THE RULES OF THE COOKIE EXCHANGE

THE RULES OF THE COOKIE EXCHANGE

If you are like me you are getting ready to head to your annual Cookie Exchange or Cookie Swap. Over the years the swap has taken differnt forms but cookies are always involved and we play the 7-11 dice game for an ornament and sometimes a white elephant gag is thrown in the mix.

We have had a blast over the years and may I add a few headaches too. Headaches from imbibing too much of course but also the ocassional guest that didnt get along with the group or someone who shows up empty handed on the cookie front or god forbid - with store bought cookies (I did that one year and while it saved time - it almost put me in the poor house). This year the cookie exvchanges via email got a little millitant with a few gals ditching their long held traditional recipes to the horror of others and there were even demands that cookies had to be baked and could not include chocoalte chips!

To save the sanity of all I give you Robin Olsons *Rules of the Cookie Exchange. They are really a great guide. And to you I say - go forth and swap!

1. All cookies should be homemade, baked and main ingredient must be flour.

2. No plain chocolate chip cookies, cookie mixes, no-bakes, meringues or bars.

3. Please bring 6 dozen total cookies.

4. The theme is "Christmas Cookies" (You can make any theme you like.)

5. Arrange cookies in a basket or platter and be creative! Bring a large container to carry away your cookie, (or the hostess can provide a take away container.)

6. Email a copy of your recipe before the party (or bring recipe to the party)

7. Christmas (or theme) attire is encouraged!

8. RSVP as soon as you can and let me know what type of cookies you are planning on baking - no duplicate recipes allowed

9. There's a prize for the best Christmas outfit. (Give prizes!)

10. If you don't have time to bake, or have burnt your cookies, but still want to attend, you must go to a real bakery and buy 6 dozen yummy cookies.

Here are the cookies I made for my cookie exchange this year from Bon Appettit Magazine and they turned out beautifully and tasted like pepermint brownies. - YUM!



Double Chocolate-Peppermint Crunch Cookies
Crushed peppermint candies make a festive, crunchy topping for these pretty cookies.

Makes about 50

2 1/2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips (do not exceed 61% cacao; 15 to 16 ounces), divided
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 large eggs

4 candy canes or 16 red-and-white-striped hard peppermint candies, coarsely crushed

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Stir 2cups chocolate chips in medium metal bowl set over saucepan of simmering water until melted and smooth. Measure 2/3 cup melted chocolate; transfer to small metal bowl and reserve for drizzling.

Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, espresso powder, and salt in medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until creamy. Add sugar and both extracts; beat until smooth. Add eggs; beat to blend. Beat in melted chocolate from medium bowl. Add dry ingredients; beat just to blend. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Measure 1 level tablespoonful dough; roll dough between palms to form ball. Place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough, spacing cookies 11/2 inches apart.

Bake cookies until cracked all over and tester inserted into center comes out with large moist crumbs attached, 8 to 9 minutes. Cool cookies on baking sheet 5 minutes. Transfer cookies on parchment paper to racks to cool completely.

Rewarm reserved 2/3 cup chocolate over small saucepan of simmering water. Using fork, drizzle chocolate over cookies. Sprinkle crushed candy canes over, arranging some pieces with red parts showing. Chill just until chocolate sets, about 20 minutes.

*Copyrights notice: "The "Rules of the Cookie Exchange" THE RULES OF THE COOKIE EXCHANGE (aka Cookie Exchange Rules, Cookie Swap Rules) Robin L. Olson, Copyright 1997