I have been invited to a cookie exchange. I want to go, I’m trying to be more social, but I do not really know these people well. I am extremely close with one person, and have met probably 4-5 others. They are all super Type A fancy pants women (husbands are invited too, I’m guessing few will attend.) They all know each other from their very (very) high profile jobs and/or schools/alumni associations. (Most are lawyers, most either attended Harvard Law or Yale Law.) I have been invited to holiday parties, brunches whatever with this group multiple times over the last 20 years, sometimes I go, sometimes I don’t. No matter what, I walk in feeling vaguely inferior. It’s a No Way Am I As Smart Or Accomplished As Them thing. I know. I KNOW that this is patently untrue, that I’m good at what I do, that I’ve got my s**t together, that all is good. But somehow, with this crew, I am that sad seventh grader who doesn’t know where to sit in the cafeteria.
This year, instead of just a holiday party, there’s a cookie exchange. Friends, I don’t bake. When my kids were little I went all out with birthday cakes, but that’s it. The last time I made cookies I’m confident that it was slice and bake. This is an area where I already feel inferior because I just don’t do it.
PLEASE HELP.
What is some kind of cookie that I can make in relatively large quantity that will (a) not be too hard to make and (b) be something that I can be like Yeah, I Made That, it ROCKS.
Any recipes or links to things you’ve made that would help in this situation would be very very much appreciated.
I agree that fudge in all varieties can be one of the easiest, or a peppermint bark. Mexican wedding cookies are also pretty fail safe if you feel it has to actually be a cookie. .
Bourbon balls are so easy and no bake. They are a classic holiday cookie exchange item in some regions (not sure where you live.) Of course you also have to know your audience and their relationship with alcohol. These are bourbon forward!
Lots of great ideas here. I have been to several groups’ cookie exchanges. There has been a (usually) unwritten rule at each one that purchased cookies are not expected (and sometimes almost not allowed). Another thing to watch out for is if the cookies should be packaged in groups by each person to exchange or if they are put out unpackaged. It’s easiest if all the cookies you bring are the same type. Remember your container to take them home in. I think you’ll do a great job!
So many great cookie ideas here! I used to attend a cookie exchange many years ago, but the person that did it stopped inviting me (and many others). The last one I attended had so many awful cookies that people made and exchanged that my family said don’t ever take your delicious cookies to this again.
My best cookie recipe is good old chocolate chip cookies. I use only real (and very good) butter, extra vanilla and more brown sugar than white sugar. I also use Guittard or Ghiardelli semi sweet chocolate chips. Cookie dough needs to be frozen first before making the cookies. I get requests from family and friends all of the time for my chocolate chip cookies.
This gingerbread mix is pretty decent. We use it and make the cookies on the smaller side and then pipe some vanilla frosting on top. That could be store bought as well. A little finishing sugar for sparkle on the frosting if you like.
How much butter? When my kids were little I tried to make my chocolate chip cookies healthier by cutting back on butter and adding applesauce or similar. Finally found my mom’s chocolate chip cookie recipe and it called for 2 sticks of butter or margarine. They are delicious! Sooooooo much butter.
