Welcome back to The Cookie Elf File! It’s that time of year when we send you cookie recipes, cookie trivia and simple baking tips to give you easy ways to bake 12 days of Christmas cookies.

This year, we’re sending you two recipes in each email to cut down on the mail in your inbox. Bookmark or pin these recipes so you can use them in your holiday baking.

Do You Have a Cookie Jar for Your Christmas Cookies?

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Join us on Pinterest! Browse our 80+ boards (and growing) for cookie inspiration and simple baking tips, like chocolate chip cookies, no bake cookies, cookie gift baskets -- even special treats like gluten-free cookies! Happy pinning!

12 Days of Christmas Cookies, Day 1: Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies - Fun Christmas Cookie Recipe for Kids and Families

Image: The Cookie Elf

They’re a perfect Christmas cookie recipe because …

• Kids love to roll the dough and press the wells
• Powdered sugar and glazed cherries look festive
• Chocolate is always a favorite
• The cookies are easy to make!

Make sure you allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for several minutes to set before transferring them to a cooling rack.

Prep time: 20-30 minutes
Bake time: 10 minutes, divided
Makes 3-4 dozen cookies

Get the full Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies recipe… and check out our Thumbprint Cookies Pinterest board for more easy thumbprint cookie recipes.

12 Days of Christmas Cookies, Day 2: Mexican Wedding Cake Cookie Recipe: “Treasure Cookies” Variation

Image: The Cookie Elf

Sometimes called “Treasure Cookies,” these luscious little snowballs include miniature chocolate chips – the “treasure” inside the pure white exterior.And the insides of the cookies are soft, rather than crumbly like shortbread – a tribute to brown sugar and less flour in the dough. Soft dough = easier to form into balls.

Prep time: 20-30 minutes
Bake time: 12-15 minutes
Makes about 3 dozen slices

Get the full Mexican Wedding Cake Cookie Recipe … and check out our Molded Cookies Pinterest board for more easy cookie recipes like it.

The Un-Santa Book: Plan Now for a Meaningful Christmas

It's filled with fun, meaningful Christmas activities for your kids, homeschool group, class, or event - with reproducibles!

You can even use the book to host a complete festival or sponsor a unique holiday event or simply doing Christmas crafts with kids during this special time of year. Good gift idea, too! Learn more.

Cookie Baking Tip: How to Get Powdered Sugar to Stick

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See more helpful cookie baking tips on The Elf’s Baking Tips Pinterest Board .

How To’s and Gear for Decorating Cookies

Browse different cake and cookie decorating sets from Cakeo, Wilton, more	Disposable and reusable icing bags	Scoop it:Gel food coloring: just right for tinting cookie icing

More Easy Molded Cookie Recipes

Happy baking,