Photo: Steve Adams
While cookie swaps are synonymous with Christmas time, they are easy-to-plan parties year-round. The traditional cookie swap is a specialized form of potluck, where guests share in the baking and cost burden by bringing their favorite cookies to the party (they're made ahead of time). The hostess provides the space, sends out the invitations, sets up the cookies and provides the beverages. Guests bring two or three batches of their favorite recipe (5-6 dozen) and then they are swapped with other guests cookies. The advantage of a cookie swap? Multiple cookie varieties without the prep time and mess.
More recently, people have started to participate in baking exchanges, where guests bring their ingredients to the hostess's home and they bake together. With more interaction at this type of party, it's great for people less savvy in the kitchen. This concept is also a great way to get kids into the kitchen by encouraging them to help in prepping and decorating stages. Kids can get their hands dirty while learning how to cook and take pride in what they make.
The Rules of Cookie Swapping and Party Planning Tips after the jump.
Rules of cookie swapping:
1. Minimize the rules, try not to be too directive.
2. Bring two to three batches of your favorite cookie, which should equal five to six dozen.
3. Everyone should take away the same quantity they brought with them.
4. Ask your guests to send the recipe in advance -- this alerts guests if they have food allergies.
Tips:
1. Consider cookies that have a decent storage life so you can bake them ahead of time. However, bake as close to "eating time" as possible because they'll taste better.
2. Make the dough in advance, flatten into a disc and freeze it. When you're ready to bake, take it out and roll out the dough. Most rolled doughs have a long shelf life in the freezer.
3. Mail out invitations. It sets the tone of the party.
4. Set the table. If you have an area that's not in heavy use, put out the plates, napkins, packaging and glasses several days before the party.
5. Decide what to serve with your cookies ahead of time. Depending on what time your cookie swap takes place, think about serving wine, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, water, or a combination of beverages.
6. Don't be thrust into making anything last minute.
Favors:
Since you've asked your guests to email you their recipes ahead of time, bundle them up into a small booklet and hand one out to everyone. The emotional aspect behind the cookie will be captured, whether it was a family recipe or you just happened to stumble upon it, a story will be created.
Packaging:
Creating personalized packaging will make your Cookie Swap stand out from others. Since most guests will forget to bring Tupperware with them, prepare take-home packaging for everyone. Personalize the packages with guests names or include a photo. It's a signal to guests that you've been thinking of them -- it also doubles as a favor and memento from the event. Here are some of my ideas for the holidays:
1. Line vintage ornament boxes with tissue paper or gift wrap.
2. Stuff cookies in plastic bags in inexpensive Christmas stockings labeled with guests' names.
For more cookie recipes, favor and invitation ideas, visit JuliaUsher.com or pick up a copy of her book, "Cookie Swap."
