Holidays & Occasions Christmas Christmas Recipes 32 Classic Treats You'll See at Every Southern Cookie Swap By Southern Living Editors Updated on December 20, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee; Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood 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 cookies to keep for yourself. 01 of 32 Frosted Sugar Cookies 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. 02 of 32 Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Jennifer Causey 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. 03 of 32 Gingerbread Cookies 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. 04 of 32 Spritz Cookies Micah A. Leal 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. 05 of 32 Cranberry Noel Cookies 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. 06 of 32 Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies Micah A. Leal 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. 07 of 32 Pecan Kisses 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. 08 of 32 Kitchen Sink Cookies Jennifer Causey The perfect recipe for the friend who's ready for a holiday pantry clean out. With a staple ingredients (chocolate chunks, rolled oats) and a few wild-card additions (corn chips, anyone?) you can throw just about anything into this cookie. 09 of 32 Turtle Cookies 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. 10 of 32 Cream Cheese Christmas Cookie 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. 11 of 32 Chocolate Peppermint Sandwich Cookies 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. 12 of 32 Cheesecake Cookies 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? 13 of 32 Gingersnaps 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. 14 of 32 Christmas Pinwheel Cookies 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. 15 of 32 Barbara Bush's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies 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. 16 of 32 Pecan Snowball Cookies Micah A. Leal These cookies are the ultimate white Christmas cookie. Coated in powdered sugar, these shortbread "snowballs" are studded with buttery pecans for extra crunch. 17 of 32 Pecan Tassies Micah A. Leal 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. 18 of 32 Butterscotch-Toasted Oatmeal Cookies Linda Pugliese Oatmeal cookies? Yes, for the holiday season! Grandma's secret recipe can easily beat out any chocolate chip competition. 19 of 32 Easiest Peanut Butter Cookies 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. 20 of 32 Spiced Molasses Drops Iain Bagwell If you got caught up in last-minute holiday shopping and forgot about the cookie swap, call this recipe your saving grace. It's fast, easy, and, most importantly, still homemade. 21 of 32 Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Micah A. Leal If you are a chocolate person, you already know and love these cookies. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies pair rich dark chocolate with light powdered sugar to create a snow-dusted appearance and crackling texture. 22 of 32 Fudgy Flourless Chocolate-Pecan Cookies Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall 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. 23 of 32 Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls 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. 24 of 32 Peppermint Divinity Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer It isn't a Southern cookie swap without a tin of these airy confections. Similar to meringues, these candies are made with a base of whipped egg whites. Baking these treats is the perfect mother-daughter holiday activity. 25 of 32 Dark Chocolate Sablés 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. 26 of 32 Pecan Sandies Micah A. Leal In the South, we can't get enough pecans this time of year. These crumbly pecan shortbreads will certainly be requested at every holiday party going forward. 27 of 32 Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Caitlin Bensel 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. 28 of 32 Brown Butter Snickerdoodles pinterest.com Cinnamon and sugar just burst with holiday cheer, and so do these Snickerdoodles. No holiday cookie swap is complete without a plate of these family favorites. 29 of 32 Apricot Thumbprint Cookies 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. 30 of 32 5-Ingredient Sugar Cookies 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. 31 of 32 Pecan-Cranberry Shortbread Hector Sanchez These substantial shortbread triangles are packed with the flavors of the season—cranberry and pecan—to create a surefire holiday charmer. 32 of 32 Cherry Winks 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. Was this page helpful? 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