12 Christmas Cookies Our Editors Bake Every Year

Nothing signals the holidays quite like trays brimming with buttery cookies and tins stuffed with thumbprints and other sweet treats. Among the most festive traditions are cookie swaps, where friends and family exchange their best homemade creations. We asked the Southern Living editors to reveal their favorite recipes for these holiday gatherings. Here are their top picks.

Editor's Favorite Cookie Recipes

Betsy Watson, Senior Homes Editor: "These four-ingredient cookies are foolproof, and I usually have the ingredients on handa lifesaver during the holiday rush. Their nutty sweetness balances the sugary, frosting-covered cookies perfectly."

Catherine Jessee, Assistant Food Editor: "No cookie swap feels complete without peanut butter kiss cookies! I always volunteer to unwrap and eat the Hershey kisses along the way."

Josh Miller, Senior Food Editor: "Pecan tassies are my holiday go-to. They are basically mini pecan piesbite-sized, buttery, and irresistible."

Meghan Overdeep, Senior Writer: "Pumpkin snickerdoodles capture everything thats wonderful about classic snickerdoodles: soft, chewy, and full of cinnamon, now enhanced with pumpkin and pumpkin spice."

Jenna Sims, Senior Editor: "Starting with a boxed cake mix doesnt make these cookies any less homemade! Red velvet flavors in cookie form are easier to enjoy and perfect for swaps."

Lisa Cericola, Deputy Editor: "Flourless Chocolate Cookies are a long-time favorite. They are fudgy and chewy, just like brownies but in cookie formthe best cookie ever!"

Cameron Beall, Associate Homes Editor: "Crinkle cookies are festive and simple to make. Adding peppermint extract or crushed candy canes elevates them for the holidays."

Tara McCay, Senior Travel & Culture Editor: "Snickerdoodles are a holiday classic. Warm, cinnamon-flavored cookies bring that Christmas feeling to any swap."

Mary Shannon Hodes, Digital Editor: "These nut-free cookies were created with kids in mind, but adults enjoy them too. They are perfect for sharing with neighbors or at swaps."

Kaitlyn Sadik, Editor: "Browned butter transforms classic chocolate chip cookies. They are my top choice to bring to any holiday gathering, and Ill happily eat any leftovers."

Brennan Long, Associate Social Media Director: "Cowboy cookies satisfy every craving with oats, pecans, and chocolate chips. They are a true everything-but-the-kitchen-sink treat."

Alana Al-Hatlani, Associate Food Editor: "Classic linzer cookies are elegant yet easy to make. The sparkling sugar adds a festive touch that makes them swap-worthy."

These editor-approved recipes promise to make your holiday cookie swaps both delicious and memorable.

Author: Sophia Brooks