Thursday, December 23, 2010

Annual Holiday Cookie Exchange

I had my 3rd annual cookie exchange two weeks ago, and I wanted to share a few pictures and recipes:

My sisters Lauren, Ariane and me
Nia's Santa hat was too small but the bib fit!
Time for some cookie recipes!

I made chai shortbread (which I've posted about before), 

Photo Credit: Cooking Light Magazine
 but there were also cranberry-orange pinwheels:

Photo Credit: BHG
 and Mexican hot chocolate snickerdoodles:

Photo Credit: Post Punk Kitchen
This year I changed it up and had guests vote for the best cookie with the winner receiving a Starbucks giftcard. It was a tie between the chai and pinwheels with the Mexican hot chocolate snickerdoodles coming in a close second (they have a cayenne kick that is pure awesomeness!). 

Needless to say we were eating cookies around the clock! 

A few tips for throwing your own cookie party: 
  • hit up Michael's for take-home holiday themed paper bags and tins
  • instead of asking guests to bring their recipes follow-up with links after the party; if your guests are super-planners you can request them to RSVP with their cookie on the Evite to avoid duplicates
  • encourage everyone to bring something even if they don't bake (store bought cookies got votes for best cookie too!)
  • provide salty/crunch snacks to offset the sweetness of the cookies; we had carrots and dip and potato chips

What are our readers' favorite holiday cookies?

1 comment:

  1. I love this idea of having a cookie exchange this might be my next party. My husband loves to bake and would probably provide all of the cookies.LOL

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