29 Cookie Exchange Classics That Never Go Out of Style
The holiday season is here, and that means it’s time for one of the sweetest traditions of all—cookie exchanges! We’ve rounded up show-stopping Christmas cookie recipes that will make you the star of the cookie exchange.
From classic favorites to creative twists featuring festive flavors and eye-catching decorations, these cookies are guaranteed to delight both kids and adults alike.
Spekulatius
Speklatius are buttery German shortbread cookies made with gently warming spices. Perfect for snacking during the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Spekulatius
Vanillekipferl
Meet your new favorite German Cookies! Vanillekipferl (also known as Almond Crescent Cookies) will simply melt in your mouth.
Get the Recipe: Vanillekipferl
Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies
These Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies are a reliable go-to when you want a sweet treat that brings comfort and nostalgia. With their crisp edges and chewy centers, they’re perfect for sharing or enjoying as a solo snack. Simple to make and delicious every time.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies
Thumbprint Cookies
Bake these delightful Thumbprint Cookies with ease – customize with your favorite jam for a delicious treat loved by all!
Get the Recipe: Thumbprint Cookies
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
These Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect balance of rich, chewy, and crisp. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or a weekend treat, these cookies will always leave everyone wanting more. Enjoy the comforting, nutty aroma that fills your kitchen and the gooey chocolate chunks that melt in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies With Raisins
Enjoy these easy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies fresh from the oven! Soft and chewy cookies are made healthier with rolled oats and sweet raisins.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies With Raisins
Lemon Shortbread Cookies
When life gives you lemons, make lemon shortbread cookies! They’re easy to make and sweet and lemony, perfect for snacking.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Shortbread Cookies
Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
Indulge in these sweet and chewy Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies, a delicious treat that’s quick and easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
Butterball Cookies
Butterball Cookies are a classic, vintage, easy-to-make holiday treat that belongs on every cookie platter.
Get the Recipe: Butterball Cookies
Cool Whip Cookies
These soft, chewy Cool Whip cookies are made with only four ingredients! These classic cake mix cookies will make you feel like a kid again.
Get the Recipe: Cool Whip Cookies
Santa Nutter Butter Cookies
Santa Nutter Butter Cookies are a fun, festive treat made with Nutter Butters, white chocolate, and sprinkles. Perfect for holiday parties or gifts!
Get the Recipe: Santa Nutter Butter Cookies
Festive Gingerbread Pizzelle
This gingerbread pizzelle recipe makes authentic Italian Christmas pizzelles. These holiday cookies have a crisp texture and a ginger snaps flavor. Cinnamon, ginger and cloves add a spicy touch to the pizzelle cookies, while molasses gives them a rich sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Festive Gingerbread Pizzelle
Peppermint Mocha Cookies
Not only are these peppermint mocha cookies as pretty as a picture, but they also taste phenomenal, and they’re incredibly simple to make.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Mocha Cookies
Festive Chocolate Covered Oreo Christmas Cookies
Chocolate covered Oreo Christmas cookies are just delicious! I just know you’ll love these DIY covered Oreos made in a silicon mold.
Get the Recipe: Festive Chocolate Covered Oreo Christmas Cookies
Gingersnap Icebox Cookies
You’re going to love these icebox gingersnaps. They’re bursting with warm, earthy and spicy flavors and they’re really hard to stop eating!
Get the Recipe: Gingersnap Icebox Cookies
Classic Christmas Spritz Cookies
Making a batch of these buttery and tender Christmas Spritz Cookies is one of my favorite old-fashioned holiday traditions.
Get the Recipe: Classic Christmas Spritz Cookies
Christmas Cake Mix Cookies
Christmas Cake Mix Cookies are one of the easiest Christmas cookie exchange recipes ever. Cake mix saves you time making this holiday treat.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Cake Mix Cookies
Chocolate-Covered Oreo Reindeer Cookies
These cute Chocolate Covered Oreo Reindeer cookies are perfect for adding some magic to your festive gatherings or as a sweet gift.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate-Covered Oreo Reindeer Cookies
Christmas Sprinkle Cookies
Christmas Sprinkle Cookies are easy to make for the holidays. Just add cream cheese to your favorite cookie mix, then bake and decorate!
Get the Recipe: Christmas Sprinkle Cookies
Perfect Cut-out Sugar Cookies
These cookies have earned their title as Perfect Vanilla Cut-out Cookies. They are easy, retain their shape, and taste SO good.
Get the Recipe: Perfect Cut-out Sugar Cookies
Red Velvet Sugar Cookies
Every bite of these red velvet sugar cookies is a treat! They taste so good with vanilla and cocoa flavors and the creamy frosting is so good
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Sugar Cookies
Christmas Light Cookies
Christmas Light Cookies may be the easiest and cutest way to “light up” the holidays! This foolproof recipe is so simple because it starts with a cookie mix combined with only 2 ingredients (plus water) and ends sweetly with a beautifully decorated Christmas cookie confection that looks delightfully festive in the most delicious way! You must make this for your cookie exchange this year!
Get the Recipe: Christmas Light Cookies
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are festive, easy-to-make sugar cookies with signature swirls—perfect for holiday parties and cookie exchanges!
Get the Recipe: Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
Snowball Cookies
Snowball Cookies are the perfect Christmas cookie for your holiday cookie exchange! These easy cookies are light, tender and sweet.
Get the Recipe: Snowball Cookies
Peppermint Mocha Cookies
Chocolate Mocha Cookies are the ultimate chocolate coffee lovers sweet snack! A perfect balance of coffee and chocolate flavor for any holiday or occasion.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Mocha Cookies
Penguin Cookies
These penguin cookies are so cute and so good. Mint Milano Cookies are coated in chocolate and decorated to look like penguins.
Get the Recipe: Penguin Cookies
Christmas Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies are a classic tried and true recipe, but add some red food coloring and a Peppermint Bark Hershey Kiss and you have a new Christmas Cookie to share at your cookie exchange!
Get the Recipe: Christmas Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
Eggnog Cookies
These Eggnog Cookies are such a fun treat for the holiday season but any excuse will do. Using Instant Pudding makes them so soft and moist!
Get the Recipe: Eggnog Cookies
Christmas Butter Cookies
With their perfect balance of buttery goodness and rich, velvety chocolate, our chocolate-dipped Christmas butter cookies are sure to elevate your festive experience.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Butter Cookies