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Events -
Party Planning -
Cookie Exchange
Celebrate the holiday
season this year by hosting a cookie exchange party.
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Become the
ultimate cookie exchange host
(ARA) -
Cookie exchange parties are a holiday tradition that
provides a fun-filled reason for friends and family
to enjoy each other's company and fill up their
holiday cookie trays. This season, bakers and
holiday entertainers can visit
www.kissescookies.com to find a one-stop shop
for receiving and sharing holiday baking and party
planning tips that are sure to sweeten any holiday
get-together.
For those looking to
create the ultimate cookie exchange, the experts at
Hershey's Kisses Brand Chocolates offer the
following tips to turn any holiday party into a
sweet success. The iconic chocolate treat also will
serve as the party-planning partner for holiday
hosts by sponsoring 1,000 cookie exchange parties
nationwide. To apply to host a Hershey's Kisses
Chocolates Cookie Exchange and for recipes and
additional party tips visit
www.kissescookies.com. |
Cookie exchange tips:
* When sending out invitations, include a unique cookie
recipe for each guest as a suggestion. Also ask your guests
to RSVP with the recipe they plan to make so that you can be
sure not to double up on a specific type of cookie. You can
find a variety of creative recipes at
www.kissescookies.com.
* Once you have all the RSVPs, inform your guests how many
cookies they need to bring. One dozen per guest is a good
start, but if you're having a large party, it might be a
good idea to reduce this quantity to only a half-dozen
cookies so that guests aren't overwhelmed with baking.
* Encourage your guests to bring copies of their recipe for
everyone. Also ask them to bring along sealable containers
for the cookies they're taking home. Have a few extra
containers on hand in case someone forgets.
* To give your party added fun, set out gift tags,
gift
bags,
ribbons and pens so that your guests can create gifts
for co-workers, neighbors, teachers and friends.
* Play
holiday music and offer simple refreshments like hot
cocoa, warm apple cider, coffee, tea and eggnog to keep the
holiday ambiance going.
To get your party planning started, consider the following
recipes for your cookie exchange:
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Kisses
Chocolate Chip Cookies |
Kisses Chocolate Chip
Cookies
Makes four dozen cookies
Ingredients
Cookies:
48 Hershey's Kisses Brand Milk Chocolates
1 cup softened butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 cup Hershey's Mini Chips Semi-Sweet Chocolates
Chocolate drizzle:
1/4 cup Hershey's Mini Chips Semi-Sweet Chocolates
1 teaspoon shortening
Directions
Heat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and remove the wrappers
from the milk chocolates. Beat together butter, sugar, brown
sugar and vanilla extract in a large bowl until well
blended. Add flour and blend until smooth. Stir in the mini
chips. Mold scant tablespoons of dough around the milk
chocolates, covering completely. Shape into balls and place
on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until
set. Cool completely.
Prepare chocolate drizzle by placing the mini chips and
shortening in a small, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at
medium heat for 30 seconds and stir. If necessary, microwave
at a medium heat for an additional 10 seconds at a time,
stirring after each heating until the chocolate is melted
and the mixture is smooth when stirred. Drizzle mixture over
each cookie.
Chocolate Almond
Thumbprint Cookies
Makes three and one half dozen cookies
Ingredients
Cookies:
1 cup softened butter
2/3 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1/4 cup Hershey's Cocoa
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup finely chopped almonds
Chocolate filling:
42 Hershey's Kisses Brand Milk Chocolates with Almonds
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon Hershey's Cocoa
1 tablespoon softened butter
2 1/2 teaspoons milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and remove the wrappers
from the milk chocolates. Beat together butter, sugar, egg
yolks and vanilla extract together until well blended. Stir
together flour, cocoa and salt in a separate bowl and mix
into the butter mixture. Roll dough into one-inch balls and
roll in chopped almonds. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet
and press thumb gently into the center of each cookie. Bake
18 to 20 minutes or until set. Remove from cookie sheet and
cool completely.
Prepare chocolate filling by combining powdered sugar,
cocoa, butter, milk and vanilla extract in a small bowl.
Beat mixture until smooth. Spoon or pipe about 1/4 teaspoon
of the chocolate filling into each thumbprint on the cooled
cookies. Gently press one milk chocolate into the center of
each cookie.
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