So I started my annual cookie baking party about when I moved here, so about 7 years ago. I took at least one year off when I was pregnant. It was inspired by my older sister who used to have cookie parties in college. The first year I did it I was pretty broke and tried to get everyone to bring an ingredient for the sugar cookies, like a bag of flour, a bag of sugar, etc. A few people who said they were going to come did not and one person who did come brought margarine, which I know it's picky of me, but I like real butter for baking. Also I found it's really hard and time consuming to mix the doughs when everyone is there so I like to have at least two double batches of sugar cookie dough pre-made in the fridge. So after that year I decided to just make the dough and frostings with my own ingredients.
So, I make sugar cookie dough, and buttercream and powdered sugar frosting ahead of time. I set up my kitchen as the baking station, so we roll dough on my island and use the counters for mixing/pans, etc. Then baked cookies go into my dining room where I have the frostings, sprinkles, and my cake decorating gear for beautification. People can bring their own sprinkles or special cookie cutters as well and usually I end up with the left over sprinkles. One year I had a coworker come who was Jewish and she brought her Hanukkah cutters.
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Cutting/baking in the kitchen, cider is in the crockpot on the counter. |
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Yummy! |
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Decorating in the dining room. |
I serve appetizers and usually either put them on my hutch buffet, or set up a folding table in the living room. Every year I make a smokey cheese ball, and it is now a staple and people would be disappointed if I didn't. Other appetizers have included mushroom caps, crostini with tapenade, bruschetta, bread sticks with marinara, bread bowl with spinach dip and veggie dippers, and potato skins. I also serve my mother-in-laws yummy spiced apple cider and have soda, milk, water, coffee, and tea to drink as well.
Two parties ago I had a lot of people show up and we didn't have many cookies per person to take home so I also added an exchange element where I ask people to bring 3-4 dozen other kinds of cookies, or candies and trade so everyone takes home a plate of delicious goodies.
Things that I have found to be helpful logistically:
- Have plenty of aprons for guests
- Borrow extra folding tables for places to put the decorated cookies to dry
- Have some cookies baked before the party so some guests can start decorating while others start baking, otherwise you end up with a jam and not enough for people to do.
That looks like fun! Maybe next year I will try that. :) Maybe. :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks like so much fun. I wanna do something like this soon. Just didn't plan well this year.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! I might try this next year! (I've just added you to my blogroll...thanks for writing such an enjoyable blog!) :)
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