The 31 Best Christmas Cookie Ideas and Recipes For an Over-the-Top Cookie Exchange Party

This crinkle – a white chocolate cookie drizzled in chocolate and sprinkled with chopped candy canes – is a guaranteed hit at a cookie exchange party.

Get the recipe: White Christmas Crinkles

Once your cookies are cut and baked, it’s time for the fun part: decorating!

Get the recipe: Snow People Cookies

Related: How to Keep Your Sugar Cookies From Sticking

Fact: rainbow cookies are the most festive cookies to make for a holiday cookie exchange.

Get the recipe: Rainbow Cookies

Christmas isn’t the same without gingerbread boy and girl cookies. 

Get the recipe: Gingerbread Man Cookie

This buttery cookie is delicious plain or with sprinkles and candy. 

Get the recipe: Traditional Spritz Cookies

These treats are a simple riff on alfajores, buttery sandwich cookies with caramel filling that are traditional to Latin America and Spain.

Get the recipe: Caramel Delights

A striking combo of chocolate, coconut and raspberry atop a shortbread cookie, this cookie is well worth your time.

Get the recipe: Chocolate-Coconut-Raspberry Bar Cookies

These melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies will be your favorite. Perfect with a cup of hot cocoa! 

Get the recipe: Dorie Greenspan’s Shortbread Cookies

A soft and delicious Christmas cookie that’s popular in Italy. 

Get the recipe: Italian Anise Cookies

A few simple techniques and the perfect combination of ingredients will lead to your best ooey gooey chocolate chip cookies yet.

Get the recipe: The Perfect Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies

These soft, pillowy cookies start with an eggnog batter and are topped with a fluffy eggnog frosting. Sprinkle on a bit of nutmeg or cinnamon to finish them off. 

Get the recipe: Soft Eggnog Cookies with Eggnog Frosting

Best sugar cookies, just like grandma makes! 

Get the recipe: Nana’s Sugar Cookies

Related: The Secret Ingredient to the Best-Ever Sugar Cookies

Delicious and festive little candy cane cookies. 

Get the recipe: Candy Cane Cookies

Related: 12 Best Candy Cane Holiday Recipes

These cookie-exchange-perfect treats are simply sweet, but with a little kick of spicy and some tart thrown in for good measure.

Get the recipe: Grapefruit Cookies

Crunchy, almost meringue-like, the toasted almond slivers add a nice bite. 

Get the recipe: Chocolate Clouds Cookies

A festive, fun and elegant holiday treat. 

Get the recipe: Star-Shaped Jam Cookies

Delicious shortbread cookies filled with cherries and wrapped in toasted coconut. They look like whiskers! 

Get the recipe: Santa’s Whiskers

Easy, crunchy, buttery potato chip cookies will disappear as quickly as you set them on a plate!

Get the recipe: Sea Salt & Vinegar Potato Chip Cookies

Quick and easy, with only three ingredients needed. 

Get the recipe: Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter Crackers

These are great for parties because they are one big bite and everybody goes for them. They are festive and delicious! 

Get the recipe: Mexican Wedding Cookies

Related: 20 Easy Mexican Recipes

These low-carb cookies take their flavor cue from the lunchbox favorite! 

Get the recipe: Low-Carb PB&J Thumbprint Cookies

Looking for a Christmas movie-themed cookie? Try these delicious Grinch cookies. 

Get the recipe: The Grinch Who Stole Christmas Crinkle Cookies

Related: 35 Best Grinch Quotes from ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’

A simple thumbprint cookie becomes Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. 

Get the recipe: Peanut Butter Rudolph Cookies

Related: Mrs. Claus Reveals Santa’s 10 Favorite Cookies

Peanut butter, sugar and a Hershey’s Kiss. Always a popular cookie! 

Get the recipe: Peanut Butter Blossoms

Super simple and perfect for the holidays. 

Get the recipe: Shortbread Cookie Bites

Get your chocolate fix with these incredible cookies. 

Get the recipe: Flourless Fudge-Filled Nutella Cookies

Related: 17 Drool-Worthy Nutella Recipes

A quick and easy holiday treat. 

Get the recipe: Salted Caramel Marshmallow Nests

Decadent chocolate fudge cookies. 

Get the recipe: Flourless Chocolate Cookies

A soft and chewy sugar cookie topped with a yummy buttercream icing. 

Get the recipe: Rosette Sugar Cookies

Brigadeiro cookies are effortless to prepare, yet people think you slaved in the kitchen. 

Get the recipe: Brigadeiro Cookies

Related: 12 Chocolate Truffle Recipes

These Almond-Spice Christmas Wreath Cookies are pretty easy to make, even if they do look fancy. 

Get the recipe: Almond Spice Christmas Wreath Cookies

Related: 16 Almond Recipes To Go Nuts Over