One of my goals/desires for this year was “cookie party.” That’s what it says on the list without any other stipulations. When I wrote it down, I probably intended to host a cookie party, but the universe instead gave me three invites!
So, to commemorate the season of cookies, this post shares a recap of all three experiences and some of the 43 types of cookies I had in 10 days.
My Cookies
I pre-ordered Kat Lieu’s timely, newly released cookbook – 108 Asian Cookies – and aimed to bake all my cookie exchange contributions from the book. This is a fun and colorful cookbook, with many familiar recipes that include Asian ingredients like red miso.
I made 5 different cookies from the cookbook for the parties. I had trouble locating some ingredients – namely, pandan extract and ube jam – so I had to make slight variations.
The Low-Key Girls Get-together
Cookie count: 7
I made: Black Sesame White Chocolate Cookie and Matcha Peanut Butter Blossom
My friend Jane had a few friends over for a casual hang-out and to officially meet her new baby! I love that a few of us baked “viral” cookie recipes (oatmeal banana bread chocolate chip cookie and almond butter croissant cookie), and they went viral for a reason: they were delicious cookies!
The Christmas Market
Cookie count: 21
I made: Boba Cookies and Raspberry Linzer Cookies
My friend Sandra has been obsessed with Christmas markets, so she wanted to recreate the vibe at her house, along with a cookie competition. She made an incredible spread of Christmas market food, like brats and meatballs.
I don’t think the competition categories were announced ahead of time, but they were the most festive, prettiest, crowd favorite, and most creative. Someone made the mortadella cookie, which won most creative. It looks like a sausage slice and was on The New York Times’ annual cookie list this year. The most festive cookie went to the gingerbread non-binary people, and the crowd favorite went to the lemon crinkle. Prettiest cookie went to the raspberry linzer by yours truly! It almost makes me forget that hours before, I was in a cookie crisis because I burnt the first batch. My prize was some mahjong goodies!
The Cookbook Club Friends
Cookie count: 15
I made: Miso Hot Chocolate Brownie Cookies
I joined a cookbook club this year, and it’s been a lot of delicious fun! The group has been meeting since 2019, cooking from a different cookbook each month. I often meet up with “restaurant foodies,” so it’s fun to discuss recipes and taste dishes with “cooking foodies.” For one, I’ve never seen more impressive cookbook collections! It’s also a good introduction to different cookbooks.
This cookie party was no different; there were so many tasty cookies!
Cookie Party Thoughts
Eating 43 types of cookies at 3 cookie parties in 10 days is kind of crazy and so delicious! (Where are my dessert lovers at?) Here are some of my random cookie observations:
- Ginger molasses is a classic holiday cookie recipe, and I loved it at every party. Call me a grandma.
- Want a festive cookie? Use red and green sanding sugar or dye, peppermint, or jam.
- Taste-wise, you can’t go wrong with a crinkle or thumbprint cookie, and they can be very easy to make.
- If you’re hosting a party, there is a chance people will bake more than 1 type of cookie.
- Chocolate chip is a solid cookie, but not for the holidays. I vote for more fun, though you’ll always have people who love the classic.
Baking cookies is much lower-stakes than most desserts. Should I keep hosting cookie potlucks in the new year? Maybe with themes? How many more recipes should I bake from the 108 Asian Cookies Cookbook?
Looking for more food party ideas? Check out these posts:
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