There’s no better way to ring in the holiday season than with a classic cookie exchange. The Christmas cookie swap has risen to fame for a few reasons—first off, it’s shockingly easy to host, especially during the hectic holiday season. Volunteer your home as a venue and worry no more: Each guest will bring a tin of homemade cookies to create a stellar potluck dessert display. It’s the perfect occasion to show off Grandma’s well-loved cookie recipes—and get a taste of your friends’ own family traditions! Southerners know that bringing store-bought cookies to a holiday swap is not an option. Luckily, we have classic cookie recipes (and easy shortcuts) for even the busiest holiday host. From classic Gingerbread to Cherry Winks, these all-star cookie recipes will be ready in no time. This year, think outside the box and try out a new cookie recipe that’s guaranteed to become a family favorite. So scrub off that old cookie sheet and get to work. You’ll want to make an extra batch of these festive treats to keep for yourself.
Hector Manuel Sanchez
One reader who left a five-star review for these cookies says all there is to say about them: “This is the best cookie I have eaten in my 66 years of life. I have made them every year since 2001.”
Isaac Nunn; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
If you love classic Snickerdoodle flavor, you’re going to fall for this version with browned butter, which makes them even richer.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This no-bake bark is a Christmas classic, and it couldn’t be easier to make.
Katie Strasberg Rousso
Associate Editorial Director Katie Rousso shared this recipe right from her grandmother’s collection. She describes them as “a soft, cake-like cookie that packs on the chocolate flavor. Plus, once you pile on the chocolate icing, it’s nearly impossible to have just one.”
Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Lauren Odum; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
You don’t have to have a minute of baking experience to make a batch of these easy treats.
Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
“When mom or I make these today, they bring me back to our 1978 Texas kitchen with the bright green Formica countertops, green and white apple wallpaper, and the wood kitchen table that my dad built,” writes Claire Killeen.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
You’re just four ingredients away from these no-bake treats that taste totally nostalgic.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
You don’t have to be in Kentucky to enjoy a batch of bourbon balls, y’all! This has been our go-to recipe for years.
Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Ginny Branch; Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall
Traditional Linzer cookies can be a labor of love, but they’ll be the most beautiful treat at the cookie swap.
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
Divinity is finicky, y’all, but the sweet, melt-in-your-mouth results are worth it.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Snowball cookies are an old-fashioned favorite dessert that you don’t need any decorating skills to serve this season.
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
Don’t worry, y’all: You don’t have to fuss with a candy thermometer for this recipe. We use a store-bought caramel candy shortcut.
Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
If there’s one treat no one will ever be upset to find in the cookie tin, it’s this old-fashioned fudge that Grandma could probably make with her eyes closed.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Every Southerner’s favorite toffee bark recipe starts with a sleeve of saltines.
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
These festive cookies only require the microwave, no oven needed!
Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Ginny Branch; Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall
Colorful thumbprint cookies are the perfect afternoon treat to make with the grandkids over the holiday break.
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
This simple, classic Sugar Cookie can never be over-done. It’s always a fan-favorite, especially with your own personalized decorations.
Molly Bolton
The classic chocolate chipper, with a twist. Brown butter lends a savory depth of flavor to this sweet staple that is the perfect cookie year-round.
Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
A classic chocolate chip cookie just won’t do when you’re trying to impress the guests. Elevate the nutty, sweet flavor with coconut. It’ll be a new favorite, especially because it’s not at all a difficult recipe.
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee; Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood
Can you really have Christmas without this signature treat? We don’t think so. Our Gingerbread cookies are tried-and-true and will always be a lovely holiday surprise.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
These vintage cookie press beauties have been around for as long as we can remember. Embrace tradition this year and try your hand at these handmade treats that only need a few sprinkles to be the most festive cookies of the season.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
This shortbread-based cookie is sure to impress all of your holiday guests. With a pop of cranberry and shredded coconut, these are the perfect sweets to enjoy with a cup of tea and a heart-warming conversation.
Emily Laurae
With a deep red hue and studs of white chocolate, these cookies are dressed for the holidays. They’re easy to make (hint: they start with a box of cake mix) and they’re an ultra-festive addition to any party.
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
You only need four ingredients for these cookies that will practically melt in your mouth. With a whisper of pecan and the fluffiness of meringue, these cookies are made with Southern tastes in mind.
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
These homemade delights are sure to dazzle friends and neighbors this season. If you love Turtle Candies, your heart will simply melt when you try these cookies.
Emily Laurae/Southern Living
These cookies are oh-so-ready for the holiday season. Coat the rolls in red and green sugar crystals for a festive display.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
These cookie sandwiches are sure to be a hit at any christmas party. With colorful peppermint icing and chocolate cookies, all you need is some hot cocoa for the ultimate holiday dessert.
Caitlin Bensel
These fluffy vintage cookies—topped with a glossy maraschino cherry—will certainly catch eyes on the buffet table. Who doesn’t want a bite-sized cheesecake to brighten up their holidays?
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
A little sugar and spice make everything nice! Gingersnaps are the ultimate holiday cookie because they make a delightful dessert on their own or you can dress them up to complete an appetizer spread. Top gingersnaps with some cream cheese and your favorite jam for a unique treat that your guests won’t soon forget.
Joy Howard
Grandma’s favorite cookie never fails to please at our holiday soirées. Two different doughs are twisted together to create the signature pinwheel swirl.
Micah A. Leal
If you’re looking for a classic cookie recipe with a twist, Barbara Bush’s famous treats are guaranteed to impress. With the addition of quick-cooking oats, this is a can’t-go-wrong recipe everyone will love.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
These cookies are the ultimate white Christmas cookie. Coated in powdered sugar, these shortbread “snowballs” are studded with buttery pecans for extra crunch.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Pecan Tassies are a well-loved cookie with deep Southern roots. They’re best described as a cross between miniature pecan pies and shortbread cookies. If you haven’t tried this regional favorite, whip up a batch for this year’s holiday swap.
Hannah Zimmerman / Southern Living
You can’t go wrong with easy peanut butter cookies. If you’re short on time (or supplies), this classic four-ingredient recipe will be your new go-to.
Will Dickey; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee
There are two types of people in the world: those that like their cookies crispy, and those that like them cakey. If your friends and family are in the cakey camp, these brownie-like bites are sure to win rave reviews.
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: Kellie Gerber Kelley
You’ll want to make an extra batch of these bite-sized treats to keep at home. Your family will thank you later.
Iain Bagwell
Sweets just as elegant as their name. The chocolate cookies are dipped halfway in—you guessed it—more melted chocolate for an extra-indulgent touch.
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
We grew up making big batches of these cookies in Grandma’s kitchen. Now, it’s time to pass on the tradition to the next generation.
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
One look at these thumbprint cookies, and we’re instantly reminded of baking marathons with Mama. Rolled in chopped pecans and topped with a dollop of apricot jam, these treats are nutty, sweet, fruity, and irresistible.
Photo: Hector Sanchez
Running late to the cookie swap? These 5-ingredient treats are as easy as can be. Best of all, they’ll be ready in under an hour.
Joy Howard
Nothing beats the nostalgia of a Cherry Wink. Simple yet so sweet, you will feel like a kid again from the moment you see these cuties.