Slice-and-Bake Cookies for Easy Christmas Baking
Prepare for the holiday baking rush with these make-ahead and chill cookies, like pinwheels, checkerboards, swirls and more. The day of your party, just slice, bake and eat!
Pinwheels and Checkerboards
My mom used to make these cookies every Christmas, and I still love them. They are so colorful…and you can get two kinds of cookies from one dough! They’re perfect for including in gift boxes.—Jill Heatwole, Pittsville, Maryland
Cinnamon Bun Cookies
I love cinnamon rolls, but working with yeast can be scary. These cookies give you the taste of a cinnamon roll in cookie form—no yeast required! They look like flattened cinnamon rolls and feel special enough to serve around the holidays. —Erin Raatjes, New Lenox, Illinois
Cherry Pinwheel Cookies
A crisp, light-textured cookie with a mild cherry flavor will add great color to your holiday cookie tray.—Jenn Reagan, Maple Valley, Washington
Glazed Candied Fruit Cookies
Even if your family doesn’t care for fruitcake, they’ll love these festive cookies studded with candied fruit and pecans. A caramel glaze adds a delectable touch on top. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
Apricot Pinwheels
I decorate my little spirals with vanilla icing, but they’re yummy without it, too. Dried apricots and lots of spice give the cookies Old World flavor. —Beverly Sadergaski, Saint Cloud, Minnesota
Cinnamon-Candy Cookies
I was trying to make a unique Christmas cookie inspired by my brother’s love of red-hots. I used the candies in these lace-like cookies for cinnamon flavor. —Wendy Rusch, Cameron, Wisconsin