When planning a cookie swap party you will need to allow at least
15-30 minutes cooking time per guests cookies. It will of course
be dependent on how many batches their dough makes and how big
your oven is.
Once all the cookies have been baked and cooled, divide the variety of cookies evenly among the guests to take home.
This type of exchange party could become an all day affair,
depending on the number of children and the recipes you decide to
create so keep that in mind when planning.
Depending on the number of children I recommend splitting into
groups of 2-3 children per cooking group. Each group can prepare
the dough, bake the cookies and decorate if desired. If you have
one stove it is probably best to have one group starting first
with the mixing and once they are ready to bake bring in another
group to start mixing while the other is baking. Decide what works
best for your kitchen and space.
You'll most likely want an extra adult or two to help with the
different groups.
Each cooking group will make a basic cookie dough recipe. If you'd like you can use this recipe with the whole group and then divide the dough into equally portions. Each group will then create different types of cookies.
Once all the baking is done and cooled, divide the variety of cookies evenly among the guests to take home.
In mixing bowl, cream together butter, sugar, eggs, and
extracts. Blend together. In separate large bowl, add flour,
baking soda and cream of tartar. Add to creamed mixture and blend
together. Chill at least 20-30 minutes.
For the 7 layer bars and fruit
pizza it isn't necessary to chill as it will be easier to
press into pan.
* This batch will make approximately 3 dozen cookies, depending
on the size of your balls of dough or cutters you'll be using.
~You can clean up the kitchen and get ready to make different
types of cookies or do a cooking
game while you are waiting.
Now you can create any of these recipes at the swap baking day
with your basic sugar cookie dough:
Rolled out cookies
Jam filled cookies
Snowballs
Thumbprints
7 layer bars
Fruit pizza
Cookie
Pops
Rolled Out Cookies
You will need for these:
Roll cookie dough out on a floured surface. Cut out with cookie
cutters. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees
8-10 minutes until light golden. Place on cooling rack. Allow to
cool before decorating.
Makes about 3 dozen cookies depending on size of cutters.
Jam Filled Cookies
You will need for these:
You will need to use the same cookie cutter for the top and bottom so it will be easier to stick to the same cookie cutter for the whole batch. Roll out cookie dough on floured surface and cut out cookies with cutter. Place on cookie sheet. For every other cookie cut out a middle for the "window". Bake cookies at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool slightly. Dust powdered sugar on window cookies, the ones with holes in the middle. Add a spoonful of jam on top of the whole cookies and place a second one with a window on top. Set on cooling rack.
Makes about 16 finished cookies.
Snowball Cookies
You will need for these:
Roll cookie dough into balls. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15
minutes until golden brown. Roll balls in powdered sugar while
they are warm.
Makes about 3 dozen snowballs.
Thumbprint Cookies
You will need for these:
Form into balls and place on cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes
until golden brown. Take out of oven and using a tablespoon press
the top of your cookie in. Fill with a spoonful of jam or place a
cherry in the indention. Allow to cool.
Makes about 3 dozen.
7 Layer Bars
You will need for these:
Press cookie dough into bottom of 13x9 pan. Top with baking
chips, coconut and nuts. Pour condensed milk over top. Bake
350 degrees at 25 minutes.
~ We also added 1 Cup mini baking M&Ms for some color.
Please note: 1/2 batch of the basic
cookie dough recipe will make one 13x9 pan.
Cookie Pizza
Press dough in pizza pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes
or until golden brown. Allow to cool. Then frost and top with an
arrangement of cut fruit slices.
Please note: 1/2 batch of the basic
cookie dough recipe can be spread into a small pizza pan.