Looking for easy Christmas cookie exchange recipes that everyone will love? These 31 delicious homemade Christmas cookies are perfect for holiday cookie swaps, Christmas parties, and gifting to friends and family!
From classic sugar cookies and buttery shortbread to festive peppermint cookies, chocolate treats, and adorable Grinch and reindeer cookies, there’s something here for everyone!
31 Best Christmas Cookie Exchange Recipes
The best part? Many of these easy Christmas cookie recipes can be made ahead of time, making holiday baking a little less stressful!
Whether you’re hosting a Christmas cookie exchange, putting together a festive cookie tray, or looking for simple Christmas treats to share with friends and neighbors, you’ll find plenty of delicious cookie ideas that are sure to be a hit!
1. Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies
Chocolate chips, M&Ms, pretzels, and even potato chips make these sweet and salty cookies impossible to resist. They’re a fun addition to any Christmas cookie exchange or holiday cookie tray.
Recipe by: The Cookin’ Chicks
2. Chocolate Mint Thumbprint Cookies
Soft mint cookies filled with creamy chocolate and topped with Andes mints make the perfect little holiday treat. Add them to your Christmas cookie boxes or make a batch for gifting.
Recipe by: The Cookin’ Chicks
3. Peppermint Bark Cookies
Fudgy chocolate cookies dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled with crushed candy canes taste just like peppermint bark. They’re also gluten-free and vegan, making them a great option for holiday cookie exchanges.
Recipe by: Strength & Sunshine
4. Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
Red, green, and white swirls make these buttery sugar cookies look extra festive without any fancy decorating. They’re one of those Christmas cookie recipes that will stand out on any holiday dessert tray.
Recipe by: She’s Not Cookin’
5. Grandma’s Shortbread
Nothing beats classic buttery shortbread that melts in your mouth. Made with just four ingredients and no chilling required, these old-fashioned cookies are perfect for easy Christmas baking.
Recipe by: She’s Not Cookin’
6. Grinch Cookies
Bright green, soft, and chewy, these adorable Grinch cookies start with a simple box of cake mix. Add a little red heart sprinkle for a fun Christmas treat that kids will love.
Recipe by: Fed by Sab
7. Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies
Turn just three ingredients and a few candies into the cutest little reindeer cookies. They’re baked in a mini muffin tin, making them an easy Christmas cookie recipe for busy holiday baking days.
Recipe by: Fed by Sab
8. Stuffed Pistachio Cookies
Crispy edges, chewy centers, white chocolate, and a creamy pistachio filling make these cookies extra special. They’re a delicious homemade cookie exchange idea when you want something a little different.
Recipe by: The Oregon Dietitian
9. Eggnog Snickerdoodles
Classic snickerdoodles get a festive twist with creamy eggnog flavor and warm holiday spices. These soft and chewy Christmas cookies come together in one bowl with just 15 minutes of active prep.
Recipe by: The Oregon Dietitian
10. Thumbprint Cookies with Icing and Sprinkles
Buttery thumbprint cookies filled with colorful icing and sprinkles are such a fun addition to Christmas cookie trays. Switch up the fillings and decorations to match your holiday theme.
Recipe by: Chenée Today
11. Butter Pecan Toffee Cookies
Buttery pecans and crunchy toffee bits make these soft, chewy cookies hard to resist. Made with cake mix, they’re an easy Christmas cookie recipe for holiday cookie trays and exchanges.
Recipe by: Semi Homemade Kitchen
12. White Chocolate Cranberry Orange Cookies
Sweet white chocolate, tart cranberries, and fresh orange make these soft cookies perfect for the holidays. A drizzle of orange icing gives them a pretty finishing touch for Christmas cookie boxes.
Recipe by: Next Level Baker
13. Colored Cookie Dough Sugar Cookies
Colorful cookie dough makes these sugar cookies look festive without needing any frosting. They’re a fun and simple Christmas cookie idea that you can customize with your favorite holiday colors.
Recipe by: Next Level Baker
14. Hot Cocoa Cookies
Rich chocolate cookies topped with gooey marshmallows and chocolate glaze taste just like hot cocoa in cookie form. They’re a cozy Christmas cookie exchange treat that chocolate lovers will love.
Recipe by: Gluesticks Blog
15. Candy Cane Sugar Cookies
Red and white sugar cookie dough is twisted into adorable candy cane shapes for a classic Christmas treat. These buttery cookies are perfect for holiday baking, gifting, or adding to a festive cookie tray.
Recipe by: Gluesticks Blog
16. Linzer Cookies
Buttery, nutty cookies filled with sweet jam look so pretty with their little cutout centers. They’re a classic homemade Christmas cookie that makes any holiday cookie box feel extra special.
Recipe by: Tessie’s Table
17. Christmas Sugar Cookies
Soft, buttery sugar cookies with a glossy glaze are perfect for decorating with festive icing and sprinkles. They’re an easy Christmas cookie recipe to make with kids or bring to a cookie decorating party.
Recipe by: Tessie’s Table
18. Holiday Spritz Cookies
These little buttery cookies are a classic Christmas favorite that never goes out of style. Use a cookie press to make pretty holiday shapes that look adorable on Christmas cookie trays.
Recipe by: Dear Crissy
19. Ginger Molasses Cookies
Warm ginger, cinnamon, and cloves make these soft and chewy molasses cookies taste like Christmas. Their crackly sugar-coated tops make them a lovely addition to any holiday cookie exchange.
Recipe by: Dear Crissy
20. Sourdough Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Fudgy chocolate cookies with chewy centers and pretty powdered sugar cracks are always a holiday favorite. Made with sourdough discard, they’re a fun twist on classic Christmas crinkle cookies.
Recipe by: Sourdough Brandon
21. Sourdough Sugar Cookies
Soft and chewy with just a hint of tang, these sourdough sugar cookies are a delicious change from traditional sugar cookies. They’re a great way to use sourdough discard during your Christmas baking.
Recipe by: Sourdough Brandon
22. Christmas Monster Cookies
Peanut butter, oats, and colorful M&Ms make these chunky monster cookies a fun holiday treat. They’re perfect for Christmas cookie exchanges when you want something loaded with goodies.
Recipe by: Two Pink Peonies
23. Amish Molasses Cookies
Crisp edges, soft chewy centers, and warm spices make these old-fashioned molasses cookies hard to resist. They’re a simple homemade Christmas cookie that tastes just like Grandma used to make.
Recipe by: Two Pink Peonies
24. Spritz Cookies
Buttery, colorful, and covered in festive sprinkles, these classic spritz cookies are made for Christmas baking. Their cute shapes make them perfect for cookie trays, holiday parties, and homemade gifts.
Recipe by: The Short Order Cook
25. Hot Chocolate Cookies
Chocolate cookies topped with soft marshmallows make every bite taste like a cozy mug of hot chocolate. They’re a fun and easy Christmas cookie exchange recipe that both kids and adults will enjoy.
Recipe by: The Short Order Cook
27. Brown Sugar Shortbread Cookies
Rich brown sugar flavor makes these buttery shortbread cookies taste extra cozy. With only three ingredients, they’re one of the easiest homemade Christmas cookie recipes to add to your baking list.
Recipe by: Chenée Today
28. Hojarascas Mexican Shortbread Cookies
Recipe by: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen
29. Pan de Polvo Mexican Shortbread Cookies
Recipe by: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen
30. North Pole Cake Mix Christmas Cookies
Looking for easy Christmas cookies the kids will love? These fun North Pole cookies start with a simple cake mix shortcut and are perfect for holiday baking or cookie exchanges.
Recipe by: A Hundred Affections
31. Christmas Gooey Butter Cookies with Sprinkles
Soft, gooey, and covered in festive red and green sprinkles, these Christmas cookies are always a crowd favorite. Cake mix and cream cheese make them super easy to whip up for holiday parties and cookie trays.
Recipe by: Semi Homemade Kitchen
