Food & Drinkgingerbread cookiesspritz cookiesFood and Drink

Christmas Cookies, Ranked In Order From Worst To Best

Spritz cookies might as well be obliterated from the face of the earth.
By 

Taste Senior Editor, HuffPost

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We're grateful for any gift we receive -- especially when it's edible. Come the holidays, that happens more and more and it is grand (because it almost always means COOKIES).

While most Christmas cookies are 100 percent awesome, they aren't all created equal. Some are better than others. And actually some, some are just downright bad. We ranked them in order from best to worst because, well, someone had to. If you're planning on doing any holiday baking, this list may be a helpful guide as to which cookies you should bake and which you need to steer clear of -- especially if you're planning on sending any those cookies our way.

Below, a completely superficial and subjective ranking of Christmas cookies, in order from worst to best. Chime in and let us know how you feel.

16
Spritz Cookies
Flickr: Nikchick
These cookies try so hard to be everything that Christmas cookies should be, and their desperate attempt is palatable. Desperation never tastes good. Never.
15
Stained Glass Cookies
New Media Publishing
Looks can only take you so far. And these cookies are all looks and no substance. Bleugh.
14
Biscotti
Flickr: murz
There's a time and a place for biscotti. Christmas is not it.
13
Sugar Cookies
Flickr: timlewisnm
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a sugar cookie. We love them every day of the year. And that's exactly the point -- you can eat them every other day of the year SO WHY ARE YOU WASTING YOUR TIME WHEN THERE ARE OTHER CHRISTMAS COOKIES TO BE EATEN.
12
Peanut Butter Blossoms
My Baking Addiction
Okay, yes, peanut butter blossoms are one badass cookie. But in the world of Christmas cookies there is some steep competition.
11
Gingerbread Cookies
Flickr: deborah
Tasty, but kind of creepy.
10
Snowballs
Flickr: Akane86
YES.
9
Speculoos
Flickr: Jennifer Dehant
Speculoos are what gingerbread cookies wish they could be. Plus, these cookies gave us COOKIE BUTTER.
8
Snickerdoodles
Flickr: Veganbaking.net
Snickerdoodles are good every day of the year, but around the holidays their cinnamon coating really shines.
7
Walnut Crescents
New Media Publishing
No one understands the greatness that is the walnut crescent. They're buttery, crumbly and full of flavor -- and the fact that people over look them means there's more for us.
6
Molasses Cookies
Flirkc: Renee S. Suen
Chewy, a little crunchy, and perfectly spiced.
5
Thumbprint Cookies
abbyladybug/Flickr
Jam plus cookie is a winning combination.
4
Pfeffernussen
Flickr: Melanger :: to mix
The Germans know what they're doing when it comes to Christmas cookies. These are spiced, buttery and covered in sugar. Win, win, win.
3
Snowcaps
Flickr: whitneyinchicago
They're one of the few Christmas cookies that are chocolate. BONUS POINTS.
2
Linzer Cookies
Flickr: cleverocity
Like the thumbprint, but BEAUTIFUL.
1
Shortbread Cookies
Today's Nest
Shortbread cookies win for best Christmas cookie because they're basically just a vehicle for getting loads of butter into your mouth. We are forever grateful to this cookie for making that happen. Plus, they come in so many flavors. Make some.

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Before You Go

2013 Food & Cooking Gift Guide
Lucky Peach 1-year subscription, $28(01 of12)
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Have a friend who’s kept every back issue of Gourmet and Bon Appetit, but likes to stray from the norm? They’re probably dying for a subscription to Lucky Peach, the creation of the culinary world’s current “it boy,” David Chang.

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Complete ATECO Cake Tools, $115(02 of12)
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Whether you’re shopping for a beginner or an expert baker, trust us -- they’ll want this. A good turntable is highly underrated, and the right decorating tools can be the difference between your cake looking like a 5-year-old’s mess or the creation of a perfectionist. This has it all.

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Industrial Kitchen-Aid Stand Mixer with a Glass Bowl, $549.95(03 of12)
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Look, anyone in their right mind has one of these on their bucket list. It’s classic, it instantly improves your cooking and baking skills, and it looks damn beautiful sitting on your counter. Make someone REALLY happy and buy them one of these.

Buy it here (credit:Williams-Sonoma)
Collapsible Salad Spinner, $35(04 of12)
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For the salad lover who lives a small space, this is a godsend. It flattens into a small disk to save you some much-treasured cabinet space.

Buy it here (credit:MOMA Store)
Kobenstyle Casserole, $100(05 of12)
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Just as gorgeous as a Le Creuset pot (and cheaper!), this enamel-coated casserole has an added bonus that we’re in love with -- the lid doubles as a trivet when you flip it upside down.

Buy it here (credit:MOMA Store)
Ball American Heritage Collection Pint Jars, with Canning Lifter & Funnel, $32(06 of12)
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You know what everyone’s doing right now? Pickling, preserving and canning (yes, seriously). This set provides everything you need to do the job (in style, we might add), and you’ll save your friend endless trips hunting for the hard-to-find jars.

Buy it here (credit:The Huffington Post)
Drywell Meat and Cocktail Prints, $20 unframed(07 of12)
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For the friend who has great taste in cocktails, and even better taste in art.

Buy it here (credit:The Huffington Post)
New Keurig Rivo, $229.99(08 of12)
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Ever wish you had a personal barista at your house? Keurig’s new system is probably as close as you’re gonna get. It makes your espresso in the traditional Keurig way, but also froths and heats up milk so you can mix up your favorite custom cappuccinos and lattes.

Buy it here (credit:Keurig)
The Photography Of Modernist Cuisine, $102.75(09 of12)
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For serious food lovers, this is the coffee-table book that dreams are made of. Taking inspiration from the photography of Nathan Myhrvold’s Modernist Cuisine series, these images are truly frame-worthy.

Buy it here (credit:The Huffington Post)
KitchenAid Pro Line Cordless Immersion Blender, $299.95 (10 of12)
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Sick of having to clean all the parts of your blender after you whip up your morning smoothie? Forget about it. This cordless immersion blender gives you the freedom to blend anywhere in the kitchen (or elsewhere, we guess), and cleanup just takes a quick rinse.

Buy it here (credit:Williams-Sonoma)
15-Inch Traditional Steel Paella Pan, $25(11 of12)
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As cooks, we want to buy EVERYTHING in the cookware category, but sometimes we have to compromise. This is one of those luxury items that we’d normally never buy for ourselves, which makes it the perfect gift to receive.

Buy it here (credit:Williams-Sonoma)
Krups Wine Dispenser & Preserver, $499.99(12 of12)
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Pull out the big guns for your favorite oenophile. Keep two bottles in it at once, easily controlling the temperature for the appropriate type of wine. Also genius? It aerates your wine and vacuum-pressurizes it to delay oxidation, keeping it good for between 5-10 days.

Buy it here (credit:Krups)

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