It’s perfectly OK to prefer a particular type of cookie, but that’s a taste preference not related to presentation. If the invite is simply for cookies with no holiday theme, then bake and bring anything you want (but I do draw the line at anything store- or bakery-bought).
I stopped participating in cookie exchanges long ago for the same reason some others have mentioned. I can make “everyday” cookies anytime and feel that those cookies are a poor exchange for my time. It’s moot now because I no longer make or eat holiday cookies. I’m waiting for an invite to @gosmom’s Wine and Cheese party.
Is the consistency of the Grinch fudge firm enough at room temperature?
I think that is super cute! It says to store at room temperature, but I just wanted to ask. I wouldn’t want to set it out and have it turn into the consistency of frosting if it’s not refrigerated.
But some “festive” cookies don’t taste good to me like those sugar cookie cutouts that are over iced with garish colors. I’d much rather have something that tastes good.
In that photo you posted which cookies do you consider festive and tasty?? Take away the table decoration. Most of those do not look like they’d taste good to me. I might like the coconut macaroons with the chocolate on the bottom, but the rest are not something I like. Maybe the snowball cookies.
I have both baked and eaten all of the various cookies on the spread @ChoatieMom posted. Really, they are all very tasty. Of course, YMMV on what you think is tasty as people’s tastes do differ.
Really…I’m sure anything you take will be appreciated. The lemon ginger cookies sound like something I might try this year.
I’m surprised at all the strong opinions on this thread but it’s been fun to read through and get more recipe ideas of what to bake for my own family.
We typically take a pass on the cookie exchanges because one of the first years we lived here there was a super spreader event stemming from an exchange. We have lots of littles here and they often have their hands and germs over everything. I’ve watched too many kids wipe their noses, take food, and then put it back. No thanks ; ).
I have hosted and attended many cookie exchanges over the years. If the invitation doesn’t specify holiday/festive/Christmas cookies, please check in with the host to see if this is the unwritten expectation AND if they want cookies or are bars, bark, etc. acceptable. This should help some of your social anxiety around the event if you have as much information as possible in advance.
I’ll say some of the duds I’ve encountered over the years have been savory (like cheese straws or something like that - not bad in and of themselves, but not something you’d put out on a tray of holiday cookies), poorly executed, or “creative”. Like a recipe calls for cranberries and someone decided to sub raisins, and it just didn’t work. (subbing in gluten free flour one for one is another frequent offender in this category)
Unless very clearly stated otherwise, homemade is preferred. I get that it can be onerous if you don’t like baking. An alternative is to ask the host if you can come anyway to be social, and will help with clean up in exchange. (obviously not expecting to take any cookies home)
This Land O’ Lakes recipe has served me well for 20ish years. It is not hard per se but it is labor intensive. Works best if you have a couple of motivated teenagers to help with the dipping. Even if the lines aren’t as straight as in the photo (lol) it looks beautiful on a cookie tray and mint+chocolate are Christmas classic flavors.
I’ve seen people do the easiest of things – pretzel rods dipped in chocolate (white or brown) and then covered in red and green sprinkles. Personally, I love the salty sweet combo, and it’s easy.
If the idea of baking really is stressful and if you have more money than time, pay someone to make cookies for you. They’ll be homemade, just not in your home! I love to bake so much I’d do it for you for free as long as you supply the ingredients.
My mom wasn’t a big baker (my grandma and her 4 dusters came over from Scotland and made the best cookies every Christmas), but she made chocolate chip cookies every Christmas, so I used to too. Only at Christmas.
I’d assume the gf cookies were made by someone who couldn’t eat gluten? I have 2 kids with celiac, and a friend group with 2 women with celiac, so some appreciate being able to participate, and when hosting holidays, it’s nice to have a couple of gf treats for those that can’t have regular flour. Gf flour is more expensive, and gf baked goods don’t taste as good (just made a gf chocolate chip banana bread, it’s more forgiving than cookies).
I was not trying to criticize GF baked goods, just pointing out that people who bring GF items that weren’t prepared from a recipe designed to be GF, instead simply subbing in an almond flour or other alternative, will typically result in something that isn’t as yummy. Which is not something one wants for a cookie exchange.
That’s pretty harsh. I can make my mom’s chocolate chip cookies with gluten free oatmeal for my niece who is celiac and everyone loves them. I’m sure the gluten free cookies are enjoyed by many people.
I have had most of those cookies at one time or another and they are just not my thing. I guess I have a picky palate, but those don’t seem very adult. The m&m cookies seem like cookies for kids, especially.
Sally’s Baking Addiction has a vast collection of recipes including some we have discussed including the m&m cookies and the thumbprint cookies. Might be a good place for @OctoberKate and other cookie bakers to start:
King Arthur Baking is another excellent website for all things baking: