Nope-- it is true! These easy, delicious Christmas cookies are just nuttily simple (literally. Haha.). Each recipe makes a batch of spectacular Christmas cookies that are easy, fun, and totally kid-friendly. What tastes better than something you didn't have to bust your butt to bake? Something the kids cooked for you! Who needs elves when you have short people of your very own to help out in the kitchen? All they need is a pointy hat.

Already have a meal in the oven? Or just don't feel like turning it on? We've got some more great kid-friendly Christmas cookie recipes here -- totally no-bake.

Easy-Peasy Cake Mix Cookies

This recipe makes easy, delicious Christmas cookies that turn out soft and wonderful. And best of all, it's simple enough to let the kids help. These easy delicious Christmas cookies have a texture and taste similar to sugar cookies, but are loads better. Just use the cake mix of your choice and any add-ins you like. This is a fun way to let the kids make up their own fun flavor combinations. Carrot cake and coconut. Chocolate-M&M walnut. Spice and nut. Strawberry and white chocolate chip. Or even funky "funfetti" cake mix cookies (pictured). With these easy Christmas cookies, the sky's the limit.

Ingredients:
1 (18 oz.) package cake mix (your choice)
2 eggs
1/2 C. shortening
1 tbsp. water
1/2 C. chopped nuts, dried fruit, or chips (your choice)
powdered sugar (optional)

Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. With a wooden spoon or mixer, combine all ingredients in medium mixing bowl. Chill in refrigerator about 30 minutes.

Shape into 1" balls. Roll in powdered sugar, if desired.

Bake on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, 10-12 minutes.

Makes 3 to 4 dozen cookies

Shortbread Made Easy:
Christmas Cookies to Bake Up in Flash

This rich and buttery shortbread cookie recipe makes shockingly easy, delicious Christmas cookies. They look (and taste!) great in your Christmas cookie tray-- crumbly, rich, buttery, and not too sweet. Simple, elegant, and easy, they'll be the perfect treat for the nice (or naughty. After all, it’s Christmas) adults on your list. If you add the optional cherries, they'll be bright red and green with touch of extra special sweetness kids love.

Simple Shortbread Bar Cookies

Ingredients:
1 1/2 C. all-purpose flour
1 C. sugar
1/4 C. cornstarch
1/8 tsp salt
1 C. very cold butter, coarsely chopped
1 C. maraschino cherries (green and red), chopped (optional)

Instructions: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Blend together flour, sugar, cornstarch and salt in a food processor until combined. Add half of butter to processor and blend to combine. Add remaining butter, process to combine. With a quick pulse of the processor, mix in the chopped cherries.

Evenly divide the dough between two 8-inch square pans. Press dough down firmly.

Bake 30-35 minutes, or until pale golden. Don't let them brown. Allow to cool in pans 10 minutes.

While the cookies are still warm, cut into serving-sized squares. Allow to cool completely in pan, then transfer to serving tray.

Tip: Make sure to use a food processor to get the right texture for these easy, delicious Christms cookies. If using unsalted butter, be sure to add 1/4 tsp (instead of 1/8) salt-- it brings out the buttery flavor.

Use Up that Old Halloween Candy
Christmas Cookie- Easy Recipe!

Actually, these easy, delicious Christmas cookies will send you to the store to buy even more candy! (Crazy, right?) This recipe uses miniature Reese's peanut butter cups to make fancy-looking Christmas cookies in no time at all. Plus, if you use pre-packaged peanut butter cookie dough from the store (instead of using the cookie dough recipe below), this cookie is a great one to make with the kids. They won't even complain about using up their Halloween candy. Probably.

Easy Peanut Butter Cup Tartlets

Ingredients:
36 miniature peanut butter cups
1/2 C. creamy peanut butter
Easy Christmas Cookie Recipe 1/2 C. butter
1/2 C. granulated sugar
1/2 C. brown sugar, packed
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/4 C. all purpose flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
Supply: Miniature muffin pans

Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a medium mixing bowl, cream together peanut butter, butter, sugar and brown sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy.

Add vanilla, flour, egg, baking soda and salt. Mix well.

Roll cookie dough into 1-inch balls. Place balls in miniature muffin pans (they look best without papers).

Bake 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven. Immediately press one peanut butter cup into center of each peanut butter cookie.

Allow cookies to cool completely before removing from muffin pan. Makes about 3 dozen.

Tip: After placing the peanut butter cups in the cookies, pop them back in the oven for another 30 seconds or so the melt the chocolate slightly. This will blur the crinkled-chocolate edges of the peanut butter cups, making the finished cookie look more like a real chocolate tartlet.

Have enough recipes for easy delicious Christmas cookies? Visit our Christmas page for more great Christmas Planning Tips and Recipes.