Here’s the Best Christmas Songs Playlist for Baking Holiday Treats

The holiday season is here, and if you’re anything like me, you’re checking off your Christmas baking bucket list. This year, mine’s jam-packed with festive treats made for sharing. I’m particularly excited to get cracking on my grandma’s signature fruitcake cookies and a batch of pillow-soft Peppermint Meltaways. But I’ve learned that a holiday baking marathon becomes an event of its own—especially when paired with a festive Christmas songs playlist. In fact, it’s one of my favorite ways to celebrate the season.

To prepare for this year’s baking days, I organized a master plan:

• Block off a few hours in the kitchen.
• Give my oven its annual check-up.
• Gather all the special ingredients. (Because let’s face it, those neon green-and-red candied fruits can be impossible to find!)

But there’s one last thing to do: Create the ultimate Christmas songs playlist.

That’s right. The only way to kick off a cookie-baking marathon in my house is to fill the kitchen with holiday cheer that can only come in the form of music. I make sure to have a playlist of all my favorite seasonal songs revved up while I get my bake on. Seasonal tunes just make spending time in the kitchen so much more fun. Cream butter to Elton John’s “Step Into Christmas” or decorate cutouts to a laid-back cover of “Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer” from Jack Johnson. Plus, music means I can have a spur-of-the-moment dance party while the cookies bake!

The Best Christmas Songs Playlist

Ready to jingle bell rock? Check out my Christmas songs playlist.

For the best listening experience, we recommend Amazon Music. It’s home to over 75 million songs, plus holiday playlists and feel-good podcasts. Create your own personalized Christmas songs playlist with your family’s fave songs, or discover pre-made ones for instant enjoyment. You’ll also get access to Amazon Originals, which includes music and podcasts you can’t find anywhere else.

The best part? Amazon Music is offering a 30-day free trial, after which you’ll pay just $7.99 per month with a Prime membership or $9.99 without.

No matter where you’re streaming, I hope these holiday jams add as much cheer to your kitchen as they do to mine.

Add Our Best Christmas Cookie Recipes to Your Lineup

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Buttery 3-Ingredient Shortbread Cookies With only a few ingredients, these butter shortbread cookies are so simple to prepare. —Pattie Prescott, Manchester, New Hampshire Also, if you are looking for some quick and easy recipes; check these Christmas cookies for stress free holidays. Go to Recipe

Almond Spritz CookiesThis almond spritz cookies recipe can be left plain or decorated with colored sugar and frosting. In our house, it just wouldn't be Christmas without some cookie press recipes.—Tanya Hart, Muncie, Indiana

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Gingerbread Men CookiesNo holiday treat platter would be complete without a gingerbread men cookie recipe! This is a tried-and-true recipe I'm happy to share with you. —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland

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They're also one of the most popular Christmas cookies of all time.

Vanilla-Butter Sugar CookiesThese butter sugar cookies are one of my favorite cookies to bake for Christmas. The dough recipe is versatile, so you can use it for other holidays, too. Children like to help with the cookie decorating. —Cynthia Ettel, Glencoe, Minnesota

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If you're a fan of snowmen and sugar cookies, these TikTok melted snowman sugar cookies offer the perfect cookie combination.

Chocolate Thumbprint CookiesMy group of friends had a weekly "movie night" during winters on Martha's Vineyard, and we'd take turns making a chocolate treat to share. These terrific chocolate thumbprint cookies were an instant success. Once they debuted, I had to make them many more times. —Laura Bryant German, W. Warren, Massachusetts

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Cranberry Shortbread CookiesMy family loves shortbread and I love cranberries, so I decided to put the two together to make cranberry shortbread cookies. The star shape is a festive addition to my holiday cookie tray. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California

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Peppermint BiscottiDipped in melted chocolate and rolled in crushed peppermint candy, these flavorful biscotti are a favorite. They are among the many sweets I make for Christmas. —Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania

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Italian Rainbow Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Italian Rainbow CookiesMy family has made these classic Italian rainbow cookies for generations, and this homemade version is so much better than the bakery version. They are always a special treat during the holidays or any time of year! —Cindy Casazza, Hopewell, New Jersey

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Taste of Home

Peanut Butter Christmas MiceWith their black licorice tails, candy noses and peanut ears, these chewy "mice" were always a hit at classroom parties. My children are in their teens now, but they still ask me to make these cookies for the holidays. —Nancy Rowse, Bella Vista, Arkansas

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Christmas Sandwich CremesThese melt-in-your-mouth sandwich cookies have a scrumptious filling. I helped my sister make these in high school when she needed a project in her home economics class. My guess is that these were some of the best Christmas cookies in her class. She got an A+! —Janice Poechman, Walkerton, Ontario

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Triple-Chocolate Peppermint CookiesSanta is sure to stop by your house if you leave these minty triple-chocolate peppermint cookies waiting for him. They're quick and easy for the whole family to make together. —Teresa Ralston, New Albany, Ohio

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Buttery Spritz CookiesThis tender spritz cookie recipe is very eye-catching on my Christmas cookie tray. The dough is easy to work with, so it's fun to make these spritz cookies into a variety of festive shapes. This is hands down the best spritz cookie recipe ever. —Beverly Launius, Sandwich, Illinois

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PizzelleThis recipe was adapted from one that my Italian-born mother and grandmother followed. They used old irons on a gas stove, but now we have the convenience of electric pizzelle irons. These delectable cookies are still a traditional treat in our family. —Elizabeth Schwartz, Trevorton, Pennsylvania

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Coconut CloudsCoconut lovers will have extra reason to celebrate when they taste these cakelike drop cookies. The generous frosting and coconut topping make them a hit at holiday cookie swaps. —Donna Scofield, Yakima, Washington

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Photo: Taste of Home

SnickerdoodlesThe history of these whimsically named treats has been widely disputed, but their popularity is undeniable. Help yourself to one of our soft cinnamon-sugared cookies and see for yourself. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Peppermint MeltawaysThis recipe for peppermint meltaways is very pretty and festive-looking on a cookie platter. I often cover a plate of these peppermint cookies with red or green plastic wrap and a bright holiday bow in one corner. And yes, they really do melt in your mouth! —Denise Wheeler, Newaygo, Michigan

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Taste of Home

Frosted Eggnog CookiesEggnog stars in both the cookie and frosting in this new-found recipe, imparting a subtle holiday flavor.—Amanda Taylor, Glen Ewen, Saskatchewan

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Gingerbread Oatmeal CookiesCookie butter and ground ginger add a new layer of flavor. The recipe makes about 2 dozen cookies, and they go fast. You may want to make a double batch. —Carole Resnick, Cleveland, Ohio

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Jeweled Coconut DropsRed raspberry preserves add a festive flair to these tender coconut drops. Perfect for potlucks and cookie exchanges, the shaped cookies never last long when I make them for my husband and two sons. —Ellen Marie Byler, Munfordville, Kentucky

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Dipped GingersnapsI get tremendous satisfaction making and giving time-tested yuletide treats like these dipped gingersnaps. Dipping them in white chocolate makes much-loved gingersnaps even more special. —Laura Kimball, West Jordan, Utah

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Pistachio-Cranberry RugelachTraditional rugelach gets dressed up for the holiday with pistachios, cranberries, and snow-white icing. Rich but not too sweet! — Deborah Hinojosa, Saratoga, California

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Chocolate-Covered Cherry CookiesAlthough these cookies require a little extra effort, they’re worth it. I make them for every family gathering—and they never last long! —Marie Kinyon, Mason, Michigan

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Scottish Shortbread Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Scottish ShortbreadMy mother, who is of Scottish heritage, passed this shortbread recipe, along with other favorite recipes, on to me. When I entered this treat at our local fair, it won a red ribbon. —Rose Mabee, Selkirk, Manitoba

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Holiday Almond TassiesI make so many of these fancy tassies, I use up a 7-pound container of almond paste every year! They’re one of my family’s holiday favorites. —Donna Westhouse, Dorr, Michigan

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Lemon SnowflakesYou’ll need just four ingredients to make these delightful lemon snowflake cookies. Confectioners’ sugar highlights the cracked tops to give them their snowflake appearance. —Linda Barry, Dianna, Texas

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Taste of Home

Jolly Ginger Reindeer CookiesI made gingerbread cookies for years before realizing my gingerbread-man cutter becomes a reindeer when turned upside down. They’re super crispy and fun! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

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Italian Pignoli CookiesCookies are the crown jewels of Italian confections. I can’t let a holiday go by without baking these traditional almond cookies rolled in mild pine nuts. —Maria Regakis, Saugus, Massachusetts

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Fig & Almond CookiesIn our family, holiday cookies—like these nutty fig ones—are a big deal. I'm so proud to be passing on this Italian tradition to my two boys. —Angela Lemoine, Howell, New Jersey

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Whipped Shortbread Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Whipped ShortbreadThese whipped shortbread cookies melt in your mouth. Mostly I make them for the holidays, but I'll also prepare them year-round for wedding showers and afternoon teas. —Jane Ficiur, Bow Island, Alberta

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Italian Christmas CookiesA single batch of these ricotta cheese cookies is never enough. I usually make one to give away and two more to keep at home. The ricotta cheese makes the morsels extra moist. —Doris Marshall, Strasburg, Pennsylvania

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Peanut Butter Blossom CookiesHere's proof that peanut butter and chocolate just belong together. These peanut butter blossom cookies are an easy family favorite and never fails to make my children smile. —Tammie Merrill, Wake Forest, North Carolina

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Brandy SnapsThese cream-filled brandy snaps are the perfect sweet treat. Include them on a holiday cookie platter or serve them at the end of a meal with coffee or tea. —Natalie Bremson, Plantation, Florida

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Touch-of-Gold Christmas TreesYou can decorate these pretty Christmas trees with other types of sprinkles if you don't have the gold dust. The filling alone makes the cookies special and so delicious! —Linda Sweet, Cornwall, New York

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Fruitcake Christmas CookiesAs holiday gifts, these rich fruit-and nut-filled cookies are pretty and practical. These are great make ahead Christmas cookies —the taste actually gets better over time! —Julia Funkhouser, Carson, Iowa

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Callahan Christmas WreathsWhen my family asked for good old Norwegian wreath cookies, I studied several recipes for ideas, then added my own special touches. — Cassidy Callahan, Fitchburg, Massachusetts

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Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies"These simple saucepan cookies are a snap to make," assures Marg Mitro of Grafton, Ontario. "In fact, I can whip them up in 10 minutes for school lunches. The little treats are a big hit with any crowd—young or old," she adds.

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Rum BallsI make these rum balls for special occasions with my wonderful family and friends. The treats are so easy to make and pack a festive punch. — Diane Duschanek, Council Bluffs, Iowa

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Haystacks RecipeMy grandmother used to make this haystacks recipe to give to my cousin Vonnie and me when our parents didn't want us to have any more sweets. —Christine Schwester, Divide, Colorado

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Shortbread Cut Out CookiesI found this recipe in a magazine over 30 years ago and have made these shortbread cutout cookies for Christmas ever since. They're an oh-so-simple recipe to whip up during the hectic holidays. —Jean Henderson, Montgomery, Texas

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