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!
Cookies
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!
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Buckeye Cookies
These buckeye cookies are inspired by the traditional Christmas candy! Topped with creamy peanut butter over a soft and chewy chocolate base.
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Vanilla Shortbread
This healthier shortbread cookie recipe has an optional glaze and makes a perfect holiday wreath! They're vegan, too.
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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.
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Chocolate Mint Sandwich
This recipe for chocolate peppermint sandwich cookies is perfect for the holidays! These are easy to make, and everyone loves them.
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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 dessert! Great for a bake sale or cookie exchange.
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Soft Gingerbread
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!
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Chocolate Cinnamon Stars (Zimtsterne)
Zimtsterne is a classic German cinnamon cookie. This recipe takes it up a notch with the addition of chocolate.
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Cherry Pie
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.
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No-Bake Christmas Tree
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.
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Ferrero Rocher
A flaky crust surrounding a delicious Ferrero Rocher candy and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Only five ingredients needed!
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Blizzard
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.
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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.
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Peppermint Chocolate Chip
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.
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Vanilla Meringue
The easy to follow steps and tips provided make these four-ingredient cookies really simple to achieve! These cookies will melt in your mouth.
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Cardamom Shortbread with an Orange Glaze
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!
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Almond Flour
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!
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Chocolate Oatmeal
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!
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S’mores
This semi-homemade recipe will remind you of sitting by the campfire. With only 5 ingredients, you can make these in no time!
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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.
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Coconut Macaroons
These coconut macaroons are an old school Christmas cookie exchange recipe that everyone loves! Quick and easy to make and absolutely delicious, they will take you right back to your childhood. Light, fluffy and seriously yummy, you can make a batch of these in under 20 minutes. They are also freezer friendly.
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Jell-O Cookies
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.
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Dessert Bars
Marshmallow Pretzel Bars with M&Ms
Looking for a delicious holiday treat you can make in just a few minutes? Try these M&M marshmallow pretzel bars! No baking required.
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Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Six ingredients and no baking required! That means all of the kids can help. Side note: these are amazing topped with ice cream.
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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.
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Holiday Marshmallow Bars
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.
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White Chocolate Cereal Bars
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.
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Brown Butter Blondies
Brown butter gives these an almost caramel flavor that is perfect with the chocolate chips. Only seven ingredients needed.
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Truffles
Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls
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.
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Buttery Biscoff
No bake and only three ingredients required? Sign me up! If you are a fan of Biscoff cookies, you will love these truffles.
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Healthy Salted Caramel
This healthier truffle uses dates and honey for the sweetness and are topped with just a touch of salt.
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Fudge
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.
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Tiger Butter
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.
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Treats
Cuban Lunch Squares
This is a copycat recipe of an old favorite candy in western Canada. It is the perfect blend of dark chocolate and peanuts.
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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.
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Cranberry & Pistachio Bark
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.
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Chocolate Hedgehog Slice
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.
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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.
What a fun post! So many good treats on this list. Bookmarked.
Thank you so much Joss!