My first cookie exchange

Alright all you bakers out there! I'm helping my sister-in-law host a cookie exchange in another two weeks. I've never been to one before. Since all invitees are either working women or mothers of kids under 5, we're only asking that they bring 2 dozen cookies to share (not the usual one dozen/person attending). I'm looking for some award winning recipes! I see all of these great cookie recipes on Gather, but which ones are special enough to knock everyone's socks off? They have to be entirely homemade. I'm actually hoping to make two dozen of three kinds of cookies to add to the variety that night and to make sure everyone goes home with more cookies than they brought to share.

Also, I'd love any great hosting ideas. We're planning on a prize for best cookie. Think that serving hot cocoa will be too heavy with all these cookies?

Comments: 15

Darcy H. Dec 1, 2006, 2:11pm UTC

I can't tell you the best cookie recipe, but I wanted to wish you luck. I just read about doing cookie exchanges on allrecipes.com but sadly I'm so new to my area, I wouldn't have anyone to invite. Hopefully next year, it sounds like great fun!

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D Q. Dec 1, 2006, 2:30pm UTC

are you looking for fancy cookies or kid friendly? Or is simple but tasty the way you want to go?

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Cathy S. Dec 1, 2006, 2:40pm UTC

I think simple and tasty, or fancy would be good.

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Cathy S. Dec 1, 2006, 4:07pm UTC

Thanks Dawne, but I don't have any kids.... I'll keep that in mind for the future when my nieces are old enough to help!

Keith, I suspect at least one person at the party is going to buy cookies and then pass them off as homemade, but you can always tell!!

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☃ Shannon K. Wendt Dec 1, 2006, 4:13pm UTC

How about truffles made with different chocolates: white, dark and milk?

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D Q. Dec 1, 2006, 4:41pm UTC

peanut butter blossoms have been posted here somewhere, it's a peanut butter cookie with a hershey kiss pressed into it. I make those all time and they are a huge hit.

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Cathy S. Dec 1, 2006, 4:43pm UTC

Mmmm, truffles.... I always thought those would be too complicated but maybe I should give them a go!

And yes D.Q. blossoms are always tasty!

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D Q. Dec 1, 2006, 4:53pm UTC

something else to do is find a chocolate sugar cookie recipe and don't flatten them after rolling them in sugar and then press a hershey kiss or hug into the center (just like you do for the peanut blossoms)

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Sonia M. Dec 1, 2006, 5:15pm UTC

The simplest and always draw raves are the flourless peanut butter cookies........

1 cup peanut butter - smooth or chunky
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg

Mix
Drop on cookie sheet that has been covered with parchment paper
Dip a fork in more brown sugar and press the mound a bit to flatten and also make a pattern on top.

Bake at 350 for about 8 minutes. Remove from oven and cool. They will be sort of soft at first and harden as they cool.

We love them and they are sooooooo easy!

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Just A. G. Dec 1, 2006, 5:24pm UTC

I love the idea of making a cookie without flour. Thanks, Sonia.

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Sonia M. Dec 1, 2006, 5:50pm UTC

You're welcome, Kelly. I make these often....so simple and quick....a batch doesn't last long around here.

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Cathy S. Dec 1, 2006, 6:19pm UTC

I've never heard of flourless cookies! Thanks Sonia, I'm going to give these easy ones a try!

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Michelle W. Dec 1, 2006, 8:27pm UTC

I put a bunch of cookie recipes in my article The Christmas Cookies. Here is the link. http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976848770

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Dorine H. Dec 6, 2006, 9:10am UTC

Simple, basic shortbread has always been a Christmas favorite. Just make sure yu use real butter--unsalted--for it and not margarine or shortening. Shortbread is all about the butter. You can roll it out into a circle and use a knife to cut it into wedges--so easy. And always delicious and evocative of the season.

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My first cookie exchange

Comments: 15

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