Why have a cookie swap party?
Why have a cookie swap party?
By: by Edna McCallion, Tehachapi News Columnist
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Posted by editor Thu Nov 29, 2007 13:50:46 PST
Viewed 316 times
0 responses 0 comments Are you looking over your Christmas cookie recipes and wondering where you will find the time to make the variety you would like? A cookie swap party could be the answer to your sweet dreams! You can share your very favorite holiday goodie while savoring those prized by your guests. Aside from diversity there are the fun and nostalgia factors such a party provides.
Sharing stories and feelings about the sweet treats from the past is a relief from the commercialization of the holidays. How better to communicate that this season is about love than to share a time honored treat with friends and family?
You determine the rules based on the kind of party you want and the space you have available. A mid-morning, midday or evening event can be a very simple party. You provide the drinks while your guests along with yourself supply those yummies. This can be more elaborate if you choose to have snacks or even a light buffet.
The goal is to have each person bring enough cookies to snack on as well as to share. The ones to take home can be individually packaged or brought on a plate with your guests taking home a pre-determined number. Have a name card for each participant's special place. The cookies to be eaten as part of the refreshments are generally set up separately from the “take homes”.
A checklist is a must! The kind of party, your budget, space, theme and ideas are the only limitations. You may plan to take turns sharing the “cookie tales” by those who have one to tell. I love the irresistible aroma and melt in your mouth quality of home made cut-out cookies because as a child our elderly friend Mrs. Kalinsky made them at our house each year. What memories do these tasty little morsels bring to your mind?
The invitations should be sent out as soon as possible this busy time of year. Include the usual information as to time, place and “game plan” “ Suggest they make their cookies two days ahead to allow them to dry out so they will not be so crumbly when transported. Specify the number of cookies you want for sharing and taking home. Each participant should bring a container to carry their scrumptious stash home, and be prepared with their cookie's story if appropriate for your party.
If yours is a competitive crowd you might like to have a contest. Each guest votes for their favorite and the winner is crowned “Cookie queen for a day”. Recipes are a nice addition and you can simply ask each person to bring enough copies to share or collect one of each to be copied on holiday paper and sent at a later date. It could even be included in your Christmas card.
You or a helper should be available to greet guests and direct them to put their “shared cookies” and recipes by their name cards on the table, and the others with refreshments. When all are present and have snacked and socialized a bit you may “call them to order”. Share your party plans including the procedure for a contest, sampling cookies, and sharing the recipes and stories. This is where your creativity shines!
Let me know how your party goes eamherb@dishmail.net. Enjoy a delectable holiday.
One Sugar Cookie dough - three variations
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temp.)
3/4 cups sugar
1/4 cup sour cream
1 egg yolk
1tsp. vanilla
Mix flour and salt together. Cream together sugar, butter, sour cream, egg yolk and vanilla in a large bowl. Stir in the flour mixture. Wrap in plastic and chill for several hours. Roll dough out on floured surface to a 3/8- inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to shape and place 1 1/2 inch apart on greased pans. Bake at 350º until lightly brown. Cool and decorate. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.
Cinnamon sugar cookie
Add 3/4 tsp. cinnamon and 1/8 tsp. cloves to flour mix above. Substitute light brown sugar for the granulated and follow above directions.
Filled sugar cookies
Prepare original dough above. Cut into 2 1/2-inch rounds. Place 1/2 tsp. chocolate bits in the center. Moisten edges, fold the round in half and press to seal. Bake as above.
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