Holiday cookies are a treasured tradition of the season, but making piles of pretty sweets can be overwhelming. Get the job done this year with a fun cookie party—invite your closest friends (and their kiddos, if you dare) for a sweet, casual get-together.
[the treats]
>> Offset the sweets with a bounty of savory nibbles. Before guests arrive, create a spread of sausage (soppressata, serrano ham, prosciutto) and a variety of hard and soft cheeses. Brie wrapped in puff pastry and baked until gooey is always a favorite, especially when topped with preserves. For locally created treats, visit Salume Beddu (salumebeddu.com) to get sausage and Baetje Farms (baetjaefarms.com) for goat cheese.
>> To accompany the cheese and sausage, serve artisan crackers, hot crab dip, hummus, fig jam, rosemary white bean spread, warmed nuts, olives and
a variety of fruits.
[the sweets]
>> On the invitations, let guests know they should decide on a cookie recipe—homemade, of course—and bring six dozen to the soiree. Also include cute recipe labels and cards to fill out, so everyone ends the night not only with a supply of freshly baked goodies, but also with a batch of new recipes.
>> Have sugar cookies baked in festive shapes and ready for decorating. Prepare a long table with a clean cotton tablecloth and set out bowls of candy, such as mini M&M’s, chocolate chips and Red Hots. Also offer bowls of frosting in varying hues, dragées (those little balls of sugar coated in shiny silver), royal icing, edible glitter and pastry bags and tips.
[finishing touches]
>> Have a few bottles of wine corked and chilled. Consider serving prosecco, champagne, or even mulled wine and spiked hot chocolate. For the little ones, have a variety of hot chocolates: peppermint, spiced and plain.
>> At the end of the night, provide paper bakery boxes and festive twine for guests to package their loot.
[the scene]
>> Your home already will be jazzed up for the holidays, but try adding vases filled with pinecones or with bright red cranberries and rosemary sprigs.
>> Build a fire to keep things cozy, and be sure to crank up the Christmas tunes!