Make your holiday celebration delicious with these Easy Christmas Cookie Exchange Recipes! Baking cookies to share with friends and family is a fun way to get in the holiday spirit! I am sharing over 20 of the best Christmas cookie recipes perfect for a cookie exchange, cookie platters, or cookie boxes.
Holiday baking is always so much fun! I love trying new cookies and enjoying the traditional holiday favorites. Last year, I was busy in the kitchen making 6 new cookie recipes! On top of that, I always make cut-out cookies with royal icing for my girls to decorate. This year, I have teamed up with some of my fellow food blogger friends to bring you over 20 of the best easy cookie recipes.
Let the baking begin…
What is a Cookie Exchange?
A cookie exchange or cookie swap is the perfect holiday get-together! Guests bring a batch of their favorite cookies. All the cookies are labeled and set out on display. Everyone then gets to try each person’s cookie recipe. It is such a fun and festive way to get together and share baked goods!
How to Host a Cookie Exchange or Swap
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Invite Guests
Start by inviting guests and asking them to bring their favorite cookies. Usually, 1-2 dozen cookies (make sure there are enough for each person to have one of each cookie). All cookies must be homemade, no cheating!
Cookie Exchange Cocktails and Appetizers
Have festive cocktails for your guests to drink. Like Pomegranate Mint Prosecco Cocktails or Cranberry Vodka Spritzers. And appetizers like a Charcuterie Board, Marinated Mozzarella and Tomato Skewers, a vegetable tray, and Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Dates.
Display the Cookies
Have a large table set up with cute platters, baskets, cake stands, wood, or marble boards to display the cookies. Have place cards available so each person can write down what type of cookies they brought and any allergens that may be in the cookies.
Share Cookie Recipes
Many recipes will be new favorites! Have each guest either email the cookie recipe to you or print out the cookie recipe. That way everyone can share cookie recipes.
Packaging Cookies to Take Home
Have to-go bags, boxes, or tins so people can take home leftover cookies. You could also ask guests to bring their own container if desired.
If desired, you can have guests vote for their favorite cookie and have prizes for the best recipes.
A cookie exchange or cookie swap is such a fun and festive way to celebrate the holidays, spend time with friends and family, and enjoy delicious cookies!
Easy Christmas Cookie Exchange Recipes
1. Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
A super chocolatey brownie-like cookie with chocolate chunks and crushed candy canes.
2. Browned Butter Cinnamon Chip Cookies
Perfectly soft and chewy cookies with a rich, nutty flavor of browned butter. Paired with delicious cinnamon chips makes the ultimate holiday or anytime cookie.
3. Italian Wedding Cookies
The perfect Holiday cookie, Italian wedding cookies are light as air with ground almonds, powdered sugar, and lots of butter!
4. Chocolate Cherry Thumbprint Cookies
A delicious twist on a classic recipe made with chocolate dough, filled with cherry pie filling, and more chocolate drizzle on top. Perfect for a cookie exchange, holiday treat, or an anytime sweet dessert!
5. Pistachio Cookies
Super soft and chewy cookies made with pistachio pudding mix and crushed pistachios. These quick and easy cookies are absolutely irresistible and will have you wanting another!
6. Coconut Meringue Cookies
Delicious coconut meringue cookies, also called coconut kisses, with an easy-to-make recipe! For coconut and cookie lovers, an absolute must for Christmas cookie baking.
7. Shortbread Cookies with Vanilla Bean Glaze
Delicious, buttery shortbread cookies that are really easy to make. They can be made as either cutout or slice and bake cookies; your choice. Dipped or drizzled in an amazing vanilla bean glaze. Perfect winter/holiday cookies!
8. Almond Kiss Cookies
Make these Almond Kiss Cookies for your next Christmas celebration or cookie swap! Made with amaretto, cream cheese, and chocolate kisses, these cookies taste like chocolate-covered cherries.
9. Orange Spiced Sugar Cookies
Delightfully bright and cozy with a blend of sweet orange and spicy cinnamon. A unique twist on the traditional sugar cookie, these are the perfect treat for the winter and holiday season that pairs beautifully with a cup of hot tea or coffee.
10. Cranberry Orange Butter Cookies
A deliciously tender and buttery slice and bake cookie. Fresh orange zest and dried cranberries make a tasty and festive holiday cookie!
11. Chinese Peanut Cookies
Tested until perfect, the ultimate 5-ingredients Chinese peanut cookies (naturally vegan). Chinese peanut cookies are easy to make, use ground peanuts, and are crunchy yet melt-in-the-mouth.
12. Old Fashioned Tea Cake Cookies
Tea Cake Cookies are small crispy cookies, baked till they are golden brown. This is by far the best tea cake recipe around.
13. Cranberry Orange Biscotti
Crispy, buttery, and perfect for dunking in espresso or hot chocolate. There are few things better than good biscotti! Flecked with tart dried cranberries, bright orange zest, and drizzled with white chocolate these biscotti exude coziness.
14. Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies
Similar to the classic snickerdoodle with the addition of pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice. They are so soft, light, and fluffy!
15. Chocolate Covered Raisin Oatmeal Cookies
A delicious twist on oatmeal raisin cookies. Chocolate adds a nice, slightly bitter balance to them.
16. White Chocolate Raspberry Cookies
Super soft and chewy with raspberries, white chocolate chips, and coconut oil. Quick and easy; they only take 20 minutes to whip up.
17. Poinsettia Cookies
Brighten any Christmas platter with these festive Poinsettia Cookies!
18. Vegan Ginger Spice Cookies
These vegan ginger spice cookies are perfect to add to your holiday snacking. They are sweet, chewy, fiery, and crisp!
Gluten-Free Christmas Cookie Exchange Recipes
19. Apple Butter Oatmeal Cookies
An easy gluten-free oatmeal cookie recipe made with apple butter. These soft and chewy cookies are a great way to use your apple butter during apple season.
20. Crispy & Chewy Gluten-Free Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Using King Arthur cookie mix, these Simple Crispy & Chewy Gluten-Free Chocolate Chunk Cookies are exactly as they sound. Crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. They are also celiac safe too.
21. Gluten-Free Ginger Molasses Cookies
The perfect soft and chewy gluten-free holiday cookie. Made with real ginger, molasses, and plenty of wonderful warming holiday spices.
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