Our Best Recipes for a Cookie Swap

October 12, 2018
With these cookies, you'll be the life of any cookie swap party. 
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Pumpkin Cutout Cookies

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller    
Pumpkin Cutout Cookies Recipe

Bake the cookies up to five days ahead, and store in an airtight container. To make our wind cookies and leaf cookies, we used round cutters and swirly piping to represent the wind, and various sizes of leaf-shaped cutters for fluttering foliage

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Lavender-Rosemary Shortbread Cookies

Photo: Whitney Ott; Food Styling: Mary-Claire Britton; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Lavender-Rosemary Shortbread Cookies Recipe

These delicate, crispy shortbread cookies are incredibly impressive given how easy they are to make. With just the right balance of gentle herbaceous, floral flavor and saltiness, these not-too-sweet shortbread cookies are the perfect treat to pair with anything from coffee and tea to lemonade or rosé.

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The Ultimate Salted Chocolate Chunk Cookie

Sara Tane
The Ultimate Salted Chocolate Chunk Cookie Recipe

Everybody needs a go-to chocolate chip cookie recipe, and this is the one that you can rely on, time after time. Topped with flaky sea salt and bursting with bittersweet chocolate chunks, this sweet treat is not for the faint of heart.

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Cherry and Pistachio Rugelach

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Styling: Kaitlyn Du Ross Walker
Cherry and Pistachio Rugelach Recipe

You can switch out the cherry preserves and dried cherries for another fruit that comes in both spread and dried form, such as apricot, currant, or blueberry.

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Swedish Holiday Cookies

Swedish Holiday Cookies Recipe
Bring these cookies to your next holiday cookie swap.

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Golden Almond Cookies

Photo: Formula Z/S
Golden Almond Cookies Recipe
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Chai Tea Eggnog Cookies

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Caroline Murphey
Chai Tea Eggnog Cookies Recipe
The chai gives this cookie a kick while the eggnog topping shows a sweet side.

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Stacked Snowman Cookies

Photo: Jonny Valiant; Styling: Blake Ramsey Murray
Stacked Snowman Cookies Recipe
Kids will love helping to frost and deliver these stackable snowman cookies!

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Thin Mint Whoopie Pies

Time Inc. Video Studio
Thin Mint Whoopie Pies Recipe
Inspired by the favorite Girl Scout Cookie, these mint-chocolate whoopie pies are a Thin Mint lover’s dream. The addition of crushed Thin Mints to the soft and fluffy dessert sandwiches delivers the perfect element of crunch.
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Amaretti Cookies

Amaretti Cookies Recipe

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Pecan Bar Cookies

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke
Pecan Bar Cookies Recipe
Though these delicate cookies have a crisp outside, they are soft inside, making them the ideal bar cookie in our book.

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Peppermint Cookies

Photo: Kate Sears; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps
Peppermint Cookies Recipe
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Maple-Walnut Spice Cookies

Photo: Jan Smith
Maple-Walnut Spice Cookies Recipe
Store these frosted cookies between layers of parchment paper or wax paper to keep them from sticking together. You can bake and freeze the cookies up to a month in advance; bring the cookies to room temperature before frosting them.

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Lemon-Lime Mexican Wedding Cookies

Lemon-Lime Mexican Wedding Cookies Recipe

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Ginger-Molasses Cookies

Photo: Yunhee Kim; Styling: Megan Hedgpeth
Ginger-Molasses Cookies Recipe
Serve a plate of melt-in-your-mouth cookies to friends and family tonight. The ginger in these cookies make them extra memorable.
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Cranberry Meringue Cookies

Cranberry Meringue Cookies Recipe

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Chilled Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cookies

Photo: Andrew McCaul; Food Styling: Jamie Kimm; Prop Styling: Gerri Williams
Chilled Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

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Oatmeal, Chocolate, and Walnut Cookies

Photo: Oxmoor House
Oatmeal, Chocolate, and Walnut Cookies Recipe
Chewy oatmeal and crunchy walnuts can completely transform the typical lunch box chocolate chip cookie, adding new flavors and texture while subtly increasing the cookie's nutritional value.
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5-Ingredient Sugar Cookies

Photo: Linda Pugliese, Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas, Buffy Hargett Miller
5-Ingredient Sugar Cookies Recipe
When glazing, use a shallow bowl that will accommodate the entire cookie.

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Peanut Butter Icebox Cookies

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cathy Muir
Peanut Butter Icebox Cookies Recipe

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Triple Chocolate Cookies

Photo: Ryan Benyi; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps
Triple Chocolate Cookies Recipe
Chocolate lovers will be delighted over Triple Chocolate Cookies with chopped semisweet chocolate and milk chocolate chips inside the cookies and melted white chocolate on the outside.
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Caramel Popcorn Cookies

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen 
Caramel Popcorn Cookies Recipe
Experimenting with unusual ingredients can produce an irresistible batch of cookies. In this recipe, caramel and popcorn pieces create the ultimate combination of salty and sweet—in cookie form!

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Macadamia Butter Cookies with Cranberries

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Jan Gautro
Macadamia Butter Cookies with Cranberries Recipe
We love these thick, satisfying cookies as humble as peanut butter cookies but not as crumbly. Dried cranberries provide a slightly tart counterpoint to the macadamia nuts' richness. The dough is somewhat sticky; chilling it briefly makes handling easier.

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Cocoa Fudge Cookies

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell
Cocoa Fudge Cookies Recipe
You can mix these incredibly easy, fudge cookies right in the saucepan. When freshly baked, these thin cookies have crisp edges and chewy centers. You can make them with either Dutch process or natural unsweetened cocoa powder; we opted for the latter.
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Spritz Cookies

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Linda Hirst 
Spritz Cookies Recipe
No holiday dessert table is complete without Spritz Cookies. For truly authentic Spritz Cookies, be sure to invest in a cookie press to get that oh-so-perfect shape.

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Chocolate Malted Cookies

Randy Mayor
Chocolate Malted Cookies Recipe
Four types of chocolate make these cookies an extra-special treat for the chocolate lover in your family.

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Mudslide Cookies

Photo: Randy Mayor
Mudslide Cookies Recipe
Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and rich and delicious all the way around is how readers rate these brownie-like cookies. Need we say more?
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Triple Fruit Cookies

Photo: Jan Smith
Triple Fruit Cookies Recipe
Make these cookies up to a week in advance, since they freeze well. Dried fruits are available in most supermarkets and health food stores.

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Peanut Butter-Butterscotch Cookies

Photo: John Montana; Styling: Lynn Miller
Peanut Butter-Butterscotch Cookies Recipe
Crisscrossed fork marks and all, these peanut butter cookies are just like Mom made, with the addition of yummy butterscotch morsels for extra flavor and a sweet crunch.

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Pecan Cookies

Photo: Romulo Yanes; Styling: Sarah Smart
Pecan Cookies Recipe
Make the cookie dough up to a month in advance, wrap it tightly, and freeze. Thaw dough completely by placing it in the refrigerator overnight.
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Anise Tea Crescents

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr, Jan Gautro
Anise Tea Crescents Recipe
Rolling the cookies in powdered sugar while they're still warm results in a deliciously sweet, snowy coating.

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Orange Bizcochitos

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Melanie J. Clarke
Orange Bizcochitos Recipe
Bizcochitos are anise-flavored drop cookies that originated in New Mexico. Prepare the dough in advance, and refrigerate up to three days. Store baked cookies in an airtight container for up to three days. Omit the aniseed if you don't care for its licorice flavor.

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Spicy Oatmeal Crisps

Spicy Oatmeal Crisps Recipe
Pepper may sound like an odd ingredient for a cookie, but it complements the other spices well (although you can omit it if you prefer).
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Chocolate-Hazelnut Thumbprints

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross
Chocolate-Hazelnut Thumbprints Recipe
With a double shot of chocolate and hazelnut flavors, kids and adults will rave over these filled cookies. The espresso powder is optional, but it intensifies the chocolate flavor.

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Crunchy Sesame Cookies

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Jan Gautro
Crunchy Sesame Cookies Recipe
Roasted sesame-seed paste and dark sesame oil deliver a deep, nutty flavor. A touch of corn syrup and cornstarch ensure crispness.

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Autumn Maple Cutout Cookies

Photo: Howard L. Puckett; Styling: Lydia Degaris-Pursell
Autumn Maple Cutout Cookies Recipe
These adorable cutout cookies are flavored with maple syrup and classic fall spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Walnuts provide a delicious crunch.
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Lemon-Thyme Icebox Cookies

Photo: Dominic Perri; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps 
Lemon-Thyme Icebox Cookies Recipe
Fragrant thyme and lemon zest brighten the flavor of these delicate Lemon-Thyme Icebox Cookies.

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Chewy Molasses Cookies

Photo: Alison Miksch; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
Chewy Molasses Cookies Recipe
Perfectly spiced and wonderfully tender, these molasses cookies are a staff favorite.

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Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Jan Gautro
Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Add some color to your cookie tray with these jam-filled thumbprints. This recipe could also be your healthy alternative for the next school party.
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Chocolate-Dipped Almond Meringues

Chocolate-Dipped Almond Meringues Recipe
Dress up these almond-flavored meringue cookies by dipping half of each cookie in a glaze of melted chocolate.

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Haystack Cookies

Photo: Frances Janisch; Styling: Lynn Miller
Haystack Cookies Recipe
This classic cookie recipe will take you back to your grandma's kitchen in no time. In about 30 minutes, you'll be savoring the flavor of your childhood all over again.

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Cream Cheese Meltaways with Lemon Glaze

Photo: Jan Smith
Cream Cheese Meltaways with Lemon Glaze Recipe
When shaping these buttery cookies, do not try to form perfectly smooth balls. If the dough is handled too much, the cookies will become heavy and dense.