15 High Altitude Holiday Cookie Recipes (2024)

It’s the most ~~fattening~~ wonderful time of the year! Bust out the butter and sugar as I’ve put together a list of my favorite cookies to bake this time of year- all high altitude tested and approved! There is something for everyone on this 15 High Altitude Holiday Cookie Recipes post. Enjoy!!

1. Snickdoodle Cookies

My kids favorite cookie- holiday or not! These are a classic and beloved by all. Often during the holidays I will use a sparkling finishing sugar to roll the cookies in to fancy them up a bit! Get the recipe here —> High Altitude Snickerdoodle Cookies

2. Perfect High Altitude Sugar Cookies

This is MY favorite holiday cookie. I rarely make sugar cookies outside the month of December. Not because I don’t love them but because I don’t have any self control and will eat them ALL! Get the recipe here —->High Altitude Sugar Cookies

3. Chocolate Crinkles with Coconut Oil

These are my favorite childhood cookie updated. My mom makes these every year! The original recipe calls for either canola or vegetable oil but I started using coconut oil a few years ago and love the taste and texture. Get the recipe here —->Chocolate Crinkles with Coconut Oil

4.Flourless Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

A delicious gluten free and grain free cookie option and absolutely incredible! I am not either gluten or grain free and love these cookies just the same! Get the recipe here —-> Flourless Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

5. Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies with Dulce de Leche

Have you ever had these no bake cookies? I was introduced to them by a friend years ago and they’re a favorite to make this time of year. I love the salty sweet combo and have a hard time stopping at just one! Get the recipe here —-> Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies with Dulce de Leche

6. White Chocolate Citrus Snowballs

A fun twist on a classic. These snowballs have orange, lime, and lemon zest. Almond meal lends a nutty richness and these all butter cookies will melt in your mouth. So. Damn. Good! You can find the recipe here —-> White Chocolate Citrus Snowballs

7. Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies

Peppermint and chocolate. Is there a more classic holiday combo? I know mint is one of those flavors that people either love or hate and I bet you can guess what camp I fall into! These aren’t overpowering and the frosting on top makes them creamy and buttery. I big time love these cookies! Get the recipe here —-> Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies

8. Buddy the Elf Cookies

These are such a fun holiday cookie inspired by the movie Elf. A classic chocolate chip cookie recipe loaded with pop-tarts, mini-marshmallows, M&M’s, and sprinkles. Get the recipe here —-> Buddy the Elf “Breakfast” Cookies

9. Clementine Butter Cookies

This is an older recipe (if you can’t tell by the photos…) but I love it none the less. These butter cookies have orange zest, just a hint of cinnamon, and the glaze has a double dose of citrus from orange zest and a splash of orange liqueur. Get the recipe here —-> Clementine Butter Cookies

10. Chocolate Chip Cookie Sticks

I LOVE these cookies. While not totally biscotti, these cookies are baked twice. Think of them as your favorite chocolate chip cookie- extra crispy- and ready to dunk into a mug of coffee or tea! Get the recipe here —-> Chocolate Chip Cookie Sticks

10. Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Cups

While not a cookie, I couldn’t NOT include this recipe. These homemade peanut butter cups are 10,000 better than store bought! Salted caramel, creamy peanut butter, and a mix of dark and milk chocolate…..these are insanely good! Get the recipe here —-> Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Cups

11. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

I know the pumpkin craze usually ends in November but I think pumpkin should get play all year round. This is a classic recipe but feel free to add white chocolate and dried cranberries or a mix of cinnamon chips for a more festive cookie! Get the recipe here —-> Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

12. Chocolate Chunk Espresso Blondies

These cookie bars are decadent and downright scrumptious. Espresso cookie dough, chocolate chunks and toasted pecans. Plus they’re made in one pan so it’s a super easy recipe to make! Need I say more? Get the recipe here —-> Chocolate Chunk Espresso Blondies

13. Lunch Lady Brownies

This brownie recipe is always a crowd pleaser. It is super versatile- you could add white chocolate chips, mint extract, festive sprinkles, or a peanut butter frosting….the options are endless! Get the recipe here —-> Lunch Lady Brownies

14. Salted Peanut Butter Rolo Cookies

Read the title of these cookies again. They have everything you want in a cookie. Peanut butter cookie dough, Rolo candies, and sprinkled with sea salt. These are out of this world redonk. Get the recipe here —-> Salted Peanut Butter Rolo Cookies

15. Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Another peanut butter cookie but you’re not going to get any apologies from me. Peanut butter cups are my favorite candy and they get stuffed into peanut butter cookie dough that is baked in a mini-muffin tin. Soooooo good! Get the recipe here —-> Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

What’s your favorite holiday cookie? Have a great week, happy baking, and thanks for reading! xo, Kelley

photos by Kellie Hatcher/ recipes by Mountain Mama Cooks

15 High Altitude Holiday Cookie Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do you adjust baking time for high altitude? ›

Changes at high altitude

Since leavening and evaporation proceed more quickly, the idea is to use a higher temperature to set the structure of baked goods before they overexpand and dry out. Decrease by 5-8 minutes per 30 minutes of baking time. Baking at higher temperatures means products are done sooner.

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Do cookies take longer at high altitude? ›

Increase Temperature: Due to the lower air pressure, baked goods tend to take longer to cook at higher altitudes. It is recommended to increase the oven temperature by 15-25 degrees Fahrenheit (or 25% of the standard temperature).

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What is considered high altitude for baking? ›

WHAT IS CONSIDERED A HIGH ALTITUDE FOR BAKING? High altitude is considered 3,500 feet or more above sea level.

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How much extra flour for high altitude baking? ›

For all altitudes, add up to 2 tablespoons more flour per cup called for in the recipe.

Why are my cookies flat at high altitude? ›

Lower air pressure (at high altitudes) means less weight pressing down on cookie dough. Because of that, leavening agents tend to release gases more quickly at higher altitudes than at normal altitudes. By the time cookies are done, most gasses have expanded and already escaped from the cookies.

What temperature to cook cookies? ›

Bake at 375 degrees F until golden and tender, 12 to 15 minutes. For crispy-cakey cookies: Bake the cookies at 425 degrees F until golden and crunchy on the outside, 8 to 10 minutes. For chewy cookies: Use 1 cup light brown sugar and 1/4 cup corn syrup and omit the granulated sugar.

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Do you bake longer or shorter at high altitude? ›

To avoid a dry cake, increase your oven temp, decrease your bake time and add a little extra liquid (about 1 to 2 tablespoons at 3000 feet and an additional 1½ teaspoons for every additional 1000 feet of elevation).