50 Easy Christmas Cookies for a Cookie Exchange
Christmas cookie exchanges are such a fun way to try lots of different Christmas cookies — without having to bake all those different cookies yourself!
Everyone bakes one kind of cookie, you swap with friends, and you go home with a delicious assortment of Christmas treats.
The catch? You need to bake a lot of one kind of cookie.
Maybe you already have a family favorite that you make every Christmas. But if you’re looking for some new Christmas cookie exchange ideas, I can help!
I’ve gathered 50 Christmas cookies that are perfect for sharing. These cookies transport easily and, most importantly, every single recipe makes at least 3 dozen cookies.
That’s one of the most important things I looked for when putting this list together, because a delicious cookie recipe that only makes 18 cookies isn’t much help when you need several dozen for an exchange!
Whether you want a classic Christmas cookie, something chocolatey, an old-fashioned favorite or a fun new recipe to try, there are plenty of delicious options here.
Let’s get baking!
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Classic Christmas Cookies
Candy Cane Cookies
These festive candy cane cookies have been a Christmas tradition in my family for years! The red and white dough is twisted into candy cane shapes for a classic Christmas cookie that looks beautiful on any cookie tray.
Get the full recipe at Joyfully Thriving.
Peanut Butter Blossoms
You can’t go wrong with a classic peanut butter blossom at Christmas! These soft peanut butter cookies topped with a chocolate kiss make plenty to share at your next cookie exchange.
Get the full recipe at How Sweet Eats.
Snowball Cookies
Snowball cookies are one of those classic Christmas cookies that disappear quickly from a cookie tray. These buttery pecan cookies are rolled in powdered sugar for the perfect snowy finish.
Get the full recipe at Amanda’s Cookin’.
Perfect Gingerbread Cookies
It wouldn’t be Christmas without gingerbread cookies! This classic gingerbread dough is perfect for cutting into gingerbread men, stars, trees or any other Christmas shapes you want.
Get the full recipe at Spend With Pennies.
Spritz Cookies
Spritz cookies are another Christmas tradition that is perfect when you need to bake a lot of cookies at once. They are buttery, simple to make with a cookie press, and you can even freeze them ahead of time.
Get the full recipe at Joyfully Thriving.
Mini Linzer Cookies
These beautiful little Linzer cookies look extra special on a Christmas cookie tray without being overly complicated. Buttery cookies are sandwiched together with raspberry preserves and dusted with powdered sugar. These are Ina Garten’s cookies, so you know they will be good!
Get the full recipe at Food Network.
Jam Thumbprint Cookies
Thumbprint cookies are an easy way to add a little color to your Christmas cookie exchange, especially if you use several different flavors of jam.
Get the full recipe at Bigger Bolder Baking.
No-Chill Sugar Cookies
If you want traditional cut-out Christmas cookies without waiting for dough to chill, this is the recipe for you! The dough can be rolled and cut right away, saving you time during a busy Christmas baking day. Yes, cut out cookies take a bit more time than some of these cookie recipes, but they are so delicious! Plus, you can make the dough and cut out the cookies one day, then freeze them until you’re ready to decorate for the cookie exchange.
Get the full recipe at Joyfully Thriving.
Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
Red and green swirls turn a simple sugar cookie into a fun Christmas cookie that stands out on a cookie tray. You can also make the dough ahead of time.
Get the full recipe at One Hot Oven.
Stained Glass Cookies
These stained glass cookies look impressive, but they’re surprisingly simple to make. Crushed hard candies melt in the centers to create colorful “glass” that makes them extra fun for Christmas.
Get the full recipe at Live Well Bake Often.
Danish Butter Cookies
Remember those classic Danish butter cookies that come in the blue tin? You can make your own buttery, crisp version at home and pipe them into different shapes for an easy but elegant Christmas cookie.
Get the full recipe at Brown Eyed Baker.
Chocolate & Candy Christmas Cookies
Hot Chocolate Cookies
Hot chocolate in cookie form sounds perfect for Christmas! These chocolate cookies are topped with gooey marshmallows and chocolate icing for a cozy treat.
Get the full recipe at Love From the Oven.
Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Chocolate and peppermint are one of those flavor combinations that immediately taste like Christmas. These rich chocolate cookies are dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled with crushed candy canes.
Get the full recipe at The View From Great Island.
Andes Mint Cookies
If you love Andes mints, you’ll want to try these chocolate mint cookies. Each chocolate cookie gets topped with an Andes mint while it’s still warm for an easy melted mint-chocolate topping.
Get the full recipe at Chasing Vibrance.
Chocolate Crunch Cookies
These chocolate cookies are loaded with chocolate chunks, pecans and crunchy toffee bits — and they were originally created for a Christmas cookie exchange!
Get the full recipe at Amee’s Savory Dish.
Chocolate Pecan Truffle Cookies
These rich chocolate cookies combine chocolate and pecans for a decadent cookie that tastes almost like a truffle.
Get the full recipe at From Valerie’s Kitchen.
Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies
Chocolate-covered cherries are a classic Christmas candy, so why not turn those flavors into a cookie? These chocolate cookies with cherries and white chocolate add something a little different to your Christmas cookie tray.
Get the full recipe at Cooking With Carlee.
Rolo Cookies
There’s a gooey caramel surprise hiding inside each of these chocolate cookies! Rolos are wrapped inside chocolate cookie dough for an easy candy-filled treat.
Get the full recipe at Tidbits by Taylor.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Chocolate crinkle cookies are a Christmas classic for good reason, with rich chocolate centers and a beautiful crackled powdered sugar coating.
Get the full recipe at Savoring Italy.
Large-Batch Christmas M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies
When you need a lot of cookies for a Christmas exchange, try this simple but festive recipe. These chocolate chip cookies are loaded with Christmas M&Ms and plenty of chocolate.
Get the full recipe at Love to Be in the Kitchen.
Colorful & Festive Christmas Cookies
Grinch Cookies
These bright green Grinch cookies are such a fun addition to a Christmas cookie exchange, especially with the little red heart on top.
Get the full recipe at Laughing Spatula.
Christmas Funfetti Cookies
Christmas sprinkles make these soft Funfetti cookies extra festive without requiring any fancy decorating.
Get the full recipe at Crave the Good.
Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
The bright red color and snowy powdered sugar coating make these crinkle cookies perfect for Christmas. They’re an easy way to add another pop of color to a cookie tray.
Get the full recipe at Crazy for Crust.
Cherry Almond Cookies
Cherry and almond are a classic combination, and the maraschino cherries and white chocolate drizzle make these little cookies pretty enough for any Christmas cookie tray.
Get the full recipe at The Kitchen Is My Playground.
Cranberry Orange Shortbread with Pistachios
Cranberry, orange and pistachio are such a delicious combination for Christmas, and the natural red and green colors make these buttery shortbread cookies extra festive.
Get the full recipe at Bless This Mess.
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Sweet white chocolate and tart dried cranberries make an easy Christmas combination in these soft cookies. They freeze well too, so you can get a head start on your Christmas baking.
Get the full recipe at Plain Chicken.
Shortbread Christmas Cookies with Sprinkles
These melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies are topped with colorful Christmas sprinkles for an easy and festive addition to your cookie exchange.
Get the full recipe at Walking on Sunshine Recipes.
Warm & Cozy Christmas Cookies
Chai Snickerdoodles
Give classic snickerdoodles a Christmas twist with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and cloves. These are a fun choice when you want something a little different for your cookie exchange.
Get the full recipe at Restless Chipotle.
Eggnog Cookies
If eggnog is one of your favorite Christmas flavors, try it in cookie form! These soft cookies have that classic eggnog and nutmeg flavor.
Get the full recipe at The Bewitchin’ Kitchen.
Soft & Chewy Gingersnaps
These soft gingersnaps are packed with the warm molasses and spice flavors we expect at Christmas without requiring any rolling or decorating.
Get the full recipe at Brown Eyed Baker.
Cranberry Cinnamon Sugar Cookies
Cranberries give a simple cinnamon sugar cookie an easy Christmas upgrade, and this recipe was created with Christmas cookie exchanges in mind.
Get the full recipe at The Millennial SAHM.
Chewy Butterscotch Spice Cookies
Warm Christmas spices and sweet butterscotch make these chewy drop cookies a little different from the usual Christmas choices.
Get the full recipe at Momtastic.
Cinnamon Shortbread Cookies
These simple slice-and-bake shortbread cookies combine plenty of buttery flavor with warm cinnamon.
Get the full recipe at Cup of Zest.
Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies
These soft and chewy gingerbread cookies have all the warm spices we expect at Christmas, with a pretty powdered sugar crinkle on top.
Get the full recipe at Piper Cooks.
Almond Crescent Cookies
These delicate crescent-shaped cookies have a simple almond and vanilla flavor and are finished with powdered sugar. There’s no chilling required either.
Get the full recipe at Sugar Spun Run.
Traditional & Old-Fashioned Christmas Cookies
Pfeffernusse
These traditional German Christmas cookies are filled with molasses and warm spices, then rolled in powdered sugar for a snowy finish.
Get the full recipe at Barefeet in the Kitchen.
Italian Ricotta Cookies
These soft Italian cookies are made with ricotta and finished with a simple glaze and colorful sprinkles. They’re especially pretty mixed in with other Christmas cookies on a tray.
Get the full recipe at Cookies & Cups.
Anise Cookies
These traditional Italian Christmas cookies are soft, lightly flavored with anise and topped with icing and sprinkles for a festive finish.
Get the full recipe at The Kitchn.
Pizzelles
Thin, crisp pizzelles are a beautiful change from traditional drop cookies. You’ll need a pizzelle iron, but the pretty snowflake-like pattern makes them especially fitting for Christmas. I absolutely love pizzelles, and they really get overlooked for cookie exchanges.
Get the full recipe at All Things Mamma.
Pistachio Orange Biscotti
Biscotti are sturdy enough to transport easily, which makes them a great choice for a cookie exchange. Pistachios and orange add a festive flavor while giving your cookie tray a different texture too.
Get the full recipe at Williams Sonoma.
Coconut Macaroons
Coconut macaroons are so simple to make. These are some of the softest macaroons you will ever eat, and they add a completely different flavor and texture to a Christmas cookie exchange.
Get the full recipe at Joyfully Thriving.
Christmas Butter Cookies
Classic butter cookies get a festive makeover with layers of red, green and white dough and a sprinkle of sparkling sugar on top.
Get the full recipe at Two Sisters.
Easy & Different Cookies for a Christmas Cookie Exchange
No-Bake Peanut Clusters
When your oven is already full of Christmas cookies, make a batch that doesn’t need the oven at all! These easy peanut clusters combine chocolate, butterscotch and peanut butter chips with crunchy peanuts for one of my favorite Christmas treats.
Get the full recipe at Joyfully Thriving.
Haystack Cookies
Haystack cookies are another easy no-bake option, combining chocolate, peanut butter and crunchy chow mein noodles for something completely different from a traditional cookie. This version is chocolate-based, instead of the butterscotch version you sometimes see.
Get the full recipe at 365 Days of Baking & More.
Fake It Frugal Thin Mints
You only need 2 ingredients to make these easy copycat Thin Mints! Ritz crackers and Andes mint chocolate create a surprisingly delicious cookie that tastes almost like the real thing. With this recipe being so simple, you can quickly make a double or triple batch too. Plus, these freeze really well!
Get the full recipe at Joyfully Thriving.
Salted Caramel Cookies
Sweet and salty is always a good combination, especially when caramel is involved! These chewy cookies are filled with chocolate chunks and salted caramel.
Get the full recipe at Essence Eats.
Christmas Icebox Cookies
Make the dough for these Christmas icebox cookies ahead of time and slice and bake them when you’re ready. Christmas sprinkles and a simple glaze turn the buttery cookies into an easy festive treat.
Get the full recipe at Walking on Sunshine Recipes.
Soft Gingerbread Reindeer Cookies
How cute would these little reindeer look at a Christmas cookie exchange? Soft gingerbread cookies are decorated with pretzel antlers and candy faces for a fun Christmas treat.
Get the full recipe at Num’s the Word.
Classic Buckeyes
Buckeyes are technically candy, but I think they absolutely belong at a Christmas cookie exchange! My classic recipe makes plenty of peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate for a big batch to share. We make hundreds every Christmas and they are always beloved by everyone who eats them.
Get the full recipe at Joyfully Thriving.
Iced Almond Cookies
Soft vanilla and almond cookies topped with a simple almond icing are a nice break from all the chocolate at Christmas.
Get the full recipe at The Gold Lining Girl.
More Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes
I hope this list gives you plenty of new Christmas cookie exchange ideas to try! The hardest part may be deciding which cookie to bake first.
And remember, you don’t have to bake a dozen different kinds of cookies yourself. Pick one recipe you love, bake a big batch and let the cookie exchange give you all that delicious Christmas variety.
If you’re still looking for more Christmas baking ideas, I have plenty more recipes for you!
Here are 33 Traditional Christmas Cookies Like Grandma Would Make.
Find even more easy ideas in these 40 Christmas Cookie Recipes with 10 Ingredients or Less.
Want to go even simpler? Try one of these 35 Easy Christmas Desserts with 5 Ingredients or Less.
Or skip the oven completely with these 50 Easy No-Bake Christmas Candy Recipes.
Happy Christmas baking!
