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    Home » Recipes » Cookies & Brownies

    Published: Nov 8, 2021 · Modified: Dec 5, 2022 by Rachel

    30 Christmas Cookie Exchange Ideas

    This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
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    Looking for cookie exchange ideas for this year’s swap? We’ve got all the best ones! Your friends and family are going to love these so much, they’ll be begging you for the recipe for whichever you choose.

    Collage of Christmas cookie recipes for an exchange including chocolate chip, iced cookies, and holiday shapes. Post title overlay.

    With Christmas coming up, I know you’re looking for some Christmas cookie 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.

    1. It’s not a competition, but also bring your best HOMEMADE cookies.
    2. Label your cookies for allergens or diets (vegan, gluten free, etc.).
    3. Remember to bring a printout of the recipe (1 for each person).
    4. Let everyone know what you are bringing so everyone is unique.
    5. Bring a box to take some home.

    How Many Cookies to Bring to a Cookie Exchange?

    It depends on how many guests you have for the exchange. I tend to go with at least 4-5 large cookies or 6-7 small 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.

    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!

    Butter Cookies piped in beautiful swirls and dipped in chocolate.

    Danish Butter Cookies

    Elegant, light and crisp Danish butter cookies are the ideal cookies for the festive season! Full of buttery flavour and melt-in-your-mouth texture! 


    Italian Christmas cookies with red and green sprinkles in a pile.

    Italian Christmas Cookies

    A famous recipe for the best cookies ever! Not only are these cookies great all year long, but especially fun during the holidays. They hold up great for shipping, freezing and gift-giving.


    Iced sugar cookies with snowman faces.

    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 stacked seven high with shredded coconut and whole pecan scattered around.

    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.


    Peanut Butter Cookies made into reindeer faces on a white surface.

    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 Balls on a cookie sheet. Cookies are drizzled with white and dark chocolate.

    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.


    Dark chocolate peppermint cookies dipped in white chocolate on a white wood background with candy canes around them.

    Black & White Peppermint Dipped

    The classic combination of deep, dark chocolate and peppermint make these Dark Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies the perfect treat for the holidays!


    Grinch cookies or green snowball cookies laid out with one bite taken out so that you see the green centers.

    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.


    Brown Butter Toffee Cookies laid out on craft paper.

    Brown Butter 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.


    Chocolate Cherry thumbprint cookies on a baking rack.

    Chocolate Cherry Thumbprints

    Chocolate Cherry Thumbprint Cookies are deliciously rich chocolate cookies with a cherry in the center and a sweet chocolate glaze on the top. Sure to be a showstopper this holiday season or at your Christmas cookie swap!


    Pecan sandies in a Christmas tin.

    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.


    Christmas tree shaped linzer cookies with eggnog centers.

    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.


    Closeup of fruitcake cookies on a plate.

    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.


    Horjarascasv Mexican Shortbread cookies shaped into stars on a cookie plate.

    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 with marshmallows on cookie sheet.

    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. 


    A bowl of peanut butter balls with one bite taken out to show inner texture.

    Peanut Butter Balls with Rice Krispies

    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!


    Monster cookies with christmas sprinkles and m&ms on a plate.

    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.


    HILDABRÖTCHEN SHORTBREAD COOKIE WITH JAM

    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 - Greek Christmas Honey Cookies on a plate.

    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!


    Traditional Ginger Snap Cookies in a cookie tin.

    Old-Fashioned Ginger Snap Cookies

    These sparkling ginger snap cookies are crispy on the outside, chewy in the center, and packed with a sweet-spicy flavor. They take only 15 minutes to make and there is no chilling required.


    Maple thumbprint cookies on a plate with maple filling.

    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!


    Reindeer cookies with icing faces made on gingerbread men cookies.

    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 on a wood background.

    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!


    Christmas pinwheel cookies with red and white layers on a long white serving dish.

    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!


    Peppermint Chocolate Cookies with candy cane pieces on top.

    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.


    And there you have it! 30 amazing Christmas cookie exchange recipes or to enjoy yourself! Are you in the baking mood yet?

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    1. Kelli Miller says

      December 19, 2016 at 9:41 am

      5 stars
      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. 🙂

      Reply
      • Rachel says

        December 19, 2016 at 9:50 pm

        Your peanut butter cookies look so good and I have to try them because this is my husband’s favorite kind of cookie.

        Reply

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