Nothing says holidays like a cookie swap!
From classics to more surprising picks, this holiday cookie roundup includes our all-time favorites.
However, it can be hard to know what you should bring.
Simply Recipes / Photo by Julia Gartland / Food Styling by Samantha Senevirate
So, weve done the work for you.
Heres a list of cookie classics and festive flavors that are sure to delight holiday swappers.
Classic Shortbread Cookies
Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
No cookie swap is complete without buttery and crumbly shortbread cookies.
Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan
These gingerbread sandwich cookies aren’t just your typical deep and spicy, they’re also bright and lemony.
If you want to get ahead, freeze the unbaked dough and bake them the morning of the swap.
Theyre nutty, fruity, and subtly spiced with cinnamon.
Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
And with so many make-ahead options, why wouldnt you bring them to a cookie swap?
Black and White Cookies
Black and white cookies are soft cakey cookies with both vanilla and chocolate frosting.
Theres no better cookie if your cookie exchange is a black-tie affair.
Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel
Or use bright frostings and fun sprinkles for an ugly sweater cookie swap.
Thumbprint Cookies
Thumbprint cookies seem to shimmer like holiday lights.
These butter cookies with toasted nuts and fruity jam are a festive favorite.
Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon
They keep for at least a week, meaning they’re perfect for taking home from a swap.
The prepared logs of dough also make great gifts!
Theyre airy and delicate with a crisp exterior and chewy interior.
Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon
Plus, they only take four minutes to prep.
you could make them gluten-free or nut-free with some easy swaps.
Try making them with other candy too, like Rolos, Snickers, and more.
Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek
Pfeffernusse, or peppernuts are traditional German spiced cookies with a thin icing glaze.
Not only do they keep well, but they actually get better with age.
These cookies dont have any egg to bind them, so they’re crumbly instead of chewy.
Simply Recipes / Irvin Lin
This makes them more like shortbread than, say, sugar cookies.
Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread cookies are the quintessential holiday cookie and an absolute must for a cookie swap.
With rich molasses flavor and warm spices and fun to decorate.
Simply Recipes / Aaron Hutcherson
And if youre looking for something more inclusive/vegan:Vegan Gingerbread People
15.
Gingersnap Cookies
Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker
These gingersnaps are ultra-thin and extra snappy.
And its not just the texture thats snappy, but a kick of black pepper as well.
Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer
Cookie swap guests will snatch them up in a snap!
Their sharable small size makes them an excellent addition to a cookie exchange.
Almond Crescent Cookies
These traditional Viennese cookies have a long history of being gifted during the holidays.
Simply Recipes / Cambrea Bakes
Raspberry Macarons
Delicate French macarons have a crisp shell and a sweet, chewy interior.
Theyre elegant and beautiful, and cookie swappers will be fighting to take them home.
Apricot Hamantaschen
Traditionally made during Purim, these little pie-like cookies are also great for Hanukkah.
Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm
If you’re a chocolate lover (who isn’t?)
bring somechocolate coconut macaroonsinstead.
Ginger Pennies
Imagine little bowls of these mini slice-and-bake ginger cookies to snack on during the cookie swap.
Simply Recipes / Irvin Lin
They may be small, but theyre packed with ground ginger, candied ginger, and bright lemon zest.
Want to see to it all guests have something to bring home?
Make somevegan chocolate chip cookiesorgluten-free chocolate chip cookies.
Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer
Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker
Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer
Simply Recipes / Cambrea Bakes
Simply Recipes / Cambrea Bakes
Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon
Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel
Simply Recipes / Eliezer Martinez
Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
Simply Recipes / Emma Christensen
