It is Christmas cookie exchange time! If you are looking for some simple yet delicious cookie ideas you have come to the right place. I’ve collected over 50 cookie exchange recipes for you to check out.
Welcome to the ultimate holiday culinary adventure – the Christmas cookie exchange!
It’s a world where the only currency is cookies, where every bite takes you on a journey of festive flavors, and where your kitchen becomes the epicenter of holiday cheer.
The holiday season is a whirlwind of tinsel and twinkle lights. While decking the halls and sleighing the gift-giving game are all part of the fun, we all know the real MVP of Christmas is the cookies.
But who says you have to spend endless hours in the kitchen making thumbprint recipes, missing out on all the mistletoe and merriment?
The magic solution? A cookie exchange! It’s like outsourcing your baking to a team of elves, but instead, it’s your friends and family.
The concept is simple yet genius: you bake a lot of one type of cookie, and in return, you get a smorgasbord of delectable treats. It’s a win-win: less time baking, more time for holiday shenanigans.
I’m diving headfirst into the internet cookie jar to bring you over 50 recipes perfect for your next cookie exchange.
And we’re not just talking about your grandma’s sugar cookies (though those are always a hit).
We’re expanding the cookie universe with bars, truffles, fudge, and other scrumptious surprises that’ll make Santa want to stick around for seconds.
Keep an eye out for unique cookie recipes that are quick and easy – because let’s be honest, sometimes the best treats are the ones that leave you more time for a cup of eggnog and a Hallmark movie marathon.
Ready to embark on a cookie exchange journey that’s as joyous as it is delicious? Scroll down and let’s get started!
From classic favorites to new twists, these cookie exchange recipes are your ticket to a holiday filled with sweetness and smiles.
And remember, it’s not just about the cookies; it’s about the memories you bake along the way. Happy Holidays!
(P.S. Don’t forget to check out our Christmas cupcakes for more festive inspiration!)
Looking for something to make for your cookie exchange or swap? Here are 50+ recipes including cookies, truffles, bars, fudge, and other treats. Many have only a few ingredients or take very little time. Take a look at my go-to cookie exchange recipes.
Cookies
1
Red Velvet Thumbprint
These red velvet thumbprints are so rich and fluffy with the perfect amount of creamy cheesecake filling. They are perfectly festive and delicious!
2
Easy Linzers (6 Ingredients)
You’ll love these soft and buttery Linzer cookies filled with jam! This shortbread sandwich cookie is perfect for Christmas gifting. They only have six ingredients.
3
Peppermint Frosted Chocolate
Discover the joy of holiday baking with peppermint-frosted chocolate cookies. These are rich with extra soft centers and chewy edges.
4
Snickers
These irresistible Snickers cookies incorporate the perfect blend of chocolate, caramel, and peanuts in every bite. You'll love them!
5
Reindeer Cookies
This reindeer cookie recipe is sure to become a new family favorite during the holiday season! You'll use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to make the head.
6
Santa Cookies for Christmas
These Santa cookies are perfect for Christmas! Make these sugar cookies – that look like jolly St. Nick – for holiday gifting or parties.
7
Chocolate Thumbprint
Chocolate thumbprint cookies are a decadent dessert that is easy to make! They're soft and chewy with a rich chocolate ganache center.
8
Classic Snowball
Photo Credit:smartschoolhouse.com
A classic holiday cookie for a reason . . . they are awesome! This recipe only has six ingredients and is always a hit cookie exchange recipe.
9
Chocolate Chip Sandwich
Learn how to make the best ever chocolate chip sandwich cookies! This recipe features two cookies with a rich buttercream frosting center.
10
Buckeye Cookies
These buckeye cookies are inspired by the traditional Christmas candy! Topped with creamy peanut butter over a soft and chewy chocolate base.
11
Nutella Stuffed
Nutella stuffed cookies are soft, chewy, and filled with delicious hazelnut spread! Learn how to make this recipe for dessert, exchanges, or holiday gifting.
12
Heath Bar
If you love chocolate and toffee then you’ll love this Heath Bar cookie recipe. They’re sweet, soft, and you can't just eat one.
13
Vanilla Shortbread
Photo Credit:theoregondietitian.com
This healthier shortbread cookie recipe has an optional glaze and makes a perfect holiday wreath! They're vegan, too.
14
Cranberry Walnut
These cranberry-walnut cookies with white chocolate chips are the perfect combination of tart, sweet, and crunchy. This is my FAVORITE cookie recipe.
15
Pudding with Peppermint
These delicious Christmas pudding cookies are loaded with yummy chocolate and would be perfect for a cookie exchange or bake sale!
16
Reese's Pieces Chocolate
Get a delicious chocolate Reese's Pieces cookies recipe! These are great for exchanges or an everyday treat.
17
Apricot and Almond
Combine sweet fruit with crunchy almonds and rich dark chocolate - you have the perfect, decadent apricot cookies for year-round indulging! Makes 3 dozen.
18
Chocolate Mint Sandwich
This recipe for chocolate peppermint sandwich cookies is perfect for the holidays! These are easy to make, and everyone loves them.
19
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip
What makes regular chocolate chip cookies even more delicious? Oatmeal!! This is the BEST oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe you'll ever have. So easy to make, so tasty!
20
Rolo Cookies (Five Ingredients)
Rolo cookies are quick, easy, and delicious! Follow this simple Rolo cookie recipe (only requires five ingredients) to make this incredibly tasty, chocolatey, and gooey Christmas dessert! Great for a bake sale or cookie exchange.
21
Bacon Chocolate Chip
Learn how to make the most delicious chocolate chip bacon cookies. This recipe is easy, and you're going to love the combination of sweet and salty!
22
Soft Gingerbread
Photo Credit:www.justsotasty.com
These soft gingerbread cookies are a must for the holidays. They’re perfectly spiced with soft centers and the perfect gingerbread taste. The best gingerbread men I’ve ever tried!
23
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Cups
Photo Credit:ameessavorydish.com
Peanut butter cookie 'tarts' stuffed with mini peanut butter cups! Amee also provides an alternative time-saver recipe hack you may want to try.
24
Chocolate Almond Pillow Cookies
Photo Credit:www.oatandsesame.com
Inside these puffy little gems is a pocket of chocolate almond delight. This pillow cookie recipe is stuffed with almond paste and chocolate in the center!
25
Chocolate Cinnamon Stars (Zimtsterne)
Photo Credit:eatlittlebird.com
Zimtsterne is a classic German cinnamon cookie. This recipe takes it up a notch with the addition of chocolate.
26
Cherry Pie
Photo Credit:www.adishofdailylife.com
These pretty (and delicious!) shortbread style cherry pie cookies are perfect for holiday cookie exchanges or special occasions! Your guests will never guess how easy they are to make.
27
Lower Calorie Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies
Photo Credit:newlywedsurvival.com
A classic cookie exchange recipe with a lightened up twist. Less calories means you can eat more, right?
28
Crinkle Cookies
Photo Credit:temeculablogs.com
This is an easy crinkle cookie recipe since it uses cake mix as one of the 4 ingredients! Save yourself some time and effort but don't lose the taste.
29
Chocolate Candy Cane Kisses
Photo Credit:insidebrucrewlife.com
These chocolate candy cane kiss cookies are rolled in red and white sugar and then topped with a candy kiss. They will be one of the first cookies todisappear off your holiday cookie tray!
30
No-Bake Christmas Tree
Photo Credit:www.thereciperebel.com
If kids want to get in on the Christmas cookie action, these are perfect for them! You'll love the no-bake aspect, and children can easily decorate too.
31
Ferrero Rocher
Photo Credit:momsdish.com
A flaky crust surrounding a delicious Ferrero Rocher candy and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Only five ingredients needed!
32
Blizzard
Photo Credit:sugarspunrun.com
Made with half a brick of cream cheese in addition to butter, these winter-sprinkle infused cookies studded with white chocolate chips are super soft cookies that belong in your yearly Christmas cookie rotation.
33
Ginger Molasses
Learn how to make this delicious, old-fashioned ginger molasses cookies recipe! These are so soft and tasty - you've never had a cookie like this before.
34
Peppermint Chocolate Chip
Photo Credit:lemonsandzest.com
Chocolate chip cookies get the Christmas upgrade with candy canes and white chocolate! These will definitely be a hit amongst the other cookie exchange recipes.
35
Butterscotch with Popcorn
These buttered popcorn and butterscotch cookies are a unique twist on a tradition favorite! They are sweet, salty, chewy, and delicious - and the recipe is very easy to make.
36
Vanilla Meringue
Photo Credit:www.veggiebalance.com
The easy to follow steps and tips provided make these four-ingredient cookies really simple to achieve! These cookies will melt in your mouth.
37
White Chocolate Snickerdoodles
Snickerdoodles are a holiday staple! Here's a way you can take the classic recipe to the next level by adding a little white chocolate and toffee.
38
Cardamom Shortbread with an Orange Glaze
Photo Credit:stateofdinner.com
Cardamom shortbread cookies boast an exotic warm flavor, balanced with a sweet, citrusy orange glaze. The cookies are buttery, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious!
39
Almond Flour
Photo Credit:madcreationshub.com
Buttery soft on the inside and crisp on the outside, these four-ingredient, highly-rated cookies are sure to be a family favorite. Especially if you sandwich some chocolate spread between them!
40
Chocolate Oatmeal
Photo Credit:waitingforblancmange.com
These chocolate oatmeal no bake cookies without peanut butter are a quick and easy twist on the classic. Six ingredients make this a super easy recipe for a Christmas cookie swap!
41
S'mores
Photo Credit:www.spendwithpennies.com
This semi-homemade recipe will remind you of sitting by the campfire. With only 5 ingredients, you can make these in no time!
42
Shortbread Tea
Learn how to make delicious shortbread tea cookies using some basic ingredients you probably already have on hand. These tea biscuits are good with tea (of course), but also hot chocolate during the Christmas season.
43
Coconut Macaroons
Photo Credit:kidgredients.com.au
These coconut macaroons are anold school Christmas cookie exchange recipethat everyone loves!Quickandeasyto make and absolutely delicious, they will take you right back to your childhood.Light,fluffyand seriously yummy, you can make a batch of these in under20 minutes. They are also freezer friendly.
44
Butterscotch Chocolate Chip
These delicious dark chocolate chip cookies include white chocolate butterscotch M&M's and yummy pecans. The perfect way to jazz up a plain cookie recipe!
45
Jell-O Cookies
Photo Credit:www.frugalmomeh.com
Make these easy sugar cookies using red and green Jell-O for the holidays! Kids will love the bright colors and can help with the baking process.
Dessert Bars
46
Looking for a delicious holiday treat you can make in just a few minutes? Try these M&M marshmallow pretzel bars! No baking required.
47
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Photo Credit:shesaved.com
Six ingredients and no baking required! That means all of the kids can help. Side note: these are amazing topped with ice cream.
48
Christmas Rice Krispie Treats
This rice krispy treat recipe makes the cutest Christmas trees ever! Perfect for the holidays, tasty, and the whole family can join in to make them.
49
Holiday Marshmallow Bars
Photo Credit:mariasmixingbowl.com
Marshmallow bars meet fudge in this incredible no-bake holiday treat. Soft and scrumptious, these are a favorite with everyone! These Christmas bars only have five ingredients.
50
White Chocolate Cereal Bars
Photo Credit:thedizzycook.com
Your choice of cereal plus four more ingredients! These white chocolate bars are a great combination of sweet and crunchy, and perfect for a Christmas cookie exchange.
51
Brown Butter Blondies
Photo Credit:mytherapistcooks.com
Brown butter gives these an almost caramel flavor that is perfect with the chocolate chips. Only seven ingredients needed.
Truffles
52
Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls
Photo Credit:thefirstyearblog.com
This classic buckeye balls (peanut butter balls) recipe is a family favorite no bake treat to make during Christmas time! It's probably my number one favorite at Christmas cookie exchanges.
53
Beijinhos de Coco
Beijinhos are Brazilian coconut truffles that are incredibly easy to make - they only take 4 ingredients, and are amazingly sweet and delicious!
54
Buttery Biscoff
Photo Credit:abakingjourney.com
No bake and only three ingredients required? Sign me up! If you are a fan of Biscoff cookies, you will love these truffles.
55
Brigadeiros
Learn how to make delicious brigadeiros - they are Brazilian chocolate truffles that will melt in your mouth. And they are so easy!
56
Healthy Salted Caramel
Photo Credit:www.jaroflemons.com
This healthier truffle uses dates and honey for the sweetness and are topped with just a touch of salt.
57
Oreo Balls
Photo Credit:www.everydayfamilycooking.com
This is a bit different from some Oreo Ball recipes you have seen in the past. No cream cheese needed!
Fudge
58
Candy Cane
If you want an easy fudge recipe for a cookie exchange, try this delicious candy cane version! You can use the same base and customize with other ingredients to make it your own.
59
Tiger Butter
Photo Credit:recipepocket.com
Quick and simple tiger butter fudge is made with only three ingredients! Made using the microwave oven this is one of the easiest fudge recipes you will ever make. It looks pretty, tastes delicious and is creamy smooth too.
60
Chocolate Mint
Photo Credit:ohsosweetoketo.com
Use green food coloring and call these 'Grinch Fudge' for the holidays. This 2-layer fudge has a chocolate base and a mint top layer. Best part? This is a no-sugar added recipe!
61
Creamy Peanut Butter
This delicious and smooth peanut butter fudge recipe uses marshmallow creme and chocolate for some added tastiness!
Treats
62
Christmas Crack
This saltine cracker toffee is the ultimate Christmas dessert! Everyone loves this recipe and it's very easy to make. It's addicting - that's why they call it "Christmas crack!"
63
Reindeer Chow
This Christmas puppy chow recipe is a perfect holiday treat that you can make for snacking or gifting! It's easy and delicious.
64
Cuban Lunch Squares
Photo Credit:inthekitch.net
This is a copycat recipe of an old favorite candy in western Canada. It is the perfect blend of dark chocolate and peanuts.
65
Rolo Pretzels
Rolo pretzels are easy to make! Although these Rolo turtles have a Valentines twist, you could dip them in white chocolate and add red and green sprinkle touches for Christmas.
66
Cranberry & Pistachio Bark
Photo Credit:Bella Bucchiotti
Cranberry and pistachio white chocolate bark is so festive and it’s perfect for Christmas cookie exchanges! It’s like almond bark but with pistachios rather than almonds. This easy holiday treat recipe is so simple to make and if you are like me, a fan of white chocolate, cranberry and pistachio, you’ll love it.
67
Chocolate Hedgehog Slice
Photo Credit:chefnotrequired.com
This is a fast, simple, no-bake recipe that everyone will enjoy! Only six ingredients needed. It's very easy to slice and perfect for handing out during exchanges.
What cookie exchange recipe will you be making this year? Did I leave your favorite off of the list? Let me know in the comments below. I’d also love for you to visit the following posts:
- Bite Size Desserts: 40+ Mini Sweets You’ll Love!
- Festive and Fun: Cute Christmas Desserts for Everyone
