Best Cookie Recipe For A Cookie Exchange

Super easy, delicious Christmas cookie recipes are a must-have around the holidays! Let’s be serious, if you had to choose just ONE Christmas tradition – it would be the cookies – right? Of course, it would. They’re delicious and they bring families together. I have some of the best memories baking with my great-grandmother in the kitchen every Christmas. Do you know what I love even more than just cookies? Getting to try tons of new kinds at a Christmas Cookie Exchange!!

The Divas have worked hard and pulled together our absolute FAVORITE Christmas cookie recipes so that you’ll be ready for traditions with your family, gifts for teachers AND the next Christmas cookie exchange! The best part about these recipes is that tons of them are tried and true, Diva-approved. Look for the recipes that the Divas have personally tried – we’ve got some great bonus tips for you! We only selected our favorite recipes (or recipes from our favorite places, that we just 

1. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies  – Diva Megan Approved  – My mom always made these, so seeing them brings back years of Christmas memories! Get a flat baking sheet so the cookies slide right off!

Christmas Cookies That Belong On Your Cookie Trays

2.  Chick-fil-A Chocolate Chunk Copycat Cookies – Diva Sarina Approved – I am obsessed with Chick-Fil-A’s chocolate chip cookie. I found this copycat recipe and it is pretty close. It is my go-to chocolate chip cookie! (The original idea we had here, which you can see in the photo collage, no longer exists — so we found another option for you!)

3.  Soft Gingerbread Cookies –  Diva Becca Approved  – Gotta have gingerbread cookies at Christmas!! And this one is nice and soft instead of the usual hard gingerbread cookies.  

9.  Crisco Chocolate Chip Cookies  –  Diva Shanelle Approved  – I always use this cookie recipe! I mix it up and use different flavored chocolate chips and mix-ins. We like to add in mint and peppermint around Christmas.

Tips For Hosting The Very Best Holiday Cookie Exchange

10. Mrs. Fields Cookies  –  Diva Kari Approved  – These are my Dad’s favorite! I used to make them for him every Sunday… or when I was in really big trouble. Haha! I always add in 1 bag of chocolate chips and 1 bag of butterscotch chips. You can also split the dough in half and do half oatmeal raisin and the other half chocolate/butterscotch chip. They freeze really well, too.

11. Candy Cane Cookies  – Well, if candy canes don’t scream Christmas, then I don’t know what will. I always thought these were so fancy when I was a kid.

12. Molasses Crinkle Cookies  – My mom loves molasses cookies because they’re a family tradition. Maybe this year I’ll surprise her with this new version!

Cookie Exchange Recipes!

13. Thumbprint Cookies  – One of the best cookies if you want a lot of bang for your buck. These simple cookies look just about as stunning as they taste.

14. Giant Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies  –  Diva Catharine Approved  – My go-to cookie….every. Time. Always good, never fails, and I always make new friends because of them.  

15. Gingerbread Sugar Cookies  – Whenever I make gingerbread cookies, they seem dry and crumbly but these are rolled in sugar and look so moist!

Cookie Exchange Recipes

So, you waited until the last possible second? You’re busy. We get it. We’ve got you covered. Try one of these quick and easy recipes that are still sure to impress!

16. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies –  Diva Kari Approved  – These are SUPER addictive and are my ‘go-to’ cookie because they are easy to make. Side note: whenever I make cookies that require flour, I always use bread flour, it makes them cook up nicely. And I only ever use real butter, never margarine.

19. Cake Batter Chocolate Chip Cookies –  Diva Heather Approved  – I made these and they are so yummy!! I mean, they are from a cake mix – how easy is that?!

Christmas Cookie Exchange

21. Candy Cane Oreos –  A lesser-know fact, I hate Oreos. I know, don’t hate me! But seriously, how much easier can these get? And

22. Peanut Butter Creme Cookie Cups –  Diva Megan Approved  – These are my go-to when I really don’t have time but want it to look like I worked hard. It’s just making refrigerated cookie dough, fancier – but no one will know the difference!

23. Brownie Cookies –   Diva Megan Approved  – Two of my absolute favorite desserts in one. Just use your favorite boxed brownie mix and they’ll be ready in no time. P.S. I absolutely always use Ghiradelli Dark Chocolate, I feel like it’s just not right to use anything but the best!

The 24 Best Cookies For A Holiday Cookie Swap

25. Rocky Road Cookies –  Cookies and ice cream are a total hit, so why not combine ice cream flavors into cookie form?

26. Red Velvet Cheesecake Cookies – Diva Megan Approved  – My husband is a huge red velvet fan. I loved how easy these were, even if there are a few extra steps for filling them!

28. Homemade Oreo Cookies –  Diva Gabby Approved  – This is pretty similar to family recipe I use! They are good last minute because they use a cake mix!

Best Unique Christmas Cookies For Cookie Exchange This Year

32. Homemade Crunchy Oreo Cookies –  Diva Becca Approved  – Everyone knows how to do the soft homemade oreos, but this is the perfect recipe if you like a crunchy Oreo cookie. A little more time-intensive but worth the effort.

34. Cream Cheese Stuffed Sugar Pillows – Can you believe these are actually from a healthy cooking blog? Try her take on cookies with alternative ingredients!

37. Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Lace Cookies – Well, I wouldn’t exactly call these healthy, but she has lightened up the recipe a bit so these delicate cookies are practically guilt free.

How To Host A Cookie Exchange

38. Brown Butter Salted Caramel Snickerdoodles –  Diva Megan Approved  – I feel like snickerdoodles are the ultimate Christmas cookie and these take it up a delicious notch! If you’ve never tried brown butter, do it – you won’t regret it!!

39. Red Velvet Whoopie Pies – Want a recipe that can help you skip a few steps? These are made with cake mix so you can whip them out in a snap.

40. Salted Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Cookies – Caramel and chocolate are a match made in heaven. If you want even more caramel-infused goodness, try Rolo Stuffed Cookies – they’re Diva Carisa Approved !

The Best Cookie Exchange Recipes

41. White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Cookies –  Diva Ferren Approved – I’m not the biggest fan of ginger cookies, but dipping them makes them sooooo good!

42. Santa Sugar Cookies –  Diva Becca Approved – This is a family tradition. We make them EVERY year. We like to do it assembly line style so each kid has an assignment – someone does the frosting, then passes it down to someone who does the sprinkle hat, then passes it to someone who does the chocolate chip eyes, etc. (Here’s a pic from our site!)

44. Cranberry Bliss Cookies – Diva Amanda Approved – I took these to a Cookie Exchange and they were a HUGE hit! I made them again for Christmas. So yummy!!

How To Host The Best Holiday Cookie Exchange Party

46. Candy Cane Kiss Cookies –  Diva Ferren Approved – I haven’t tried these, but because I love kiss cookies so much, I’m going to try these this year for sure!

47. German Chocolate Cake Cookies – The frosting on these looks likes it’s absolutely to die for! Plus, the cookies look totally impressive – these are sure to wow your friends!

49. No Bake White Chocolate Thin Mints – Longing for Girl Scout cookie season? These will do the trick and get you in the Christmas spirit!

Best Holiday And Christmas Cookie Recipes

51. Chocolate Peppermint Kiss Cookies –  Diva Catharine Approved – I love making these at Christmas time for the neighbors. They are always delish and always turn out so well 

52. Brown Sugar Cookies – I think sometimes we forget how such a simple cookie can be so delicious. Don’t skip over this one!

53. Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting –  Diva Gabby Approved – I know these are more fall-ish, but I get TONS of compliments every time I make them!

The Best Christmas Cookie Recipes {and 200+ Other Christmas Ideas!}

My all-time favorite type of cookie – they’re so simple for large batches! Just use your stand mixer and a cookie scoop — these cookies will be ready in no time!

57. Triple Chocolate Cookies –  Diva Shanelle Approved – LOVE! I also replace the butter with coconut oil so that my dairy and gluten free friends can enjoy (they can have dark chocolate so I use those chips in the cookie).

58. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies –  Diva Heather Approved – These are one of my husband’s favorites! If you love peanut butter, you will love these!

The Best Christmas Cookie Exchange Recipes

61. Hot Cocoa Cookies –  Diva Megan Approved – These seriously taste just like hot cocoa, but they’re in cookie form! We actually eat them WITH hot cocoa!

63. Peanut Butter Nutella Cookies –  Diva Megan Approved – I have never made these and NOT been asked for the recipe. Everyone loves them and the swirls make them look even more amazing.

64. Design Your Own Chocolate Cookies –  Diva Megan Approved – In my house these are called “brownie cookies” because they taste like the chewy edges of a brownie.

Best Christmas Cookie Exchange Recipe Ideas • Familyapp

66. The Best Soft and Chewy Cranberry White Chip Cookies – I’m always a fan of chewy cookies, and cranberries make me think of Christmas trees and Christmas dinner. The perfect Cookie Exchange recipe!

67. Melt in Your Mouth Eggnog Cookies – My favorite kind of cookie is one that’s so soft it basically disappears as you eat it – not that I really need any help making cookies disappear…

69. Double Chocolate Dream Cookies –  Diva Becca Approved – These are my go-to double chocolate recipe  — PERFECT for Andes mint chips and mint extract instead of vanilla.

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70. Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cookies –  Diva Becca Approved –