{"id":2155,"date":"2010-12-13T10:49:30","date_gmt":"2010-12-13T08:49:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/?p=2155"},"modified":"2012-11-29T10:01:41","modified_gmt":"2012-11-29T08:01:41","slug":"cookie-recipes-how-to-host-a-cookie-swap-exchange","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2010\/12\/13\/cookie-recipes-how-to-host-a-cookie-swap-exchange\/","title":{"rendered":"Cookie Recipes &#038; How to Host a Cookie Swap Exchange"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s the holiday season, so many of you are baking furiously, taking dozens of cookies into the office or to parties, and stockpiling your freezer with cookies! Read on for tips on hosting your own cookie swap party, cookie cookbooks I like, and cookie recipe ideas from this blog and many others!<\/p>\n<p>I love a good Cookie Swap and two years ago I <a href=\"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2008\/12\/09\/the-best-holiday-cookie-swap-ever\/\">hosted my first Cookie Swap in Italy<\/a> that I&#8217;m repeating this year for the third time (wanna come?). Here&#8217;s how you can get started yourself!<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Suggestions for hosting a great Cookie Swap<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Cookie recipes from Ms. Adventures in Italy<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Cookie cookbooks to inspire your cookies<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Cookie recipes from bloggers around the web<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Cookies on the Table for Holiday Cookie Swap by MsAdventuresinItaly, on Flickr\" href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/msadventuresinitaly\/3094335275\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3233\/3094335275_868d7d335b.jpg?resize=500%2C333\" alt=\"Cookies on the Table for Holiday Cookie Swap\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Suggestions for hosting a great Cookie Swap &#8211; Exchange<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>First of all, to have a Cookie Swap, you need some ground rules, and you need Cookies. First, the suggestions to have a great cookie swap:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Timing<\/strong>. I find a mid-afternoon meet-up time for a few hours works well for the swap, so people don&#8217;t have to decide if they eat dinner or eat cookies&#8230;we know which one they&#8217;ll choose but it&#8217;s better to make sure your guests can follow-up the swap with some real food &#8211; and everyone loves a party that leaves them time to go to a second party that night!<\/li>\n<li><strong>Every guest, really everyone, brings cookies<\/strong>. If a couple comes, or a guest brings a friend, that person brings their own batch of cookies, too! This way you keep the ratio of guests to cookies very high. 2 people = 2 batches of cookies. Stick to this rule! That way, the more the merrier is always true.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Each guest should bring at least 2 dozen cookies (of the same type)<\/strong>. This is the minimum I recommend for a party of a dozen people, so they can sample one at the party and take one or more home. If you&#8217;re having a larger party or want to have your guests take many cookies home, you can suggest 4 or 6 dozen, but this can be a daunting amount of cookies for new or only occasional bakers. Decide based on your crowd.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Give a prize, and award originality! <\/strong>I like to give a little prize (under $5) as an incentive, and instead of focusing on only the best-looking or tasting, <strong>I give a prize for the best-named cookie<\/strong>, so even those ugly cookies can be rewarded if their owner has a bit of creativity. Check out my post on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2008\/12\/09\/the-best-holiday-cookie-swap-ever\/\">1st cookie swap for some examples of interesting cookie names<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Encourage your guests to bring more than one type of cookie if they feel like it<\/strong>. Some guests may go gung-ho and make more than one type of cookie &#8211; the more the merrier! Just make sure they bring 2 dozen of any type of cookie so others can try it and take it home.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Provide take-home containers or plates to display the cookies.<\/strong> The best part of the exchange is taking cookies home and therefore each guest should bring an extra container or you&#8217;ll need to provide some. The cookies need to be displayed in something before they are put into containers to take home, so offer your own plates for the display and then let the guests refill the now-empty containers they brought their cookies in.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Provide some fun or bubbly drinks, or the classic milk.<\/strong> Sampling cookies is hard work and it can be thirsty work, too. Provide some champagne or <em>prosecco<\/em>, cold milk, and of course water for your guests to wash the cookies down. Try to stay away from overly-sugary drinks like soda and fruit juice &#8211; save the sugar for the cookies!<\/li>\n<li><strong>Provide some sort of salty-savory snack (optional)<\/strong>. With so much sugar, you might want to provide a counterpoint to the sugar by putting out fresh vegetables or some crackers so guests can take a breather from the sugar. Or maybe not.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Holiday music<\/strong>. Need I say more? A little background music does wonders for a party. I usually load up holiday music on my computer and put it to work in a corner. My <a href=\"http:\/\/astore.amazon.com\/msadventuresinitaly-20?_encoding=UTF8&amp;node=19\">favorite holiday albums<\/a> to liven things up &#8211; some are even on sale now: <a href=\"http:\/\/astore.amazon.com\/msadventuresinitaly-20\/detail\/B002QDQO7M\">Christmas with the Rat Pack<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/astore.amazon.com\/msadventuresinitaly-20\/detail\/B000W25AJC\">Carpenters&#8217; Christmas Portrait<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/astore.amazon.com\/msadventuresinitaly-20\/detail\/B00138EZGS\">Elvis Christmas<\/a>, the <a href=\"http:\/\/astore.amazon.com\/msadventuresinitaly-20\/detail\/B002S34S82\">99 most Essential Christmas Masterpieces<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/astore.amazon.com\/msadventuresinitaly-20?_encoding=UTF8&amp;node=19\">many others<\/a>!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><strong>Cookie recipes from Ms. Adventures in Italy<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Now, on to the cookies! From my own site, here are some cookie recipes you can try:<\/p>\n<table align=\"center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"World Peace Cookies with Crystallized Ginger and a Virtual Hug for Barbara from Winos and Foodies by MsAdventuresinItaly, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2008\/12\/07\/world-peace-cookies-and-a-virtual-hug-for-barbara-from-winos-and-foodies\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3154\/3089219192_d95ff30e32_t.jpg?resize=100%2C67\" alt=\"World Peace Cookies with Crystallized Ginger and a Virtual Hug for Barbara from Winos and Foodies\" width=\"100\" height=\"67\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Pistachio and Chocolate Crinkles Cookies Recipe from Field Guide to Cookies by MsAdventuresinItaly, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2008\/11\/13\/pistachio-and-chocolate-crinkles-cookie-recipe-from-field-guide-to-cookies\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3166\/3026217065_e96920d0c2_t.jpg?resize=67%2C100\" alt=\"Pistachio and Chocolate Crinkles Cookies Recipe from Field Guide to Cookies\" width=\"67\" height=\"100\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Pignoli (Almond and Pine Nut) Cookies from Field Guide to Cookies by MsAdventuresinItaly, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2008\/12\/03\/pignoli-cookies-from-field-guide-to-cookies-for-eat-christmas-cookies\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3182\/3078658841_8a6305a7fe_t.jpg?resize=100%2C67\" alt=\"Pignoli (Almond and Pine Nut) Cookies from Field Guide to Cookies\" width=\"100\" height=\"67\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a title=\"Dolce Italiano: Sicilian Pistachio Cookies\" href=\"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2007\/12\/03\/dolce-italiano-sicilian-pistachio-cookies\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm3.static.flickr.com\/2066\/2083403314_2a1c5299b8_t.jpg?resize=100%2C67\" alt=\"Sicilian Pistachio Cookies from Dolce Italiano\" width=\"100\" height=\"67\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Cross-section of a Kitchen Sink, Everything Cookies Recipe: Oatmeal, Chocolate and Peanut Butter Chip Walnut Cookies by MsAdventuresinItaly, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2008\/10\/13\/kitchen-sink-everything-cookies-recipe-oatmeal-chocolate-and-peanut-butter-chip-walnut-cookies\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3178\/2937595090_b306151d3d_t.jpg?resize=100%2C67\" alt=\"Cross-section of a Kitchen Sink, Everything Cookies Recipe: Oatmeal, Chocolate and Peanut Butter Chip Walnut Cookies\" width=\"100\" height=\"67\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Fig &amp; Chocolate Oatmeal Bars Recipe from Cookie Swap by MsAdventuresinItaly, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2009\/10\/20\/fig-chocolate-oatmeal-bars-recipe-from-cookie-swap-book-from-julia-usher\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm3.static.flickr.com\/2472\/4028133221_cd2accbe49_t.jpg?resize=100%2C67\" alt=\"Fig &amp; Chocolate Oatmeal Bars Recipe from Cookie Swap\" width=\"100\" height=\"67\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><a title=\"Dark Mint Chocolate Ganache French Macarons Close-up by MsAdventuresinItaly, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2009\/01\/12\/dark-mint-chocolate-french-macarons-recipe\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3497\/3189171674_e432326f62_t.jpg?resize=100%2C67\" alt=\"Dark Mint Chocolate Ganache French Macarons Close-up\" width=\"100\" height=\"67\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Palline di Cioccolato by MsAdventuresinItaly, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2007\/01\/22\/sugar-high-friday-jan\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm1.static.flickr.com\/150\/364665746_25776c8e83_t.jpg?resize=100%2C69\" alt=\"Palline di Cioccolato\" width=\"100\" height=\"69\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Mosaic Biscotti from Gina DePalma's Dolce Italiano by MsAdventuresinItaly, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2007\/11\/26\/dolce-italiano-mosaic-biscotti\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm3.static.flickr.com\/2330\/2065390414_c893ef34d2_t.jpg?resize=100%2C67\" alt=\"Mosaic Biscotti from Gina DePalma's Dolce Italiano\" width=\"100\" height=\"67\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a title=\"Hazelnut Macarons with Nutella and Spicy Nut Centers for World Nutella Day by MsAdventuresinItaly, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2009\/02\/05\/hazelnut-macarons-with-nutella-and-spicy-nut-centers-for-world-nutella-day\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3481\/3254539681_1ee780fbe2_t.jpg?resize=100%2C67\" alt=\"Hazelnut Macarons with Nutella and Spicy Nut Centers for World Nutella Day\" width=\"100\" height=\"67\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Lemon French Macarons with Limoncello White Chocolate Ganache Recipe by MsAdventuresinItaly, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2009\/02\/25\/lemon-french-macarons-with-limoncello-white-chocolate-ganache-recipe\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3365\/3306178126_27dbacda70_t.jpg?resize=100%2C67\" alt=\"Lemon French Macarons with Limoncello White Chocolate Ganache Recipe\" width=\"100\" height=\"67\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Praline Almond, Pistachio and Chocolate Chip Blondies by MsAdventuresinItaly, on Flickr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2009\/06\/30\/praline-almond-pistachio-and-chocolate-chip-blondies-recipe\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm3.static.flickr.com\/2609\/3674722962_34d9f5f07d_t.jpg?resize=100%2C67\" alt=\"Praline Almond, Pistachio and Chocolate Chip Blondies\" width=\"100\" height=\"67\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>and from my site,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2009\/10\/21\/tips-for-decorating-cookies-from-cookie-swap-book-author-julia-usher\/\">tips for Decorating Cookies from Cookie Swap Book Author, Julia Usher.<\/a><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Cookie cookbooks to inspire your cookies<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>If you&#8217;d rather buy a book, here are <a href=\"http:\/\/astore.amazon.com\/msadventuresinitaly-20?_encoding=UTF8&amp;node=21\">some books focused on cookie swaps and cookies in general<\/a>, many of which I&#8217;ve used as inspiration or blogged about here!<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr class=\"imagerow\">\n<td><a href=\"\/msadventuresinitaly-20\/detail\/0811866750\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecx.images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/61jvXrwAZoL._SL125_.jpg\" alt=\"Very Merry Cookie Party: How to Plan and Host a Christmas Cookie Exchange\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"\/msadventuresinitaly-20\/detail\/0307394549\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecx.images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/51RIfKUV5hL._SL125_.jpg\" alt=\"Martha Stewart's Cookies: The Very Best Treats to Bake and to Share (Martha Stewart Living Magazine)\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"\/msadventuresinitaly-20\/detail\/1423603788\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecx.images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/61Tjyx4lT8L._SL125_.jpg\" alt=\"Cookie Swap: Creative Treats to Share Throughout the Year\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"textrow\">\n<td><a href=\"\/msadventuresinitaly-20\/detail\/0811866750\">Very Merry Cookie Party: How to Plan and Ho&#8230;<\/a><br \/>\nby Virginia Van Vynckt<\/td>\n<td><a href=\"\/msadventuresinitaly-20\/detail\/0307394549\">Martha Stewart&#8217;s Cookies: The Very Best Tre&#8230;<\/a><br \/>\nby Martha Stewart Living Magazine<\/td>\n<td><a href=\"\/msadventuresinitaly-20\/detail\/1423603788\">Cookie Swap: Creative Treats to Share Throu&#8230;<\/a><br \/>\nby Julia M. Usher<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"imagerow\">\n<td><a href=\"\/msadventuresinitaly-20\/detail\/031260727X\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecx.images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/51J9lMtDLlL._SL125_.jpg\" alt=\"The Cookie Party Cookbook: The Ultimate Guide to Hosting a Cookie Exchange\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"\/msadventuresinitaly-20\/detail\/1588167577\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecx.images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/51kZuMC6N-L._SL125_.jpg\" alt=\"Good Housekeeping The Great Christmas Cookie Swap Cookbook: 60 Large-Batch Recipes to Bake and Share\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"\/msadventuresinitaly-20\/detail\/1603424407\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecx.images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/51fEhpBytOL._SL125_.jpg\" alt=\"Cookie Craft Christmas: Dozens of Decorating Ideas for a Sweet Holiday\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"textrow\">\n<td><a href=\"\/msadventuresinitaly-20\/detail\/031260727X\">The Cookie Party Cookbook: The Ultimate Gui&#8230;<\/a><br \/>\nby Robin L. Olson<\/td>\n<td><a href=\"\/msadventuresinitaly-20\/detail\/1588167577\">Good Housekeeping The Great Christmas Cookie Swap<br \/>\n<\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"\/msadventuresinitaly-20\/detail\/1603424407\">Cookie Craft Christmas: Dozens of Decoratin&#8230;<\/a><br \/>\nby Valerie Peterson<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"imagerow\">\n<td><a href=\"\/msadventuresinitaly-20\/detail\/0547328168\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecx.images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/51xF1Q0bWSL._SL125_.jpg\" alt=\"The Gourmet Cookie Book: The Single Best Recipe from Each Year 1941-2009\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"\/msadventuresinitaly-20\/detail\/1579653979\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecx.images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/51eR9cuh%2BwL._SL125_.jpg\" alt=\"Chewy Gooey Crispy Crunchy Melt-in-Your-Mouth Cookies by Alice Medrich\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"\/msadventuresinitaly-20\/detail\/1594742839\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecx.images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/51F2CKGK11L._SL125_.jpg\" alt=\"Field Guide to Cookies: How to Identify and Bake Virtually Every Cookie Imaginable\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"textrow\">\n<td><a href=\"\/msadventuresinitaly-20\/detail\/0547328168\">The Gourmet Cookie Book: The Single Best Re&#8230;<\/a><br \/>\nby Gourmet Magazine<\/td>\n<td><a href=\"\/msadventuresinitaly-20\/detail\/1579653979\">Chewy Gooey Crispy Crunchy Melt-in-Your-Mou&#8230;<\/a><br \/>\nby Alice Medrich<\/td>\n<td><a href=\"\/msadventuresinitaly-20\/detail\/1594742839\">Field Guide to Cookies: How to Identify and&#8230;<\/a><br \/>\nby Anita Chu<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><strong>Cookie recipes from bloggers around the web<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Here are some cookie recipe links from some great websites and blogs I love:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/simplyrecipes.com\/recipes\/cookie\/\">Cookies<\/a> at Simply Recipes<\/li>\n<li>David Lebovitz <a href=\"http:\/\/www.davidlebovitz.com\/category\/recipes\/cookies-bars-brownies\/\">Cookies, bars &amp; brownies<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Baking Bites <a href=\"http:\/\/bakingbites.com\/category\/recipes\/cookies\/\">Cookie recipes<\/a> (try some Girl Scout cookies for the swap!)<\/li>\n<li>Dessert First <a href=\"http:\/\/dessertfirst.typepad.com\/dessert_first\/cookies\/\">cookie recipes<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Smitten Kitchen <a href=\"http:\/\/smittenkitchen.com\/cookie-recipes\/\">cookie recipes<\/a><\/li>\n<li>101 Cookbooks <a href=\"http:\/\/www.101cookbooks.com\/cookies\/\">Cookie Recipes<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com\/2009\/09\/gluten-free-cookie-recipes.html\">Gluten free cookie recipes<\/a> from Karina&#8217;s Kitchen<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/bakingbites.com\/category\/recipes\/cookies\/\">Cookie recipes<\/a> from Baking Bites<\/li>\n<li>Perfect Pantry&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theperfectpantry.com\/2010\/12\/the-perfect-pantrys-favorite-cookies-want-to-trade.html\">favorite cookie recipes<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/2009\/12\/a-guide-to-throwing-cookie-swap-parties-holidays-christmas-baking.html\">A Guide to Cookie Swaps<\/a> &amp; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.seriouseats.com\/2010\/12\/cookies-holiday-sweets-recipes-from-the-second-annual-serious-eats-cookie-swap-desserts-baking.html\">28 Cookie recipes<\/a> at Serious Eats<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tastespotting.com\/search\/cookies\/1\">Cookies<\/a> at Tastespotting<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/foodgawker.com\/?s=cookies&amp;cat=0\">Cookies<\/a> at FoodGawker<\/li>\n<li>Better Homes &amp; Gardens <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bhg.com\/holidays\/christmas\/cookies\/favorite-christmas-cookies\/\">Favorite holiday cookie recipes<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-srv\/artsandliving\/features\/2009\/holiday-guide\/entertaining\/cookies\/index.html\">Washington Post&#8217;s 2009 Holiday Cookie guide<\/a> &amp; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-srv\/artsandliving\/features\/2010\/holiday-guide\/galleries\/cookies.html\">2010<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Do you do cookie swaps? Have any suggestions for hosting a successful one? Do you have any favorite cookie recipes to share?<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Note: The cookbook and music links are affiliate links to Amazon. The blog author will get 4-6% of the purchase price. Or you can use Google to find another option! <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s the holiday season, so many of you are baking furiously, taking dozens of cookies into the office or to parties, and stockpiling your freezer with cookies! Read on for tips on hosting your own cookie swap party, cookie cookbooks I like, and cookie recipe ideas from this blog and many others! I love a&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2010\/12\/13\/cookie-recipes-how-to-host-a-cookie-swap-exchange\/\">Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[106,3,11,101],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2155","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-dessert","7":"category-food","8":"category-recipe","9":"category-tips","10":"entry"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4uB1-yL","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4400,"url":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2012\/11\/29\/november-favorites-more-cookie-recipes-for-your-holiday-cookie-swap\/","url_meta":{"origin":2155,"position":0},"title":"November Favorites: More Cookie Recipes for your Holiday Cookie Swap","author":"Sara, Ms. Adventures in Italy","date":"November 29, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"I love lists and favorites, so I\u2019m going to share a few which have caught my eye now in November. Are you a\u00a0subscriber to my newsletter? There will be a few favorites in there which aren\u2019t in this post, along with other content (and giveaways!),\u00a0so sign up now! I\u2019m also\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Favorites&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Favorites","link":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/category\/favorites\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/l_RU194737.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":746,"url":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2008\/12\/09\/the-best-holiday-cookie-swap-ever\/","url_meta":{"origin":2155,"position":1},"title":"The Best Holiday Cookie Swap Ever","author":"Sara, Ms. Adventures in Italy","date":"December 9, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"Ok, maybe not ever, but in my time in Italy, yes. And we've only just begun...(cue music). Now that I've waded into the waters of cookie swapping and dragged some Italian friends with me, I know that next year will be even easier! So many cookies, so little time. I\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Behind the Scenes&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Behind the Scenes","link":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/category\/behind-the-scenes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Cookies on the Table for Holiday Cookie Swap","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3233\/3094335275_868d7d335b.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1881,"url":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2009\/10\/20\/fig-chocolate-oatmeal-bars-recipe-from-cookie-swap-book-from-julia-usher\/","url_meta":{"origin":2155,"position":2},"title":"Fig &#038; Chocolate Oatmeal Bars Recipe from Cookie Swap Book from Julia Usher","author":"Sara, Ms. Adventures in Italy","date":"October 20, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"One thing's becoming clearer to me the more I cook is that I am not an ideal cookbook user. I usually view recipes in them as \"suggestions\" and guidelines for how the final result will be, mainly because as soon as I see a picture and description, my mind starts\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Chocolate&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Chocolate","link":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/category\/food\/chocolate\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Cookie Swap Cover by Julia Usher","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/09\/cover_cookie_book.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":729,"url":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2008\/12\/03\/pignoli-cookies-from-field-guide-to-cookies-for-eat-christmas-cookies\/","url_meta":{"origin":2155,"position":3},"title":"Pignoli Cookies from Field Guide to Cookies for Eat Christmas Cookies","author":"Sara, Ms. Adventures in Italy","date":"December 3, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"I have a lot of family in San Diego, and inevitably I will spend at least a part of my vacation down in SD, which I love. This summer during my stay I had the pleasure to meet up with another food blogger I had been talking to online for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Blog Event&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Blog Event","link":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/category\/blog-event\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Pignoli (Almond and Pine Nut) Cookies from Field Guide to Cookies","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3182\/3078658841_8a6305a7fe.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":428,"url":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2007\/12\/03\/dolce-italiano-sicilian-pistachio-cookies\/","url_meta":{"origin":2155,"position":4},"title":"Dolce Italiano: Sicilian Pistachio Cookies","author":"Sara, Ms. Adventures in Italy","date":"December 3, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Important Note: I'm seeing some confusion in the comments section - You do not need pistachio paste to make this recipe - the original recipe (listed below) calls for whole pistachios. I used the paste because I had it on hand. So we're in week 2 of the Dolce Italiano\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Blog Event&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Blog Event","link":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/category\/blog-event\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Pure Bronte (Sicilian) Pistachios ready for my cookies","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/farm3.static.flickr.com\/2413\/2082620147_6ff1c7c65c.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1885,"url":"https:\/\/www.msadventuresinitaly.com\/blog\/2009\/10\/21\/tips-for-decorating-cookies-from-cookie-swap-book-author-julia-usher\/","url_meta":{"origin":2155,"position":5},"title":"Tips for Decorating Cookies from Cookie Swap Book Author, Julia Usher","author":"Sara, Ms. Adventures in Italy","date":"October 21, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Yesterday I posted the Fig & Chocolate Oatmeal Bars recipe from the new cookbook, \"Cookie Swap\" by Julia Usher. Today Julia shares some of her decorating tips for cookies and how her career path led her from engineer to that of cookbook author and food writer. 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