The Thanksgiving leftovers have barely been put away when I begin to think about what I am going to bake for the December holidays. Whether celebrating the holidays, attending cookie exchanges, almost everyone can find a reason to bake cookies.
I have wonderful memories of baking cookies with my grandmother, mom and then my own children. I can still remember the way Gramma’s kitchen smelled when we made holiday cookies. She had what must have been the world’s smallest oven, but we would make dozens of cookies, one pan at a time. It took all day, but it was one of my favorite days of the year. I still smile when I think of that time spent in her kitchen.
I first heard of cookie exchanges after moving to a new subdivision when my oldest was very young. The neighborhood was filled with lots of young families and the first holiday season we were there, I was invited to a cookie exchange. I think I made about five dozen cookies. I met a lot of great people and came home with a ridiculously, fabulous tray of cookies! Now that we have family food allergies, I don’t attend that many cookie exchanges, but I still attend at least one a year because I love having lots of options for parties, guests, or hostess gifts. Organize your own cookie exchange. You don’t need many people to be successful. Even three or four people will give you a nice variety of cookies.
While more delicate cookies can not be may ahead of time there are cookies and cookie dough that can be made and frozen. I like to make up a couple of different cookie doughs and freeze them, just in case. When company shows up, I just pull out some dough and get some cookies in the oven so that everyone can have a sweet treat. And every once in a while, I will pop my children’s favorite cookies in the oven right before they walk in the door from school. The smiles always make it worthwhile.
I love that baking cookies is something that my whole family can do together and it is a great way to teach children the basics of baking. Chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies are simple to make and do not require a delicate hand, which makes them perfect for young children to put together.
Don’t have an occasion to bake cookies? Think about sharing the holiday spirit by remembering your local fire, police departments or the local senior center with a platter of cookies.
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