The Scoop on Cookie Swaps

By Lauren Titus / Photography By Amy Robb | Last Updated December 06, 2022

Holiday Cookie swap cookie board with five types of cookies

Make your favorite cookies, host a gathering amongst friends who do the same, and then have a satisfying variety of cookies all season long.

Trying to keep things calm and simple this holiday season? Plan a low stress gathering that ends with a pile of cookies! Invite all your besties to a holiday cookie exchange and reap the delicious rewards. Not only do you get a tin-full of tasty treats at the end, you'll also likely add some new favorites to your baking repertoire.

To get you started, we have compiled some of our favorite holiday recipes and noted why they have become our go-to cookie recipes for swaps (and for keeps).

Almond Linzer Cookies

These Austrian holiday cookies are traditionally made with almond flour and raspberry jam, but they are also delicious with finely ground hazelnut flour and any other jam of your choosing.&...

Sugar Cookies

This easy-to-make plant-based and gluten-free treat is perfect for holiday cookie tins. Decorate with natural sprinkles using unsweetened coconut.

Lemon Cardamom Sandwich Cookies

The brown butter filling adds a rich nutty flavor that perfectly complements the citrus and cardamom.

Fruit Cakey Sourdough Cookies

Any sourdough baker you know will happily give you enough sourdough starter for the recipe since it is a byproduct of maintaining the starter and otherwise would be thrown away. The dough is sticky...

Meyer Lemon Crinkles

When life gives you lemons, what do you do? Make cookies! These are light and fluffy, add a refreshing splash of sunshine to the table and go perfectly with a hot cup of tea at the end of a long day...

Cranberry-Pecan Cookies

Ruby red bits of tart cranberries and local pecans add a festive touch to these simple, delicious cookies.

Walnut Chocolate Chip Biscotti

These twice-baked cookies add a flavorful crunch to a cookie swap, they store well and go great with coffee. Want even more deliciousness? Dip one end in melted white chocolate. Bring these crunchy...

Spiced Currant Bars

Dark and moist, with chewy currants, these are flavored with cinnamon, clove, ginger and rich molasses. They are so versatile – cut them in bars or triangles. Not too sweet, so you could even eat...

Chocolate Mint Chip Drops

Take advantage of the mint chocolate chips sold during the holiday season and try this easy and delicious treat. The dough freezes well so you can make ahead and bake when it is time for a cookie...

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

This recipe brings sweet and savory fall flavors together in a chewy, cake-like cookie. Enjoy with a warm cup of coffee and good company.

Apple of My Pie Cookies

This treat is the perfect mashup of oatmeal cream sandwich cookies and apple pie.

Reindeer Macarons

This was the winning recipe at the Omni Amelia Island Resort Plantation’s 2019 Holiday Cookie Competition.

Vegan Cardamom Orange Pecan Cookies

Make these cookies once and you will discover that butter, eggs and milk are not prerequisites in the creation of amazingly delicious baked goods.

Gingerbread Cookies

Because of the amount of moisture from the molasses, the scraps can be rerolled many times without toughening the dough.

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Holiday Dessert Ideas

Bûche de Noël

Gingerbread Spice Layer Cake

Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies

Caramel Apple Pecan Galette

Vegan Cranberry Apple Crisp

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