2014 Cookie Exchange

What a busy, busy weekend we just had. Lots of activities from our preschoolers Christmas program, to my annual cookie exchange, to other family events that took place over the weekend. For the past five years I've hosted a cookie exchange each December. I know I've talked about it many times before, but it's really one event I look forward to each year.

Nine other ladies joined me this year and it was a big success again. It's always a lot of fun to spend time together because unfortunately, this is one of the few times of the year that we get to see each other.

Our exchange took place where my husband works, they've got an awesome employee lounge for us to use. It's also nice to not have to worry about having everything take place in my own house. I'm always a big stress ball about having everything perfect.

I didn't do a very good job about taking pics of our food, I guess I was too busy feeding my face. I did manage to sneak a few photos though. This year I asked everyone to bring along a small appetizer to share with the group. I think it worked out wonderfully and we had a very nice spread to choose from.

We then played a few games such as a Christmas word scramble, an ornament exchange and this fun paper plate game. You'll want to add this one to your holiday party plans, everyone will be laughing the entire time and it's always fun to see their drawings afterwards!

Then of course, comes the best part of all. Swapping cookies! All of our cookies are displayed between a couple tables and we walk around gathering a few from each platter. All in all, we each went home with five dozen. Plenty for our families to nibble on, share with friends and family or bring along to our holiday parties. Here are just a few of the varieties we had this year:

Each year I also encourage the ladies to bring along any extras they have while baking. That way we can compile them into one large box and donate to an organization in our community. It's a great way for us to give back. Yesterday my girls and I dropped off a big cake box full of cookies to a local homeless shelter. The guests we very excited for some home baked treats! It's truly one of my most favorite aspects of hosting this exchange each year. Sometimes it can be a lot of work pulling it all together, but it's so much fun and I always look forward to the next year!

Hosting a Cookie Exchange

Most definitely one of the highlights to the Christmas season is my annual cookie exchange I host each year. It's a great time for some of my closest friends, family members and I to get together and have a good time. We get a chance to catch up on what's going on in our lives, eat some really good food, play games and of course, swap cookies!

Cookie exchanges are becoming more popular but maybe you've never been to one or even heard of the idea for that matter. It's simply a party where individuals bring a prepared cookie of their choice and exchange with the others in attendance. You leave with the same number of cookies you came with, but only with a large assortment now. I love to schedule mine close enough to the holidays so that the ladies can bring them along to their parties and gatherings if they're needing to supply a dessert.

Have you thought about hosting your own exchange but not sure where to begin? I'm here to help you out! You've still got plenty of time. So let's get started:

Choose your date, time and location- A weekend afternoon might work best depending on your group. I usually aimed for a Sunday afternoon but have recently switched to Saturdays due to our location. We are always finished up within two hours time; that gives us plenty of time to eat a light meal, conversate, play games and swap cookies.

Our group usually consists of 10-15 gals and that's a really good number to start with. My house is no longer big enough for our group, especially when I try to squeeze 15 of us into my living room. So we've since started using the break room where my husband works. It's newly remodeled and complete with plenty of tables, chairs and lots of counter space.

Decide on required amount of cookies and if you'll be serving food: One of the most important aspects to the exchange, is deciding on how many dozen cookies you will require guests to bring. I've done anywhere from three to five dozen. With a large group, I find we like to go with five dozen. That way everyone gets more than two cookies of each kind.

Make sure to have each guest bring copies of their recipe to the exchange. That way everyone can take one with them, you never know, you might end up finding some new family favorites!

I have always prepared a light lunch for my guests in years past, but this year we're doing it a little different. With my working two jobs right now, I just don't have the time for all that. I have asked each guest to bring along a small appetizer to share. You decide on what you're comfortable with, have time for and can afford. And really it's not even necessary for extra food, you can always schedule your party during the afternoon in between meal times.

Create your invites-  Since we're getting close to the holidays, you'll want to make sure you get those out very soon.  Be as creative as you wish. I've written the invitations on recipe cards, printed on fun holiday paper and even have ordered these before.

I always try to send mine out about one month before the exchange. That way my guests have plenty of time to check their schedules, etc. That doesn't mean that you can't still throw together a great party in a short period of time. I always make sure to utilize Facebook as well, you can easily create an invite on there and keep track of your guests that way.

As guests begin to rsvp make sure to keep track of who's bringing which type of cookie. You'll want to inform guests if someone else has chosen the same cookie. Although I've yet to have this problem. I'm always impressed by our variety each year.

Games: Adding a little bit of fun is essential I believe! We always have fun playing 2-3 games. An ornament exchange is something we're planning to do this year, we did it a few years ago and it was simple but a good time. Have each guest bring a wrapped ornament, they don't have to spend a lot and can even make them themselves. Then you can print off a fun poem like this one to read along while you play.

Another game idea is to wrap a prize really well in a box. Like I'm saying use duct tape, wrapping paper, anything you can think of to make it hard to unwrap. Give the starting guest thick gloves and a scarf to put on along with a bowl and dice. Have the guests roll the dice, keep passing along the bowl until a guest rolls a six. Then that guest can put on the gloves and scarf and start trying unwrap the present. Meanwhile the other guests continue passing the dice, once another guest rolls a six they can take away the present. You keep that going until the present is finally opened. But remember, they have to put on the scarf and gloves before they can even start unwrapping. Whoever gets it opened wins the prize. It's a ton of fun and expect lots of laughing throughout the whole game!

The best part of all....swapping cookies: Usually after we've gotten our snacking and game playing out of the way, we end our time together with cookie swapping. I always have tables set up for them to display their platters on when they first arrive. Encourage guests to bring along extra containers to put their cookies in that they're taking with. Depending on how many dozen you make and how many guests you have, depends on how many cookies of each kind you'll take.

I always encourage my guests to bring along any extras they might have while baking. We combine those into a couple boxes and then I arrange to donate them to organizations in our community. This is a tradition that's become a favorite for us and I'm so thankful I have such giving and thoughtful friends and family. Local fire departments, police departments, homeless shelters and assisted living centers are just a few of the places we've donated to and they've always been so appreciative of the treats.

I sure hope you have a better understanding of how cookie exchanges work now. They're tons of fun but don't have to be a lot of work either. It can definitely be a big, elaborate celebration but can also be a simple gathering of a few friends. You can even easily pull this off in an office setting, maybe you'll only want to exchange cookies during lunch hour instead of adding food and games. Whatever works best for you, I hope you'll give it a try. It's one of my most favorite traditions and I'm positive it will become one of yours too!

Biscoff S'mores Cookies

I've got one more really good cookie to share with you before the holidays, just in case you're searching for something new to make this weekend. These come from my friend, Becca, whom attends my cookie exchange each year. We had tons of great choices this year, but this particular one was a favorite!

I have this new obsession with Biscoff cookie spread, I promise we don't go through a jar a week or anything crazy like that. But it's good stuff! Naturally I was drawn to her cookie choice.

The kids loved the marshmallows on top and I think my favorite is the extra cookie spread drizzled on top. The cookies itself are very soft, I liked the chocolate chips sprinkled throughout, it's just enough without being too chocolate-y. I know, for some of you, there can never be enough chocolate, right?

My girls have already requested these a few times, looks like they will be the first cookies I bake next time we're in the mood for some cookies!

Biscoff S'mores Cookies

Ingredients:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 stick butter, softened
1 cup Biscoff cookie spread + extra for drizzling
2 eggs
1-3/4 cup flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
dash of salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips
mini marshmallows

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In the stand of a mixer or large bowl, cream together both sugars, cookie spread, and butter until light and fluffy. Add in eggs and mix until well incorporated.

In another bowl, combine dry ingredients and gradually add into creamed mixture. Fold in chocolate chips.

Using a cookie scoop, drop rounded dough onto cookie sheets lined with silicone baking mats or parchment paper. Using palm of your hand, press down on the dough just a bit to flatten. Bake for 7 minutes, remove from oven and immediately place 4-5 mini marshmallows on each cookie. Place cookie sheet back in oven and bake for another 2 minutes, just until marshmallows have puffed. Remove from oven, let cool on cookie sheet for a few minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

When cookies are cooled, heat a small amount of cookie spread in a bowl. Place in warm spread in a baggie, snip the corner just a bit and drizzle onto cookies.

Annual Cookie Exchange

First, I want to apologize for my lack of posting. As organized as I try to be, I seem to be running out of time lately. I hope to get back on track and posting every other day again, I know this week I do have an order for 30 dozen cookies but after that things seem to be slowing down just a bit!

Saturday afternoon I hosted my annual cookie exchange, this is one event I love to plan each year at Christmas time. Time got away from me and my planning was a little behind than normal but I think we still pulled off a fabulous party. This year I had nine other gals join me, most of whom attend each year; my dad's office was so gracious to let us use their newly remodeled break room for our party. It had everything we needed and more, plus tons of room. Something which my little house is lacking.

We had a nice variety of appetizers to munch on this year. My mom and another friend were so kind to help me in preparing the food. These were a couple new dishes I made, the first being a buffalo chicken cheese ball dip and the second, a veggie wreath. Sort of just like a veggie pizza but made in the shape of a wreath.

I had some fun games along with prizes planned. We got to chatting and I forgot to take pictures of the first few games, but these are during our present game. I wrapped up a prize in a box, like really wrapped it! As in duct taped, bagged, and double wrapped. Guests had to wear a scarf and thick, bulky gloves when trying to unwrap the present. They had to roll dice and whoever got a 6 first started the game, the dice continued making it's rounds, whenever another guest rolled a 6 they got to take the package away from the previous person. We had lots of giggles during the ones especially!

Lastly, came our favorite part: swapping the cookies! We had some awesome and certainly unique recipes this year. I decided on these snickery doodles, they were so good. Literally a snickerdoodle with Snickers candy bars added into the dough.

Here's a peek inside my own container I brought home. We might need to stick these in the freezer soon otherwise they're all going to be gone!

Finally, my favorite part of all! Each year I ask the ladies to bring along any extras they have from baking and we divide them into two boxes. I choose two different places to donate the cookies and deliver them. This year our local police department and a transitional housing program for homeless, single women with children will be the lucky recipients. I sure hope they enjoy!

Peanut Butter Delights

On Sunday I hosted my annual cookie exchange. For the past four years a group of 12 ladies and I meet at my house for good food, games, laughter and of course swapping cookies. I won't lie, it's a lot of work to pull this off but I love entertaining and it's one event I look forward to each December.

 

 

 

 

Each lady brings a tray with 3 dozen cookies in the particular recipe she's chosen. At the end of our party we go around the tables and evenly distribute the cookies so everyone goes home with a nice variety.

 

Last year I started what I hope is becoming another favorite tradition of our group. While baking their cookies, if they ended up with more than their 3 dozen; they have the option to bring those along with to donate to a retirement center or some organization in our community. Last year we brought a huge box to an assisted living home for the residents to enjoy. This year we took a box to a local Hospitality House for the homeless and then the rest went to a fire station down the road from my house. Everyone is always so appreciative of them and it feels good to give back to our community....even if it is only in the form of cookies.

 



Normally I try a new cookie recipe each year but this time I decided to stick with an old favorite. I like to include these decadent chocolate and peanut butter cookies into my Christmas baking whenever I can.  While they are a little time consuming, I will say they are definitely worth it! You'll fall in love with this soft, chewy peanut butter cookie with a creamy peanut butter thumbprint filling and lots of chocolate to go along. There's still plenty of time for holiday baking, I don't think your list is complete without these!

Peanut Butter Delights

Ingredients:
1/2 c shortening ( I used butter flavored)
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 c creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 c sugar, divided
1 c brown sugar
2 eggs
3 c flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Filling:
1/2 c creamy peanut butter
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/4 c sugar
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 c milk chocolate chips
Chocolate almond bark for drizzling on top

Directions:
In a large bowl, cream together shortening, butter, peanut butter, 1 cup white sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add in eggs one at a time. In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture and mix together well.

Roll into 1-1/2 inch balls, roll ball in bowl with remaining sugar. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Using the end of a wooden spoon, make an indentation into the center of each cookie.

For filling, mix together peanut butter and cream cheese. Add in sugar, egg yolk and vanilla. Spoon about 3/4 tsp into each indentation. Bake cookies at 350 for 12-15 mins. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Once completely cooled, melt milk chocolate chips in the microwave. Dip each cookie bottom into melted chocolate and let excess drip off. * You might find it easier to just spread the chocolate with a spreader or butter knife, I usually resort to this method halfway through. Lay cookies onto wax paper chocolate side up. Once bottom of cookies are dry, melt chocolate almond bark in microwave and then drizzle on top of cookies. Makes 4 dozen

Cookie Exchange and Dipped Cherry Cookies

(Most of our cookies, we had to use two tables)



I had a really busy but fun weekend! Most of it was devoted to preparing for my 3rd Annual Cookie Exchange, it's A LOT of work but totally worth it. For the past three years I have invited between 8-12 other women to come to my house for a couple hours on a Sunday afternoon before Christmas, and exchange cookies that we have baked. When my guests are selecting their cookie I have them let me know ahead of time so I can ensure that we have no duplicates, no one needs five Peanut Butter Star cookie recipes do they?  I prepare a nice lunch for them to enjoy, we get a chance to catch up on what's going on in our busy lives, we usually play 3 games or so and I award prizes to the winners. Towards the end we gather around the table where our cookies are displayed and we swap, everyone brings in their own container and gets to go from tray to tray and grab the designated amount of cookies. This year I made up a cute little cookbook with all of our recipes so that way they were all together in one spot. Years before I requested that they bring copies of their recipes but then there's always that chance of losing one so I think I'll definitely carry on this tradition of compiling them into little cookbooks each year.  This has definitely become one of my favorite parts of the holidays and I'm so appreciative of everyone that devotes time to attending my cookie exchange.

Our group this year minus one taking the pic

This year the cookie I chose to bake was Dipped Cherry Cookies. It's one that I have made one other time for my cookie tins I give out around Christmas time and I really liked it.

It's pretty much a shortbread cookie with chopped cherries and white chocolate in the dough. You dip one half of the cookie into melted white chocolate and sprinkle with red decorating sugar. Pretty simple for the most part and really festive for the holidays. I'm going to lie though, they didn't turn out as well as I had hoped but part of that might have been my fault. They seemed to spread a little more than anticipated during the baking time. I got ahead of myself when mixing up the dough and thought I remembered how to do everything, I melted the white chocolate instead of just chopping up and kneading it into the dough. Maybe that's what went wrong? I honestly don't know, they still tasted great just didn't look as good as I wanted them to. So my advice on this: Follow the recipe exactly as stated and don't try to make your own adjustments.

*One additional note- the dough will be really crumbly and you'll probably be scared. Don't be, just keep kneading and it will all come together just fine. Enjoy!

Dipped Cherry Cookies

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cups sugar, divided
1 cup cold butter, cubed
1/2 cup finely chopped maraschino cherries, drained
12 squares (1 oz. each) vanilla almond bark, finely chopped, divided
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Red decorating sugar (I found mine at Target in the holiday baking aisle)

Directions:
In large bowl, combine flour and 1/2 cup sugar; cut in butter until crumbly. Knead in cherries, 2/3 almond bark and extract until dough forms a ball.
Shape into 3/4-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten slightly with a glass dipped in remaining sugar. Bake at 325 for 11-12 minutes or until edges or slightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
In microwave, melt remaining almond bark, stirring until smooth. Dip half of each cookie into chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Sprinkle with decorating sugar and place on waxed paper until set. Store in airtight container.

Makes 4 dozen

I've got some great recipes lined up for you this week: my all-time favorite punch, an easy slow cooker pulled pork with my mom's coleslaw, chocolate peanut butter-pretzel truffles and a black and white bean dip. Stay tuned!