Cookie Swap Kids Cooking Party

A cookie swap kids cooking party is a fun cookie exchange where kids bake, decorate, share, and take home a variety of cookies.

When deciding which type of cookie swap party to have, consider the size of your kitchen, your oven space, and how many children can comfortably mix, bake, and decorate together.

This is a great option for a kids cooking birthday party, holiday cookie exchange, classroom celebration, homeschool cooking lesson, or weekend family cooking event. For more dessert party ideas, try the Cookie Decorating Party, Cookie Pizza Party, Supreme Sundae Party, or try a savory option like a Pizza Cooking Party.

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Cookie Swap Party Options

This is one of the most flexible dessert cooking party ideas for kids because you can adjust the time, recipes, and difficulty level based on your group.

There are two easy ways to plan a kids cookie exchange. You can host a shorter bake-off where each child brings prepared dough from home, or you can host a longer baking day where kids mix, bake, and decorate during the party.

Cookie Swap Bake Off

For this type of exchange party, kids prepare cookie dough at home and bring it ready to bake. Ask guests to bring dough in a plastic baggie or covered bowl, plus a copy of the recipe for each guest.

Pros of a Bake-Off Cookie Swap

• The party will not be as long as a full baking day.
• Kids and parents may get extra cooking time together at home.
• You will not need to buy all the cookie ingredients because you are mostly baking and swapping.

Plan at least 15 to 30 minutes of cooking time per guest's cookies, depending on how many batches their dough makes and how much oven space you have.

Once all cookies are baked and cooled, divide the variety of cookies evenly among the guests to take home.

Swap Baking Day

This option can become an all-day cooking party depending on the number of children and recipes you choose.

For larger groups, split children into groups of 2 to 3. Each group can prepare dough, bake cookies, and decorate if desired. With one oven, start one group mixing first, then bring in the next group while the first cookies bake.

Each cooking group can make a basic cookie dough recipe. You can also use one large batch of basic dough and divide it into equal portions for different cookie variations.

Basic Sugar Cookie Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond or lemon extract
• 5 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, cream together butter, powdered sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and almond or lemon extract.
2. Blend together.
3. In a separate large bowl, add flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar.
4. Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and blend together.
5. Chill at least 20 to 30 minutes.
6. For 7 layer bars and fruit pizza, chilling is not necessary because the dough is easier to press into the pan when soft.

This batch makes about 3 dozen cookies, depending on the size of dough balls or cookie cutters.

While dough chills, clean up the kitchen, prepare toppings, or play a cooking game.

Cookies You Can Make with This Basic Sugar Recipe

Use the basic sugar cookie dough to make several different cookies for your swap baking day:

• Rolled Out Cookies
• Jam Filled Cookies
• Snowballs
• Thumbprints
• 7 Layer Bars
• Fruit Pizza
• Cookie Pops

More Cookie Party Ideas

Keep this page focused on planning a kids cookie swap party, but use these related cookie activities if you want to add a decorating station, cookie pizza option, or extra take-home treat.

Cookie Decorating Party

Add a frosting and sprinkles station to your cookie swap.

Cookie Pizza Party

Make one large cookie pizza or individual cookie pizzas.

Cookie Decorating Tips

Get frosting, icing, and decorating ideas for sugar cookies.

Cookie Recipes

Find more cookie recipes to use for a swap or exchange.

Cut-Out Cookie Recipes

Choose sugar cookie dough recipes for rolling and cutting.

Rolled Out Cookies

You Will Need

• Cookie cutters
• Basic cookie dough
• Rolling pin
• 2 baking sheets
• Cooling rack
• Frosting or royal icing, if decorating
• Sprinkles

Roll cookie dough out on a floured surface. Cut out with cookie cutters. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 350F for 8 to 10 minutes until light golden. Place on a cooling rack and allow to cool before decorating.

Jam Filled Cookies

You Will Need

• Cookie cutters with a smaller cutter for the middle
• Basic cookie dough
• Rolling pin
• 2 cookie sheets
• Cooling rack
• Jelly or jam
• Powdered sugar for dusting tops

Roll out cookie dough on a floured surface and cut out cookies. For every other cookie, cut out a smaller middle "window." Bake at 350F for 8 to 10 minutes. Dust powdered sugar on the window cookies, add a spoonful of jam to whole cookies, and place the window cookies on top.

Snowball Cookies

You Will Need

• Basic cookie dough
• Optional chocolate chips, Craisins, or chopped nuts
• 2 cookie sheets
• Cooling rack
• Powdered sugar for rolling

Roll cookie dough into balls. Bake at 350F for about 15 minutes until golden brown. Roll warm cookie balls in powdered sugar.

Thumbprint Cookies

You Will Need

• Basic cookie dough
• 2 cookie sheets
• Cooling rack
• Jam or red cherries, pitted

Form dough into balls and place on a cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and press the top of each cookie with a tablespoon. Fill with a spoonful of jam or a cherry. Allow to cool.

7 Layer Bars

You Will Need

• Basic cookie dough
• 13x9 pan
• Sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup butterscotch or other flavored baking chips
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional
• Optional: 1 cup mini baking M&M's

Press cookie dough into the bottom of a 13x9 pan. Top with baking chips, coconut, nuts, and mini M&M's if using. Pour sweetened condensed milk over the top. Bake at 350F for 25 minutes.

Half a batch of the basic cookie dough recipe will make one 13x9 pan.

Cookie Pizza

You Will Need

• Pizza pan
• Cookie dough
• Assorted fruit
• Frosting

Press dough into a pizza pan. Bake at 350F for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool completely. Frost and top with an arrangement of cut fruit slices.

Half a batch of the basic cookie dough recipe can be spread into a small pizza pan.

Swap Party Planning Timeline

Would you like different cookie recipes to use in your swap?

What Kids Learn at a Cookie Swap Party

How to Run the Cookie Swap Party

More Dessert Cooking Party Ideas

Cookie Decorating Party

Roll, cut, bake, and decorate sugar cookies or cookie pops.

Cookie Pizza Party

Make giant cookie pizzas and decorate with frosting, fruit, and candies.

Supreme Sundae Party

Make cookie cups, scoop ice cream, and build a toppings bar.

Cone Cakes Party

Bake cupcakes inside ice cream cones and decorate them.

Mini Fruit Pies Party

Make small individual pies with fruit fillings and simple crusts.

Cookie Swap Kids Cooking Party FAQ

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