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Who doesn't love a good Christmas cookie exchange? If you're looking for some cookie exchange ideas, I've got 25 of the best recipes for a cookie swap!
We've officially entered the holiday season and you know what that means...it's time for baking cookies! There is a huge increase in baking during the month of December due to all the holidays, parties, celebrations, and get-togethers. And while I love to bake these 7 layer bars, banana nut bread, and homemade cinnamon rolls, baking cookies is one of my most favorite things to do! Just watch, you'll start seeing cookie recipes pop up everywhere. Which means December is a great month to participate in a cookie exchange!
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cookie Exchange?
The cookie exchange "officially" started in the early 20th century, but they've probably "unofficially" been around for thousands of years. Sometimes called a cookie swap or cookie exchange party, different ladies would hold meetings at different homes to discuss a variety of topics. Foods and sweets were available and everyone would partake in different cookies on different days of the week at the different homes.
With cookie exchange parties today, participants bake a batch of their favorite cookie recipe and then bring them to a party where guests trade. You often see church groups, relatives, and work groups hosting and participating in a cookie exchange.
And let me tell you...they are so much fun!
How Does It Work?
While I like to participate in a more relaxed exchange, they can actually get quite tense. When it comes to cookies, I'm all about variety and flavor. I want to receive a completely different one each time that tastes amazing during the swap.
Some exchanges get competitive based on how they look and what ingredients are included. Before participating in an exchange, make sure you understand the cookie exchange rules. If you're looking to host a party, read up on how to host a cookie swap party.
What Are The Party Rules?
There's all kind of cookie exchange rules out there and each party I've been to has been different. Below are a couple of rules you might run into. I have seen the following in practice:
- Don't you dare bring a store bought or basic cookie to a swap.
- Chocolate chip cookies are too common and not creative enough. Don't bring them.
- Try to avoid duplicates. Think outside the box and make a cookie you don't think others will bring.
- Bring a recipe card so participants can recreate them at home. Cookie exchange recipes are appreciated.
🍪 Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes
If you're looking for fun and creative Christmas cookies to exchange, you're going to love these options below! In this post, you'll find traditional cookie recipes from pinwheels and spritz cookies to the more unique versions of rosette, meringue, and more! Pick out your favorites for your cookie exchange party!
Sugar Cookie (With Icing!)
These are easy to make and PERFECT for the holiday season! The reason I love this recipe is because these sugar cookies don't spread when baking. They have a soft texture with a buttery flavor and the icing is easy to pipe.
Raspberry Pinwheel Cookies
Raspberry is delicious in sweet treats and these pinwheel cookies are perfect for an exchange because they are so tasty and very easy to make. You make them by rolling raspberry jam and chopped walnuts in a rich, buttery dough. Then, you'll slice them and dip them in sparkling sugar and bake. If you're looking for a versatile pinwheel cookie recipe, this recipe is for you. Feel free to substitute with your favorite nut, dates, and flavor of jam.
Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies
Spritz cookies are just simple butter cookies put through a cookie press. They are super easy to make. The "spritz" name comes from the German word "spritzen" meaning to squirt soft dough through a press. They have a soft crumbly texture and the cream cheese makes them super decadent. If you're looking for an easy spritz cookie recipe, then this is one you need to try.
Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Stars
A cut out sugar cookie where the dough is easy to work with...now that's right up my alley! Made with both chocolate and peppermint and are super festive! They really stand out on an assorted platter!
Christmas Rum Balls
Rum balls are so delicious and these are made with a blend of liquor, chocolate, pecans, and cookie crumbs rolled together and coated with sprinkles. These rum balls are super festive! Just like the name states, these balls contain alcohol so only include these in an adult friendly cookie exchange.
Cappuccino Swirl Cookies
Who would have thought that coffee cookies would be so delish! Flavored with a hint of Irish Cream, these taste extra amazing when dunked in a cup of coffee. A unique and delicious sweet treat that should be shared during the holiday season!
Chocolate Mint Sugar Cookie Bars
It's just not Christmas if you don't have some sort of dessert with mint! And I love a good bar recipe at a cookie exchange. With these bars, you can skip rolling out the dough. They are easy to make, contain chocolate chips, and mint extract.
Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Cookies
These are a traditional Scottish cookie that consists of flour, butter, sugar, and salt. Shortbread is a classic for the Christmas season and I'm loving this one because you're not only getting 1 shortbread recipe, but 3!! We're talking shortbread dipped in peanut butter, white chocolate, and dark chocolate and then topped with either peppermint, pretzels, or nuts.
Holiday Piped Rosette Cookies
These look like they took a lot of effort to make, but they didn't. You don't have to be an artist or cake decorator to get a pretty rosette. Rosette cookies consist of a sugar cookie dough that has been thinned out to ensure it can easily go through a piping tip. Then you pipe the dough into little circular mounds. From there, bake and add some sprinkles. Simple and oh so elegant! These will impress your guests at your next exchange event!
Vegan Amaretto Chocolate Truffles Recipe
Chocolate truffles have never been so easy to make! With a hint of amaretto, these vegan truffles are both rich and creamy. So indulgent, these truffles are a chocolate lover's dream dessert!
Check Out This Vegan Amaretto Chocolate Truffles Recipe Recipe!
Cranberry Coconut Macaroons
If you're looking for a healthier cookie recipe, these coconut macaroons are a great option. They're made with a refined sugar, unsweetened coconut, cranberries, and honey. The drizzling of the milk chocolate is optional, but makes these chocolate macaroons look so much more delicious and festive.
Shortbread Cookies
Shortbread is my favorite at Christmas time and these are irresistible. They're crisp and have a melt in your mouth buttery texture. And that chocolate drizzle adds a certain depth of flavor. I'm loving this super unique design on these chocolate shortbread treats!
Linzer Cookies
Filled with raspberry jam, these are Austria based and popular for the holidays. It only takes 10 minutes to prep these and then they're ready to pop in the oven to bake. The dusting of the powdered sugar finishes this linzer cookie recipe off perfectly.
Gingerbread Cookies
It's just not Christmas unless gingerbread is present. These are soft gingerbread cookies that are slightly spiced and fool-proof. Decorated with royal icing, these are bound to be a favorite this holiday season.
Cherry Cream Cheese Cookies
The reason cream cheese cookies are so popular during the holiday season is not only because they are festive, but they literally melt in your mouth. This cream cheese cookie recipe was made by the author's great-grandmother years and years ago, so you know they are amazing! A tried and true recipe that needs to be shared. This is a recipe worth repeating!
Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies With Dark Chocolate
We've already established that shortbread is super popular this time of year, but this shortbread is made with hazelnut and that makes them so dang flavorful! Lightly spiced (thanks to the cardamom) dipped in dark chocolate and topped with chopped hazelnuts. This, my friends, is not your typical shortbread recipe!
Check Out This Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies With Dark Chocolate Recipe!
Snowmen Meringue Cookies
How cute and festive are these?! Meringue Cookies are sweet, crisp, and airy. And if you're looking for a vegan cookie recipe, then look no more. Yep - these are made without eggs and they are also naturally gluten free!
Easy Christmas Crack Recipe
It's never been so easy to make candy at home, especially during the holidays! This Christmas crack is made with only 4 ingredients and is almost impossible to stop eating. Sweet and salty with a light crunch, this is a classic holiday recipe that everyone loves!
Make This Christmas Crack Recipe!
Cranberry Orange Swirl Cookies
These orange cranberry cookies are the perfect holiday sweet treat! Orange and cranberry are both winter flavors and meld well together in this sugar cookie recipe. Oh, and it uses fresh orange peel and fresh cranberries. Ridiculously flavorful.
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
I love colorful desserts and these pinwheels look so amazing with the red and green Christmas colors. Made with basic ingredients like butter, sugar, and flour, these are easy to make and very festive!
Anise Cookies
Anise Cookies are cake-like cookies with a delicate licorice flavor, a sweet icing glaze, and plenty of colorful sprinkles. Traditionally an Italian Christmas cookie, they're perfect for any celebration!
Christmas Cookie Pops
Do you like cake pops? Is so, you're going to really enjoy these cookie pops! Essentially these are sugar cookies on a stick and the kids, and adults, just love them! I call them cookie lollipops. The vanilla bean paste really brings out the flavor.
Eggnog Madeleines
These little yummies originated in France and remind me of a cake cookie that is cooked in a shell shaped mold. These madeleine cookies are filled with eggnog and all the seasonal warm spices. If you've never had these gourmet delights, you should make a batch. Madeleines are fabulous and have been around for a long time.
Neapolitan Cookies
Strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate in a cookie! This recipe uses a cake mix which makes them soft and puffy. If you love cake cookies and Neapolitan ice cream, then this is a recipe you need to try. Dip these in chocolate and then top with your favorite sprinkles or nuts.
Christmas Chocolate Kiss Cookies
Spread some holiday cheer with these adorable little Christmas Chocolate Kiss Cookies!
Hershey kiss cookies are amazing, easy to make, and full of sweet deliciousness in every bite!
🎄 More Christmas Desserts
If you're anything like me, I can't get enough of of the sweets during the holiday season. If you're looking for more Christmas dessert recipes, then take a look at these 25 Gluten Free Christmas Desserts. The collection is out-of-this-world delicious.
I also love a good Red Velvet Cake during the holidays so make sure you check out my recipe because it's been in my family for 20 years!
And I also love this Orange Vanilla Bundt Cake because it's made with fresh orange juice, chocolate chips, and then topped with a cream cheese frosting.
If you tried any of these Christmas Cookie Recipesor any other recipes on my website, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below. I love hearing from you! And, please leave a 🌟 rating while you're there!
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About Amanda Mason
Hi! I'm Amanda, the founder and creator behind Recipes Worth Repeating! Simply put, I focus on creating delicious recipes for everyone. I offer variety. I offer convenience. I offer yumminess! And that's why people keep coming back. The recipes I create are absolutely worth repeating.
Founded in 2012, Recipes Worth Repeating grew from people routinely asking me to email them the recipe for my latest dish. Recipe development comes naturally to me and I find cooking relaxing. Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, I developed a passion for cooking at an early age and I love to showcase a variety of recipes on my blog.Creating delicious new recipes, still photography, and video for Recipes Worth Repeating is the driving force behind what engages my readers to keep coming back for more recipes they will love.
