Have an Extra Sweet Valentine’s Day with a Cookie Swap!
Valentine's Day is a Good Day for a Cookie Swap
Here’s a sweet way to make Valentine’s Day even more fun by having a cookie swap. A cookie swap is a fun idea that will bring cheer to friends and family. After all, there’s no rule that says cookie swaps can only happen in December!
Keep reading for an easy to follow plan, helpful tips, links to packaging sources, and a super easy (and tasty) sugar cookie recipe.
As you know, it’s impossible not to have a good day when cookies are involved. Follow the easy steps below to plan your own cookie swap this Valentine’s Day. In addition to planning this with friends and family, this would also be a fun way to celebrate with coworkers.
How to Plan and Execute the Cookie Swap
Here are the easy steps to follow to plan and execute your very own Valentine’s Day cookie swap.
- First, pick a date and select your group of participants. Send a quick text or call to invite them.
- Next, set up a group email or text so your participants can communicate what they are bringing. This will help ensure there is a good variety of cookies.
- Ask everyone to bring their cookies bagged up and divided out by the number of participants.
- As the hostess, you are in charge of buying cute boxes, tins, or bags to package up the cookies.
- Once your participants have arrived, then you can all begin the fun of packing the cookies to take home.
- Don’t forget to add fun ribbon, tissue paper, and tags to make everyone’s package festive.
- Make sure everyone trades recipes via your group text or email. Another alternative is to ask each participant to bring copies of their recipe for you to include in the final package.
- Lastly, enjoy eating cookies (or candy)!
Helpful Tips for a Successful Cookie Swap
- Cookie swap participants can bring either cookies or candy.
- Consider doing this with your coworkers in your department as a fun way to boost morale.
- Packaging doesn’t have to be over the top or extravagant. The main thing is to give everyone a little something to look forward to.
- If one of your cookie swap members doesn’t bake, it is perfectly ok for them to buy a special treat from a bakery to include in the cookie swap.
Cookie Swap Packaging Sources
Here are a few suggestions for packaging the items for your cookie swap.
- Bakery Boxes
- Baker’s Twine
- Tissue Paper
- Glassine Bags
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Need a super simple and easy sugar cookie recipe which is also extra delicious? Then this one is for you! This recipe is one I have been using for years, and it is nearly foolproof. This is a variation of my grandmother’s sugar cookie recipe that makes a dough that is easier to handle. You can decorate with buttercream frosting, royal icing, or just a simple cookie glaze. No matter how you decorate your sugar cookies, they will be delicious. Enjoy!
Simple Sugar Cookie Recipe
Equipment
- electric hand mixer or stand mixer
- cookie sheets
- parchment paper
- Rolling Pin
- cookie cutters
- cooling racks
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 3 cups flour all purpose
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer. Start mixer on low speed and gradually increase to medium speed.
- Then mix in egg and vanilla until well combined on medium speed.
- Next add in flour and baking powder. Start mixer on low speed. Gradually increase to medium speed as dough starts to come together. Mix with beaters until combined. Do not overmix. NOTE: Dough may not come all the way together into one smooth ball (see picture). Dough will finish coming together as you form a disc to begin rolling it out.
- Dust work surface and rolling pin with flour. Leave a small pile of flour to the side to dip cookie cutter in. Divide dough in half. Roll out dough until 1/8 - 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out desired shapes with cookie cutters. Repeat with remaining half of dough. Scraps can be rerolled and cut out. NOTE: If you roll your dough out on the thicker side, it will not hold its shape in the oven as well as thinner cookies.
- Place cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet a couple of inches apart.
- Bake at 350° for 7-12 minutes. Timing is dependent on size of cookies. A medium sized shape cookie will take approximately 9-11 minutes. Start checking cookies at the 8 minute mark.
- Bake until cookies are set. The cookies will still look pale when you pull them out of the oven. Do not overbake.
- Allow to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes.
- Remove cookies to cooling racks to finish cooling completely.
- Then decorate with your favorite frosting or cookie glaze.
Simple Cookie Glaze
Equipment
- whisk
- bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 dash vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of powdered sugar and enough milk to make glaze spreadable (start with 1 tablespoon). Add in a dash of vanilla and whisk together. You are looking for the consistency of pancake batter. Add more milk if necessary to reach desired consistency. Depending on the number of cookies, you can use more or less powdered sugar and milk. Dip cookies in glaze or spread on cookie with a knife. Let glaze set for at least 30 minutes.
Other Ideas Besides a Cookie Swap
There are other ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with cookies. You can package up your cookies and leave a sweet surprise on your friends and family’s doorstep. As an alternative, you can make up individual boxes for each member of your household as a Valentine’s Day surprise. Also, you can bake and decorate this sugar cookie recipe with children as a fun family activity. No matter which route you take, enjoy your Valentine’s Day with a cookie.
If you are looking for more Valentine’s Day ideas, then check out Karen’s posts on Simple and Easy Valentine Card Making Activity with Kids and “I Love You” Books to Read With Your Children.
Have a good day!
Kristin
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Yum! I’m going to try this recipe with my girls after school this week!
I hope you had a chance to try this recipe out and that you loved it!
The recipe sounds great.
Would you publish your icing recipes? There are so many out there, but I am interested in what you have done.
I updated the post with the cookie glaze that I use any time I make these sugar cookies. I hope this helps! – Kristin
Thanks for the glaze recipe! So simple an so delicious!