Cookie Swap! : Crowd-Pleasing Cookies That Are Easy to Make and Perfect to Share

Cookie swaps are joyful. Cookie swaps are social. Cookie swaps are hip yet old-school, trendy yet traditional. Cookie swaps are creative, inexpensive, DIY, and a great way to entertain. Cookie swaps are baking meets __Stitch ’n Bitch__, with newspapers, magazines, and websites―including __The New York Times__, __The Washington Post__, __Better Homes and Gardens__, __Real Simple__, __Family Fun__, __Southern Living__, Kraft.com, and Ed Levine’s Serious Eats―all writing about the trend. __Cookie Swap!__ captures all of this and more in an idea-packed, slightly sassy guide. On the one hand, it’s all about the swap: when to swap (Christmas, of course, and other holidays, but also birthdays, bridal showers, graduation parties, PTA meetings, and fund-raisers―or just at your next book club meeting). And how to swap―with a planner, cookie swap math guide (so everyone gets the same number of cookies), ideas for invitations, decorations, containers, and then, when the crumbs have settled, how to make a keepsake. On the other hand, it’s all about the cookies. Lauren Chattman is a former professional pastry chef and baking writer who’s put together a knockout collection of more than 60 delectable, easy-to-make, simple-to-sophisticated recipes covering every kind of cookie―from crowd-pleasing favorites like Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies and Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies to unexpected treats like Flaky Cardamom Palmiers and Green Tea Sandwich Cookies with Almond Cream. Finally, the book ends with a chapter of drink recipes―such as Iced Irish Coffee, Mini Strawberry Milk Shakes and Juicy Sangria―because not every cookie wants milk. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION: "The Best Cookies Ever" CHAPTER 1 READY, SET, SWAP!: Cookie Exchange 101 Plus . . . Happy Swap Day! Cookie Swap Math Excuses, Excuses: Every Day's a Swap Day Gimme More: A Note on Yields You're Invited . . . Company Is Coming Sample Swap Invitation Cookie Swap Checklist Kickin' It Old School: The Traditional Christmas Swap Swapping Made Simple Contain Yourself: Serving Pieces and Totes Thanks for the Memories Everything Just So: The Control Freak's Cookie Swap CHAPTER 2 SWAPPER'S DELIGHT: The Cookie Baker's Bag of Tricks. Plus . . . Lighten Up: Testing Your LeaveningCookie Swapper's Pantry The Bentley of Bittersweet: Premium Chocolate Chips A Cocoa Coda: Chocolate for Every Purpose Equipment Essentials The Scoop on Scoops Stuck on You: A Parchment Paper Love Song Fresh Is Best CHAPTER 3 DROP EVERYTHING!: Delectable Drop Cookies Plus . . . A Win-Win: Chocolate Chip Cookie Bake-Off! Sugar Crash: Chocolate Chip Cookie Emergencies Seeds of Change: How to Seed Jam Fall for Fall: Autumn Harvest Cookie Swap Cinnamon Paradiso: Cookie Swap al Italia. CHAPTER 4 RAISE THE BAR: Superior Brownies, Blondies, and BarsPlus . . . Swap Meet: Valentine's Day Cookie Mixer They Call It Pumpkin Love: Leftover Pumpkin Puree The Deconstructed Cookie Jar: A Gift to Go Recipes for Success: Cookie Swap Party Games Gobble, Gobble: Pre-Thanksgiving Cookie Swap CHAPTER 5 THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: Flaky Pastry Cookies Plus . . . Cookies 'n' Candles: A Hanukkah Swap From Scraps to Splendid: Leftover Rugelach Dough Waste Not, Want Not: Puff Pastry Leftovers Stay Puf't: Working with Puff Pastry Sweet Charity: Cookie Swapping for a Cause. CHAPTER 6 REFRIGERATOR MADNESS: Insanely Good Icebox CookiesPlus . . . Where the Boys Are: Real Men Swap Cookies Control Your Temper: How to Melt Chocolate Yes We Can: Lobbying for Your State Cookie Viva Galletas! A Cinco de Mayo Swap CHAPTER 7 DOUBLE HAPPINESS: Luscious Sandwich Cookies Plus . . . Spring Fling: Warm(ish) Weather Swap Get the Skinny: How to Skin Hazelnuts CHAPTER 8 PLAY DOUGH: Shaped and Cut Cookies Plus . . . Got Game: Old-School Games 'n' Swap Sesame Street: Sesame Seeds and Tahini Reality Bytes: Virtual Cookie Swap The Hole Story: How Shortbread Got Its Spots. Calling Cards: Signature Cookie CuttersLet's Play Dress Up: Embellishing Cutout Cookies And the Award Goes to . . . Oscar Night Cookie Swap CHAPTER 9 SLAM DUNK: Biscotti and Mandelbrot Plus . . . How Sweet It Is: Cookie-Scented Party Favors Cookies in the Key of C: A Little Swap Music Pining Away: A Consumer's Guide to Pine Nuts Brideshead Revisited: Bridal Shower Cookie Swap Same But Different: Biscotti and Mandelbrot CHAPTER 10 SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: Cookies for Special Diets Plus . . . Go (No) Nuts! The Nut-Free Cookie Swap Spelling It Out: Baking Cookies with Spelt Flour.

Cookie swaps are joyful. Cookie swaps are social. Cookie swaps are hip yet old-school, trendy yet traditional. Cookie swaps are creative, inexpensive, DIY, and a great way to entertain. Cookie swaps are baking meets Stitch ’n Bitch, with newspapers, magazines, and websites—including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Better Homes and Gardens, Real Simple, Family Fun, Southern Living, Kraft.com, and Ed Levine’s Serious Eats—all writing about the trend. Cookie Swap! captures all of this and more in an idea-packed, slightly sassy guide.

On the one hand, it’s all about the swap: when to swap (Christmas, of course, and other holidays, but also birthdays, bridal showers, graduation parties, PTA meetings, and fund-raisers—or just at your next book club meeting). And how to swap—with a planner, cookie swap math guide (so everyone gets the same number of cookies), ideas for invitations, decorations, containers, and then, when the crumbs have settled, how to make a keepsake.

On the other hand, it’s all about the cookies. Lauren Chattman is a former professional pastry chef and baking writer who’s put together a knockout collection of more than 60 delectable, easy-to-make, simple-to-sophisticated recipes covering every kind of cookie—from crowd-pleasing favorites like Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies and Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies to unexpected treats like Flaky Cardamom Palmiers and Green Tea Sandwich Cookies with Almond Cream. Finally, the book ends with a chapter of drink recipes—such as Iced Irish Coffee, Mini Strawberry Milk Shakes and Juicy Sangria—because not every cookie wants milk.

Cookie swaps are joyful. Cookie swaps are social. Cookie swaps are hip yet old-school, trendy yet traditional. Cookie swaps are creative, inexpensive, DIY, and a great way to entertain. Cookie swaps are baking meets Stitch {u2019}n Bitch, with newspapers, magazines, and websites{u2014}including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Better Homes and Gardens, Real Simple, Family Fun, Southern Living, Kraft.com, and Ed Levine{u2019}s Serious Eats{u2014}all writing about the trend. Cookie Swap! captures all of this and more in an idea-packed, slightly sassy guide. On the one hand, it{u2019}s all about the swap: when to swap (Christmas, of course, and other holidays, but also birthdays, bridal showers, graduation parties, PTA meetings, and fund-raisers{u2014}or just at your next book club meeting). And how to swap{u2014}with a planner, cookie swap math guide (so everyone gets the same number of cookies), ideas for invitations, decorations, containers, and then, when the crumbs have settled, how to make a keepsake. On the other hand, it{u2019}s all about the cookies. Lauren Chattman is a former professional pastry chef and baking writer who{u2019}s put together a knockout collection of more than 60 delectable, easy-to-make, simple-to-sophisticated recipes covering every kind of cookie{u2014}from crowd-pleasing favorites like Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies and Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies to unexpected treats like Flaky Cardamom Palmiers and Green Tea Sandwich Cookies with Almond Cream. Finally, the book ends with a chapter of drink recipes{u2014}such as Iced Irish Coffee, Mini Strawberry Milk Shakes and Juicy Sangria{u2014}because not every cookie wants milk Celebrate the seasonal joy of the Cookie Swap with a this mouthwatering Cookbook and Guide that includes delectable full-color photographs. Cookie swaps are joyful, social, and not just for Christmas. Any occasion can be cause for gathering friends and family around a cookie table—in fact, wedding cookie tables are a longstanding tradition in some parts of the United States and Europe. Equal parts guide and cookbook, Cookie Swap! Is packed with theme ideas, planning information, and tips for tackling the cookie swap math—plus more than 50 delectable, failproof recipes for cookies both classic and innovative, from Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies and Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies to Flaky Cardamom Palmiers and Matcha Sandwich Cookies with Almond Cream. With a bright, modern, playful package, it's an ideal gift for every home baker and cookie obsessive. Presents recipes for over seventy types of cookies, bars, and pastries, and includes information on organizing cookie swaps and keeping essential ingredients in the pantry.;TABLE OF CONTENTS; INTRODUCTION: "The Best Cookies Ever"; CHAPTER 1 READY, SET, SWAP!: Cookie Exchange 101; Plus . . . Happy Swap Day!; Cookie Swap Math; Excuses, Excuses: Every Day's a Swap Day; Gimme More: A Note on Yields; You're Invited . . .; Company Is Coming; Sample Swap Invitation; Cookie Swap Checklist; Kickin' It Old School: The Traditional Christmas Swap; Swapping Made Simple; Contain Yourself: Serving Pieces and Totes; Thanks for the Memories; Everything Just So: The Control Freak's Cookie Swap; CHAPTER 2 SWAPPER'S DELIGHT: The Cookie Baker's Bag of Tricks.