Cookie season has officially arrived! We can’t think of anything sweeter than trays piled high with butter gems and and tins filled with thumbprints and other sugary surprises. Perhaps the most fun and festive are our annual cookie swap traditions when friends and family members bake and share their most impressive cookies. We asked the Southern Living editors to share their go-to recipes for holiday exchanges, and here are their top picks.
Hannah Zimmerman / Southern Living
“I’m admittedly not much of a baker, but these four-ingredient cookies are foolproof (and I usually have all the ingredients on hand, which is especially nice during the holiday chaos). Plus, their nutty sweetness ends up lending a welcome balance to all the frosting-covered, sprinkle-spangled sugar cookies.” – Betsy Watson, Senior Homes Editor
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
“It doesn’t feel like a holiday cookie swap without peanut butter kiss cookies! Someone’s gotta do it, and I volunteer—unwrapping and eating Hershey kisses along the way is half the fun anyhow.” – Catherine Jessee, Assistant Food Editor
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
“Pecan tassies are my go-to “cookie” for the holidays. Basically mini pecan pies, they are bite-size, buttery, and so darn good.” – Josh Miller, Senior Food Editor
Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Sally McKay; Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser
“Pumpkin snickerdoodles are everything good about these classic cookies—soft, chewy, and filled with cinnamon flavor—but these have the added flavor of pumpkin and pumpkin spice.” – Meghan Overdeep, Senior Writer
Emily Laurae
“Though these cookies start with a boxed cake mix, they’re still homemade! I love that it’s an easier way to enjoy the flavors of red velvet cake without having to ice any layers, and the recipe makes plenty of cookies for a swap!” – Jenna Sims, Senior Editor
Will Dickey; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee
“I have been writing and talking about (and making) these Flourless Chocolate Cookies for years. They’re as fudgy and chewy as brownies but in cookie form. Best cookie ever!” – Lisa Cericola, Deputy Editor
Linda Pugliese, Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas, Buffy Hargett Miller
“I always love a crinkle cookie—especially around the holidays because they just feel festive! This recipe is great because they’re easy to make, but you can also prepare the dough well in advance. The peppermint extract adds plenty of flavor, but to take it up a notch finely crush candy canes and mix them with the powdered sugar to roll each dough ball in.” – Cameron Beall, Associate Homes Editor
Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
“My husband tried out Southern Living’s Snickerdoodle recipe for a cookie swap last year and it was a huge hit, so I think I’ll have him show me the ropes this year. Nothing tastes more like Christmas than a warm, cinnamon-laced cookie.” -Tara McCay, Senior Travel & Culture Editor
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
“This recipe was developed with the kids in mind, but my husband and I love making them every year. They’re a great pick to distribute to neighbors or the cookie swap since they’re nut-free!” – Mary Shannon Hodes, Digital Editor
Molly Bolton
“Browned butter takes classic chocolate chip cookies to the next level, so I’m betting on these if I’m tasked to bring a batch of cookies. Plus, I’ll be delighted to eat any leftovers!” – Kaitlyn Sadik, Editor
Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
“When it comes to cookies, I am an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink kind of gal! These cowboy cookies hit all my cravings with oats, pecans, and chocolate chips.” – Brennan Long, Associate Social Media Director
Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Ginny Branch; Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall
“I love a classic linzer cookie for swaps! It looks impressive but is very easy to make. The sparkling sugar takes them to the next level too.” – Alana Al-Hatlani, Associate Food Editor