Cookie Baking Party

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.

Cutting/baking in the kitchen, cider is in the crockpot on the counter.

Yummy!

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.