17 cookies that’ll make you the cookie exchange champion

Photo of author

| Published:

These 17 show-stopping cookies are so delicious that you’ll have everyone begging for your recipes! These innovative creations will crown you the undisputed champion of cookie exchanges.

Chocolate cherry blossom cookies on a plate.
Chocolate Cherry Blossoms. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Cranberry Orange Shortbread

Cranberry cookies with icing and milk on a plate.
Cranberry Orange Shortbread. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These slice-and-bake cookies cut evenly for consistent exchange portions. The cranberry-orange combination provides a fresh alternative to typical swap cookies.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Shortbread

Church Window Cookies

Church window cookies with colored marshmallows and coconut.
Church Window Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These no-bake cookies make enough servings for several swap bags. The distinctive chocolate-marshmallow pattern sets them apart from typical exchange cookies.
Get the Recipe: Church Window Cookies

Chocolate Caramel Cookies

Chocolate caramel cookies on a cutting board topped with nuts and caramel.
Chocolate Caramel Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These rich chocolate cookies feature caramel and toffee bits that make swap partners take notice. The cookies stack neatly without sticking to each other.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Caramel Cookies

Peppermint Meringue Cookies

Meringue cookies decorated with red and white stripes on a cake stand.
Peppermint Meringue Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These light, crisp cookies add welcome variety to cookie exchanges. The delicate cookies stack carefully in containers without breaking.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Meringue Cookies

Peppermint Kiss Cookies

Chocolate cookies topped with red and white peppermint swirls and sprinkled with sugar, with one cookie partially eaten, surrounded by broken candy canes.
Peppermint Kiss Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These fudgy cookies topped with peppermint kisses stand out at holiday exchanges. The cookies pack securely once the kisses have set firmly.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Kiss Cookies

Pecan Tassies

A close-up of mini pecan tassies on a wire cooling rack.
Pecan Tassies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These mini pecan pies add welcome variety to cookie exchanges. The small size allows each batch to serve many swap partners.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Tassies

Andes Mint Cookies

Chocolate cookie with melted Andes mints on top.
Andes Mint Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These soft chocolate cookies topped with melted mint candy look professional at exchanges. The cookies pack well after the mint layer sets completely.
Get the Recipe: Andes Mint Cookies

Raspberry Pinwheel Cookies

Top view of raspberry pinwheel cookies topped with sparkling sugar.
Raspberry Pinwheel Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These spiral cookies with jam filling look impressive on exchange plates. The dough slices evenly so each swap partner receives identical cookies.
Get the Recipe: Raspberry Pinwheel Cookies

Chocolate Cherry Blossoms

Chocolate cherry blossom cookies on a plate.
Chocolate Cherry Blossoms. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Cherry-flavored cookies topped with chocolate kisses add needed variety to cookie swaps. The bright cherry flavor sets them apart from standard chocolate options.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cherry Blossoms

Speculoos

Speculoo cookies stamped with snowflakes on a platter.
Speculoos. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These spiced cookies hold their shape well for exchanges. The firm, crisp texture ensures they won’t crumble during transport to cookie swaps.
Get the Recipe: Speculoos

Italian Ricotta Cookies

Ricotta Cookies decorated with Christmas sprinkles.
Italian Ricotta Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These cake-like cookies have a unique texture that stands out at cookie swaps. The cookies maintain their softness for days, and the recipe yields enough for multiple exchanges.
Get the Recipe: Italian Ricotta Cookies

Heath Bar Cookies

Heath bar cookies stacked up one is broken in half.
Heath Bar Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These cookies packed with toffee bits and chocolate make swap tables more interesting. The chewy texture remains stable for packaging and transport.
Get the Recipe: Heath Bar Cookies

Christmas Magic Bars

Colorful dessert bars topped with red and green candy-coated chocolates on a wooden surface.
Christmas Magic Bars. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These layered bar cookies cut cleanly into even squares for easy exchange portions. All the layers of chocolate, butterscotch, and M&Ms make them a standout choice at cookie swaps.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Magic Bars

Cool Whip Cookies

Cool whip cookies on parchment with powdered sugar.
Cool Whip Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These cake mix cookies come together quickly for large exchange batches. The soft texture remains fresh through swap day.
Get the Recipe: Cool Whip Cookies

Chocolate Mint Kiss Cookies

Close-up of chocolate cookies dusted with powdered sugar; one cookie is halved, revealing a mint filling and a chocolate kiss on top.
Chocolate Mint Kiss Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These fudgy crinkle cookies topped with mint kisses bring something different to cookie exchanges. The crackled tops make them an eye-catching addition to display plates.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Mint Kiss Cookies

Haystack Cookies

No bake haystack cookies on a white cake stand.
Haystack Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These no-bake cookies require just four ingredients and make plenty for exchanges. The finished cookies maintain their shape well in storage containers.
Get the Recipe: Haystack Cookies

Butterscotch Cookies

Butterscotch cookies on a red plate.
Butterscotch Cookies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These chewy cookies come loaded with butterscotch chips and pecans for cookie exchanges. The texture holds up well through packing and transport to swap day.
Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Cookies

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.