Looking for recipes for your Christmas cookie exchange? We've got 'em! Your friends and family are going to love these so much, they'll request them every year!
60 Cookie Exchange Recipes Your Friends Will Love
Updated on Nov. 21, 2024
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Basic Cookie Dough
Skip the store-bought cookie dough and learn how to make cookies from scratch—it’s easy! Thanks to this basic cookie dough recipe, you can turn everyday ingredients into five sensational sweets. Bake some right away, then pop the extra dough in the freezer for later. —Gloria McBride, Payson, Utah
If you want to work ahead, you can even freeze cookie dough.
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Holly Wreaths
I've never come across another spritz cookie like this - one calling for cream cheese as an ingredient. That helps to keep these wreaths moist a long time, while also adding a delicious flavor. —Dee Lein, Longmont, ColoradoMake sure you know how long cookies last so you eat them up while they’re fresh and taste their best!
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Peppermint Stick Cookies
With cool mint flavor and a festive look, these whimsical creations will make you feel like you're in the North pole. The chilled dough is easy to shape, too. —Nancy Knapke, Fort Recovery, OhioThis recipe would make a beautiful and fun batch of cookies to send to a far-away loved one. Here are our favorite cookie packaging ideas when you’re prepping the treats for the mail.
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Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
These chocolate thumbprint cookies are simple but tasty, satisfying any chocolate lover's sweet tooth. Rolled in walnuts and sealed with a kiss, they're delightful on their own, but especially when served with a bowl of maple walnut ice cream.
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Whipped Shortbread Cookies
These whipped shortbread cookies melt in your mouth. Mostly I make them for the holidays, but I'll also prepare them year-round for wedding showers and afternoon teas. —Jane Ficiur, Bow Island, Alberta
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Italian Rainbow Cookies
Colorful, gorgeously layered and filled with yummy almond, raspberry and chocolate flavors, our Italian rainbow cookies will be a recurring presence on your annual holiday cookie tray.
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Christmas Cutout Cookies
Rich and buttery Christmas cutout cookies like these never last long at a party. They’re one of my favorite homemade Christmas cookies. I use seasonal cutters to celebrate the holidays tastefully. —Lynn Burgess, Rolla, MissouriCutout cookies are a staple on Christmas dessert trays. Keep our best cookie platter tips in mind as you choose which other types of cookies to include in the spread.
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Almond Raspberry Stars
The first Christmas that I baked these, I ended up quickly making a second batch! The whole family enjoyed them. —Darlene Weaver, Lebanon, Pennsylvania
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Hidden Mint Morsels
Is it a cookie or a candy? No matter which answer folks choose, they find these minty morsels yummy. The recipe makes so much that you can whip up tons of gifts at once. —Adina Skilbred, Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin
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Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies
I recently found this old family recipe in my mom’s kitchen. I made a few adjustments to streamline the process, and the cookies turned out wonderfully. —Shawn Barto, Winter Garden, Florida
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Grandma's Raspberry Rugelach
I remember sitting on my great-grandmother's couch with a pad and pen in hand as she told me each ingredient and measurement for her special rugelach. Her recipe stands apart because it's a fun twist from typical versions. —Dalya Rubin, Boca Raton, Florida
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Dipped Gingersnaps
I get tremendous satisfaction making and giving time-tested yuletide treats like these dipped gingersnaps. Dipping them in white chocolate makes much-loved gingersnaps even more special. —Laura Kimball, West Jordan, Utah
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Eggnog Cookies
Cozy up during the holiday season with these soft and buttery eggnog cookies filled with warm spices and topped with a luxurious frosting.
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Harveys Coconut Macaroons
As the executive chef at Harveys, a resort hotel in Lake Tahoe, I modified this classic recipe, which originated a century ago at a renowned pastry shop in Vienna, Austria. —Norbert Koblitz, Lake Tahoe, Nevada
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Torcetti
Our Sicilian grandmother often had my sister and me roll out the dough for these tasty torcetti. These cookies are melt-in-your-mouth good without being overly sweet. —Joy Quici, Upland, California
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Italian Butter Cookies
Buttery soft with a sweet chocolate tip, these Italian butter cookies are a surefire way to impress your guests. Make them ahead of time (they freeze exceptionally well), or fresh in just a few hours; either way, you'll have a simple yet tasty treat to satisfy your sweet tooth.
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Cherry Snowballs
A juicy maraschino cherry is the secret center tucked inside these special cookies. My mom was inspired to create this by a recipe she clipped out of a newspaper more than 30 years ago. —Evy Adams, West Seneca, New York
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Chocolate Cherry Cookies
When you want chocolate and tangy cherries, make these chocolate cherry chunk cookies. A thick cookie base studded with rich chocolate chunks and dried cherries is a satisfying snack or dessert.
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Church Window Cookies
These church window cookies might be our most visually stunning, and they don’t even require baking! Here's how to make them with just five ingredients.
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Shortbread Sandwich Cookies
I layer a creamy, coffee-flavored filling between buttery shortbread, then dip the sandwiches in chocolate. Guests always love them.—Bertha Seyer, Oak Ridge, Missouri
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Chocolate Hazelnut Shortbread
We love hazelnut flavor and cookies that aren’t too sweet, so this recipe is perfect for us! If you like your cookies on the sweeter side, bake up these crisp beauties and slather some Nutella between two to create an extra-special sandwich cookie. —Karla Johnson, East Helena, Montana
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White Chocolate Raspberry Thumbprints
When I pass around the cookie tray, all eyes land on these fancy thumbprints. The white chocolate filling and dab of jewel-toned jam will satisfy even the most discriminating sweet tooth. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
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Pizzelle Cookies
Making an anise-scented pizzelle cookies recipe is a rite of passage in many Italian families. The light, crisp and tender cookie with the snowflake design is perfect for holidays, but they're great with a cup of hot chocolate any time of year.
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Chocolate Caramel Kiss Cookies
I make this cookie every Christmas with my family. It’s a fun twist on a classic peanut butter blossom because of the cinnamon in the batter and the caramel kiss on top. We love the cinnamon-caramel combination, but you could switch out the kiss for a different festive flavor. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York
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Date Pinwheel Cookies
This is a great recipe for a delicious cookie to serve at the end of any meal. The dates have such a wonderful flavor.—Ms. Lee B. Roberts, Racine, Wisconsin
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Christmas M&M’s Cookies
These M&M Christmas cookies make any cookie platter feel festive. Swap in pastel M&M’s for Easter and orange and brown for Halloween. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Big Soft Ginger Cookies
These nicely spiced, big soft ginger cookies are perfect for folks who like the flavor of ginger but don’t care for crunchy gingersnaps. —Barbara Gray, Boise, Idaho
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Candy Cane Cookies
Impress everyone at your holiday party or cookie exchange with these classic, whimsical candy cane cookies.
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Chocolate Gingersnaps
When my daughter Jennifer was 15 years old, she created this recipe as a way to combine two of her favorite flavors. They're perfect with a glass of milk. —Paula Zsiray, Logan, Utah
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German Christmas Cookies
This little spice cookie tastes very European and is similar to Pfeffernüsse or “peppernut.” We make ours with cozy spices, anise flavoring, almonds and candied citron. —Carole Mueller, Florissant, Missouri
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Mint Chocolate Wafers
My grandmother gave me a cookbook stuffed with recipes. This is a slight twist on one of the first—and best—recipes I made from the book. It's best to store these in the refrigerator. —Mary Murphy, Evansville, Indiana
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Frozen Snowflake Gingerbread Cookies
These snowflake cookies will melt in your mouth as soon as they hit your tongue. Experiment with your favorite colors and give your cookie trays an unexpected twist. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Baklava Thumbprint Cookies
The topping on my sister-in-law's peach cobbler was so delicious that I asked for the recipe; then I decided to use that to top a cookie I developed with the flavors of baklava. My adult son tried one and immediately ate two more—which is unusual for him! It's a good recipe to mix up the night before and bake fresh the next day for company. —Sharon Eshelman, Harrington, Delaware
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Buttery Spritz Cookies
Spritz cookies are perfect for holiday cookie trays, or for any time during the year when you want a soft and delightful treat!
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Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
These rich and fudgy chocolate crinkle cookies are perfect for sharing at holiday get-togethers.
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Cranberry Slices
The holidays wouldn't be complete without a plateful of homemade cookies to give family and friends. Try these for gifts.—American Dairy Assoc, Stacy Duffy, Chicago, Illinois
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Red Velvet Spritz Cookies
I had never come across a red velvet spritz recipe, so I decided to create one. The hint of cocoa makes these taste like red velvet cake. Add peppermint flavoring for a little extra kick. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
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Heart-Shaped Cookies
The delicate texture and rich flavor of these heart-shaped cookies make them extra special. As with any cutout cookie, baking them takes a few extra steps, but they're worth it.
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Santa Star Cookies
Cookie baking can't get any more fun than when you are making—and decorating—these adorable Santa cookies. But they're not too cute to eat! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Raspberry Ribbons
I make these attractive, buttery cookies to serve at our remote guest lodge, and all the cooks in the kitchen are addicted to them! —Patsy Wolfenden, Golden, British Columbia
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Christmas Lights Cookies
What better way to brighten chilly winter days than with light-shaped cookies? My classic dough recipe has been a holiday tradition in our family for years. —Carolyn Moseley, Dayton, Ohio
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Grinch Cookies
Baking cookies around the holidays is a big deal in our house. Some are a must every year and we also come up with new recipes. This one is simple, delicious and fun to make with the kids!—Angela Lemoine, Howell, New Jersey
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Alfajores Cookies
Alfajores combines shortbread cookies with a rich dulce de leche filling for a decadent treat. This version is inspired by many cherished family recipes for a lovely rendition. —Jennifer Schwarzkopf, Oregon, Wisconsin
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Cranberry Lime Macaroons
It wouldn’t be the holidays for my family and friends if I didn’t make these chewy lime-flavored macaroons. I usually make several batches a week during the season..—Alisa Costa, Chatham, New York
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Drizzled Gingerbread Biscotti
After stumbling across a community recipe for gingerbread biscotti, I made several batches and tweaked it to our tastes. These became an instant obsession at our house.—Susan Board, Palmer, Alaska
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Scottish Shortbread
This three-ingredient traditional Scottish shortbread recipe makes beautifully buttery, crumbly biscuits to elevate tea time.
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Cherry Blossom Cookies
Looking to add an impressive addition to a potluck dessert table, holiday party or bake sale? These scrumptious cherry blossom cookies are sweet, fruity and chocolaty, with a little something to make everyone smile.
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Chocolate Sugar Cookies
Make these chocolate sugar cookies when you want something different from regular vanilla sugar cookies. These cookies are great substitutes for gingersnaps, and you can decorate them with royal icing.
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Ice Cream Kolachkes
These sweet pastries have Polish and Czech roots and can also be spelled "kolaches." They are usually filled with poppy seeds, nuts, jam or a mashed fruit mixture. The ice cream is a unique twist on traditional kolachkes, and it's simplest to use a square cookie cutter to cut the dough. —Diane Turner, Brunswick, Ohio
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Peanut Butter Spritz Fingers
My family loves this peanut butter fingers recipe because they satisfy the need for chocolate and for something crunchy, sweet and nutty, all in just one bite! —Irma Lowery, Reedsburg, Wisconsin
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Chocolate Macadamia Meltaways
I came up with this recipe by accident one day when I wanted to make some cookies. I decided to use some ingredients already in my cupboard, and these were the delicious result. —Barbara Sepcich, Galt, California
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Gingerbread Yule Logs
I was never fond of gingerbread until I rolled it up with Nutella. These logs are a fabulous addition to any cookie platter. —Terri Gilson, Calgary, Alberta
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Peppermint Kiss Cookies
These peppermint kiss cookies bake up a batch of festive cheer in just four simple steps.
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Mexican Wedding Cookies
These buttery, powdered sugar-coated, nutty Mexican wedding cookies are a must-bake holiday treat.
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Holiday Cornflake Cookies
I can't seem to make enough of these cornflake wreaths around the holidays. The cookies firm up quickly, so you'll need to place the Red Hots right away. —Kathleen Hedger, Fairview Heights, Illinois
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Snowy Mountain Cookies
I was so excited to bake these with my mom after coming home from studying abroad in Germany. They remind me of the Swabian Alps I could see from my room there. Be careful not to overheat the white chocolate; it’ll lose that attractive shine. —Stephanie Bouley, North Smithfield, Rhode Island
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Dipped Chocolate Logs
When my sister and I were little, we used to beg my mother and grandmother to make these buttery chocolate cookies during the holidays. Now, as moms ourselves, we get together every year to make Christmas cookies, and the chocolate logs are always on the top of our list. —Deanna Markkos, Western Springs, Illinois
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Folded Hazelnut Cookies
We first made these cookies when my boys were small, and they would always end up covered in flour and with Nutella on their faces. Such good memories! —Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania
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Raspberry Pistachio Thumbprints
Thumbprint cookies are a Christmas classic, and I especially like my updated version with pistachios. The rich, buttery bites are not only delicious, but they are also pretty enough to give for gifts—if you manage to share them! —Laura Murphy, Columbus, Mississippi
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Coffee Maple Spritz
I like spritz cookies because they're easier to make than rolled cutouts but I can still be creative with different shapes and sizes. Feel free to substitute vanilla or rum extract for the maple flavoring. —Dierdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
