Christmas Cookie Recipes 2014: 3 Ridiculously Easy Treats To Make This Holiday Season

Christmas cookies aren't just for Santa Claus, but December is definitely the best time of year to eat the delicious desserts. Just think: Your kitchen covered in flour, warm cookies straight out of the oven, licking the spoon -- are you salivating yet?

While Pinterest is filled with difficult doughs and intimidating icing techniques, Christmas cookies don't have to be fancy. The beauty is in the simplicity (and the sugar. Don't forget the sugar). Below are three super-easy recipes guaranteed to please.

Source: MarthaStewart.com

Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 stick unsalted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions: In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Cream butter and sugar together with an electric mixer; beat in egg and vanilla. Slowly add the flour-baking powder-salt mixture. Once combined, flatten the dough, wrap it in plastic and freeze for at least 20 minutes.

When you're ready to bake, let the dough warm for about 10 minutes. Roll it out and dust with flour so your cookie cutters don't stick. Cut, transfer to baking sheets lined with parchment paper and bake in a 325-degree oven for nine minutes. Rotate them halfway, cook for another few minutes until the edges are golden, and remove them.

Type: Peanut butter cookies

Source: allrecipes.com

Ingredients: 1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup white sugar, 1 egg

Directions: Could this get any easier? Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a cookie tray with parchment paper. Mix together the three ingredients until your dough is smooth. Drop balls of dough onto the sheet (flattening with fork optional) and bake for six to eight minutes.

Type: Gingerbread cookies

Source: PBS.org

Ingredients: 1 package Jell-O butterscotch pudding mix, 3/4 cup margarine, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, 1 egg, 2 1/4 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 3 teaspoons ground ginger, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions: Make the pudding as directed, then mix it with the margarine, sugar and egg. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and spices. Then slowly stir it into the pudding batter, making sure it's fully combined. Cover bowl with plastic wrap; put it in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes. Once firm, roll out the dough on a flat, floured surface and shape with cookie cutters. Put dough on greased cookie trays and bake for 10 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool before decorating.