The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Ever!

Image from Martha Stewart

The holidays aren’t complete without cookies! Lots, and lots of cookies!

Cookies are not one of my favorite things to make, but every year at this time I get out my cookie sheets and make several types of cookies. It’s a lot of work!

To cut down on some work and still get a variety of cookies it’s a great idea to have a cookie exchange. Invite friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers for a couple of fun filled hours to get together and exchange their favorite cookies that they make each year.

Decide on a date, time, and place where you want this event. You can host it at your home or one of your friends can host at their home. It doesn’t have to be fancy or elaborate, just ask each participant to bring 1-2 types of cookies. You can also ask each guest to bring a part of the packaging like containers, tissue paper, cup cake holders, etc. Or better yet each guest can share the cost of the packaging products by chipping in a set amount of dollars and the host can pick them up before the exchange. This way you all can take advantage of bulk prices on boxes, ribbons, tags, etc. and no one has to store leftover packaging till next year.

For more tips and ideas for your Cookie Exchange click here!

Here’s one thing to remember to make cookie baking easier! Take a page from professional bakers and bakeries, you can turn 1 cookie recipe into different types of cookies by changing the shapes, toppings, and mix ins!

For instance take your basic shortbread or sugar cookie recipe and do this:

1. Bake in a sheet, cut into rectangles and leave as is.
2. Take rectangles and dip in chocolate ( you can also dip in white chocolate, roll in nuts, etc.)
3. Add chips and/or nuts to the cookie dough before baking.
4. Make different shapes using cookie cutters or a cookie press.
5. Roll warm cookies in powder sugar or cocoa powder or sprinkle with colored sugars.
6. Press into a mini cup cake tin and bake, garnish with frosting of you choice when cooled.

See 1 recipe and at least 6 types of cookies! Easy Peasy!

Here’s a family favorite, Ganache Filled Brown Sugar Cookies. They are super yummy!

Click here for recipe!

Pressed for time? Here’s a cute idea from Pillsbury! (These are Halloween, but they have Christmas cookie dough too!)

Click here for directions!

If you’re really pressed for time or don’t like baking, here’s a very easy cookie recipe. No baking involved!

Click here for directions!

Love chocolate? I do! Try my Triple Chocolate Cookies!

Click here for recipe!

Nuts for Macadamia Nuts? Here’s my White Chocolate Mac Nut Cookies!

Click here for recipe!

If you’re looking for a refreshing drink to serve during your exchange how about some yummy Brazilian Lemonade? Click here for my recipe!

Hi! I’m Carmina, also known as Nana. I love DIY projects, parties, crocheting, and traveling. I hope that you enjoy my posts and find them useful! If you have any ideas or suggestions I’d love to hear from you!