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Get ready for your cookie exchange with this list of recipes, featuring everything from easy classics to show stopping creations.
Foolproof Cookie List
Alright, let’s get you ready for that cookie exchange! It’s the best time of year, filled with festive vibes and a hint of friendly competition. The question is, do you play it safe with a go-to classic you’ve made a million times, or do you swing for the fences with a totally new, crazy-impressive cookie recipe?
Either way, we’ve done the hard work for you and put together a list of recipes that are guaranteed to make you the star of the swap. We’ve got all the bases covered, from easy, no-fail classics to jaw-dropping creations that will have everyone begging for the recipe.
So go ahead, grab your apron and your favorite playlist, and get ready to bake something that not only tastes amazing but looks fantastic. Happy Baking!
Kristyn’s Cookie Exchange Tip
Always include a small recipe card so recipients know what they are and can replicate your success in future swaps.
PRO TIP: Pin or bookmark this list so you’re ready with cookie recipes all year long!
Big cocoa energy! These choc-filled faves are the first to vanish. This list has everything from classic chips to gooey brownies and macarons that feel fancy but are totally doable.
11 Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutesminutes
Our best chocolate chip cookie recipe is soft, chewy, delicious and perfect for any occasion. They're our all-time FAVORITE!
Cozy spices and pumpkin perfection, coming right up. These crinkles, gingers, and soft pumpkin cookies taste like a warm hug and they’re perfect with hot cocoa.
28 Ginger Cookies
Ginger Cookies
Total Time: 1 hourhour15 minutesminutes
These chewy and soft ginger cookies are especially delicious, and one we always make during the holidays!
Avalanche cookies are crispy, crunchy, and filled with peanut butter, marshmallows, and chocolate chips. They are no-bake and such a fun recipe to try with kids!
The kids LOVE making these No Bake Butterscotch Cookies – they're simple, quick and yummy! Cornflakes mixed with melted peanut butter, chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips.
Pretty as a present and just as fun to share. Red velvet, white-chocolate drizzles, and sprinkle-studded favorites bring instant party vibes to your platter!
58 Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
Total Time: 48 minutesminutes
Whether studded with white chocolate chips or dusted with powdered sugar, these festive Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies are delicious!
Get ready for your cookie exchange with this list of recipes, featuring everything from easy classics to show stopping creations.
Servings: 24
Prep: 25 minutesmins
Cook: 10 minutesmins
Total: 35 minutesmins
Equipment
Christmas Cookie Cutters
Video
Ingredients
Sugar Cookies
¾cupbutter,softened
1(8-ounce) packagecream cheese,softened
1cupsugar
½cuppowdered sugar
1egg
1teaspoonalmond extract
2¾cupsall-purpose flour
½teaspoonbaking powder
½teaspoonsalt
Frosting & Toppings
⅓cupbutter,softened
4½cupspowdered sugar
¼cupmilk
½teaspoonvanilla extract
½teaspoonalmond extract
food coloring
Christmas sprinkles, colored decorating gel
Instructions
Sugar Cookies
Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a cookie sheet.
In a large bowl mix butter, cream cheese, sugars, egg, and almond until creamy. Use a Kitchen-Aid or hand mixer.
In a separate bowl sift the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture. Combine until soft dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, mix in a bit more flour.
Lightly flour the counter and roll out the dough to about ⅜ inches. (For a crispier cookie roll the dough thinner.) Once the dough has been rolled cut with holiday cookie cutters.
Bake for 8-10 minutes. Let cool before decorating.
Frosting
Add the butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and almond extract to a mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to combine.
Make all the frosting one color or divide it into separate bowls and mix it with different food coloring.
Frost the cookies. Use colored decorating gel to add embellishments. Add any holiday sprinkles you wish.
Notes
Recipe Notes:
Use softened cream cheese and butter for the dough—it keeps the cookies soft and tender.
Roll the dough evenly for consistent baking, and don’t overbake for the perfect chewy texture.
Add almond extract to the frosting for a subtle holiday flavor twist.
Store decorated cookies in a single layer or with wax paper between layers to keep them pretty.
Make ahead! The dough freezes beautifully for stress-free holiday baking.
Icing. For a smooth finish, use Royal Icing to decorate the cookies. Store cookie dough. Wrap the dough with plastic and refrigerate for 1-2 days or freeze for 2-3 months. See How to Freeze Cookie Dough for tips. Store baked cookies. Allow the frosting to set and store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 4-5 days, in the refrigerator for 6-7 days, or in a freezer-safe container and freeze for 3 months. If needed, separate layers with parchment paper or wax paper.For more substitutions and tips, check out the full recipe post
Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!
