Friday, December 10, 2010

Cookie Madness!

Last night I hosted my first cookie exchange.  I'm surprised it's taken me this long to do it, since growing up my mom hosted one every year.  I have many many memories of women coming over and hanging out with cookies galore while I went in out of the kitchen to steal samples while watching some Christmas cartoon like "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" or "A Charlie Brown Christmas".

Anyway, this was the year!  I figured a blogger cookie exchange was the perfect combination.  People who love food, food that is fun to photograph, and lots of Christmas cheer!

Kelly, Jen, and Katie came a little early to help me set up.

Kelly is the pomegranate master!

I made heavy appetizers to go with the abundance of cookies.  

On the menu:
  • pitas with pesto and cheese
  • crostini with diced artichoke hearts, roasted red pepper, and goat cheese
  • mozzarella, tomato, and basil on tooth picks
  • guacamole and fresh salsa with two kinds of tortilla chips
  • hummus with veggies
  • French bread with bruschetta dip
  • Jen's nut pate with pita chips and veggies
  • Katie's vegetarian chili
  • A couple bottles of red wine
  • pomegranate martinis (with Pom aerials!)
  • Mulled cider





















My plate (sideways!)


We munched on apps while conversation flowed, and the Christmas play list played.  Then it was time for the main event!  The cookie madness!  If you are wondering how we did my "exchange", I kept it casual.  I tried not to mandate that everyone HAD to bring a certain amount of cookies, but if they needed a ball park number about 3-4 dozen would be a good amount.

Jen's (Peanut Butter Runner) Biscotti
Jen's (PB Runner) shortbread peppermint bark

Cindi's GIANT chocolate chip (with brownie inside) cookies

Kelly's gingersnaps

Andrea's pumpkin cookies (I think!?)

Jen's (runnerstrials) cranberry oatmeal cookies

My orange chocolate pinwheels and almond candy canes.
Katie's salted choco-caramel cookies
Katie's Lemon Cornmeal cookies

Caitlin's thumbprint cookies

Somehow I missed getting pictures of  Jessie's coconut cream cookies and Linday's fudge, but I assure you, they were totally delicious! 

Caitlin and Clyde have a special relationship...
This is a game they like to play :)


The crew!
Top left to right: Jen, Jen, Andrea, Jessie, Cindi, Me
Bottom: Lindsay, Kelly (Clyde!), Katie, Caitlin

I can't believe I waited this long to host a cookie party!  It was a blast and I think we all had a great time :)  

Do you host or go to cookie exchange parties?
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