Holiday Cookie Exchange

photo credit: Moyan_Brenn via photopin cc

We’re keeping the holiday entertainment theme going with a great idea from our Customer Service agent Michele!

A great way to save time and simplify your baking during the holiday season is to host a cookie exchange!

Ask each guest to bring 6 dozen cookies of one kind, and they’ll leave with an assortment of cookies to last throughout the the holidays. (It’s also a good idea to ask that each person bring copies of the recipe, since most will bring their favorite cookie and people are bound to ask!) You can either provide your guests with bags for the cookies, or they can use the containers that they brought their cookies in.

I like to serve appetizers and sparkling wine along with mulled cider and cocoa to go with the cookies. This is also a great reason to get your house decorated early for the holidays!

Here is my favorite holiday cookie recipe that I hope you will enjoy.

Apricot Thumbprints

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2 8oz packages cream cheese, softened
1 ½ cups butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
4 ½ cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 jar apricot preserves

Beat cream cheese, butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl at medium speed with electric mixer until well blended. Add flour and baking soda; mix well. Chill dough for 30 minutes.

Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Indent centers and fill each with 1 teaspoon apricot preserves.

Bake 14 to 16 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool on wire rack. Sprinkle powdered sugar on cookies before serving.
Makes about 6 dozen cookies.