The Composition of the Perfect Christmas Cookie Tray

Creating the perfect Christmas cookie tray has always been one of my favorite parts of the season, and I’ve built it into a bit of a ritual that I look forward to every year.

First, there’s the constant curation of beautiful vintage cookie tins, which are useful for storing cookies made ahead of time, and fun to collect over the years. Then there’s the cookie baking list, selected with care each year, which mixes old favorite recipes with new ones. There’s the baking, of course, snuck in during odd afternoons and evenings leading up to Christmas, and the feeling of satisfaction with every batch that is sealed away until they are all beautifully presented and arranged with careful precision on a platter on Christmas Eve.

What makes the perfect cookie tray?

There are a few elements that I try to balance when making my annual list, but two main factors play an equally important role overall: beauty and taste. We all want a delicious cookie but I would argue that the aesthetics are equally important. To quote Athena Calderone, “we eat with our eyes first.”

Here are the rules that I stick to when compositing my cookie tray, which gives, in my opinion, that perfect little bit of everything. You can almost think of the cookie tray as the charcuterie of Christmas- it’s the centerpiece of your hosting and family celebration that is the sum of its parts.

Something classic and kid friendly

I love both Christmas cutout sugar cookies and gingerbread men, so I usually do both. This may be overkill, but I end up regretting it if I leave out one or the other. I’ll usually let kids decorate the cutouts with sprinkles, but save the gingerbread decorating for myself. Besides the fact that they’re both just so yummy, they’re also great to bake with children and the stakes for messing up are low.

Something pretty and a little ambitious

For me, this is usually a linzer type cookie. I like the fruit element and they are just a beautiful statement on a tray, like pretty little stained glass windows. I’ve made classic linzer recipes in the past, but am hooked currently on NYT Cooking’s Blood Orange and Poppy Seed Window Cookies.

Something nutty

There are so many options with this one, and I usually switch it up year after year. I love a classic Date and Walnut bar- (I think this recipe is similar to the ones my family made growing up) and have made these Pecan Lace Cookies with Orange Buttercream from Bon Appetit in the past. This year, I’m trying Cardamom and Walnut Crescent cookies from NYT Cooking. I also think the crescent shape will add nice visual interest to the plate.

A biscotti

I make a different biscotti every year. There are lots of opportunities for different flavors, and I think the longer shape cookie adds visual interest to the plate.

Years back (I’ve been doing this since high school you guys), I used to make a delicious dried apricot and white chocolate biscotti. One of my favorites overall has been a dried cherry and almond biscotti. This year I think I’m going to go with these making a Chocolate and Orange Biscotti from Sally’s Baking Addiction. I’ve never found a chocolate cookie that I want to commit to, and I love the chocolate orange flavor combination.

A candy (or two)

Making candy takes a little bit of practice but it is totally worth it if you commit to a few trial runs. I don’t use a thermometer but the hard ball/ soft ball trick works for me. I have yet to try truffles but I think they’re probably a bit more simple. Or you could cut your losses and sprinkle some Trader Joe’s English Toffee in with your home made treats, if you aren’t up for doing it yourself.

I have a few rotating options, though they’re all hand written recipe cards without links. This cappuccino walnut toffee is similar to my recipe, and the swirled white and dark chocolate is gorgeous. I also like to make home made caramels, which are simple and delicious.

However you go about it, I’m a big proponent of adding some tasteful candies to your holiday cookie tray. It’s also a good option if you have any gluten free guests over the holidays.