Southerners know that bringing store-bought cookies to a holiday swap is not an option.

Southerners know that bringing store-bought cookies to a holiday swap is not an option.

Luckily, we have classiccookie recipes(and easy shortcuts) for even the busiest holiday host.

Sugar Cookies

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From classic Gingerbread to Cherry Winks, these all-star cookie recipes will be ready in no time.

So scrub off that old cookie sheet and get to work.

You’ll want to make an extra batch of these festive treats to keep for yourself.

Molasses Crinkles Recipe

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I have made them every year since 2001."

This has been our go-to recipe for years.

Divinity Candy

Divinity is finicky, y’all, but the sweet, melt-in-your-mouth results are worth it.

Southern Living Inez’s Sand Tarts

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We use a store-bought caramel candy shortcut.

Saltine Cracker Toffee

Every Southerner’s favorite toffee bark recipe starts with a sleeve of saltines.

Frosted Sugar Cookies

This simple, classic Sugar Cookie can never be over-done.

Brown Butter Snickerdoodles

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It’s always a fan-favorite, especially with your own personalized decorations.

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Molly Bolton

The classic chocolate chipper, with a twist.

Brown butter lends a savory depth of flavor to this sweet staple that is the perfect cookie year-round.

Southern Living Peppermint Bark broken into pieces on a plate to serve

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Elevate the nutty, sweet flavor with coconut.

It’ll be a new favorite, especially because it’s not at all a difficult recipe.

We don’t think so.

Grandma’s Chocolate Drop Cookies

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Our Gingerbread cookies are tried-and-true and will always be a lovely holiday surprise.

Pecan Kisses

You only need four ingredients for these cookies that will practically melt in your mouth.

Turtle Cookies

These homemade delights are sure to dazzle friends and neighbors this season.

Southern Living No Bake Cookies on a plate to serve

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If you love Turtle Candies, your heart will simply melt when you try these cookies.

These cookies are oh-so-ready for the holiday season.

Coat the rolls in red and green sugar crystals for a festive display.

Southern Living Potato Chip Cookies and Butterscotch Oaties

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Chocolate Peppermint Sandwich Cookies

These cookie sandwiches are sure to be a hit at any christmas party.

With colorful peppermint icing and chocolate cookies, all you need is somehot cocoafor the ultimate holiday dessert.

Who doesn’t want a bite-sized cheesecake to brighten up their holidays?

Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies

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Gingersnaps

A little sugar and spice make everything nice!

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Grandma’s favorite cookie never fails to like at our holiday soirees.

Two different doughs are twisted together to create the signature pinwheel swirl.

Bourbon Balls

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With the addition of quick-cooking oats, this is a can’t-go-wrong recipe everyone will love.

Pecan Snowball Cookies

These cookies are the ultimate white Christmas cookie.

Coated in powdered sugar, these shortbread “snowballs” are studded with buttery pecans for extra crunch.

Southern Living Sparkling Linzer Cookies on a platter ready to serve.

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Pecan Tassies

Pecan Tassies are a well-loved cookie with deep Southern roots.

They’re best described as a cross between miniature pecan pies and shortbread cookies.

If you haven’t tried this regional favorite, whip up a batch for this year’s holiday swap.

Divinity Candy

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Your family will thank you later.

Dark Chocolate Sables

Sweets just as elegant as their name.

The chocolate cookies are dipped halfway inyou guessed itmore melted chocolate for an extra-indulgent touch.

Southern Living Snowball Cookies on plates to serve

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Now, it’s time to pass on the tradition to the next generation.

5-Ingredient Sugar Cookies

Running late to the cookie swap?

These 5-ingredient treats are as easy as can be.

Millionaire Candy

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Best of all, they’ll be ready in under an hour.

Cherry Winks

Nothing beats the nostalgia of a Cherry Wink.

Simple yet so sweet, you will feel like a kid again from the moment you see these cuties.

Southern Living Mamie Eisenhower Chocolate Fudge cut and ready to serve

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Saltine Cracker Toffee - Southern Living

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Southern Living Cornflake Wreath Cookies on a platter to serve

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Southern Living Chocolate Thumbprints baked on a plate to serve.

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Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Southern Living Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies on the cooling rack to serve

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Gingerbread Cookies

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Southern Living Spritz Cookies on a platter ready to serve

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Cranberry Noel Cookies

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Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies

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Pecan Kisses

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Turtle Cookies

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cream cheese christmas cookies

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Chocolate Peppermint Sandwich Cookies

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Cheesecake Cookies

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Gingersnap Cookies

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Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

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Barbara Bush Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Pecan Snowball Cookies - Southern Living

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Pecan Tassies - Southern Living

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Easiest Peanut Butter Cookies

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Fudgy Flourless Chocolate-Pecan Cookies

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Fudgy Pecan Bourbon Balls Recipe

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Dark Chocolate Sablés

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Southern Living Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies on a plate to serve

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Apricot Thumbprints

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5-Ingredient Sugar Cookies

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Cherry Winks

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