanilla bean paste is even better here! It adds flecks of real vanilla and gives the Christmas cookie dough a richer, bakery-style flavor. - Flour: Spoon and level for accuracy, or measure 12 ounces by weight.
- Baking Soda & Salt: Even distribution is key. Sprinkle these over the flour before mixing to avoid clumps.
- Mix-Ins: White chocolate chips, M&M’s, and sprinkles make cookie dough for Christmas cookies extra festive. Swap in peppermint chips, chopped Andes mints, or crushed candy canes for variety.
VARIATIONS
Peppermint Delight: Swap M&M’s for crushed candy canes or chopped Andes mints.
Double Chocolate: Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the flour for fudgier dough.
Nutty Crunch: Stir in ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts.
Funfetti Year-Round: Use rainbow sprinkles and pastel M&M’s for birthdays.
Caramel Crunch: Add caramel bits before pressing the dough into the pan.
Bakery Glow-Up: Sprinkle extra candies and chips on top before chilling so the slab looks bakery-worthy when gifted.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- Holiday Gifting: Wrap chilled dough packs with ribbon and a gift tag for neighbors, teachers, or friends.
- Hostess Gift: Pair Christmas cookie dough with a festive mug or spatula.
- Bake and Share: Package baked cookies alongside dough packs for a “now and later” treat.
- Party Favor: Send guests home with their own wrapped dough pack.
- Stock Your Freezer: Keep extras on hand for late-night cravings or cookie emergencies.
CHRISTMAS COOKIE DOUGH RECIPE FAQ
This giftable cookie dough will keep for 1 week in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer. Consider allowing extra time for the recipient to store it as well!
Since this recipe makes enough for 3 dozen cookies total, I’m able to make 4 dough packs with 9 cookie portions each.
If you’ve got multiple sheet pans available (and enough fridge space!), you can chill multiple batches at once for plenty of giftable dough packs.
So many! If I want to add some variety, I’ll pair this Christmas cookie dough recipe with other favorites like triple chocolate, pecan sandies, and sugar cookie bites.
Chilled dough logs for cinnamon roll cookies and pinwheels are easy to gift too!
After years of gifting cookie dough, I’ve learned a few tricks that make it work like a charm. Chilling the slab before cutting gives you perfect cubes that look neat and bake evenly.
I also love to press a few extra M&M’s and sprinkles on top before chilling. It makes the dough packs look polished and bakery-ready once wrapped.
And here’s a little pro move: keep your mix-ins chunky so every cookie bakes up with big bursts of creamy chocolate, crunchy candy, and colorful sprinkles.
Cookie dough for Christmas cookies is festive, foolproof, and guaranteed to wow anyone on your list.
DONNA’S PRO TIPS
- Chill Before Cutting: Chilled dough slabs cut neatly and hold shape.
- Score Smart: Quarter the slab first, then score into 1-inch cubes for consistent portions.
- Make It Pretty: Press extra chips and sprinkles on top before chilling for bakery-worthy looks.
- Wrap Tightly: Layers of plastic wrap seal in freshness and prevent freezer burn.
- Add a Gift Tag: Always include baking instructions (temperature, time, and spacing) so recipients succeed every time.
- Double Up: Make extra dough packs for your own freezer… you’ll thank yourself later!
- Bake From Cold or Frozen: No need to thaw. Just add a minute or two if baking straight from the freezer.
- Holiday Hack: Pair cookie dough with a Christmas mug and cocoa mix for a complete gift.
TOOLS NEEDED
- Large Mixing Bowl: For creaming butter and sugar.
- Electric Mixer: Hand or stand mixer works.
- Measuring Cups & Spoons: For accuracy.
- 9×13-Inch Pan: To press dough slab.
- Parchment Paper: For easy lifting and clean scoring.
- Bench Scraper or Knife: To score neat cubes.
- Plastic Wrap & Ribbon: For wrapping and gifting dough packs.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Giftable Christmas Cookie Dough
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup Christmas M&M’s
- 1/4 cup Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy lifting.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, 1 cup unsalted butter, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, then 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean pasteuntil smooth.
- Mix in Dry Ingredients: Add 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour to the bowl. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt evenly over the flour. Mix on low speed just until no dry streaks remain.
- Fold in Mix-Ins: Gently fold in 1 cup white chocolate chips, 1 cup Christmas M&M’s, and 1/4 cup Christmas sprinkles until evenly distributed.
- Form the Slab: Press dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing to all four corners.
- Score Neatly: Use a bench scraper or knife to score the dough into 1-inch cubes.
- Chill the Dough: Refrigerate 30 to 60 minutes until firm.
- Divide and Wrap: Lift the slab out of the pan and cut into 4 equal sections. Wrap each quarter tightly in plastic wrap.
- Finish for Gifting: Tie each with ribbon and attach a baking instruction tag (see Donna’s Notes). Refrigerate up to 1 week or freeze up to 3 months.
Donna’s Notes
Storage: Refrigerate dough up to 1 week or freeze up to 3 months. Gift Tag Instructions: “Preheat oven to 350°F. Break off 1-inch cubes, place 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined sheet, and bake 11–14 minutes until edges are golden and centers just set.” Customization: Sprinkle extra candies and sprinkles over the slab before chilling for bakery-style, gift-ready looks.
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published November 2025
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We’re Donna and Chad, the dream team behind The Slow Roasted Italian. Our focus is on taking complicated OUT of the kitchen. Life is busy enough, making meals should be fast and easy, to help make your life as simple as possible. Read More >>
