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Cookie Exchange Party

By: Allrecipes Staff

Do you love setting the table with a huge assortment of cookies but can't stand the thought of spending several days baking? Then a cookie exchange party is the perfect party for you!

The Basics

Ask each guest to bring a big batch of cookies: estimate 1 dozen multiplied by the total number of guests. Provide guidelines to each baker so that you get a good cookie assortment: rolled cookies, bar cookies, drop cookies, decorated cookies. Your friends may have family recipes they wish to share.

Each guest should also bring copies of their cookie recipe and containers to take cookies home. Heavy duty plastic freezer bags will work for sturdy cookies, but decorated cookies and more delicate shapes should be packaged in tins or sealable plastic containers. Provide waxed paper or parchment for separating layers of cookies.

How to Host a Cookie Exchange Party

Party Nibbles

You may want to sample the cookies you're swapping, or you can stay away from sweet treats and set out an array of savory snacks. Coffee, hot cider or punch are always good choices for a cookie exchange party.

Variety is the Spice of Life

To make your Cookie Exchange Party extra-special.

1. Extend Your Circle of Sharing

Have guests to bring an unopened package of store-bought cookies or canned food. You can then collect the packaged food and bring them to a homeless shelter or food pantry.

2. Share Cookie Stories

During the actual cookie-swap segment of the party, tell stories. It could be a story about the cookie's origin, where the cook learned the recipe, or just holiday baking memories.

3. Create Cookie Recipe Booklets

Ask your guests to mail (or e-mail) their cookie recipes to you, or collect the recipes on the day of the party. Assemble a booklet of recipes for everyone to take home with them.

Christmas Cookie Recipe Collection

Christmas Cookie Recipes

Check out our recipe collections for bar cookies, sugar cookies, macaroons, thumbprints, and other favorites.

Additional Articles

Need some more tips? Watch our How-To videos.

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Comments

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Helen

Dec. 1, 2009 8:05 am

Our family has been doing cookie swaps for years. Each year it is so different . My mom and I now do it with our kids and the grandaughters are now doing it. I had my 13 year old grandaughter call me for a recipe for my coconut macaroons so she can make them for our cookie swap on Sat. We then do a Christmas craft for the girls along with lunch last year was gumdop trees this year we are making gift bags.Great family time with 4 generations now participatating

kyevic

Dec. 1, 2009 2:14 pm

this year we are going to have a cookie/gingerbread house party! each family will bring a batch of cookies and then we'll all build gingerbread houses together!

Sherry

Dec. 1, 2009 10:57 pm

I am thinking about doing this with family and friends. Does anyone have any suggestions for me to get started?

mich15

Dec. 2, 2009 5:03 am

We did this at my work this year we asked everyone and thier was 10 of us that joined we made squares and cookies and set a date now we have a 12 of 10 different kinds of sweets its very nice to have a jump start on all hte baking.

mich15

Dec. 2, 2009 5:04 am

sorry a dozen of 10 different things

Pam W

Dec. 2, 2009 5:26 am

We've exchanged cookies for close to 20 years...if the date falls right we do it Sat morning before Christmas so they are still nice and fresh for Santa and our friends. At 9:00a.m. we have a continental breakfast then parade around the cookie filled table to gather our take home cookies in an our empty containers. Regardless of the number attending we each make 3 dozen of one kind of cookie...of course everyone brings the few extra that tend to come out of the batch. Some years we walk away with 2 of each kind some years more; all dependant upon the number of attendees. Bottom line you walk away with a minimum of 3 doz variety of cookies in exchange for your 3 doz of one kind. This works out great; giving a dozen of each kind just tends to result in stale unused cookies being thrown out!

TRACI8878

Dec. 2, 2009 8:48 am

This will be my second year doing a cookie exchange. The first year I did it in the evening with cocktails and appetizers. This year I am having a Sunday luncheon. I am having each gal bring 4 dozen cookies. I am going to bake a few of my favorites so the girls have even more cookies to take home sice it is a smaller group-6 of us. I am buring copies of my favorite christmas cds for take aways as well as doing recipe cards for all of the cookies at the exchange. I found a great web site that you can type and print recipes cards for free: http://www.hp.com/hho/hp_create/cards-recipe_cards.html

I'm a Balehead

Dec. 3, 2009 11:50 am

You can always freeze the cookies you have left over also. They can keep for about a month in a freezer zip bag.If there is alot,I put mine in a feezer container.Its nice to pull out a cookie or two when company is over, or on the weekends.

ncrnobrna

Dec. 5, 2009 2:09 pm

We have started the tradition of a Girls Weekend with all the ladies in our family at our cabin in Northern MN. Each year we do a cookie exchange, go shopping, visit a light exhibit and just enjoy eachothers company. Every year wonderful memories are made. It is a nice relaxing weekend to look forward to this busy time of year!

Sue Doe

Dec. 5, 2009 3:48 pm

I having my very first cookie exchange party this year and I thatnk you all for the great ideas....I am getting very excited about this....now I just have to pick a recipe to make!!

deeniekov

Dec. 6, 2009 1:31 pm

We are actually making the cookies together for the 2nd year. Everyone comes with their recipes, unusual ingredients (I have the basics) and we plan to bake together, then bring in the spouses for a crockpot supper. I'm calling it a Cookie Klatch.

mary's recipes

Dec. 6, 2009 1:43 pm

I AM LOOKING FOR A RECIPE OF A COOKIE CALLED "SNOWBALLS" CAN ANYONE HELP ME

tcwith3

Dec. 6, 2009 6:01 pm

For Mary's Recipes: The Snowball cookie your looking for....are they a light ball with pecans and covered in powdered sugar???? I have a recipe for this cookie.

missy

Dec. 7, 2009 9:58 am

mary's recipe...these are also referred to as mexican wedding cookies and the recipe can be found on this website. They are a family favorite of ours and make them every year!!

Nathan's Nana

Dec. 8, 2009 5:37 am

Happy Holidays to All!! I am looking for a fantastic cookie to make for the holidays that will be a big hit. One of our all time favorites is a cornflake cookie which is yummy and I will be making all the normal ones (sugar, peanut butter kiss, etc), but I just wanted a new cookie for the Holidays. Any suggestions????????

millimel

Dec. 8, 2009 12:20 pm

I have been having cookie exchanges for about 10yrs now, this is my 7th yr here in Mississippi. They concept was not very popular here in the South,(I'm a transplant from the North) but my friends here love it every October they begin asking when the exchange is going to happen. It is a great way to get your holiday baking done and enjoy some good ole fashion girl time!!!!This yr we are going to have a kid party as well where everyone brings a dozen of either sugar cookie or gingerbread and the kids will decorate and take home.

millimel

Dec. 8, 2009 1:52 pm

Nathans Nana One of the ones that I started using a few yrs back was the white chocolate pumpkin drop cookies they are a fav! I have done them iced or plain depending on how much time I before the party. I leave these ones til last. You can also omit the nuts if allergies are an issue. Hope this helps:0)

Tracy Bergeon

Dec. 8, 2009 8:26 pm

We do a cookie exchange in our MOPS group each year. I found a recipe on here for rum balls last year and they were awesome. I am taking these to the exchange this year.

Allypal

Dec. 10, 2009 8:05 pm

Nathan's Nana... I would suggest making the Rosenmunnar cookies on this website. I added them to my Christmas cookie baking last year and they are absolutely delicious, tender and flavorful. A lot different from most of my typical Christmas cookies! My kids favorites are the Cream Wafers (also available on this site)--a little time consuming, but pretty light and delicous--worth the time for the special Christmas baking ritual and the following enjoyment!

Indy Mom

Dec. 10, 2009 8:22 pm

I have hosted my cookie exchange for 10 yrs. Each year we have anywhere from 15-20 guests and have great food and fun. But,I need new ideas for games and activities. We always have a great time sharing recipes and sampling the cookies but I am bored with the same "paper" games. we have done an ornament and white elephant exchange also. any new ideas of games or activities would be great!

Edna

Dec. 12, 2009 9:10 am

I think cookie exchanges are great. Sadly I have been to exchanges where little one's have been allowed to have a hand in making & decorating the cookies. While I am all for family fun..I have always done christmas cookie time seperate for my kids when they were little, but never to give away at an exchange..just an FYI, your cookies are a representation of your love for making and presenting your trade mark..Happy Baking.

Linda

Dec. 13, 2009 6:33 am

When I make Mary's sugar cookies, I roll out dough in confectioners sugar instead of flour, to much flour can change taste.

Peggy P

Dec. 16, 2009 7:52 am

I went to a cookie exchange several years ago. I had so much fun that I decided to have a cookie exchange of my own. At first my group of friends were small and as the years past, the group kept growing. Everyone had a great time and had heard about the party and wanted to come. I had contests that delt with something about cookies and gave the winner a prize. I made mulled cider, coffee, sodas, tea and had water. everyone brought cookies to sample. Everyone packaged their cookies in a different way. It was so neat to see how they packaged them. We had so much fun. I do recommend that you might want to keep your group to a managable size because of all the cookies that everyone would need to bring. Some people do like to make cookies but not in great quantities. The main thing is to have fun. Happy baking from the Cookie Monster!

Terrilynn

Dec. 16, 2009 11:53 am

The ladies from my church had a cookie exchange at my house on the first Fri. in December. Which was a nice way to start the month before schedules get too busy. We each made two dozen cookies... one to share and one to sample. It was nice only having to make two dozen cookies. I have done cookie exchanges where you made one dozen for each person participating and liked this so much better...You didn't have to make so many and were not stuck with more cookies than you can eat. It was just a nice time of fellowship.

amy

Dec. 19, 2009 4:51 pm

My first attempt at cookie exchange was not great for everyone because we only had 6 people and made 2 cookie types @ 2 dozen each. Too many cookies for some of the exchangers who have no children. Last time we did 2 types 1 dozen each and everyone just got a sampling of each - much better way to go for anyone! We set them out on plates on the table and everyone just circled around the table.

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