Christmas Cookie Box

Every year I put together a Christmas Cookie Box, and every year I forget how much work it actually is — until I’m halfway through and my kitchen looks like a sugar storm hit it.

This one took me a full week. Not because any single recipe is complicated, but because timing matters. Resting doughs, maturing macarons, freezing layers, assembling fillings — it’s a rhythm. And once you understand how to stagger everything, it becomes manageable.

I rely heavily on make-ahead strategies. That’s the only reason this box works.

Below is exactly what went into my 2019 Christmas Cookie Box, along with how I plan storage and prep for each one.

This Year’s Lineup

Here’s what made the cut:

• Nutella Macarons
• Alfajor Cookies
• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Orange Cranberry Macarons
• Coconut Fudge Truffles
• Passionfruit Linzer Cookies
• Eggnog Macarons
• Orange Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

I’ll admit — Alfajores will always win for me. They’re my forever favorite. So if I’m being fair, my second favorite this year was the Nutella Macarons.

Nutella Macarons

These Nutella Macarons are one of the smartest cookies to include in a box because macarons are naturally make-ahead friendly. Macarons actually improve after sitting in the fridge for 24–48 hours. The shells absorb moisture from the filling and the texture becomes perfectly soft and chewy. I seldom serve them the same day they’re assembled.

Make Ahead & Storage:

• Assemble 1–2 days before boxing.
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freeze assembled macarons for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.

Alfajor Cookies

I can’t not include Alfajores. They’re buttery, delicate sandwich cookies filled with dulce de leche — soft, tender, and nostalgic for me. They make me feel like I’m back home in Brazil! These cookies feel special but are surprisingly stable.

Make Ahead & Storage:

• Bake the cookies up to 4 days ahead and store airtight at room temperature.
• Fill 1–2 days before boxing for best texture.
• Once filled, refrigerate up to 5 days.
• They freeze well fully assembled for up to 1 month.
• They actually taste even better after sitting overnight.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I used my Jumbo Thick Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe here — just scaled smaller so they fit nicely in the box. Even in a smaller size, they stay chewy and soft. Chocolate chip cookies are my “comfort anchor” in every cookie box. Everyone loves a good chocolate chip cookie.

Make Ahead & Storage:

• Dough can be made and frozen for up to 3 months.
• Bake 1–2 days before gifting.
• Store at room temperature in an airtight container for 4–5 days.
• If I’m planning ahead, I freeze pre-scooped dough balls and bake fresh the day before assembling the box.

Orange Cranberry Macarons

These Cranberry Macarons are filled with orange buttercream and cranberry sauce — bright, festive, and balanced. Macarons give you color variation in the box without adding decoration.

Make Ahead & Storage:

• Mature in the fridge 24–48 hours before boxing.
• Refrigerate up to 5 days.
• Freeze assembled shells for up to 1 month.
• If I’m doing multiple macaron flavors, I stagger baking days and assemble all flavors at once.

Coconut Fudge Truffles

These Coconut Fudge Truffles are my favorite brazilian treats! They are essentially a condensed milk fudge rolled in coconut and better yet, they’re simple and extremely freezer-friendly.

Make Ahead & Storage:

• Store refrigerated up to 1 week.
• Freeze up to 2 months.
• Serve chilled or slightly softened at room temperature.
• These are one of the first things I make when planning a cookie box because they hold so well.

Passion Fruit Linzer Cookies

I always include some kind of Linzer cookie, and this passionfruit version is so bright and festive. The dough freezes beautifully, and they add that powdered sugar contrast to the box. The passion fruit filling keeps things bright and cuts through heavier cookies.

Make Ahead & Storage:

• Freeze unbaked dough discs up to 2 months.
• Bake cookies 3–4 days ahead.
• Fill 1–2 days before boxing.
• Store assembled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days.
• If the humidity is high, I wait to dust with powdered sugar until just before gifting.

Eggnog Macarons

These Eggnog Macarons are probably the most “Christmassy” cookie in the box because they’re filled with a luxurious eggnog buttercream. Macarons freeze beautifully — and you don’t even need to fully thaw them overnight. I’ve served them 30 minutes after pulling from the freezer and they’re perfect.

Make Ahead & Storage:

• Mature 24–48 hours in fridge.
• Freeze assembled for up to 1 month.
• Thaw 30 minutes at room temperature or 1 hour in the fridge.
• They’re surprisingly sturdy for gifting.

Orange Pistachio Shortbread

And last but not least, we have the delicious Orange Pistachio Shortbread Cookies. These were one of the first cookies I ever published on the blog, and I still love the orange-pistachio combination.

Shortbread adds a different texture — crisp, buttery, slightly sandy — which balances all the softer cookies.

Make Ahead & Storage:

• Store baked cookies at room temperature up to 1 week.
• Freeze baked cookies up to 2 months.
• Dip in chocolate after thawing for best finish.

Shortbread is always my low-stress component in a cookie box.

Decorative Elements

For the meringue kisses, I used a variation of Bakerella’s recipe — it’s one I’ve trusted for years when I want something light, crisp, and reliable. I pipe them small so they tuck neatly into the corners of the box, almost like edible confetti. They’re delicate but surprisingly sturdy once fully dried, and they add that classic snowy-white contrast that makes everything else pop visually. I usually make them several days ahead since they keep beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature, as long as humidity is low.

And now that I have a full recipe for Sugared Cranberries, I always include them when I can. They’re simple but they make the whole box feel festive and intentional. I like how their tart snap balances the sweetness of the cookies, and visually they bring that jewel-toned red that makes everything look finished. If you want to make them yourself, I shared a full step-by-step recipe (along with a quick video tutorial) so you can see exactly how I coat them for that sparkly, frosted look. They can be made a few days in advance and stored in a lightly covered container at room temperature — just make sure they’re fully dry before packing them into your box so they don’t transfer moisture to the other cookies.

How I Plan a Cookie Box…

…so it doesn’t take over my life! Essentially, I don’t bake everything in one day. I break it into stages:

1. Make freezer-friendly items first (truffles, shortbread, cookie doughs).
2. Macaron shells next.
3. Fill and mature macarons.
4. Bake final fresh cookies 1–2 days before assembly.
5. Assemble the box the day before gifting.

Spacing it out makes it enjoyable instead of overwhelming.

FAQ

Looking Back

I’ve been doing these for years now. The 2018 box included Pecan Macarons and Gingerbread Fudge Linzers, and 2017 was much simpler — before I really found my rhythm with blogging and publishing recipes.

Each year gets more refined. Not necessarily more complicated — just more intentional.

Putting together a Christmas Cookie Box takes planning, but it’s one of my favorite baking traditions. It feels thoughtful and personal in a way store-bought gifts never do.

If you build one this year, I’d love to hear what you include. Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram so I can see your box — I always love seeing how everyone makes it their own.

Have a beautiful Christmas baking season.on!