Looking for cookie exchange ideas for this year’s swap? We’ve got all the best Christmas cookie recipes to share! Your friends and family are going to love these so much, they’ll be begging you for the recipe for whichever you choose.
With Christmas coming up, I know you’re looking for some Christmas cookies recipes! I’ve been looking for some myself, and I’m happy to share all the cookie goodness.
During this time, I love to bake for a few holiday cookie exchanges, but also just for myself as well. There’s nothing better than a warm cookie that’s melt-in-your-mouth delicious and I have no doubt each of these recipes will do exactly that. Let’s get to swapping!
The Cookie Exchange Rules
If you haven’t been to a cookie swap before, these simple rules are all you need to have a great time and be gracious.
- It’s not a competition, but also bring your best HOMEMADE cookies.
- Label your cookies for allergens or diets (vegan, gluten free, etc.).
- Remember to bring a printout of the recipe (1 for each person).
- Let everyone know what you are bringing so everyone is unique.
- Bring a box to take some home.
The Best Christmas Cookie Recipes
So, I have included classic favorites as well as traditions from all over the world for something new to try! These Christmas cookie exchange ideas have something for everyone!
Danish Butter Cookies
Elegant, light and crisp Danish butter cookies are the ideal cookies for the festive season! A classic cookie exchange idea full of buttery flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture!
Italian Christmas Cookies
These Chewy Amaretti Cookies stand out as one of the simplest recipes you’ll ever prepare. With a mere five ingredients, these delightful and straightforward cookies will surely become a delightful addition to your collection of baked treats.
Snow Man Sugar Cookies
Aren’t these the super cutest little snowman? If you have a knack for decorating, these sweet snowmen are one of the best cookie exchange ideas (although I’m not sure I could bear to eat something so adorable!)
Coconut Pecan Cookies
The epitome of a soft & chewy cookie, this recipe is brimming with delicious texture from the oatmeal, pecans, and coconut shavings- it’s cookie bliss in one mixing bowl.
Reindeer Peanut Butter Cookies
Everyone’s favorite reindeer- Rudolph! This Rudolph recipe is fun to make and delicious to eat. Use pretzels, mini chocolate chips and M&Ms to create your own festive faces!
Oreo Truffle Balls
A trendy classic! Oreo Balls Recipe made with just 3 ingredients for a perfectly easy dessert! Simple instructions show how to make Oreo balls in minutes that taste amazing.
Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Indulge in the decadence of these Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies, boasting a luxurious, fudge-like texture, complete with soft centers and delectably chewy edges. They’re generously frosted with a velvety buttercream topping and adorned with crushed candy canes, making them an ideal treat for all your festive gatherings during the holiday season!
Grinch Snowballs
Grinch Snowball Cookies are buttery, delicious, and packed full of chopped pistachios and cranberries for a holiday treat that everyone will love…even Mr. Grinch!! These are especially fun and unique for a holiday cookie exchange idea.
Toffee Chocolate Chunk
A twist on the classic favorite! The addition of brown butter brings an incredible nutty flavor to these chewy cookies, and the toffee a perfect amount of crunch. If you are looking for something that feels homey and is a sure-fire hit, these may be the ones to make.
Jam Thumbprint Cookies
An effortlessly straightforward yet delightfully festive traditional Christmas cookie! Expertly baked to golden perfection and adorned with a layer of sweet jam on top.
Pecan Sandies
How about a vintage cookie that still delights? Pecan Sandies have a shortbread-like cookie base that is studded with pecans and dusted with powdered sugar. This vintage Christmas cookie recipe is a delicious choice to add to your holiday baking list.
Eggnog Linzer Cookies
These Eggnog Linzer Cookies will be the hit of the holiday cookie platter! With a delicious eggnog icing sandwiched between two eggnog cookies, these make a delightful holiday treat. And they are almost too beautiful to eat.
Fruitcake Cookies
Chewy, delicious fruitcake cookies are full of holiday flavor. This classic dessert recipe is sure to be an unexpected hit at the Christmas swap.
Hojarascas (Mexican Shortbread)
Want to try something new? How about these Hojarascas, which are soft and yummy Mexican shortbread cookies. Nut free, egg free, and vegan, but every bit as sweet and delicious, they are the perfect Christmas cookie to try something new.
Hot Chocolate Cookies
These hot chocolate cookies are crispy on the edges, soft and fudgy in the middle, and stuffed with gooey marshmallows. The marshmallow middle peaks through the cookie dough as they bake for an indulgent treat worthy of any cookie monster.
Peanut Butter Balls
These Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies make the perfect EASY bite-sized treat. Chocolate coated and no-bake, these treats get a crispy upgrade that makes them the best with only 5 ingredients!
Christmas Monster Cookies
These monster cookies are the classic oatmeal peanut butter cookies all dressed up for Christmas with red and green M&M’s, white chocolate chips and holiday sprinkles. The color screams festive and the taste is the perfect balance.
Hildabrotchen
Hildabrotchen or Hilda brotchen are a vintage German shortbread cookie filled with currant jam. A truly unique and inspiring traditional scratch cookie that also has a beautiful dough to work!
Melomakarona
Melomakarona or Greek honey cookies are a delicious Christmas dessert. With orange zest, cinnamon, and olive oil, they are dipped in a honey syrup and sprinkled with crushed walnuts. An irresistible sweet treat, everyone will wonder where you came up with these!
Ginger Molasses Cookies
This simple recipe for Brown Butter Ginger Molasses Cookies offers a delightful twist on the traditional gingersnap. These cookies strike a perfect balance with their chewy center, crisp outer texture, subtle spices, and rich, buttery taste. They’re a must-have for my holiday baking!
Maple Pecan Thumbprints
These melt-in-your-mouth Pecan and Maple Thumbprint Cookies literally radiate their maple goodness and make your home smell like heaven. A totally irresistible treat!
Gingerbread Reindeer
There is a really cool trick to these cookies that you won’t guess! Gingerbread reindeer are not only cute, but their spiced dough and sweet royal icing decorations make them a great gift.
Nastar Cookies: Indonesian Pineapple Tarts
Nastar means pineapple tarts. It’s a festive holiday dessert that every household should make just to enjoy the buttery crumbs and refreshing pineapple jam inside. It’s a must try!
Holiday Pinwheels
A classic favorite whose festive spirals cannot be beat – except maybe by the sprinkles. This festive recipe is sweet, buttery and decked out in red and green sprinkles for the holidays!
Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
These are a great way to get in the Christmas holiday spirit. They are a decadent mix of triple chocolate flavors with a minty kick from crushed candy canes on top. One of our favorites to leave out for Santa.
Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
These chocolate thumbprint cookies make an ideal treat not only for the holiday season but also for any time of the year! They possess a delightful softness and an intense chocolate flavor, complemented by a lusciously smooth chocolate ganache filling and adorned with festive sprinkles.
Easy Peanut Butter Blossoms
Crafting these peanut butter blossoms is a breeze with just three simple ingredients, all effortlessly mixed in a single bowl. You’ll savor the delectable essence of peanut butter, accentuated by the delightful presence of Hershey’s Kisses nestled in the center!
Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies
Indulge in these soft and sweet white chocolate cookies, generously filled with velvety white chocolate and peppermint pieces. Plus, there’s a hidden element that elevates these cookies from the ordinary to the extraordinary!
Santa’s Cookies
Santa’s preferred cookies are brimming with white chocolate chunks, vibrant M&M’s, pretzels, chocolate chips, and sprinkles, making them an ideal stocking stuffer for your friends and a delightful treat for Santa during this festive holiday season.
Snowflake Cookies
Embrace the festive ambiance with these Christmas snowflake cookies. They’re an excellent choice for holiday cookie swaps, thoughtful homemade presents, or an exquisite addition to your festive dessert spread.
Pecan Tassies
Made with chopped pecans and cream cheese, these Pecan Tassies are a delightful Christmas cookie for your Christmas cookie exchange.
Christmas Sandwich Cookies
These Christmas cookies are filled with an abundance of chocolate and M&M’s, and they’re generously stuffed with frosting, resulting in a joyful dessert that’s not only delicious but also a blast to create. Prepare them ahead of time for bake sales, holiday gatherings, Christmas feasts, and all your festive occasions in between!
Almond Flour Shortbread Cookies
These simple and nutritious almond flour shortbread cookies are an ideal complement to your holiday baking lineup, demanding only five basic ingredients. They’re a charming and delectable treat to offer to your loved ones and friends!
Chewy Snickerdoodle Bars with Eggnog Frosting
Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars featuring Eggnog Frosting are the ultimate choice for your upcoming cookie exchange event. These bars offer a chewy foundation, laced with a delightful cinnamon swirl, and crowned with a light and airy frosting that’s infused with the rich flavors of eggnog.
And there you have it! 34 amazing Christmas cookie exchange recipes or to enjoy yourself! Are you in the baking mood yet?
Christmas Cookie Exchange FAQ’s
To host a Christmas cookie exchange, invite friends and family to participate and ask each person to bring a set number of homemade cookies. At the event, everyone swap cookies, allowing each person to leave with a variety of delicious treats. The yummy Christmas cookies listed in this post are perfect for this!
Of course, add an activity related to the cookies, such as sharing the stories or inspiration behind their cookies, adding a fun and personal touch to the event.
I tend to go with at least 3-5 cookies per person, on the side of more for popular or fancy cookie recipes because everyone loves them! You want to have enough for everyone to taste and to take a few home if desired.
For a large group, consider setting up stations with designated categories (e.g., chocolate, fruit-filled, gluten-free). Ask your friends and family to bring enough cookies to share within each category.
To host a Christmas cookie exchange party, send out invitations specifying the date, time, and location, and ask each person to bring a predetermined number of cookies. Additionally, it be kind of you to provide containers for guests to take home their cookie assortment. Consider offering refreshments and festive decorations to create a delightful holiday atmosphere.
To display cookies, arrange them on a festive table with different platters or trays, making sure to label each cookie variety. Use decorative tablecloths, holiday-themed serving dishes, and charming signage to enhance the presentation and create an inviting display.
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Kelli Miller says
Thanks so much for including our super easy (and so delicious) peanut butter cookies in your list! Now, I am off to check out the other cookie exchange recipes. 🙂
Rachel says
Your peanut butter cookies look so good and I have to try them because this is my husband’s favorite kind of cookie.