Start Getting Ready for Santa's Arrival NOW with These 7 Make-Ahead Cookie Recipes

Rachael has confessed time and time again that baking isn't exactly her first love. She even admitted that one year she was so grumpy from trying to make a batch of Christmas cookies that nobody wanted to come over to eat them!

If this sounds familiar, we have some good news. These make-ahead cookie recipes are so easy, you'll be singing Christmas carols in the kitchen while you bake away. (Okay, that might be a stretch — but maybe?)

Make a batch whenever you have time, freeze the dough (or the cookies themselves) and bake off when you're ready. It's as simple as that. Happy baking!

1. Sara Moulton's Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Meringue Drops

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Toasted coconut and dried sweet cranberries are folded into fluffy, sugary egg whites — and that's it! No baking required. Dip them in rich dark chocolate to finish them off and refrigerate for up to a week.

GET THE RECIPE: Sara Moulton's Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Meringue Drops

2. Ruth Moulton's Spice Balls

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This recipe is from Sara's grandmother, Granny Ruth Moulton. Don't be fooled — these cookies are called "spice balls" because you roll them into balls before you bake them, but then they flatten. What's great about this dough is that it can be frozen. Roll it in crystallized ginger right before baking. Make sure not to overbake them, they should be chewy!

GET THE RECIPE: Ruth Moulton's Spice Balls

3. Curtis Stone's Oatmeal Coconut Butter Cookies

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Not only are these sweet, buttery cookies easy to make, but the dough is freezable! Just spoon it onto a cookie sheet, freeze them as-is and then bake them off when you're ready. They can be stored in an airtight container for up to five days.

GET THE RECIPE: Curtis Stone's Oatmeal Coconut Butter Cookies

4. Grant's Red Velvet Cookies

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Not only is the pretty red color SO festive for the holidays, but who doesn't like red velvet? Make this dough a few days ahead and keep it in the fridge. Roll it in the powdered sugar right before baking.

GET THE RECIPE: Grant's Red Velvet Cookies

5. Adaiah Stevens' Snow Ball Cookies

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Snowball fight! Just kidding — these sugary cookies are perfect for the holidays because you can freeze the dough ahead of time. They're also great for those of us who like to eat raw cookie dough by the spoonful (guilty) because the dough is egg-free.

GET THE RECIPE: Adaiah Stevens' Snow Ball Cookies

6. Carla Hall's Chocolate-Mint Crinkle Cookies

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These cookies aren't made with mint extract — they're made with REAL mint tea leaves! Make these cookies ahead of time, freeze the dough and bake 'em off when unexpected company comes by. They'll feel special. ?

GET THE RECIPE: Carla Hall's Chocolate-Mint Crinkle Cookies

7. Hailee's Chocolate Chip Sea Salt Caramel Cookies

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These cookies are so popular — and with good reason! They're sweet, they're salty and gooey and so irresistible! Did we mention there's a surprise Rolo candy center? We had you at Rolo, didn't we? Freeze the dough (or the already-baked cookies) for up to three months. Now, that's one way to get ahead!

GET THE RECIPE: Hailee's Chocolate Chip Sea Salt Caramel Cookies