Baking and Christmas just go hand in hand, and one of my favorite traditions is a Christmas Cookie Exchange. Read more about all my favorite traditions here. We all have our tried and true favorite cookie recipes we make every year, but sometimes it is fun to try something new. Need ideas? You are bound to find one you love in this list of top Christmas cookie exchange recipes.
Do you host a cookie exchange or want to start one this year? At the end of the post, we are also sharing free printable cookie exchange invitations and name cards for you!
1. White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Cookies
How adorable are these White Chocolate Dipped Ginger Cookies from Cooking Classy? I love the understated design of this Christmas dessert that is festive without being over the top.
Plus, everything is better dipped in chocolate! The white chocolate makes it look even more Christmasy like it’s covered with snow. While some icing designs can be very intimidating, this cute little holly detail is simple enough that even the novice could pull off with a little practice.
Made with ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg…sounds so perfect to have on a cold evening with a hot beverage, don’t you think?
2. Melted Snowmen Oreo Balls
Now for a Christmas cookie exchange recipe that everyone will be dying to bring home for their kids! The Girl Who Ate Everything shares these Melted Snowmen Oreo Balls that I can’t get enough of.
I love Chisty’s post too that includes a great video of her making it. The slow motion clip of her dipping the oreo balls into the cream cheese icing will have your mouth watering. Also, this recipe is super easy and affordable with only 5 items needed – some of which you probably already have at home.
3. Peanut Butter Turtle Thumbprint Cookies
On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me…two turtle cookies!
I love these Peanut Butter Turtle Thumbprint Cookies from The Recipe Rebel, a fresh take on the classic Peanut Butter Blossoms that was one of my favorite of the cookie exchange recipes as a kid.
Caramel, nuts, chocolate, and peanut butter?! Almost too good to be true. The drizzled chocolate gives it a sophisticated look and yet the classic flavors that everyone will love.
Sure to be a crowd favorite at this year’s cookie exchange.
4. Reindeer Rice Krispy Treats
Running short on time and looking for cute, kid-friendly cookie exchange recipes? These Reindeer Rice Krispy Treats from Thirty Handmade Days are perfect! While they may not technically be a cookie, I think bars and treats are fair game at cookie exchanges.
Not only are they adorable, but they could not be any easier because they made them with premade Rice Krispie treats. Yet, with the cute homemade touch of the reindeer face, you will have everyone fooled.
5. Eggnog Cheesecake Cookie Cups
Gingerbread cookie cups filled with eggnog cheesecake filling – you can’t get much more seasonal than that! Olivia from LivForCake came up with these amazing Eggnog Cheesecake Cookie Cups.
Liv points out that even someone who is not a huge fan of eggnog flavor (like her and me!) will love these yummy treats because the flavor is nice and subtle.
The filling is so light and fluffy, you just want to dip your finger in for a taste!
6. Gingerbread Whoopie Pies
Is there ever a better time for a gorgeous photo featuring “snowing” powdered sugar than this time of year? Nope, I don’t think so either. These Gingerbread Whoopie Pies from Saving Room for Dessert are a seasonal take on the well-loved dessert.
Delicious lemon cream cheese filling sandwiched between these gingerbread cookies. I love the choice of lemon that makes it a bit unique and cuts the sweetness. A perfect choice if you’re looking for unique Christmas cookie exchange recipes you haven’t seen before.
7. Peppermint Pecan Snowball Cookies
I would never have thought of this Peppermint Pecan Snowball Cookies flavor combination – very unique! I can’t decide if they make me want to go have a snowball fight or try one. Both actually.
Chelsea points out that they are super easy to make and only take one bowl. (Yay! Easy cleanup!) The holidays are busy enough, but this easy recipe is perfect to make with kids. Make it a fun tradition to cook your cookie exchange recipes together each year.
8. Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups
Butter with a Side of Bread mashes up two Christmas season staples (hot chocolate and cookies) with this adorable Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups recipe.
I am such a sucker for anything mini so these little cups with the mini marshmallows are right up my alley. Looking for creative, fun cookie exchange recipes? These are guaranteed to have everyone saying, “How did you think of that?”
9. Gingerbread Men
No Christmas cookie list would be complete without gingerbread men. But if you are like me, you adore the look of gingerbread men but are always left unimpressed by the flavor and texture.
Well, Sally of Sally’s Baking Addiction felt the same way. So, she experimented with many different recipes until she got it right. No more bland, hard gingerbread men that make you worry you might break a tooth. Sally’s My Favorite Gingerbread Men are soft and chewy and are definitely going to be the recipe I use. Everyone at the cookie exchange will be asking for your recipe.
10. Rudolph Peanut Butter Cookies
Another adorable reindeer-themed cookie exchange recipe is this cute Rudolph Peanut Butter Cookie. Make Peanut Butter Blossoms every year? Save some dough and make these cute little cookies at the same time!
You could even make seven cookies with brown M&M noses and one Rudolph one to have a whole set. I dare you to try to make these without singing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” in your head.
11. Christmas Sugar Cookie Truffles
Instead of making regular sugar cookies this year, try out these Christmas Sugar Cookie Truffles from If You Give A Blonde a Kitchen. They look so delicious and like you could pop a few too many of them if you aren’t careful!
Stressed out about having time to make your cookies? Cookie exchange recipes like this are the way to go! With just four ingredients and no baking needed, you can still have incredible cookies everyone will love in a fraction of the time.
12. Peppermint Meltaway Cookies
Meltaway – that is such a great name for a cookie! It definitely makes me want to try these Peppermint Meltaway Cookies from Cake’s Cottage.
Super easy to make and melts in your mouth! What’s not to love?
13. Gingerbread Bars with Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting
I love dessert bar recipes since they are super easy and don’t require any scooping or rolling. These Gingerbread Bars with Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting from A Kitchen Addiction are a great Christmas bar recipe to try!
You could make it even easier by buying your own frosting, but you can’t get any more seasonal than an eggnog frosting. This Christmas dessert would be perfect paired with a cup of hot cocoa!
14. Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies
Chocolate and peppermint is such a perfect holiday pairing and the crushed peppermint pieces give them that great crunch. These cookies from Two Peas & Their Pod could definitely be Santa’s new favorite! Perfect paired with a glass of milk.
I love the way she styled them with the candy canes too! Soft & chewy holiday perfection.
15. Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Cookies
These amazing Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Cookies from Just a Taste only have 4 ingredients! I love Just a Taste’s recipes and this one is no exception.
These red velvet cookies could not be any more looking, so everyone will already adore them. Then, when you tell everyone how easy they are to make, they will be everyone’s new favorite!
Hope you enjoyed our Easy Christmas Cookie Exchange Recipes Roundup! A huge thank you to all of the incredibly talented bloggers whose recipes are featured in this post. If you follow me on Pinterest, all these incredible recipes are pinned to my STW Recipes board along with other hand-picked recipes from other roundups.
Like to see your post featured in our next roundup? There’s nothing we love more than getting connected with new bloggers and growing together!
Each week we will feature new posts, so be sure to follow us on Pinterest or tag #shetriedwhat on Instagram to get noticed & featured.
Also, we love making it easier for our readers to try new things, so we are sharing free printable invitations and name cards so you can host your own Christmas cookie exchange this year or next! Click here to get them for FREE.
Enough from me, what are your favorite cookie exchange recipes? I’d love to hear.
