You This post is sponsored by Hills Bros.® Cappuccino drink mixes and Wal-Mart. All thoughts and ideas are my own! #CappTheNight #sponsored
One of the many traditions during the holidays that is carried out in homes across the country is the cookie exchange. I’ve been to plenty myself, and I’ve gotta say the themed ones that are run well have been the most fun to be at. Thinking ahead a little bit, I’ve come up with a Cappuccino and Cookies themed cookie exchange that works great as a girls night in! Just plan to get cozy with Hills Bros. Cappuccino™ after you’ve picked out your sweets and settle in for some girl time.
Cookie exchange ideas – beverage station
To start off our night in with the girls, I set up a coffee bar full of deliciously luxurious tasting Hills Bros. Cappuccino mixes I picked up at Wal-Mart.
A Keurig full of water is perfect for coffee bars these days–they can accommodate drinks that use k-cups and drinks that need hot water. If you have enough mugs for everyone use those, otherwise, I love white disposable coffee cups that are fancied up just a little! For my cups, I used a little washi tape and 2 inch circles.
running the cookie exchange
My friend Tenessa runs the most efficient cookie exchange I have ever been to, and I have borrowed a lot of her ideas in here because of it. Making everyone WANT the cookies starts with being able to sample them. Set a table full of platters and leave lots of room for your guests to serve up samples of their cookies and put out their cookies for swapping. You get to prep less food because the cookies are part of the treat spread!
Instead of a cookie free-for-all, everyone packages up six bags of cookies and bring some spare treats to lay out. Everyone pulls a number out of a hat to see what order they get to go pick cookies packages in, and each person gets to pick six! This makes it so all the cookies get taken home, and my personal favorite about its method is that I don’t have to bring home more cookies than I brought.
I love a few decorations on the sampler/packaged cookie table to make it more festive!
packaging cookies for a cookie exchange
I just love pretty packaging for cookie exchanges! You can do your cookie packaging one of three ways:
- Buy boxes to put all your cookies in.
- Buy boxes to put all your cookies in and spruce them up a bit.
- Make your own darn boxes because you are THAT COOL.
I can totally help you with all three, and I’ve been known to be that cool on many many occasions, so you’re not alone.
Click here for four great cookie exchange packing ideas and tutorials and cookie packaging free printables!
And the paper poinsettas you see all over this page? Handmade and spectacular.
Click her for the How to make Paper Poinsettias tutorial!
cookie exchange ideas and free printables for your party
A great way to make your cookie exchange a smash hit is to type out the cookie recipes ahead of time for guests to take home. If I really love a recipe, I want to be able to recreate it and guests are over the moon if they don’t have to run around to find the recipe after the party.
You can download the one we are using at our cookie exchange party below. There is a blank card for you to use, And don’t forget the tented labels for each of the cookies on display.
- Download Free printable blank cookie recipe card
- Download pre-printed Toffee Cappuccino Shortbread recipe card
- Download cookie exchange tented labels
Cookie exchange recipe ideas
While we’re serving up our Hills Bros. Cappuccinos, a few yummy cookies are perfect to go with it. If you need a few ideas for fabulous exchange-worthy cookie recipes, I’ve got them! Including this one for Toffee Cappuccino Shortbread Cookies. They even use a bit of Hills Bros. Cappuccino mix in them to give them a great unique flavor!
Toffee Cappuccino Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 sticks butter softened
- ¾ brown sugar packed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons Hills Bros. English Toffee Cappuccino mix
- 2/3 cup toffee chips
- Chocolate Coating
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup 6 oz dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup toffee chips
Instructions
- Makes about 3 dozen cookies.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, blend together butter and sugar. After scraping down the sides, add in the flour and cappuccino mix and blend together on low speed. Add 2/3 cup of the toffee chips and blend on low until just combined.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. From there, roll the to make logs--this will make them oval shaped after they are baked. Place the dough logs two inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 325 degree oven for 19 minutes or until a light golden brown. Cool cookies completely.
- For the chocolate coating, melt 1 tablespoon butter and 1 cup chocolate chips in the microwave for 30 seconds, then stir. Put in the microwave for 15 seconds at a time, stirring afterwards, until the chocolate is completely melted.
- Dip the cooled shortbread into the chocolate and place on waxed paper. Sprinkle with toffee chips and then refrigerate to set the chocolate.
There are more cookie recipe ideas to be seen! These are some of my favorites, and they’re always wildly appreciated as Christmas neighbor gifts, even.
- Christmas cookies: Peppermint oreos
- Christmas cookies: White Chocolate Coconut Cookies
- Christmas cookies: Peanut Butter Buckeyes
Enjoy your cookie exchange, and hope you are able make use of some of these ideas!
Sherry
Sunday 29th of November 2015
Beautiful setting. The cookies and the decor are gorgeous. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe with us at Merry Monday.
Sandra
Thursday 19th of November 2015
Thank you so much for the printables and the inspiration! I know a couple of ladies that would enjoy this.
Tenessa
Thursday 19th of November 2015
Love the theme...it all looks so warm and cozy!!! Makes me want to sip some coffee and eat a cookie right now!!!
Geri Leatherbury
Thursday 19th of November 2015
It looks so inviting! I love Hills Bros. cappuccino. It warms you up on a cold winters day. Goes so well with a fabulous cookie exchange too!
Nikki @ Tikkido
Wednesday 18th of November 2015
I love cookie exchange parties, and the Cappuccino and Cookies theme is absolutely inspired! Love the recipe card printable, too. Cookie exchanges are always best when they come with the recipes, so I can make more of my favorites.