20 Easy Christmas Cookies For A Cookie Exchange
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Looking for Christmas cookie exchange ideas that’ll make you the hit of this year’s swap? You’ve come to the right kitchen! I’ve rounded up our favorite, simple and festive cookies to share. The kind your friends and family will rave about long after the tins are empty.
From classic Snowball Cookies and Grandma’s Soft Molasses Crinkles to fun favorites like Grinch Cookies, no bake Oreo Penguins, and M&M Holiday Cookie Bars, this collection has something sweet for every cookie lover.
Whether you’re baking for a party, a holiday cookie swap, or just a cozy night in with cocoa, these recipes will make your kitchen smell like Christmas cheer.
Let’s get holiday baking (and swapping), the cookie season is officially here.
Fun Christmas Cookies for a Cookie Exchange Party
1. Easy Snowball Cookies
Snowball cookies bring all the festive and frosty fun without the frozen fingers, just buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that are dusted in sweet “snow.”
These baked, nut free bites use white chocolate chips and sprinkles for a festive twist everyone at your Christmas Cookie Swap will adore.
Add them to your list of favorite, easy holiday treats to make year after year.
Get the recipe: Easy Snowball Cookies
2. Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies
A favorite with kids and adults alike, these Kitchen Sink Christmas cookies are a sweet and salty delight.
Crunchy and salty potato chips, compliment the sweet chocolate M&M’s, white chocolate chunks and festive sprinkles.
They look wonderful on a holiday cookie tray, and are a super easy Christmas cookie for cookie exchange parties. My kids always used to ask me to make these types of cookies for “Santa” when they were younger. But I think they really wanted all the extra ones for themselves!
On of our favorite Christmas cookie exchange recipes.
Get the recipe: Kitchen Sink Christmas Cookies
3. Chocolate Crinkle Candy Cane Blossoms
Crackled on the outside, fudgy inside, and topped with a peppermint kiss, these Chocolate Crinkle Candy Cane Blossoms bring holiday sparkle to any gathering.
One bite and you’ll swear Santa himself approved this sweet combo of chocolate and candy cane.
Add this festive favorite to your cookie trays, swaps and holiday parties to make your Christmas merry and bright.
Get the recipe: Chocolate Crinkle Candy Cane Blossoms
🎄 Also try more sweet holiday cookies like these 20 delicious Christmas Shortbread Cookies or these traditional German holiday cookies, and these cute Reindeer wafer cookies.
4. Church Window Cookies
No oven needed! These no-bake Church Window Cookies are ready in minutes, and shine bright with melted chocolate, colorful marshmallows, and a hint of crunchy walnuts, and coconut
They’re gorgeous additions to cookie platters, holiday cookie exchange parties, bake sales, or as edible gifts, making them the kind of fun Christmas cookies everyone loves to share.
Get the recipe: Church Window Cookies
5. Pecan Shortbread Cookies
Rich, buttery, and full of toasted nut flavor, these Easy Pecan Shortbread Cookies are the kind you bake once and crave all season long.
Just roll the dough into a sugar coated log, slice and bake into golden rounds that melt in your mouth.
Bring them to a cookie swap, wrap up a few as gifts, or keep a batch ready for last-minute holiday guests.
Get the recipe: Pecan Shortbread Cookies
6. Classic Spritz Cookies
These Classic Spritz Cookies bring that old school holiday charm with their buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture and delicate shapes.
Made with simple pantry staples and a hint of vanilla and almond, they’re easy to press, bake, and decorate.
Perfect for your dessert table, gifting, or a fun afternoon baking project with kids.
Get the recipe: Classic Spritz Cookies
7. Eggnog Snickerdoodles
I love snickerdoodles. They’re one of my favorite cookies of all time.
But when you add eggnog, it brings that familiar taste of the holidays along with the delicious cinnamon aroma.
Soft and chewy, they’re a family favorite.
Get the recipe: Eggnog Snickerdoodles
🎄 If you’re looking for more Christmas treats try these 30 fun no bake Christmas Desserts, these sweet mini chocolate Reindeer bark treats and our 2-ingredient Reindeer Dip.
8. Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Cookies
Pumpkin…not just for Fall!
Pumpkin cinnamon roll cookies are soft, spiced gems drizzled with maple glaze.
Fancy enough for Christmas cookie exchange parties, yet simple enough to make for a festive afternoon snack. I’ll often freeze a batch of this dough to have on hand all season long.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Cookies
9. Basler Läckerli (Swiss Gingerbread Cookie Bars)
If you’re looking for that European Christmas market feel, these chewy and spiced Swiss Gingerbread Cookie Bars are it.
Rich with honey and citrus, these Basler Läckerli are a cozy blend of fruitcake and gingerbread in every bite.
Baked with almonds, hazelnuts, and a hint of kirsch (clear cherry brandy), they fill your kitchen with an amazing aroma. Slice them into bars for cookie swaps, festive gifts, or an elegant treat to enjoy with tea on chilly December nights.
Get the recipe: Basler Läckerli
10. Lemon Italian Ricotta Cookies
These Lemon Italian Ricotta Cookies bring a touch of Italian charm to your holiday baking with their light, pillowy texture and subtle lemon glaze.
Each bite is soft, buttery, and just sweet enough to make you reach for another.
Add them to your Christmas baking list for a bright, citrusy twist everyone will love.
Get the recipe: Lemon Italian Ricotta Cookies
11. No Bake Peanut Butter Snowballs
Creamy, sweet, and a little salty, these Peanut Butter Snowballs are the no-bake treat you’ll keep coming back to all season long.
Each bite blends peanut butter, graham crackers, and powdered sugar into soft, irresistible bliss.
Whip up a batch of these easy Christmas treats that look and taste amazing. I like to jazz them up with fun holiday themed liners.
Get the recipe: No Bake Peanut Butter Snowballs
12. Oreo Penguins
These Oreo Penguins are almost too cute to eat. They’re chocolate-dipped, decorated with candy and full of holiday cheer.
No baking, just a few simple ingredients and a fun afternoon of dipping, decorating, and snacking.
If the kids are helping, definitely make sure you have extra candy…I learned this the hard way, and had to pop out for some extra.
Get the recipe: Oreo Penguins
13. Raspberry Almond Linzer Cookies
Linzer cookies are such a classic holiday treat, plus they look so pretty for a cookie exchange.
This raspberry almond shortbread version takes it up a level, and they’re absolutely delicious. Super buttery, loaded with jam, a sprinkle of powdered sugar and fun peek-a-boo shapes.
Get the recipe: Raspberry Almond Linzer Cookies
14. Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies
Soft gingerbread meets creamy cheesecake in these cozy, flavor filled Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies. Each bite melts with warm spice, molasses sweetness, and that irresistible creamy center.
Bake a batch for cookie exchanges or holiday gatherings, they taste like Christmas in every bite.
Get the recipe: Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies
15. Christmas Sugar Cookies
Christmas Sugar Cookies are such a fun sweet treat to make.
Just think of all the fun shapes, and colors you can use; trees, ornaments, Santas, reindeer…..whatever you prefer. We like stars, Santa hats and Christmas trees over here.
Soft, buttery, and topped with colorful icing, it’s easy whip up a batch of your favorite festive shapes.
Get the recipe: Christmas Sugar Cookies
16. Whipped Vanilla Shortbread Cookies
There’s something about these Whipped Vanilla Shortbread Cookies that instantly feels like holiday comfort……. soft, buttery, and melt-away light.
Whipping the butter turns each bite into a tender, crumbly dream that’s hard to resist.
One tray out of the oven and suddenly the whole kitchen is full of a nostalgic aroma that takes you back to your childhood.
Get the recipe: Whipped Vanilla Shortbread Cookies
17. Grinch Cookies
Soft, chewy, and just a little mischievous, Grinch Cookies are here to steal your holiday heart (and maybe your dessert table, too).
That cheerful green hue and one red heart make every bite as merry as a Whoville feast.
Bake a batch for your cookie exchange and watch the Christmas cheer grow three sizes in one day.
Get the recipe: Grinch Cookies
18. Kolaczki Cookies (Polish Christmas Jam Cookies)
Kolaczki Cookies bring a touch of old world Polish charm to your holiday spread.
Sweet jam peeks through buttery folds of cream cheese pastry, each one dusted with a sprinkling of powdered sugar.
They’re the kind of cookie that makes even Santa pause for seconds.
Get the recipe: Kolaczki Cookies (Polish Christmas Jam Cookies)
19. M&M Holiday Cookie Bars
M&M Holiday Cookie Bars are a low effort dessert that’s golden, chewy, and colorful.
A crowd pleasing dessert, that comes together in one bowl, and is ready in under 30 minutes.
Just slice into squares for a festive and easy treat to share.
Get the recipe: M&M Holiday Cookie Bars
20. Grandma’s Soft Molasses Crinkle Cookies
If you’re looking for a soft, chewy cookie full of old-fashioned charm, then these soft molasses crinkle cookies are it.
Cozy spices like ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg pair so well with the deep caramel molasses flavor.
Whether you like them simple, or with the added flair of candied ginger or chocolate chips, they’re always a holiday favorite.
Get the recipe: Grandma’s Soft Molasses Crinkle Cookies
Final Thoughts: Yummy Christmas Cookie Exchange Recipes
So there you have it, a merry roundup of easy Christmas cookie exchange recipes to make your dessert table shine.
From classic Christmas cookies like buttery shortbread and chewy molasses crinkles to fun Christmas Cookies like candy cane blossoms and gingerbread cheesecake bites, there’s something here for every baker.
Whether you’re trading at a swap, gifting a tin, or baking just because, these holiday treats bring all the sparkle, sweetness, and spirit of the season, no fancy skills required.
