You’ve got the holiday spirit, but what you don’t have is time. Check out these 3-Ingredient Holiday Cookies perfect for bringing to a holiday party or potluck, wrapping up to give as gifts, or just leaving out for Santa. They’re the easiest way to make homemade cookies.
This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase after clicking on a link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
All these recipes let you enjoy some baking or creating time (either by yourself or with the family) while keeping it simple. That leaves more time to eat and relax!
What kind of ingredients should I keep on hand for quick baking projects?
When it comes to baking cookies there are usually things that you should keep on hand if you want to whip them up at a moment’s notice.
A few things that I usually keep on hand for baking projects like 3 ingredient cookies, are butter, sugar, flour, peanut butter, a variety of chocolate chips, and our favorite spices.
Aside from the butter there’s not a lot of these ingredients that you can’t keep on hand for long periods of time. Keeping extra sugar, flour, chips, and peanut butter on hand is easy.
What makes these holiday cookie recipes amazing?
All of these cookies for the holidays are made with just 3 ingredients each. That means you won’t need to mess with a ton of ingredients to make a tasty batch of cookies to share.
Of course not every cookie recipe on this list is made with the same three ingredients, but that’s okay! There are enjoy common elements that you can definitely whip up several batches of easy holiday cookies with stuff you probably already have on hand at home.
Can I make these cookies year round?
Absolutely. Sometimes we get a craving for cookies, and there’s just no putting it off. Don’t wait around for the holidays, just dive on in and make these cookies whenever you want!
The great thing about 3 ingredient cookie recipes is that you really can make them anytime and there’s no guilt involved. It’s simple ingredients, you might not even have to go shopping!
Another reason to make these cookies all year long is the fact that they’re quick to make. Since there are limited ingredients you probably expected this…they’re also really easy to whip up! No huge chunks of time need to be devoted to making a tasty treat everyone will love.
The best holiday cookie supplies
I’ve had the same baking supplies for a decade now. Once you find good quality products, they should last you a long time!
I use a cookie scoop to fill muffin cups and portion out cookie dough.
I do my cookie baking on Pampered Chef stoneware bar pans that I’ve had for 20 years now. But occasionally I’ll use a regular baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
A thin, metal cookie spatula is a must for taking them off the baking sheet and onto cooling racks. These cooling racks stack so they take up less space on the counters in my tiny galley-style kitchen.
More holiday sweets
If you’re willing to use a few more ingredients, we love these holiday recipes:
- Peppermint Popcorn Bark
- Gingerbread Bites
- Cinnamon Snickerdoodles
- Old Fashioned Soft Molasses Cookies
3-Ingredient Holiday Cookies
3-Ingredient Holiday Cookies Recipes
So easy! Bake up a batch of these 3-Ingredient Holiday Cookies to celebrate the holidays or anytime.
3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookie Trees
Use cookie cutters to make these easy peanut butter cookies for the holidays!
Gingerbread Brownies
Use a cookie mix but make brownies with the perfect holiday flavor of gingerbread. So simple, but so flavorful.
Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies (Just 3 Ingredients!)
Using a cake mix cuts the ingredients down to 3, and you can always decorate these with holiday sprinkles for a little more “Christmas.”
3-Ingredient Buttery Shortbread Cookies
Remember those tins of shortbread cookies from decades ago? These are easy to make and taste SO much better.
Homemade Thin Mints (Easy No Bake Cookie)
If you're a thin mint addict and don't have Girl Scout cookies packed away in your freezer for the winter months, these copycat cookies will fulfill your craving. You won't believe the secret ingredient!
Pecan Pie Cookies
This recipe is also naturally gluten-free and an amazing mix of pecans, dates and maple syrup–a sophisticated flavor attained in very little time.
Christmas Chocolate Covered Oreos
This easy no-bake recipes has just 3 ingredients. Oreos are dipped in chocolate melting wafers and topped with a festive icing pieces.
3 Ingredient Christmas Cookie Recipe
Quick and easy cookie recipe--perfect for little hands helping in the kitchen.
3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
We very rarely get to make peanut butter cookies because of my son's allergy, but every time he's at a sleepover, it's our big splurge! These are super quick and taste amazing.
Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups
These easy chocolate chip cookie cups are great for gluten free diets and they are easy to make.
3-Ingredient Salted Chocolate Almond Haystacks
Salted chocolate almond haystacks are easy to make and they don't require any baking!
Easy 3-Ingredient Brown Sugar Cookies
Perfect cookie recipe when you don't have eggs. Just butter, flour and brown sugar!
Indonesian Snow White butter cookies
Butter cookies are a classic. These snow white butter cookies are great to share and easy to make!
Christmas Tree Oreo Cookies
Dressing up some easy Oreo cookies is a great way to take the stress out of holiday baking!
Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies
These cake mix cookies are perfect for the holidays. They are festive, simple, and made with cake mix to cut down on the ingredients.
3-Ingredient Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
The classic limited ingredient cookie recipe is of course, peanut butter cookies! These easy cookies are gluten free, vegan, and super tasty.
3 Ingredients Almond Cookies (Gluten-Free + Dairy-Free)
Almond cookies are simple and delicious, these tasty holiday cookies are great for sharing!
Air Fryer Shortbread
Have you tried to bake in your air fryer? If not, give it a shot with these homemade shortbread cookies baked in the air fryer!
Ghraybeh (Middle Eastern Shortbread Cookies)
These middle eastern shortbread cookies are called Ghraybeh. They're simple, made with just a few ingredients, and delish to share!
3 Ingredient Biscoff butter cookies
Easy, one bowl recipe makes Biscoff Cookies that melt in your mouth!
3-Ingredient Parmesan Cookies
Looking for a savory cookie? These parmesan cookies are great to add a little salty goodness on your cookie trays!
3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies
These 3 ingredient shortbread cookies melt in your mouth with a buttery flavor and just the right amount of sweetness.
Easy 3-Ingredient Nutella Cookies
Loaded with Nutella flavor, these flourless 3 ingredient Nutella cookies will make a nice addition to your Nutella recipe box.
3 Ingredient Cherry Cookie Cups
3 Ingredient Cherry cookie cups are a fantastic party dessert.
3-Ingredient Chocolate Banana Coconut Macaroons
These healthy macaroons are nut-free, gluten-free, grain-free, oil-free, dairy-free, paleo and vegan
Looking for more holiday inspiration?
Check out my Sweets & Treats Pinterest Board.
Granny Baker
Friday 22nd of October 2021
Me & my son's used to make Christmas cookies every year for Santa. Now I carry on that tradition with my grandson. It's one tradition I love & look forward to continuing! He isn't as patient as my son's so 3 simple ingredients is absolutely PERFECT for him & I. Thank you so much for sharing these recipes. We have new idea's that he can enjoy without losing interest.
Ann
Friday 4th of December 2015
ONLY THREE INGREDIENTS!! I am ALL OVER this!! They all look SO scrumptious! Pinning this one! Thanks for linking up at Frugal Friday! :-)
Theresa @DearCreatives
Thursday 3rd of December 2015
I'm ready for some more cooking making! Need to add a few of these to my list. Nice roundup.
WendysHat
Thursday 3rd of December 2015
This is the perfect holiday recipe list! I had no idea you could make such wonderful things with so few ingredients. I have a new baking list now. Thanks!
Cat
Tuesday 1st of December 2015
More than a few of these look so tempting! Just found out today about a cookie sale I need to bake for. I am going to have to try some. Thanks for sharing!