Bake and Bring Party
A traditional cookie swap is a wonderful way to share a family favorite recipe with friends and take home some of theirs. The way it works is the host coordinates with a group of friends, family or co-workers to bake enough of one or two cookie recipes to share with everyone. Then, you get together and swap the cookies. It’s just that simple!
- Select a Date
- Poll your potential guests to see what day and time works best for everyone.
- Suggest early December before calendars become too filled with other holiday activities.
- Consider a more unusual time like a weekend morning. Limit the party to two or three hours.
- Invite Guests
- Decide on how many guests to invite but keep it fairly small so no one feels overwhelmed by the amount of baking.
- Eight to 12 guests makes for good conversation and plenty of cookies.
- Consider emailing invitations to save time, expense and reduce paper clutter.
- Coordinate Type & Amount Cookies
- Confirm the number of participants and determine how many cookies each person should bring. Normally, everyone brings one dozen cookies to taste at the exchange and another dozen cookies for each person attending to take home (don’t forget to include the host.) If you have a large group, cut down on the number of cookies to bring - maybe six cookies for each person.
- When guests RSVP, ask what type of cookie they are bringing. Try to avoid duplication so your guests end up with a good mix of delectable holiday sweets.
- Ask attendees to send recipes in advance and make a recipe book to use as a party favor. Or, at the swap, take photos of the cookies and add them to the recipes. Then make CDs to give as gifts to those who participated.
- Bake Your Cookies
- Choose a recipe that can be easily mass-produced.
- Line your cookie sheets with Reynolds Parchment Paper so there’s no need to add extra grease or spray.
- Use Reynolds Parchment Paper to speed up cookie baking: While the first batch of cookies bakes on a parchment lined cookie sheet, prepare another batch on a second sheet of parchment. When first batch is done, slide parchment with baked cookies off cookie sheet onto a cooling rack. Slide second sheet of parchment with unbaked cookies onto cookie sheet and bake.
- Organize the Swap
- Make sure guests know that they should bring the cookies for everyone in bags, containers, tins or plates packaged for others to take home.
- Have extra containers on hand in case anyone forgets to bring some.
- Plan light snacks like raw vegetables and fruit. Coffee, tea or hot beverages such as mulled cider or hot chocolate would be perfect for cookie sampling.
- Provide large bags for your guests to carry home their goodies. Check dollar stores for pretty seasonal gift bags.
