Cookie Exchange Recipes (2024)

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Want to make your office more festive during the holidays or get everyone excited about the holiday season? Or, are you looking for an excuse to get all your girlfriends together before all the holiday craziness? Organize a cookie exchange party with friends, coworkers, or family and get a taste of the season!

Cookie Exchange Recipes (1)

Cookie Exchange Recipes (2)

Cookie swaps are a traditional holiday event that people looking forward to every year. Everyone has a slightly different idea about how to host a cookie exchange, but the rules are fairly straightforward (see below). The real challenge is deciding what to bake! Cookies for cookies exchange parties can be anything you like. Here are a few cookie ideas for cookie exchange parties that range from the basic cut-out to more elaborate cookies for cookie exchange like ladyfingers.

Cookie exchange cookie recipes:

Ladyfingers

  • 5 eggs, yolk and white separated
  • 2/3 cup white sugar
  • 7/8 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp. baking powder

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place egg whites in a mixing bowl and beat on high. Slowly add two tablespoons of sugar and continue beating until stiff. In another bowl, beat egg yolks and remaining sugar. Whip until thick. Sift flour and baking powder together on a sheet of wax paper. Fold half the egg whites into the egg yolk. Fold flour in and add the remaining egg whites.Put a plain 1/2 inch round tube in a large pastry bag.Transfer mixture to pastry bag and squeeze onto prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8 minutes.

Cookie Exchange Recipes (3)

Chocolate Fudge

  • 1 package milk chocolate chips
  • 1 package semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 1/2 tbsp. butter
  • 1 jar marshmallow cream
  • 2 cups walnuts, chopped
  • 1 can evaporated milk
  • 4 cups granulated sugar

Grease one 9 x 13-inch pan. Combine the milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, butter, marshmallow cream and nuts in a large bowl. Combine the evaporated milk and sugar in saucepan over medium heat. Stir and bring to a boil for four minutes. Pour mixture over chocolate and stir quickly until blended. Pour fudge into pan, spread and smooth. Set aside to harden for about 6 hours. Cut into squares and serve.

Cookie Exchange Recipes (4)

Toffee Crunch

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 1/3 cups sugar
  • 1 tbsp. corn syrup
  • 3 tbsp. water
  • 1 cup almonds, blanched, coarsely chopped and toasted
  • 4 bars milk chocolate, melted

Melt butter in a large saucepan and add sugar, corn syrup and water. Cook on medium heat, and stir until 300 degrees. Stir in coarsely chopped nuts and spread in greased 13x9 inch pan. Allow to cool and put on waxed paper, spread with half melted chocolate, sprinkle with nuts. Cover with waxed paper, flip over and spread with rest of chocolate. Sprinkle top with rest of nuts and chill. Break into pieces.

Ginger Cookies

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 2 1/4 cups flour
  • 1 tsp. ground ginger
  • 1 tsp. ground cloves
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • Colored, granulated sugar

Preheat oven to 350. Beat butter and a cup of sugar in bowl until creamy. Add egg and molasses and beat. Add remaining ingredients and mix. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and roll in granulated sugar. Place on ungreased baking sheet and bake for 9 minutes.

Cookie Exchange Recipes (5)

The organizer of the cookie exchange first needs to figure out how many people are participating and who will be bringing cookie exchange cookies. Each participant makes a dozen batches of cookies per participant. So if there are six people participating in the cookie swap, each person needs to make six dozen cookies. Then, you give a dozen cookies to each participant (and keep a dozen for yourself) plus the cookie exchange recipe. By the end, each person should have six dozen cookies of different varieties plus an assortment of cookie exchange recipes for their own cookbook.

Part of the fun of a cookie swap is seeing what types of cookies people make and why. Ask guests to share their story behind their cookie exchange cookie recipes. Is it a family recipe? Have they been making this recipe for years? Sometimes it's just as fun to hear the meaning behind the cookie as it is to eat it!

Don't forget to send a free online invitaiton for your cookie exchange party, too!

Similar Party Ideas

  • Our Top 10 Christmas Cookie Exchange Party Ideas
  • Gingerbread Cookie Recipe
  • How to Host a Cookie Exchange Party
  • How to Host a Virtual Cookie Decorating Party

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Cookie Exchange Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What to serve at a cookie exchange? ›

You can't go wrong with appetizers and finger foods like cheese and charcuterie boards, crudite and dips, and fresh fruit. You can also serve refreshments like hot chocolate for a winter event or lemonade and flavored sparkling water for a summer cookie exchange.

How to do a fun cookie exchange? ›

Tips for hosting a fun cookie swap party
  1. Create your guest list. ...
  2. Make the rules. ...
  3. Decide on a theme. ...
  4. Send out the invites. ...
  5. Check RSVPs. ...
  6. Bake the cookies. ...
  7. Share the recipe. ...
  8. Prepare some snacks and drinks.
May 23, 2023

How many cookies should you make for a cookie exchange? ›

A good rule to follow is for every guest to bake a half dozen cookies per each attendee. So, if 10 people attend, each guest would bring five dozen cookies to share. We've put together a chart to help you figure out just how many cookies to ask your guests to make.

What are the rules for a cookie exchange? ›

The Etiquette Of The Cookie Swap
  1. Remember: It's not a competition. ...
  2. Coordinate ahead of time. ...
  3. Make enough for everyone. ...
  4. Bring something homemade. ...
  5. Yes, you should still bring a host gift. ...
  6. Label your cookies for allergens. ...
  7. Bring cookies and a story. ...
  8. Hold off on seconds.
Jan 5, 2022

How to package cookies for cookie exchange? ›

Make sure you have containers, cookie tins, boxes, or bags readily available, or you can request that your party guests bring their own. Have plenty of Reynolds Kitchens® parchment paper or wax paper on hand to line the containers, separate layers of cookies, and keep the cookies from sticking to each other.

How to decorate for a cookie exchange? ›

The good news about decorating for your cookie exchange is that you can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish. The main décor is being brought by guests…the cookies! Set up tables that give ample room for people to walk arounds. Decorate with a festive tablecloth that fits the season of your party.

What is the cookie exchange tradition? ›

Cookie exchanges are a centuries-old tradition dating back to medieval times. The classic idea is of a holiday party in which guests bring a selection of homemade cookies to trade with one another.

How many cookies to give as a gift? ›

How many cookies should you gift?
Party sizeNumber of guestsNumber of cookies
Little party5 to 1015-30 cookies
Medium party10 to 1530 – 45
Big party20 – 5075 – 150

How many cookies per person for a cookie tray? ›

When you have a solid idea of your RSVP count, we suggest 6 – 8 cookies per person. In other words, if you are expecting 100 guests, 100 x 6 is 600, divided by 12 is 50 dozen cookies. More than that is fine, but make sure you save your transport containers as you may be taking some home.

How many cookies do you need for 40 people? ›

How to Estimate the Number of Cookies Per Person? The general rule of thumb suggests calculating 2-3 cookies per person if other desserts are available. If cookies are the primary sweet treat, consider increasing the count to 4-6 per person.

How many types of cookies should be on a cookie tray? ›

Having a variety of cookie types is the key to crafting a sublime cookie tray. It may seem like a lot but having next to nine different options will ensure that there's something for all your party-goers to enjoy.

What food to serve at a cookie exchange? ›

You want guests to take some cookies home, not eat them all during the party, so you'll want to offer other snacks for your loved ones to graze on. Set out some savory appetizers, curate a cheese board, offer finger sandwiches, put out a festive party mix, or create a veggie and dip station.

How do I run a successful cookie exchange? ›

Tips for a Cookie Exchange
  1. Have 8-12 people participate. You get a great selection of cookies that everyone can try and plenty for your guests to take home to share with their families. ...
  2. Timing matters. ...
  3. Be mindful of allergies. ...
  4. Prepare for extra guests. ...
  5. Consider donating cookies to charity.
Sep 14, 2023

How do I have a fun cookie exchange party? ›

The idea is simple: Everyone brings a big batch of (hopefully homemade) cookies and distributes roughly 6 - 12 cookies each to the other attendees. So at the end of the event, you and your guests will each have your own delectable assortment.

What do cookies pair well with? ›

For example, coffee and tea are both popular choices to accompany cookies. If you prefer something cold, milk or even a glass of ice water can be refreshing alongside a sweet treat. If you want to get a little fancier, try pairing your cookies with a glass of wine or beer.

What do you use for a cookie platter? ›

We typically use grease-proof cake boards, but have also used plastic platters and this method works just as well. We keep 12″ cake boards in stock which pair perfectly with the 12″ boxes we love. You can certainly use any size cake board, platter or box for your cookies.

How do you organize a bake exchange? ›

Whether you're hosting or attending a holiday cookie swap, here's a step-by-step checklist for hosting a cookie exchange.
  1. Get organized. Set a date for your swap party—aim for two to three weeks before the holiday rush. ...
  2. Think about quantity. ...
  3. Don't forget the packaging. ...
  4. Keep parchment paper handy. ...
  5. Have fun.
Nov 1, 2023

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