How to Create an Memorable Christmas Cookie Box

Pinterest would have you believe that the perfect Christmas cookie box contains a magical assortment of flavors and textures. But let’s be honest, the holidays are swamped with baked goods. Great tasting cookies are expected. If you’re going put in the effort of baking homemade cookies (during the busiest season of the year), let’s make sure your hard work doesn’t end up next to store-bought treats.

What is a Christmas Cookie Box?

A Christmas cookie box is a thoughtfully curated collection of homemade cookies. They are packaged in an attractive box or cookie tin specifically for gift-giving. Christmas cookie boxes can be hand delivered or mailed to friends and family during the holiday season.

How do I create a memorable cookie box?

Yes, having an assortment of cookie flavours and textures is important. But instead of the perfect curation, let’s shift the focus to storytelling. Anyone can grab a recipe from the internet and put together a beautiful cookie box. In a world dominated by faceless corporations, I’m craving personal connections. Your Christmas Cookie Box is the perfect way to share your personal stories and holiday traditions.

How do I create a signature cookie?

Your signature cookie is one that tells a personal story or shares your holiday traditions. It’s the highlight of your Christmas Cookie Box. It can be as simple as the cookie that your family bakes every holiday season or the one your grandma used to bake when you where little. It’s the story you’ll want to include in your Christmas Card instead of a generic ‘Happy Holidays’.

Many cultures have a seasonal cookie. My background is Dutch, so Christmas wouldn’t be complete without Speculaas (aka Windmill) cookies. These stamped cookies are generally crunchy and baked with holiday spices like ginger and cinnamon. For my signature cookie, I would bake my own with an unique cookie stamp. I could also do a twist on this holiday classic by baking a cookie with Biscoff cookie butter (similar spices) for a chewy version.

What types of cookies are in a cookie box?

The ideal Christmas Cookie Box contains 4-6 different types of cookies. After you’ve selected your signature cookie, we’ll build out the rest of your Christmas Cookie Box with holiday flavours everyone loves. Since you’ll be focusing most of your time on your signature cookie, we want the remaining cookies to be super easy to bake. Here’s my recommendations:

Chewy Gingerbread Cookie: This Christmas favourite is packed with warm spices of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Regular gingerbread cookies require you to dig out your cookie cutters and spend your day rolling and chilling dough. These are scoop-and-bake. Done. If you want to be a little extra: roll your cookie dough in coarse sugar before baking to give them an eye-catching sparkle.

Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookie: This cookie hits all the basics. We have a chocolate cookie with the holiday flavour of peppermint. I roll my cookies in icing sugar for blustery snow vibes, but you could drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle with crushed candy canes.

Sprinkle Shortbread Cookie: Christmas wouldn’t be complete without the crumbly goodness of shortbread. I’m taking the easy way out with this scoop-and-press recipe (no chilling or rolling the dough, thank you very much) Throw in some holiday sprinkles and you’re done!

Even if you just bake just these cookies, your Christmas Cookie Box would have a great mix of flavours and textures. If your signature cookie is similar to one of these cookies, feel free to leave it out! For example, my Speculaas cookie has a lot of the same spices as the Chewy Gingerbread Cookie so I wouldn’t need to include that one. (But ummmm, I would anyways.)

How many cookies are in a cookie box?

Christmas cookie boxes can include anywhere from 12 to 24 cookies depending on the size of the box, the size of the cookies and the recipients (ie. gifting to a couple versus a large family). I like to stick to 12 full-sized cookies to keep baking manageable while still providing a good variety. A dozen cookies is also a great fit for most cookie tins and keeps shipping costs low if you’re mailing them. 

How do I plan my holiday baking?

I’m a big believer in baking and freezing your cookies to reduce holiday stress. This way you can plan a full baking day OR bake a different cookie each weekend leading up to the holidays. As soon as your cookies have cooled from the oven, place them in an airtight freezer bag and pop them in the freezer. Most cookies are good in the freezer for up to three months! Just take them out to thaw before gifting or shipping. 

How do I make my cookie box inclusive?

Unfortunately, eggs and dairy are common food allergens. Personally, I don’t have time to bake both a regular and vegan version of the same cookie. I’ve developed easy vegan recipes that taste just as good as the original. Instead of creating a custom cookie box for each of your friends, I suggest creating one amazing cookie box that everyone can enjoy. Each recipe in the Christmas Cookie Recipe Bundle is egg-free and dairy-free so you don’t have to add recipe testing to your already busy schedule.

Christmas Cookie Box Checklist

Looking through your own cookie recipes? Here are some things to keep in mind:

• What is your signature cookie? What story will you include in your greeting card?
• Did you include your favorite holiday flavours? Gingerbread, Peppermint, Shortbread.
• Do your cookies have different textures? Crunchy, chewy, crumbly.
• Are your cookies a mix of colours? White, black, brown, multicolour.
• Do any of your recipients’ have a dietary restriction? Egg, milk, gluten.