Last night my friend Sandra hosted a Christmas cookie exchange. She selected just a few friends whom she knows love to bake and asked us each to bring 7 dozen cookies. What fun it was to see the different cookies everyone brought!
I baked White Chocolate dipped Ginger Cookies (I'll share the recipe in another post).
15 Year old Avery made these Peppermint Macarons. This girl is an amazing young baker!
There were Thumbprint cookies with candied fruit,
and stacks of Snickerdoodles - my husband's favorite.
Jeni baked Salted Caramel and Chocolate Shortbread.
Traditional Chocolate Crinkles.
I'm not sure what these are called , but they are layered with chocolate, almond and raspberry flavors. Yum!
Ruth brought her huge Chocolate Oatmeal Pecan cookies with dried cherries
We nibbled on mulled punch,
"snowmen" doughnuts,
and German Lebkucken.
Sandra loves to decorate for the Holidays. She and her husband lived in Germany while in the military and she has an amazing collection of European ornaments.
The attendees all packaged their cookies so beautifully, ready for gift giving or serving for our own holiday gatherings.
There were lots of smiles and hugs as we packaged up our treats to take home!
Tips on hosting a successful cookie exchange
1-Choose friends whom you know love to bake.
2-Choose a date early in the season before the calender is full. Most cookies freeze easily so you will then have treats on hand for parties or gift giving.
2-Choose a date early in the season before the calender is full. Most cookies freeze easily so you will then have treats on hand for parties or gift giving.
3-Coordinate with the guests so everyone brings a different cookie. Each guest brings as many dozen cookies as they will take home.
4-Keep the guest list to a manageable number, I would recommend 12 or fewer.
5 -Serve a few samples!
6 - It's nice to share recipes too.
7- Ask guests to package their baked goods in easily transportable but attractive containers. (I think it's much nicer to have cookies pre-packaged and ready to take home instead of open plates that everyone is handling!)
8- Provide boxes or bags for guests to take their goodies home in.
A cookie exchange is such a nice way to start the Christmas season. My pantry is stocked and ready when friends and neighbors drop in !
I like to join these parties
Inspire Me Monday @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
