Baking cookies is a holiday tradition that can take up a lot of time, and for busy families, time is a precious commodity during the holidays. In order to have a variety of cookies for parties and neighbor gifts without spending hours in the kitchen, consider hosting a cookie exchange. Here are a dozen tips to help you organize a fun and easy cookie exchange.
Invitations: Ideally, invitations should be received at least 10 days in advance. That way guests will have time to decide on a recipe, consider packaging ideas and bake the cookies. Also be sure to include the “rules,” such as all cookies must be homemade. If there is a theme, like “All I want for Christmas is Chocolate,” make it clear on the invitation.
Social media: Use Facebook to send invitations, monitor the guest list and send out reminders. Ask people to post the type of cookie they will bring when they RSVP so there aren’t any duplicates. Be sure to check in at least once a day until the party.
Packaging: When it comes to boxing up the goods, there are three options. 1. Guests can prepackage their cookies before the party. 2. Work together to box cookies at the party. 3. Have guests bring large boxes or zip-top baggies to transport cookies home for packaging. Whatever you decide, be sure guests are aware of the plan.
Triple the recipe: When deciding how many cookies each guest should bring, consider having them bake six cookies for each attendee, then add another dozen for sampling. No cookie exchange is complete without time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Bake early: Don’t wait till the day of the party to bake your cookies. Instead, bake them a week in advance and freeze them. Chocolate chip cookies, gingersnaps, and many other holiday favorites will keep for up to a month in the freezer. If you’re making cookies that require decorating, save that for after they thaw. Set them out the day before the party, allow them to come to room temperature and then decorate.
Recipe exchange: This can be as simple as asking guests to bring a copy of the recipe for each attendee, or as creative as assembling recipe books for them to take home. A 4-by-6 photo book with page protectors is a great way to assemble a small collection of recipes.
Set the table: You're going to need two tables. The first table is for the cookies guests will take home. This table can be covered with a simple holiday tablecloth or table runner. The second table is for samples. This one should be decorated. Use cake stands or festively wrapped boxes to give the table display dimension.
Provide drinks: Although milk is the designated cookie drink, you can serve anything from bubbling apple cider to eggnog, hot chocolate or water.
Party games: Providing a few fun activities will help create fond memories. A friendly sugar cookie decorating contest can let those with frosting skills shine. You could play Name that Cookie, Cookie Bingo or Cookie Memory.
Christmas music: What holiday party is complete without Christmas music? Keep the volume low enough that guests can talk without having to talk over the tunes.
Consider a new tradition: Instead of bringing baked cookies, guests could provide ingredients for cookie mixes. During the party, everyone chips in to measure out and layer the ingredients into mason jars and attach a decorative ribbon and tag. Be sure to include cooking instructions on the jar. You could agree on one type of cookie or do several different mixes.
Party favors: While the biggest party favor is the cookies, you may want to provide a small gift for guests. Cookie cutters are traditional and fun. You can adorn them with a Christmas ribbon and hang them from a tree near the door for guests to grab on their way out. You could also gift them a new cookie sheet or spatula with a cute tag.y guests will have time to decide on a recipe, consider packaging ideas and bake the cookies. Also be sure to include the “rules,” such as all cookies must be homemade. If there is a theme, like “All I want for Christmas is Chocolate,” make it clear on the invitation.
Social media: Use Facebook to send invitations, monitor the guest list and send out reminders. Ask people to post the type of cookie they will bring when they RSVP so there aren’t any duplicates. Be sure to check in at least once a day until the party.
Packaging: When it comes to boxing up the goods, there are three options. 1. Guests can prepackage their cookies before the party. 2. Work together to box cookies at the party. 3. Have guests bring large boxes or zip-top baggies to transport cookies home for packaging. Whatever you decide, be sure guests are aware of the plan.
Triple the recipe: When deciding how many cookies each guest should bring, consider having them bake six cookies for each attendee, then add another dozen for sampling. No cookie exchange is complete without time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Bake early: Don’t wait till the day of the party to bake your cookies. Instead, bake them a week in advance and freeze them. Chocolate chip cookies, gingersnaps, and many other holiday favorites will keep for up to a month in the freezer. If you’re making cookies that require decorating, save that for after they thaw. Set them out the day before the party, allow them to come to room temperature and then decorate.
Recipe exchange: This can be as simple as asking guests to bring a copy of the recipe for each attendee, or as creative as assembling recipe books for them to take home. A 4-by-6 photo book with page protectors is a great way to assemble a small collection of recipes.
Set the table: You're going to need two tables. The first table is for the cookies guests will take home. This table can be covered with a simple holiday tablecloth or table runner. The second table is for samples. This one should be decorated. Use cake stands or festively wrapped boxes to give the table display dimension.
Provide drinks: Although milk is the designated cookie drink, you can serve anything from bubbling apple cider to eggnog, hot chocolate or water.
Party games: Providing a few fun activities will help create fond memories. A friendly sugar cookie decorating contest can let those with frosting skills shine. You could play Name that Cookie, Cookie Bingo or Cookie Memory.
Christmas music: What holiday party is complete without Christmas music? Keep the volume low enough that guests can talk without having to talk over the tunes.
Consider a new tradition: Instead of bringing baked cookies, guests could provide ingredients for cookie mixes. During the party, everyone chips in to measure out and layer the ingredients into mason jars and attach a decorative ribbon and tag. Be sure to include cooking instructions on the jar. You could agree on one type of cookie or do several different mixes.
Party favors: While the biggest party favor is the cookies, you may want to provide a small gift for guests. Cookie cutters are traditional and fun. You can adorn them with a Christmas ribbon and hang them from a tree near the door for guests to grab on their way out. You could also gift them a new cookie sheet or spatula with a cute tag.
If you’re in need of a new cookie recipe to share, try the ones listed below. They are beautiful and travel well, and even though they look like they took all day, they come together quickly.
Santa's Favorite Cookie
Makes: 24 cookies
1 cup butter at room temperature
¾ cup sugar
¾ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2¼ cups flour
1/3 cup dark cocoa powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 package semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups marshmallow or vanilla frosting
2 candy canes, crushed
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
In a medium mixing bowl, cream together the butter, sugar and brown sugar with a hand mixer. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Next, add the flour, cocoa, and salt. Mix until the dough is a dark chocolate color. Add the chocolate chips and stir in with a wooden spoon. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until set. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool.
Once the cookies have cooled, frost with marshmallow or vanilla frosting. Sprinkle the crushed candy cane over the frosting.
— "One Dirty Bowl: Fast Desserts, Faster Cleanup," by Christina Dymock
*****
White Chocolate Cherry Delights
Makes: 25 cookies
Not a baker? There's no need to skip the cookie exchange. These cookies look fancy but are super easy to make!
50 vanilla cookies
1 cup cherry-flavored frosting (see recipe below)
1 package (10-ounce) white chocolate flavored candy coating
Sprinkles or red and green candy coating for decorating
Place 25 vanilla cookies wrong-side-up on a cookie sheet.
Using a decorator tip and bag, pipe 1 teaspoon of frosting onto the middle of each cookie. Top with the remaining cookies.
Melt the white chocolate flavored coating according to package directions. While the candy coating is melting, lay a sheet of wax paper across your work surface. Once the candy coating is smooth, drop a cookie sandwich in and coat it with candy coating. Use a fork to remove the cookie sandwich, and place the delight on the wax paper to set. Repeat with the remaining cookies. Allow to set for 30 minutes before serving.
— "One Dirty Bowl: Fast Desserts, Faster Cleanup," by Christina Dymock
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Holiday Frosting
This recipe can be used for Santa’s Favorite Cookies, White Chocolate Cherry Delights or any holiday cookie-decorating project.
1 cup shortening, like Crisco
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 (32-ounce) bag powdered sugar
¼ cup milk
½ teaspoon flavoring (optional)
Food coloring (optional)
Place the shortening in a large mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer, whip the shortening, salt and vanilla together. Add half the powdered sugar and all the milk. Beat until well combined. Add half the remaining powdered sugar and beat together. If the frosting is too thin, continue to add powdered sugar until the desired consistency is achieved. If it’s too thick, add a tablespoon of milk to thin.
If you want to make the frosting cherry flavored (or lemon or mint), add the flavoring and desired food coloring and beat well.
Christina Dymock is the author of "One Dirty Bowl: Fast Desserts, Faster Cleanup," "The Hungry Family Slow Cooker Cookbook," and "The Bacon Lover's Cookbook." She blogs at ChristinaDymock.wordpress.com.