How a cookie exchange works
Each guest bakes a big batch of one kind of cookie and brings it to the party. The cookies go out on a long table, and everyone fills a box with a few of each kind. Each guest goes home with about as many cookies as they brought, in as many flavors as there were bakers.
A cookie swap is the same thing under another name. Most are held in early December, so the cookies end up on holiday plates and in gift tins.
When to have it, and who to invite
Aim for a weekend afternoon in the first two weeks of December, after Thanksgiving and before people travel. An afternoon doesn’t compete with the evening parties.
Six to twelve bakers works well. Fewer than six and the mix is small; more than twelve and there’s a lot of baking for each guest, and not enough table.
How many cookies to bake
The simple rule: half a dozen for every guest, counting yourself. Everyone goes home with half a dozen of each kind. For a big party, three of each kind per guest keeps the baking reasonable.
| Guests | 6 of each | 3 of each |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 3 dozen | 1½ dozen |
| 8 | 4 dozen | 2 dozen |
| 10 | 5 dozen | 2½ dozen |
| 12 | 6 dozen | 3 dozen |
How many each guest bakes. King Arthur Baking suggests two to four dozen per baker, which matches 6 to 8 guests.
Cookie exchange rules
Send these with the invitation. They answer most of the questions guests would otherwise ask.
- 1Everyone bakes one kind of cookie, homemade if they can.
- 2Bake half a dozen for every guest, counting yourself.
- 3Claim your cookie when you reply. Each kind is baked once.
- 4Bring them cooled, in a container, with a card that names the cookie and anything like nuts, dairy or gluten.
- 5Bring copies of your recipe, or send it to the host to share.
- 6Nobody takes any cookies until everyone has arrived.
- 7Bring an empty box or tin to carry your mix home.
Know who's baking what
Without a list, a cookie exchange can end with five batches of chocolate chip. Kitokoto is a free sign-up sheet where each cookie is claimed once. Free, no account.
Start a cookie exchange sign-up
How the swap works
There are two ways to run it. Pick one and say which in the invitation, since it changes how guests pack their cookies.
The open table
Every batch goes out on a plate. Guests walk around with a box and take the agreed number of each kind.
Packed in advance
Each baker brings their cookies already bagged, one bag per guest. Guests drop a bag in each person's box.
What the host provides
The guests bring the cookies. The host brings the rest.
Boxes or bags
Flat-pack bakery boxes, or a tin each, for the mix going home.
Labels and pens
Cards for the cookie names and allergens, in case anyone forgot.
A long table
Room for every plate at once, with space to walk around it.
Something savory
A cheese board or a few dips. After an hour of cookies, people want something salty.
Drinks
Coffee, hot chocolate, cider or something sparkling.
Cookie exchange games and extras
The swap itself takes about 20 minutes. A few things for the rest of the afternoon.
- 1
Vote for the best cookie
One vote each, and a small prize. A poll in the group chat is quicker than paper slips.
- 2
A recipe booklet
Collect the recipes ahead, print them as a booklet, and hand one to each guest.
- 3
A decorating table for children
Plain cookies, icing and sprinkles. It keeps them away from the swap table.
- 4
An ugly sweater contest
A good fit for a December party. Categories and a ballot.
Cookie exchange invitation wording
Say the day, the time, the place, how many to bake, and when to tell you which cookie. Three to copy and change:
- Cookie exchange at mine on Saturday the 12th, 2 to 4 pm. Bake four dozen of one kind and bring your recipe. Tell me which cookie you're making by the 5th.
- You're invited to a cookie swap. Bring half a dozen cookies for each guest, eight of us so far, and an empty tin. Coffee and cider are on me.
- Our holiday cookie exchange is on Sunday the 6th from 3 pm. Pick a cookie from the list so we don't double up, and bring copies of the recipe.
Questions
- What is a cookie exchange?
- A party where everyone bakes a big batch of one kind of cookie. Then they swap, and everyone goes home with a mix of all of them.
- How does a cookie exchange work?
- Each guest bakes one kind and brings enough for everyone. The cookies go out on a table, and each guest fills a box with some of every kind.
- How many cookies do I make for a cookie exchange?
- Half a dozen for every guest, counting yourself. For 8 guests that's 4 dozen. For a big party, three for each guest is plenty.
- What are the best Christmas cookies to exchange?
- Sturdy ones that keep for a few days: gingerbread, shortbread, chocolate chip, snickerdoodles, crinkle cookies and iced sugar cookies.
- How do I host a cookie exchange?
- Pick a date in early December and invite 6 to 12 bakers. Send the rules, and have each guest claim a cookie when they reply.
- What are the etiquette rules for hosting a cookie exchange?
- Send the rules with the invitation, ask for labels with allergens, wait until everyone arrives before the swap, and have boxes ready.
- What are some fun games to play at a cookie exchange party?
- A vote for the best cookie, a decorating table, holiday trivia, or an ugly sweater contest.
- Can you bring store-bought cookies to a cookie exchange?
- Most hosts ask for homemade. If a batch goes wrong, bakery cookies are better than arriving with nothing.
- Is a cookie swap the same as a cookie exchange?
- Yes. They're two names for the same party.
- Are there printable cookie exchange rules?
- Yes. The rules on this page are a free one-page PDF, with space for your date, place and how many dozen to bring. Download the PDF.