I have an old Betty Crocker dessert cookbook where I take recipes from. Although I don't do cookie exchanges, I'll make some of these for Christmas parties and they usually go over well:

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/almond-thumbprint-cookies/74f34f8d-9266-4662-b3f8-7ba34dc7d357
Thumbprint cookies (I use raspberry and mint jelly for red & green, but will sometimes put a few grape jelly ones because I think that's the best flavor) similar to the above recipe, but I use walnuts instead of almonds and jelly instead of the curd.

Butterballs, aka Russian Teacakes, aka Mexican Teacakes (and several other names) are always popular. For the holidays, after I roll in the powdered sugar, I'll put a light sprinkle of red or green colored sugar just to give them a little holiday color. There are tons of recipes on-line for these.

I also make the peanut butter kisses like this recipe, but using Hershey's kisses instead of chocolate stars:
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/peanut-butter-chocolate-cookies/f85b72ed-8a53-4a9a-8897-f0befe46a55f

I've made Nestle tollhouse cookies using red & green M&Ms pushed into the tops.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an avid cookie baker and these mint cookies from Cook's Country are perfect for a cookie exchange. The frosting is just a melted Andes mint on top. Mint chips inside the cookie make it extra delicious. It sounds simple, but it's really good. The chocolate cookie is nice and soft. An easy decoration would be sprinkles like the blogger in the link did.

I'm so making these. Adding a few red and green do-dads on top and there's your Christmas cookies. Thanks!

Seconding the thank you. We have a cookie contest at work and I'm going to test these out because they look amazing and could be a winner.

I always do the peanut butter kisses, and everyone seems happy. It's nice to mix up traditional spritz and spice cookies with go-to favorites. My mom always does the wedding balls, and they're really nice, too.

Anonymous wrote:I am an avid cookie baker and these mint cookies from Cook's Country are perfect for a cookie exchange. The frosting is just a melted Andes mint on top. Mint chips inside the cookie make it extra delicious. It sounds simple, but it's really good. The chocolate cookie is nice and soft. An easy decoration would be sprinkles like the blogger in the link did.

I'm so making these. Adding a few red and green do-dads on top and there's your Christmas cookies. Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:Are you people just purposely posting gross recipes on purpose? Church window cookies and the cherry cordials both make me want to barf. The latter looks like someone bled all over them.

This is what I'm talking about...

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Peanut-Butter-Cup-Cookies/Detail.aspx?evt19=1

To each her own, I suppose.

Are you people just purposely posting gross recipes on purpose? Church window cookies and the cherry cordials both make me want to barf. The latter looks like someone bled all over them.

This is what I'm talking about...

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Peanut-Butter-Cup-Cookies/Detail.aspx?evt19=1

I am an avid cookie baker and these mint cookies from Cook's Country are perfect for a cookie exchange. The frosting is just a melted Andes mint on top. Mint chips inside the cookie make it extra delicious. It sounds simple, but it's really good. The chocolate cookie is nice and soft. An easy decoration would be sprinkles like the blogger in the link did.

thanks for posting, top secret people. WTF?

With cookie exchanges, I love going for something different or retro that most people haven't seen (or at least not for a long, long time). Made this recipe a few years ago and it was a big hit with all the former children of the 70s in our office:

http://m.allrecipes.com/recipe/156703/church-window-cookies

The top secret posters are weird. It's a freaking cookie recipe.

I make these http://www.food.com/recipe/cherry-cordial-kiss-cookies-271060

Or if it is around the holidays, I made a family recipe version of these: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/holly-wreaths

I make a wicked snickerdoodle but like another PP said, it's top secret. Not of my own doing but I was quite literally sworn to secrecy by my southern friend who gave it to me as her Grandmother demanded the same.

If you can get the hang of a cookie press, they can be a bit challenging sometimes, those spritz cookies are nice and traditional for the season.

I have the best cookie recipe ever...but I am not sharing it

It is top-secret.

No cookie exchange works best.

Thank you.

I can't decorate but I can bake!!