5 Recipes Perfect for Holiday Cookie Swaps

Whether you’re ramping up for your annual baked-goods swap or prepping to host the whole family for a seasonal celebration, there’s one golden rule at this time of year: you can never have too many cookies on hand. But we can’t all live on rum balls alone— so consider this list of sophisticated-yet-snackable cookie recipes our gift to help you keep the baking season bright (and wildly delicious).

1. Almond Raspberry Cookie Brittle 

Cookie brittle is a snap, literally. It’s the fastest way we know to make a big batch of cookies without having to scoop or shape out individual portions. Once baked, a tray full of crisp cookie can be broken into whatever size you desire. Feel free to play around with the add-ins and flavour extracts to make your own unique cookie brittle creation that accommodates  whatever you have on hand.

2. Hazelnut Meringue Kisses

These two-bite, gluten-free treasures might just steal the show on the cookie tray. You’ll have more orange caramel cream than needed to fill these sandwich cookies. The leftover cream can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks and used however your heart desires.

3. Caramelized Onion Shortbread

Shortbread is a classic holiday cookie offering. This recipe shakes up traditional shortbread by packing it full of savoury flavours, making them hors d’oeuvre worthy. A great make-ahead tip is to roll the dough out and refrigerate between pieces of parchment for up to two days. When you’re ready, simply cut out in desired shapes, bake and enjoy alongside soup, cheeses or a glass of wine.

4. Rye, Chocolate & Cherry Cookies

Think of this cookie as the big sibling to a chocolate chip cookie: a little  more complex and nuanced but just as charming. If you choose not to imbibe, this recipe is equally delicious when you replace the bourbon with either coffee or cherry juice. Take note that this recipe is best started a day before you plan on baking cookies.

5. Gingerbread & Tangerine Linzer Cookies

Instead of gingerbread men this year, try this fresh take on the classic gingerbread flavour. To ensure the cookies hold their shape and don’t shrink while baking, make sure the dough is very cold before placing in the oven. Feel free to play around with different cookie cutter shapes for this recipe, but take note that the shape may slightly affect the baking time.