Easy Holiday Cookie Hacks

Fluffy Russian tea cakes, jammy thumbprint cookies, and nutty spicy pfeffernüsse—there are some flavors that feel like the holidays. If you want to put together an epic cookie tray of nostalgic faves for your next holiday get-together (in a fraction of the time), we have you covered with plenty of classic recipes that can be made using premade dough.

Italian cookies are a craveable holiday favorite, and we’ve made them even simpler to make with premade dough. They are pillowy soft, and topped with a delightfully sweet glaze that you can top with your favorite holiday sprinkles for a festive presentation. In fact, you may want to make a double batch of these Easy Italian Cookies, they are sure to disappear fast. If you prefer a cookie with a twist of citrus, try these Italian Orange-Poppy Seed Cookies–they’re a zesty spin on the original, and every bit as simple.

Fruity and festive, thumbprint cookies are a favorite in many families, and these Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies absolutely melt in your mouth. They’re the perfect blend of buttery sugar cookie and luscious raspberry jam. It’s a can’t-miss combination. Crinkle cookies are another easy, nostalgic holiday fave—and our Easy Christmas Crinkle Cookies are a cute and colorful variation. We use red and green gel food coloring to add a pop of red and green that will stand out in any cookie spread.

Pfeffernüsse are classic German Christmas cookies, traditionally flavored with a warm blend of spices like black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg. Our take on the traditional version includes refrigerated Pillsbury™ Sugar Cookie Dough, spices, toasted pecans, molasses, and orange zest to make a treat that's super simple yet oh-so special.

Another traditional European cookie, Russian tea cakes are full of smooth, nutty flavor. Rolled in powdered sugar, they remind us of fluffy, frosty snowballs. You’ll have a ball baking up our Easiest-Ever Russian Tea Cakes that combine refrigerated Pillsbury™ Sugar Cookie Dough with pecans and vanilla. They’re as adorable as they are tasty!

Now that we’ve covered the classics, it’s time to try something totally new! Premade cookie dough makes it simple to experiment with all kinds of holiday flavors. One of our absolute favorites? Peppermint! These Striped Peppermint Sandwich Cookies are cool and delicious thanks to plenty of yummy peppermint whipped cream filling. Or try these Double Peppermint Crunch Cookies for a little bit of candy cane crunch in every bite.

For a recipe so simple even your littlest chefs can get in on the fun, give these Swirly Christmas Tree Cookies a go. The sugar cookie base is a classic holiday flavor, and the chocolate candy and sprinkle decor really up the festive factor. Or surprise your little ones with an extra-special cookie, with secret sweet treats in the middle! Our Chocolate-Stuffed Mitten Sugar Cookies are a guaranteed way to get holiday smiles.

We love the idea of adding some extra variety to a cookie tray with something deliciously different. These Peanut Butter-Chocolate Truffles definitely fit the bill! Halfway between a cookie and a candy, all you need to whip up these extra-special confections is refrigerated Pillsbury™ Peanut Butter Cookie Dough and semisweet chocolate chips.

When the dough is already done, you’ve got even more time to get creative with your cookies. That’s why Pillsbury™ refrigerated cookie dough is absolutely perfect for cutting and frosting. Gingerbread is an absolute classic, and these easy Easy Gingerbread Cookies are a breeze to bake. Just add molasses and spices to refrigerated Pillsbury™ Sugar Cookie Dough, then roll and cut into your favorite shapes. They cook up perfectly, and decorating them is a fabulous way to make magical holiday memories.

Freeing your inner artist is so much fun when you have the perfect cookie canvas. Premade frosting, like you find in this Easy Ornament Cookies recipe is an excellent way to skip right to the fun of decorating, without all the prep. But if you prefer whipping up your own icing, this recipe for Basic Iced Holiday Sugar Cookies has a super simple version. Premade or homemade icing–it’s all good!

You can even turn decorating into a game with this Ugly Christmas Sweater Sugar Cookie. It’s the perfect recipe for a whole new kind of ugly sweater contest. (The winner gets extra frosting!)

Premade dough can help create easy versions of classic holiday characters. Our Cute Snowman Cookies are a frosty, festive treat. Or these fun Reindeer Cookies that are so adorable, you almost don’t want to eat them! (But trust us, they’re so delicious, you wouldn’t want to resist.)

For something extra whimsical, give these Santa’s Belly Cookies a go. They have loads of sweet icing atop a marshmallow topped sugar cookie, giving them that perfect jolly look. Or try these Melted Snowmen Cookies that are super yummy and simple for even beginning bakers to decorate.

For the ultimate no-fuss cookie spread, premade cookie dough is a winner every time. It helps cut down the number of ingredients in your recipe, making prep super simple and leaving you with more time for other holiday activities.

There’s no flavor that conjures happy holiday feelings like peppermint. For candy cane cravings, our 4-Ingredient Candy Cane Cookies bring some classic holiday color to any cookie tray. Or try these 3-Ingredient Peppermint Crunch Sugar Cookie Bars, which are positively packed with candy cane goodness.

If your holiday is a little on the hectic side, you can whip up a batch of these 3-Ingredient Holiday Chocolate Swirl Sugar Cookies in no time flat. Or give these 3-Ingredient Marbled Holiday Sugar Cookies a go. They look like they took all day to make—even though they only took a few minutes. (Don’t worry, we won’t tell!)

If you’re looking for some giftable confections, try these 3-Ingredient Sugar Cookie Truffles. They’re quick to pull together and they make a perfect present for every sweet tooth. Or bake up these 3-Ingredient Holiday Thumbprints. They’re so simple to make, you can whip up a batch for anyone on your list!

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, having a few easy cookie hacks up your sleeve can be a lifesaver. Refrigerated Pillsbury™ Cookie Dough is your secret weapon for creating delicious, festive treats without the stress.

Whether you’re looking to whip up a cookie tray in record time or experiment with unique holiday flavors, premade dough makes it all possible. It lets you spend more time making memories and less time worrying about the details. So, roll up your sleeves, grab your favorite cookie cutters, and let the holiday baking fun begin!