Chocolate Thumbprint Cookie Recipe for Cookie Exchanges (2024)

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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!

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookie Recipe for Cookie Exchanges (1)

I love cookies year around but I love how much baking goes on this time of year so I’m so excited to join up with a bunch of other bloggers for an awesome virtual Great Cookie Exchange.

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!

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookie Recipe for Cookie Exchanges (2)

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!
Chocolate Thumbprint Cookie Recipe for Cookie Exchanges (3)

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.

  1. Mix flour, baking soda and cream of tartar in a small mixing bow.
  2. Cream sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, almond extract together.
  3. Add dry ingredients and mix well.
  4. 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.
  5. Bake at 375 F for 7-8 minutes. Allow to cool.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.


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

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookie Recipe for Cookie Exchanges (12) Rosettes Mint Chocolate Truffle Cookie cups Cornflake Christmas Wreath Cookies Chocolate Thumbprint Cookie Recipe for Cookie Exchanges (13) Christmas M&M Cookies Peppermint Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies Easy Sugar Cookie Chocolate Thumbprint Cookie Recipe for Cookie Exchanges (14) Jelly “Popper” Cookies Key Lime Pie Bars Gingersnaps with Dark Chocolate Chips Chocolate Thumbprint Cookie Recipe for Cookie Exchanges (15) Maple Bacon Snickerdoodles Peppermint Shortbread Cookies Christmas Chocolate Thumbprints Cookies Chocolate Thumbprint Cookie Recipe for Cookie Exchanges (16) Christmas Tree Brownie Pops My Favorite Things Cookies Old-Fashioned Gingersnap Cookies Chocolate Thumbprint Cookie Recipe for Cookie Exchanges (17) Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Holiday Confetti Sandwich Cookies Lemon Oatmeal Lacies Christmas Cookie Chocolate Thumbprint Cookie Recipe for Cookie Exchanges (18) Snowball Cookies Healthy Biscochos (Vegan, Raw, & Grain-Free) Almond and Milk Chocolate Ganache Thumbprint Cookies Chocolate Thumbprint Cookie Recipe for Cookie Exchanges (19) Porcelain Sugar Cookies OREO Dipped Christmas Cookies Rolo Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies {Gluten Free} Chocolate Thumbprint Cookie Recipe for Cookie Exchanges (20) Chocolate Mint Cream Cheese Cake Mix Cookies Giant Monster Cookies Crispy Coconut Pecan Butter Cookies Chocolate Thumbprint Cookie Recipe for Cookie Exchanges (21)

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Chocolate Thumbprint Cookie Recipe for Cookie Exchanges (2024)

FAQs

How many cookies to make for a cookie exchange? ›

How many cookies do I want each person to make? I've found that 2 dozen cookies is a good amount. It's enough for guests to both enjoy at the party and then also take home. Plus, most cookie recipes make at least 24 servings, so 2 dozen is perfect.

What are the rules for a cookie exchange? ›

The Etiquette Of The Cookie Swap
  1. Remember: It's not a competition. ...
  2. Coordinate ahead of time. ...
  3. Make enough for everyone. ...
  4. Bring something homemade. ...
  5. Yes, you should still bring a host gift. ...
  6. Label your cookies for allergens. ...
  7. Bring cookies and a story. ...
  8. Hold off on seconds.
Jan 5, 2022

How to package cookies for a cookie exchange? ›

We do the prepackaged method of swapping cookies. We each bring 3 cookies for each person attending. These are wrapped in saran wrap, baggies, etc. Then we each place a container on the countertop and take turns walking around and putting our packages of cookies in each container.

How do you keep thumbprint cookies from spreading? ›

Chilling Cookie Dough

If the cookie dough you are working with is on the wetter side or sticky, I always recommend chilling for 30 minutes to 2 hours. The colder the dough is, the less the cookies are going to spread as they are baked in the oven.

How do you make a successful cookie exchange party? ›

Tips for hosting a fun cookie swap party
  1. Create your guest list. ...
  2. Make the rules. ...
  3. Decide on a theme. ...
  4. Send out the invites. ...
  5. Check RSVPs. ...
  6. Bake the cookies. ...
  7. Share the recipe. ...
  8. Prepare some snacks and drinks.
May 23, 2023

How long should a cookie exchange last? ›

And because that time of the year is busy for everyone – I keep it short and sweet. A good cookie exchange should last about 2 to 3 hours. Enough to sample the cookies, mingle with friends, and pack up a goodie box to take home. Be mindful of allergies.

What can I use instead of a cookie exchange? ›

The Idea: Talk about cozy, a hot chocolate party will give all your guests the warm and fuzzies. Guests can bring their favorite hot chocolate mix and hosts can provide the toppings. Or swap it and have the host make a base hot chocolate recipe and everyone brings their favorite topping.

Can you bring store-bought cookies to a cookie exchange? ›

Anyone who is not a good baker might feel like they can't attend. If you're fine with store bought consider specifying that they need to be high quality cookies from a real bakery, not a grocery store bakery.

What is the cookie exchange tradition? ›

Cookie exchanges are a century-old tradition in which participants bake dozens of their favorite cookie, then take them to a party where guests trade their cache and wind up with a variety of cookies from everybody else.

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.

Can you freeze cookies with powdered sugar? ›

You can freeze filled cookies, such as thumbprint cookies and cookies that are coated in powdered sugar, such as Mexican wedding cookies either after they are baked or freeze the cookie dough. If you're freezing the baked cookies, wait to fill them or roll in powdered sugar until you're ready to serve.

Why do my thumbprint cookies fall apart? ›

The dough should be chilled for at least 30 minutes, so that you can shape it into balls and indent without falling apart. Check that your oven temperature isn't too high.

How do you keep thumbprint cookies from cracking? ›

If the dough cracks a bit when making the center indentation, roll the ball of dough in your palms a bit longer to warm the dough up more. Don't skip chilling the dough. Chilling the dough will make shaping it into balls easier and hold them together so they won't fall apart when indented. Measure your flour correctly!

How many cookies should I make per person? ›

Most recipes make somewhere from 24-48 cookies. But if you do the math on number of people and estimate 3-5 cookies per person, you'll be able to figure out if you need to double — or triple — your recipe.

How many cookies to give as a gift? ›

Decide how many cookies or pieces of fudge will make up a gift. Four is a good number to start with for an individual. Many cookie recipes, including my Hershey Kiss Cookie recipe, make 48 cookies. That's 12 potential gifts right there!

How many cookies per person for cookie table? ›

We always recommend a dozen cookies per guest, but it somehow always ends up being (way) more than that! If you're going all out on the cookie table, don't forget to order to-go boxes for your guests! It's the perfect morning after treat. PWM: What are the most popular cookies for cookie tables?

How many cookies should I make for a bake sale? ›

If you just want to go round the neighbourhood, then you will need around 50-70 treats. For a class sale, around 15-40. For a whole school sale, around 100-150.

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