The Great Christmas Cookie Swap

Cookieswap_0003


Good Housekeeping
Hearst Books/Sterling Publishing
November 2009
Specs: 160 pages, Hardcover, Spiral Bound, 5x7
ISBN-13: 9781588167576

My Review:  This book is the "go to" for all things cookie swap.  Not only does the book give you tips for how to organize and host a cookie swap but the book also gives you great tips on baking the best cookies at the swap!

The book is a very manageable 5x7. It is spiral bound and lays flat for easier reading when cooking (I love these kinds of considerations).  I would like to have seem more photos included with the recipes but they did write the recipes "large-batch" to make cooking and giving easier (another great consideration).

It is no secret that I can't bake. Cooking yes, Baking no. There is a difference!  From now on when I get invited to a cookie swap, I am going to use this book and cook all the delights: Coconut Macaroons, Cinnamon Spirals and Nut Cresents. I will have those "cookie swap church ladies" swooning with cookie envy!

This would make a great stocking stuffer or better yet, a great addition to a gift basket. Just add the book with a batch of cookies in a cute basket - all tied up in a bow. Perfect!

5 out of 5 stars.

Cookie collage

Publisher's Review: Butterscotch Fingers, Chocolate Crinkles, Gingerbread Cut-Outs, Peppermint Meringues: all these Christmas cookies sound delectable, but nobody can bake dozens of recipes at the same time. The solution? A swap! All across America, families, neighbors, community, and church groups gather at Christmas cookie swaps, where each participant brings a large batch of his or her favorite recipe to share. Everyone fills a plate or tin with samplings of the tasty treats; the more people, the merrier—and the more kinds of cookies to try. It’s a fun way to enjoy a variety of Christmas tastes without doing all the work yourself—and to celebrate with those you love.
Good Housekeeping helps home bakers enter into the joy, camaraderie, and pure deliciousness of this tradition with a new collection of 60 favorite Christmas cookie recipes from around the world—each configured to make batches of at least eight dozen cookies. Choose from holiday classics and contemporary twists; they’re easy to make with everyday ingredients. And each recipe has been triple-tested for success in the famed Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, so you can bake with confidence. For extra help, there are also great tips on techniques and shortcuts, as well as fun ideas for throwing the best cookie swap ever. Finally, as a special bonus, the book features removable blank recipe cards in the back—so you can pass along the recipe.

You can buy The Great Christmas Cookie Swap from Amazon.

XOXO-

**Thank you Caroline from Sterling for the opportunity to review**


2 comments:

elizabeth said...

i think i may just have to go out and get this after your review -
i had hoped to have a cookie swap this year - but how does life get so hectic this time of year - it's frustrating. Being in the restaurant business makes it difficult to enjoy the holidays also -
I have a few days off after new years & I think we head up to knoxville to check on our property & stuff - hopefully it will be cooler!!

And no......the 80 degree weather didn't deter me from spending.... on presents... much to my husbands dismay!!
enjoy your week!!
oh- am insanely jealous of your mom's new closet!!

Shenandoah bed and breakfast said...

Those both sound so good! I love cookie swaps, now that is something I would love to do a product review on!! “smile” Beth and I working on my media kit…hmmm…we’ll see how ya like it!!

Regards,