Recipe Roundup

17 Quick Cookie Recipes for Holiday Cheer in Record Time

These cookies can all be made in under an hour.

December 12, 2022

Single molasses cookie as seen from overhead on marble surface.

This list of our best quick cookie recipes exists because sometimes a cookie craving comes on strong and you need cookies fast—like five minutes ago fast. Or perhaps it’s nearing bedtime on Christmas Eve and you forgot to set out a plate for Santa? These are not the times for doughs that need to chill overnight in the fridge or any sort of intricate decorating. This is when you’re glad that the right recipe can help you make chewy-centered, crispy-edged cookies in under an hour. Below, you’ll find a wide range of fuss-free but flavorful favorites, including giftable Christmas cookies, old-school favorites like molasses cookies and chocolate chip, plus a big skillet cookie for days when you cannot be bothered to shape individual servings. Preheat your oven and scroll down for our quickest cookies.

Photo by Ditte Isager
1/17
Chocolate Brownie Cookies
Quick cookie recipes come in handy when you’ve got a serious chocolate craving happening. Somewhere between a fudgy brownie and a chewy chocolate chip cookie, these naturally gluten-free cookies only take six ingredients and about half an hour to make.
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Joy Wilson
2/17
Melty Chocolate-Truffle Cookies
These gorgeous cookies only look like they took hours to make.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
3/17
3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
These are simply the definition of no-fuss. Don’t skip the flaky salt on top, though.
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Christina Holmes
4/17
Nutty Crunch Cookies
If you have a food processor, 50 minutes to spare, and a desire for perfectly crunchy nut-filled cookies, this easy cookie recipe is for you.
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Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Eliza Mozer
5/17
Molasses Cookies
These soft, chewy cookies are a great addition to any cookie box. Check out our tips for storing and shipping cookies before you start packing them up!
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Romulo Yanes
6/17
Almond-Oat Lace Cookies
These delicate cookies look fancy enough for a classy holiday celebration. But we promise, the dough comes together in a flash on the stove—then the only thing left to do is bake and douse with melted chocolate.
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Christina Holmes
7/17
Tahini Cookies
You’ll need to use a food processor to make these rich sesame cookies, but they’ll be done in just 45 minutes.
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Photo by Alice Gao
8/17
Butterscotch–Potato Chip Balls
If you love a little salty with your sweet, make this simple and quick cookie recipe, which brings together sweet butterscotch chips and salty potato chips.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks
9/17
No-Bake Butterscotch-Coconut Cookies
No oven = cookies that are even faster. If you have 30 minutes, you can be eating these soon. Or, ahem, Santa can be.
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Photograph by Victoria Jane, Food Styling by Mallory Lance, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon
10/17
Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
This is a no-nonsense oatmeal cookie recipe—no raisins, chocolate chips, or anything else to divert attention from the comforting classic. Make a batch for Thanksgiving.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Samantha Seneviratne & Jason Schreiber
11/17
Iranian Rice Cookies
The textured end of a meat mallet is gently pressed into the dough of these cardamom- and rose water–scented cookies to form a grid pattern.
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photo by Con Poulos
12/17
Flourless Oatmeal Chocolate-Chunk Cookies
Looking for gluten-free cookie options? These oatmeal cookies are just the ticket—be sure to double-check the oats to make sure they’re not processed in a facility that handles wheat if you’re sharing them with someone who is sensitive to gluten.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone
13/17
Our Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies
Crispy edges, molten centers: These are the things that cookie dreams are made of.
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Photo by Davide Luciano
14/17
Coffee Malteds
Malt powder adds complexity to this cookie recipe from Dorie Greenspan.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone
15/17
3-Ingredient Hazelnut Cookies
If you want to add even more flavor to these crispy meringue cookies, fold in some chopped chocolate.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne
16/17
Coconut Macaroons
Sometimes you want just a couple of macaroons. This recipe makes four—but feel free to double it as needed.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Astrid Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Hampton
17/17
Cinnamon–Chocolate Chunk Skillet Cookie
Can’t be bothered to shape individual cookies? This is the ultimate in lazy-but-delicious quick cookie recipes: One big skillet-size cookie, ready to be topped with a scoop or three of ice cream.
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