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.

Credit:Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
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.

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
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.

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
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.

Credit:Isaac Nunn; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
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.

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
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.

Credit: Katie Strasberg Rousso
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.

Credit:Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Lauren Odum; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
If you love Turtle Candies, your heart will simply melt when you try these cookies.
Cream Cheese Christmas Cookie
These cookies are oh-so-ready for the holiday season.
Coat the rolls in red and green sugar crystals for a festive display.

Credit:Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
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?

Credit: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
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.

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
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.

Credit:Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Ginny Branch; Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall
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.

Credit:Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
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.

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
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.

Credit:Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
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.

Credit:Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Credit:Greg Dupree; Prop Stylist: Ginny Branch; Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall

Credit:Molly Bolton

Credit:Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ana Kelly; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Credit:Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee; Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Credit:Emily Laurae

Credit:Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Credit:Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Credit: Emily Laurae/Southern Living

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
![]()
Credit: Joy Howard

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Credit:Hannah Zimmerman / Southern Living

Credit:Will Dickey; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: Kellie Gerber Kelley

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Credit:Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
![]()
Credit:Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Credit: Joy Howard