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No one (we mean no one) bakes cookies like a grandmother. Perhaps Grandma gleaned enough baking experience over time to just know what works. Perhaps it’s her no-fuss, old-fashioned approach to baking. Or it could be thanks to some secret ingredient like ~love~ or cream of tartar. Just guessing. Whatever the reason, these recipes from actual grandmothers are just the taste of Christmas nostalgia everyone craves.
Melissa's Grandma's Ginger Lace Cookies
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Photo by Vista Verde Ranch
Molasses, cinnamon, and ground ginger flavor these soft lace cookies. Sprinkle sugar on top for a little holiday shimmer.
Gramma's Date Squares
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Photo by Danielle Gwilliam
"This is my grandmother's recipe which my whole family loves. You can use almond extract instead of lemon, if you wish," Mai Forrester says of these date-filled bars with chewy oatmeal crusts.
My Grandma's Fruitcake Cookies
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Photo by Rachel Ruther
Reviewers report that these fruitcake cookies — filled with chopped mixed nuts, raisins, dates, candied pineapple, and candied cherries — taste just like their own grandmothers' recipes.
Oma Kiener's Hazelnut Christmas Cookies
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Photo by GreenGoddess
"These were one of the two Christmas cookie recipes my German grandmother made every year until her death at age 92. While they may not be fancy like other Christmas cookie recipes, they are easy to make and taste very nutty," KitchenGeisha says of these icebox cookies.
Grandma's Drop Sugar Cookies
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Photo by NCHIANCONE
"My family's favorite Christmas cookie. Buttery and crispy. The slight coconut flavor makes this cookie the best," writes recipe creator NCHIANCONE. This simple recipe takes just 20 minutes.
Grandma Minecci's Snowball Cookies
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Photo by Abbey
Dusted with confectioners' sugar and shaped like snowballs, these cookies would be perfect for a cold Christmas.
Old German Honey Cookies
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Photo by Nichole
"I got this recipe from my grandmother, who got it from her grandmother. She had to translate it and then figure out measurements. The original recipe called for 'enough flour to make a dough.' Thankfully Grandma knew what kind of dough." — Darlene
Grandma's Gingersnap Cookies
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Photo by Kristina Florez
"This melt-in-your-mouth ginger cookie recipe that I received from my grandmother has been enjoyed in my family since 1899." — Marie Ayers
Grandma Ruth's Snickerdoodle Cookies
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Photo by tjump2014
With almost 200 reviews averaging five stars, this crowd-pleasing snickerdoodle recipe would be great for large gatherings.
Russian Tea Cakes I
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Photo by Philly Ry
"Bubba brought it with her when she came from Lithuania. I pass it on in the true spirit of this season," says recipe creator THEAUNT708, who adds that five generations have now made these cookies during the Christmas season.
Grandma's Old Fashioned Tea Cakes
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Photo by Nana The Cook
Make these tea cakes a day or two before Christmas to enjoy with your Christmas morning coffee.
Granny's Filled Cookies
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Photo by Pam Ziegler Lutz
"My granny always made these around Christmas. They are the easiest, best-tasting cookies around. Be warned, they are addictive," Kim Borris says. Fill them the fruit-flavored jam of your choice.
Granny's Strawberry Preserves-Filled Cookies
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Photo by Julie Holden
Strawberry preserves make an ideal cookie filling, especially when the berries are not in season. Recipe creator Julie Holden calls these soft, spiced cookies a favorite for Christmas.
Granny Mabel's Best Bar Cookies
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Photo by Kari
Oatmeal, chocolate chips, and caramel ice cream topping create a gooey, buttery bar.
Snowballs II
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Photo by TummyYummy
This recipe from home cook Lori Dehn's grandmother includes finely crushed peppermint candy canes for a holiday twist on Russian tea cakes.
Grandma's Lace Cookies
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Photo by Dustin Poh
These thin, crispy cookies would pair well with a glass of milk and a Christmas movie.
Grandma's Oatmeal Cookies
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Photo by Teri Elledge
Spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, these oatmeal cookies would taste extra comforting during the holidays.
My Nana's Lace Cookies
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Photo by Bluetiger
"These are delicate lace cookies with an amazing taste! A tradition in our family for Christmas since I was a little girl. These cookies spread to make a very thin wafer, almost transparent. Super easy to make, but be careful, as they can be quick to burn or cool too much on your cookie sheet — and then you'll be chipping the cookies off of your cookie sheet!" — Bluetiger
Grama's Corn Flake Peanut Butter Cookies
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Photo by Sarah-May
These five-ingredient cookies taste like peanut butter fudge with a nice crunch from cornflakes.
Gram Opal's Sugar Cookies
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Photo by mona reese
"My grandma Opal June Carlson, "Gram C," made these cookies whenever my dad and I came to her cottage on Lake Okoboji for a visit. Although at the time I picked off the pecan halves that my seven-year-old self didn't yet appreciate, these simply delicious cookies were amazing and will live forever in my heart along with my Gram C!" — Cucina di papa
Granny's Shortbread Cookies
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Photo by Abbey
"Light, buttery shortbread cookies! Cut them into Christmas shapes and decorate with colored sugar and maraschino cherries." — Lori G
Grandma M's Raisin Cookies
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Photo by Cookin'Bug
These tart raisin cookies contain a few drops of lemon extract, setting them apart from the chocolaty offerings at the dessert table.
Grandma Minnie's Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies
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Photo by EMMA MEYER
If you're looking for the perfect cut-out cookie dough, here it is. Just be sure to stir the egg, cream, and vanilla in by hand as the recipe instructs. Using an electric mixer for this step will leave you with impossibly soft, sticky dough due to over-working.
Grandma's Classic No-Bake Cookies
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Photo by
This delightful no-bake treat relies on pantry staples like cocoa powder, peanut butter, and oats — meaning, there's a good chance you already have everything you need to make them on hand. When storing, be sure to place wax paper in between layers of the cookies to prevent sticking.
Nana's Spicy Pumpkin Chocolate Cookies
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Photo by
In addition to two types of chocolate, these warming pumpkin cookies have a spicy secret ingredient: cayenne pepper. If you're not completely sold on the heat, try just a dash of cayenne in the cinnamon-sugar coating for your first batch.
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