Cookie Swap Party

Yesterday, I was invited to a “Christmas Cookie Swap Party,” and I thought that this was a great idea! It will save me from spending way too much time attempting to bake a bunch of different cookies. I’m excited to try my friends’ favorite recipes and find some new ones to share. If you’ve never heard of a cookie swap before, here’s how it works:

Each guest is asked to bring a batch of their favorite holiday cookies or treats and an empty cookie tin. At the party, everyone swaps cookies so that they end up with a variety of treats. By the time you leave the party, you’ll have an assortment of holiday cookies, without having to bake them all yourself. It’ll look like you’ve been slaving away in the kitchen for days!

Since I’m always one for saving time, my contribution will look like it took me all day when it only requires about an hour and just a few ingredients!

Here’s a great recipe for Dessert Mini Wraparounds:

Ingredients:
1 pkg. Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets (2 sheets)
1 egg
1 Tbsp water
Flour, for coating prep. surface
Assorted Fillings: Jam, preserves, peanut butter, chocolate pieces, chopped dried fruit, chopped nuts, chopped mini chocolate peanut butter cups or caramel.

Directions:

1. Thaw pastry sheets at room temperature 30 min. Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix egg and water.
2. Unfold pastry on lightly floured surface. Roll each sheet into 12" square and cut into 16 (3") squares. Place 1 tsp. filling in center of each square. Brush edges of squares with egg mixture. Fold corners to center over filling and pinch edges to seal. Place on baking sheets.
3. Bake 15 min. or until golden. Remove from baking sheets and cool on wire racks 10 min.

Gift Idea
I’m always looking for ways to save on both time and money, so when I came across these super cute Chinese-take out style boxes I thought they would be great to fill with cookies or treats and give as a gift. These boxes look really trendy and are even decorated with holiday prints! They’re perfect for gifts to coworkers, friends or even the mailman! If you’re feeling crafty, you can buy the boxes in plain white and decorate them yourself by simply tying red and green ribbon around them.

For more info. on great “cookie” gift ideas and recipes, check out:

http://bakingbites.com/
http://www.cookiemadness.net/
http://www.cookiemadness.net/
http://giftideas.blogsome.com/
http://www.cookiegiftbaskets.com/gram/