A
EXCHANGE
C
Chocolate Caramel Treasures 1 2⁄3 1 2 1 1 1⁄3
stick unsalted butter, softened cup sugar large egg yolk tablespoons whole milk teaspoon vanilla cup all-purpose flour cup Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa powder ¼ teaspoon salt 1 large egg white, lightly beaten ½ cup finely chopped hazelnuts (or other nuts) CARAMEL FILLING: 10 (1x1/2-inch) plain caramels, unwrapped 2 tablespoons heavy cream CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE:
Photo by John Jernigan
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Photo courtesy The Cookie Party Cookboook
Sweet
ounces fine-quality semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened) finely chopped
T H R OW I N G A C O O K I E PA RT Y
1. Beat together butter, sugar, Beat together butter, sugar, yolk, milk and vanilla with an electric mixer until well blended. Sift in flour, cocoa and salt and beat on low speed until mixture forms a dough. Chill, wrapped in plastic wrap, until firm—at least 30 minutes. 2. Heat oven to 350°F. 3. Roll scant tablespoons of dough into balls, then coat with egg white, letting excess drip off, and roll in nuts to coat. Arrange balls, as coated, 1 ½ inches apart on greased baking sheets, and press your thumb into center of balls to flatten, leaving a depression. Bake in batches in middle of oven until puffed slightly but centers are soft—10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven, and immediately press centers of cookies again (we use
handle end of a wooden spoon). handle end of wooden spoon). Transfer to racks to cool. Make filling while cookies cool. 4. Heat caramels and cream in a
small saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and mixture is smooth. Spoon into centers of cookies and cool completely.
5. Make chocolate drizzle one hour
before serving. Melt chocolate in a double boiler, stirring until smooth. Cool to warm, and pour into a heavy-duty sealable plastic bag. Seal bag and snip one corner to form a small hole. Drizzle chocolate over the cookies, and let stand until set—about 30 minutes. Source: The Cookie Party Cookbook: The Ultimate Guide to Hosting a Cookie Exchange
“ R U L E S” O F T H E C O O K I E EXCHANGE » All cookies should be homemade, and their main ingredient must be flour. » No plain chocolate chip cookies, cookie mixes, nobakes, meringues* or bars. » Bring 6 dozen total cookies. » Have a theme. » Arrange cookies in a basket or platter, and be creative! Bring a large container to carry away your cookies.
GETTING READY:
PARTY TIME:
» Decide on a theme, and send out invitations early. Remind guests to bring a container to take home cookies and to bring printed copies of their cookie recipe.
» Display cookies on the arranged table(s), and be sure to take photos before the swap takes place.
» Plan a menu.
» Put out recipes by each cookie plate.
» Party theme attire is encouraged!
» Allow time for guests to mingle, socialize and eat.
» RSVP as soon as you can, and let the hostess know what type of cookies you are planning on baking—no duplicate recipes are allowed.
» Bake your own cookies, and store them in an airtight container before the party. » Decorate house and gather tableware, accessories, candles, etc. » Cook appetizers or food that can be frozen or stored without compromising quality. » Set up buffet table(s) for your guests to display their cookies. If possible, provide tiered serving trays or stands so cookies can be displayed at different heights for a prettier presentation.
» When it’s time to “swap”, call the party to order and gather around the cookie table(s). Take turns as each guest introduces themselves and tells a brief anecdote about their cookie recipe. » Swap! Everyone goes around the table, at the same time, in the same direction and takes three to five cookies from each plate until all cookies are gone.
» Email a copy of your recipe before the party or bring recipe to the party.
» If you don’t have time to bake or have burnt your cookies, but still want to attend, go to a real bakery and buy 6 dozen yummy cookies. *The meringue recipes within the story were so yummy and beautifully decorated that we just couldn’t resist! You be the judge on what type of cookies are appropriate to have at your party. Source: Robin Olson, cookie-exchange.com
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nov’11
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