Fill your kitchen with holiday cheer with this Christmas playlist.
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Here’s the Best Christmas Songs Playlist for Baking Holiday Treats
Updated on Sep. 30, 2024
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
Almond Spritz CookiesIndulge in the sweet, nutty flavor of almond spritz cookies—delicate, buttery treats that are as fun to make as they are to eat! They're perfect for holidays or special occasions, yet are simple to prepare for just-because treats.
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
They're also one of the most popular Christmas cookies of all time.
Chocolate Thumbprint CookiesThese chocolate thumbprint cookies are simple but tasty, satisfying any chocolate lover's sweet tooth. Rolled in walnuts and sealed with a kiss, they're delightful on their own, but especially when served with a bowl of maple walnut ice cream.
Italian Rainbow CookiesColorful, gorgeously layered and filled with yummy almond, raspberry and chocolate flavors, our Italian rainbow cookies will be a recurring presence on your annual holiday cookie tray.
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
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
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
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
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
SnickerdoodlesThis snickerdoodle recipe bakes up a batch of soft, tender cinnamon-sugar cookies. Don't forget the cream of tartar!
Peppermint MeltawaysWelcome the most wonderful time of the year with a batch of these festive peppermint meltaways.
Eggnog CookiesCozy up during the holiday season with these soft and buttery eggnog cookies filled with warm spices and topped with a luxurious frosting.
Coconut DropsCoconut drops are chewy cookies with a sweet thumbprint of raspberry preserves in the center. Our contest-winning recipe looks gorgeous on the plate, and tastes great too.
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
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
Scottish ShortbreadThis three-ingredient traditional Scottish shortbread recipe makes beautifully buttery, crumbly biscuits to elevate tea time.
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
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
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
Pignoli CookiesDon't let a holiday go by without baking these traditional almond cookies rolled in pine nuts.
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
Whipped Shortbread CookiesThese 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
Ricotta CookiesRicotta cheese is the star of these ricotta cookies, traditionally served as Italian Christmas cookies. The soft ricotta cheese makes the treats extra moist, and the vanilla frosting seals in the sweetness.
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
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
Fruitcake Christmas CookiesA twist on classic fruitcake, these easy fruitcake cookies are as festive as they are fun to bake.
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.
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
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
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
