The Cookie Bake

I worked with Carrie when she first told me about her annual cookie bake. Carrie's intent was to have friends, colleagues, associates and their guests visit her home, bake cookies and then select baked goodies  to take home with them.

That was seven years ago. I attend as often as my schedule will allow. In my opinion, these are the factors that make the cookie bake work.

• Recipes, ingredients, mixers and other baking implements are provided. If someone wants to make something that is not on the recipe list they contact Carrie and let her know. Carrie will purchase the ingredients on the person inquiring can do so. One year I made bourbon balls. I purchased the bourbon. Carrie's cooking bake is one of the few places outside of a department store when I've seen a lineup of KitchenAid mixers in assorted colors and models.

• Snacks and beverages are available - there's something for everyone. The daughter of  Carrie's fiancé made an adorable appetizer featuring penguins. It was fun and festive, but also tasty!

 

• It's family friendly. One year Samantha brought her grandson between making cookies many guests played with Samantha's grandson. The cookies are packaged in white takeout containers; sometimes the young school aged children  decorate the containers.

 

• Guests are welcome . One year I took a guest, Myron. I RSVP'd to let Carrie know I was bringing a guest, of course.  Myron told me he was curious about the cookie bake and was certain he would be the only adult male present. Upon arrival Myron  was warmly greeted by the cookie bake crowd. Myron he found a recipe he wanted to try and set to work.  Carrie's fiancé (then boyfriend) struck up a conversation with Myron and soon the two were chatting about current events and sports while mixing ingredients.

•  Carrie's invite has a specific start and end time. It gives her time to prepare her space for the arriving guests. It also establishes a time for activities to wrap up so Carrie can clean up and decompress.  Guests who are so inclined help with clean up tas well. Samantha and I often volunteer for dishwashing duty because without clean baking utensils the event would come to a halt.  Bonus: we're often asked to me taste tester as baked items emerge from the oven.

This year I made chocolate flourless cookies.  The recipe was provided as well as all the ingredients (the recipe is above in the post).  Carrie, her fiancé and I taste tested the finished product. We determined the cookies are good, but the recipe will undergo a few minor tweaks before appearing on the 2015 cookie back recipe list.

Have you attended a cookie bake event? Did you enjoy it? What made the event fun? Have you hosted a cookie bake?  If yes, what other factors make a cookie bake a fun gathering? Share your comments below.


Be well,

Technicolor girl

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