Chocolate Thumbprint Cookie Recipe for Cookie Exchanges (2024)

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Created On: November 1, 2020&nbsp|Updated: November 22, 2021| Leave a comment

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I love Christmas Cookies and Cookie Exchanges around the holidays are one of my very favorite Christmas traditions. Here are loads and loads of awesome Cookie Exchange Recipes!

What is a Cookie Exchange?

I hadn’t gone to a cookie exchange until a couple of years ago and I think they are just brilliant. If you’ve never been to one its a super fun way to get a variety of cookies without having to whip up batches and batches of cookies. How it works is the host invites a bunch of friends. Each attendee brings a few dozen cookies, sometimes the printed out recipe and then a box to bring your cookies home in.

The exchange which can be a quick and dirty gathering, or a more drawn out party with your favorite party foods or even a tasty soup and fresh bread diner. When guests arrive everyone sets their cookies out. But these aren’t for eating at the party.

When directed by the host everyone goes around and adds a few of each cookies to their take home container. This allowed everyone to go home from the cookie exchange party with a box full of different sorts of cookies. It is a blast!

Tons of Cookie Exchange Recipes

Even if you won’t be attending or hosting a cookie exchange this year hear are loads of delicious cookie recipes that you can make. My favorite tip for when you want a variety of holiday cookies without all the work is to save dough throughout the year.

For example, I love to make Halloween cookie gingerbread skeleton. But I don’t really need dozens of gingerbread cookies at Halloween so I’ll save some of the dough in the freezer and use it for Christmas gingerbreads when it’s time.

Most cookie dough can be frozen and used like this!

It is so fun to find new recipes and trade and swap a few batches of one kind for a great assortment of different delicacies!

Here are 40+ delicious cookie exchange recipes so you can find the perfect cookie to take to the party this holiday season! Scroll down to get links to each of the recipes!

Christmas Thumbprint Cookie Recipe

Before I get to all the recipes here is my cookie contribution to the virtual cookie exchange. These easy Christmas Thumbprint Cookies are so festive and are a great make ahead option.

I just love the sprinkle detail on the side. They are fun and festive and perfect for making with the little ones!

Ingredients for Thumbprint Cookies

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup butter
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
Christmas non-perils

4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons light corn syrup

How to Make Thumbprint Cookies

There’s some refrigeration time for these beauties so make sure to plan ahead. You could even do some them spread over a few days. Just make sure to allow some time for the dough to soften a bit if you do.

Mix flour, baking soda and cream of tartar in a small mixing bow.
Cream sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, almond extract together.
Add dry ingredients and mix well.
Divide dough into two logs between wax paper; refrigerate at least 1-2 hours. Slice dough into disks roll in Christmas sprinkles. Press your thumb to form an indention in the middle of each.
Bake at 375 F for 7-8 minutes. Allow to cool.
Microwave the chocolate and corn syrup for 30 seconds and stir. Zap for an additional 10 seconds and stir. Repeat until the chocolate is 80% melted and finish by stirring to melt completely.
Spoon a generous amount of chocolate mixture in and allow to cool and set.

Don’t forget about all the other awesome cookies and be sure to follow along on the Cookie Exchange Pinterest board for year round cookie recipe inspirations!Follow Reasons To Skip The Housework’s board The Cookie Exchange on Pinterest.

Andes Mint Cookies Double Chocolate Mint MnM Cookies Hot Cocoa Cookies Peanut Butter Cake Box Cookie Raspberry Almond Meltaways Olaf Nutter Butter Cookies Snowflake Meltaway Cookies Chocolate Turtle Cookie Candy Cane Brownie Blossoms Peanut Butter Chip Cookies Cranberry Almond Shortbread Bites No Bake Eggnog Cookies Double Chocolate Rum Balls Magic Cookie Bars Christmas Molasses Ginger Cookies

So many creative recipes right!? I’m a sucker for cookies year around. In fact they are one of my treats of choice!

Rosettes Mint Chocolate Truffle Cookie cups Cornflake Christmas Wreath Cookies Christmas M&M Cookies Peppermint Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies Easy Sugar Cookie Jelly “Popper” Cookies Key Lime Pie Bars Gingersnaps with Dark Chocolate Chips Maple Bacon Snickerdoodles Peppermint Shortbread Cookies Christmas Chocolate Thumbprints Cookies Christmas Tree Brownie Pops My Favorite Things Cookies Old-Fashioned Gingersnap Cookies Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Holiday Confetti Sandwich Cookies Lemon Oatmeal Lacies Christmas Cookie Snowball Cookies Healthy Biscochos (Vegan, Raw, & Grain-Free) Almond and Milk Chocolate Ganache Thumbprint Cookies Porcelain Sugar Cookies OREO Dipped Christmas Cookies Rolo Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies {Gluten Free} Chocolate Mint Cream Cheese Cake Mix Cookies Giant Monster Cookies Crispy Coconut Pecan Butter Cookies

Candy Cane Sugar Blossoms Candy Cane Frosted Sugar Cookies

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Chocolate Thumbprint Cookie Recipe for Cookie Exchanges (2024)

FAQs

How many cookies should you bring to 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.

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What to serve at a cookie exchange? ›

Set a Menu of Other Snacks and Drinks

Have some simple appetizers and beverages on hand during the cookie swap. Consider non-sweet dishes like vegetable dips or finger sandwiches since you'll probably be nibbling on cookies.

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How do you package homemade cookies for gifts? ›

Stack in mason jars. This easy way to package cookies starts with just stacking them up in a mason jar. Place a little square of fabric between the lid and the ring before screwing it on, then finish with some ribbon and a cute little tag. We love that the jars can be reused!

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What is the ideal number for a cookie exchange? ›

Christmas cookie swap parties usually work best with groups of 8-12 guests. You'll want to keep your guest list modest so it's easier to keep track of who's bringing what. Think of all the bakers, foodies, and festive friends in your group when creating your guest list.

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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 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.

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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.

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How many cookies per person for cookie exchange? ›

Remember, the party is about tasting and sampling the cookies but also about each guest bringing some home to enjoy with the rest of their family later. 2 dozen per guest is a good minimum so everyone has a few to bring home. 6 dozen is a good maximum if everyone wants lots of cookies to take home.

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How do I store cookies for cookie exchange? ›

Pack your cookies carefully inside your chosen container. Whether that means layering parchment or waxed paper between them so the cookies don't stick together (if they are frosted, for example), or bagging them individually, or arranging them just right so they don't shift in transit.

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How do you package cookies for resale? ›

Line the bottom of a durable, rigid box or cookie tin with cushioning material (like some crumpled parchment), then place larger and heavier cookies on the bottom, and smaller cookies on top. You can also add a layer of parchment paper or wax paper between each cookie for additional protection.

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How do I package a cookie drop? ›

Use an airtight container for packing the cookies. Line the bottom of the container with a cushioning material, such as bubble wrap or Kraft paper. If shipping different types of cookies, stack bigger ones at the bottom, with smaller and lighter ones on top. Fill empty space with cushioning material.

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How do you package cookies professionally? ›

Pack the tin or container in a heavy cardboard box that is large enough to allow two inches of cushion between the container and the box. Place a large amount of packing material–bubble wrap, shipping peanuts or popcorn–between the container and box. Seal the container with freezer, plastic or adhesive tape.