11 Christmas Cookie Recipes Perfect for Your Cookie Exchange

This post may contain affiliate links.

The holiday season just wouldn’t be complete without the sweet aroma of freshly baked cookies filling the kitchen!

Whether you’re hosting a cookie exchange, putting together gift boxes, or just looking for the perfect treat to enjoy with a cup of cocoa, these 11 Christmas cookie recipes are sure to bring joy to every bite.

From classic favorites to fun new twists, there’s something here for every cookie lover — and every level of baker!

Chocolate Maraschino Cherry Cookies

These chocolate maraschino cherry cookies are a festive treat for your Christmas baking list! Rich chocolate cookies topped with bright red cherries and a drizzle of chocolate make a beautiful addition to holiday cookie trays. Perfect for Christmas cookie exchanges, holiday parties, homemade food gifts, and festive dessert tables. Save this delicious Christmas cookie recipe!

Rich, fudgy, and bursting with sweet cherry flavor, these Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies are a decadent twist on classic holiday treats.

Each soft chocolate cookie is studded with bits of maraschino cherry and topped with a drizzle of melted chocolate, making them as beautiful as they are delicious.

Want to try making your own jelly at home?

Get my free guide with 8 easy, beginner-friendly jelly recipes you can confidently make.

They’re perfect for gifting, sharing at a Christmas cookie exchange, or treating yourself to something special this holiday season. If you love the combination of chocolate and cherries, this cookie is a must-bake!

Mint Snowball Cookies

These chocolate chip mint snowball cookies are a festive twist on classic snowball cookies! With a soft minty center, chocolate chips, and a generous coating of powdered sugar, they're perfect for Christmas baking. Add these pretty green cookies to your holiday cookie trays, Christmas cookie exchanges, and homemade cookie gift boxes. Save this recipe for your holiday baking list!

Delicate, buttery, and with a refreshing hint of mint, these Mint Snowball Cookies melt in your mouth and disappear fast!

Rolled in powdered sugar for that classic snowy look, they’re a cool twist on the traditional snowball cookie.

Perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or cozy nights by the fire, these little bites of minty goodness bring just the right amount of holiday magic to your dessert table.

Iced Oatmeal Cookies

These Iced Oatmeal Cookies are the perfect blend of cozy spice and classic comfort.

Made with hearty oats, warm cinnamon, and a touch of nutmeg, they’re soft on the inside with just the right amount of chew.

A sweet vanilla glaze on top adds the perfect finishing touch — simple, nostalgic, and totally irresistible.

Whether you’re baking for the holidays or craving a homemade treat, these cookies never go out of style.

Hershey’s Kiss Cookies

A holiday classic that never goes out of style, Hershey’s Kiss Cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat!

These soft, chewy cookies are rolled in sugar and topped with a single Hershey’s Kiss for the perfect blend of sweet, nutty, and chocolatey goodness.

Whether you stick with the traditional peanut butter base or try a festive twist, these cookies are a must-have for any Christmas cookie exchange or holiday dessert tray.

Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies

Looking for a unique cookie recipe to make for the holidays? These maraschino cherry chocolate chip cookies feature a buttery dough with sweet cherries and chocolate chips in every bite. The slice-and-bake method makes them easy to prepare ahead of time. They're wonderful for Christmas cookie exchanges, holiday dessert platters, homemade cookie gifts, and festive family gatherings!

Buttery, tender, and dotted with sweet cherry bits, these Maraschino Shortbread Cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious.

The vibrant maraschino cherries add a festive pop of color and flavor to classic melt-in-your-mouth shortbread.

With their pretty pink hue and rich, buttery texture, these cookies are perfect for holiday trays, cookie exchanges, or gifting to someone special.

Simple to make but truly stunning, they’re a holiday favorite in every bite!

Homemade Pecan Pie Cookies

These homemade pecan pie cookies combine the flavors of traditional pecan pie with the convenience of a bite-sized cookie. With golden cookie bases and rich, caramelized pecan filling, they're perfect for Thanksgiving desserts, Christmas cookie exchanges, holiday parties, and festive cookie trays. Try this delicious recipe when you're ready to bake something special!

All the rich, gooey goodness of pecan pie in a perfectly portioned cookie!

These Homemade Pecan Pie Cookies feature a buttery shortbread-style base topped with a sweet, sticky pecan filling that’s packed with warm brown sugar and toasted nuts.

They’re the ultimate bite-sized treat for fall and holiday gatherings—easy to make, beautiful on a cookie tray, and guaranteed to disappear fast.

Perfect for cookie exchanges or when you’re craving a taste of classic pecan pie without the fuss of baking a whole one!

Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

These gingerbread crinkle cookies are a must-bake for the holiday season! Soft, chewy cookies filled with warm gingerbread spices and covered in powdered sugar have that classic snowy crinkle look. They're perfect for Christmas cookie exchanges, holiday parties, cookie trays, and homemade gifts. Save this delicious Christmas cookie recipe for your holiday baking!

With their crackly powdered sugar coating and warm, spiced flavor, these Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies are a holiday must-bake!

Soft, chewy, and packed with molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, they capture all the classic flavors of gingerbread in a fun, bite-sized cookie.

The crinkled sugar coating adds just the right touch of sweetness and makes them look like they came straight from a winter wonderland.

Perfect for cookie exchanges, gifting, or enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa by the fire!

No-Bake Chocolate Cookies

Remember those classic chocolate oatmeal cookies that everyone loves? These old-fashioned no-bake cookies are rich, chocolatey, and packed with oats for a satisfying texture. They're perfect for Christmas baking, holiday parties, cookie exchanges, and sharing with family and friends. Save this easy no-bake cookie recipe for your holiday treat list!

Quick, chocolatey, and irresistibly chewy, these Chocolate No-Bake Cookies are a classic treat that comes together in minutes—no oven required!

Made with cocoa, oats, peanut butter, and a hint of vanilla, they’re the perfect blend of fudgy and hearty.

Whether you need a last-minute dessert for a holiday cookie exchange or just want something sweet without the fuss, these nostalgic no-bake cookies are always a crowd-pleaser.

Andes Mint Cookies

Looking for a festive chocolate cookie to make this Christmas? These Andes mint cookies combine rich chocolate flavor with cool mint for a delicious holiday treat. They're perfect for Christmas cookie trays, cookie swaps, family gatherings, and holiday parties. Add these chocolate mint cookies to your collection of favorite Christmas cookie recipes!

Quick, chocolatey, and irresistibly chewy, these Chocolate No-Bake Cookies are a classic treat that comes together in minutes—no oven required!

Made with cocoa, oats, peanut butter, and a hint of vanilla, they’re the perfect blend of fudgy and hearty.

Whether you need a last-minute dessert for a holiday cookie exchange or just want something sweet without the fuss, these nostalgic no-bake cookies are always a crowd-pleaser.

Thumbprint Cookies

Need a pretty cookie to bring to your next Christmas cookie exchange? These homemade thumbprint cookies are a holiday favorite, with tender cookie dough, sweet jam centers, and a snowy powdered sugar finish. They're wonderful for Christmas parties, cookie swaps, family gatherings, and homemade cookie gift boxes. Save this recipe for your holiday baking plans!

Classic and charming, Thumbprint Cookies are a timeless holiday favorite that’s as fun to make as they are to eat.

Buttery, tender cookies are gently pressed in the center to hold a dollop of sweet jam or preserves—adding a burst of fruity flavor in every bite.

Whether you use raspberry, apricot, or your favorite festive jam, these cookies bring a beautiful pop of color and a delightful balance of rich and sweet to any Christmas cookie exchange or dessert platter.

No matter which cookie (or cookies!) you decide to bake, one thing’s for sure: homemade treats are the sweetest way to spread holiday cheer.

These 11 Christmas cookie recipes are perfect for sharing with loved ones — or for sneaking a few extras for yourself.

So grab your apron, turn up the holiday tunes, and let the festive baking begin. Happy holidays and happy baking!

Follow my Christmas Treats board on Pinterest.

Want more simple recipes and ideas like this?

Get new posts, recipes, and practical homemaking tips sent to your inbox.

No spam. Just occasional updates when there’s something worth sharing.