The 50 Best Cookies to Make for a Cookie Exchange

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Planning on attending a cookie exchange this year? Here are 50 of the best cookies to make for a cookie exchange. Everything from easy to more impressive cookies and alternative ideas if you want to make something other than cookies.

table with colorful cookies for a cookie exchange
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If you’re planning to host a party, be sure to check out this post on how to host a cookie exchange which includes free printable invitations, instructions, labels, and score cards! And if you are hosting and really want to get ahead of the game, check out this list of 15 Freezer-Friendly Christmas Cookies to get your cookies made before the hosting duties start.

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Easy Cookies

If you’re looking for a simple option, try one of these cookies that are easy to bake and guaranteed to be enjoyed by all!

reindeer cake pops on a wire cooling rack

Coconut Macarons

chocolate dipped coconut macarons on a parchment lined sheet pan

Chocolate Covered Oreos

3-Ingredient Shortbread

shortbread holiday cookies on a white plate

Chocolate Candy Cane Truffles

chocolate candy cane truffles in a wooden bowl

Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods

white chocolate covered pretzels with red and green sprinkles

peanut butter brownies stacked on a wooden cutting board

Reindeer Cookies

reindeer cookies with pretzel antlers on a white tray

Pecan Sandies

pecan sandy cookies stacked on a plate

Cookies that Take a Bit More Time

If you have a bit more time, try one of these great cookies that are sure to impress!

spritz cookies and cookie press on a white countertop

Peppermint Chocolate Roll Cookies

chocolate roll cookies on a wire cooling rack

Christmas Cutout Sugar Cookies

christmas sugar cookies on a wooden cutting board

Salted Caramel Stuffed Cookies

salted caramel cookies on a parchment lined sheet pan

Eggnog Latte Cutout Cookies

snowflake cookies on a parchment lined sheet pan

Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

chocolate sandwich cookies stacked on a wire cooling rack

Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

peanut butter blossom cookies on a grey plate

Chocolate Brownie Crackle Cookies

chocolate crinkle cookies on a parchment lined sheet pan

Stained Glass Cookies

star shaped stained glass cookies on a white plate

Crispy and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

chocolate chip cookies on a wire cooling rack

Snowball Cookies

snowball cookies on a red plate

Peanut Butter Cookie Cups on a wooden tray

Santa’s Christmas Cookies

cookies with red and green candies on a parchment lined sheet pan

Christmas Tree Meringues

Christmas Tree Meringues on a sheet pan

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies

chocolate chip peanut butter cookies on a wire cooling rack

Chocolate Peppermint Blossoms

chocolate peppermint blossoms on a sheet pan

Jam Thumbprint Cookies

thumbprint cookies on a white plate

Soft Snickerdoodle Cookies

snickerdoodle cookies stacked on parchment paper

Chocolate Chip Brownie Tarts

Chocolate chip brownie tarts on a wood cutting board with a glass of milk

Slice and Bake Cranberry Shortbread Cookies

slice and bake shortbread cookies on a grey countertop

Peppermint Brownie Cookies

brownie bites on a grey countertop

Chocolate Mint Pinwheel Cookies

freezer cookies for Christmas on a wire rack

Kitchen Sink Cookies

kitchen sink cookies on a white background

Cinnamon Oatmeal Lace Cookies

a chocolate drizzled oatmeal lace cookie on a parchment lined sheet pan

Other Treats (that aren’t cookies)

Cookies aren’t the only thing that fit in at a cookie exchange. Lots of other great treats are easy to share and make for a fun cookie exchange. If you’re not a cookie baker, try one of these desserts below!

Sweet and Salty Snack Mix

snack mix in a clear glass bowl

Peppermint Bark

Chocolate Biscotti

biscotti on a white countertop

Chocolate Saltine Toffee Bark

drizzling bark with melted chocolate

Marshmallow Cornflake Treats

Banana Bread Truffles

truffles in a white bowl

Peppermint Marshmallows

peppermint marshmallows

Seven Layer Magic Bars

seven layer bars on a piece of parchment paper

Chocolate Brownies

brownies on a parchment lined sheet pan

Mini Charcuterie Boards

Pecan Tarts

pecan tarts stacked on a white plate

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About Jess Smith

Jess is the recipe creator and photographer at InquiringChef.com. She spent nearly a decade as the Chief Recipe Developer for the award-winning meal planning app Cook Smarts. Her colorful, healthyish recipes have been featured in popular online publications including Parade, Hallmark, and HuffPost.

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