Planning a Cookie Baking Party

Nothing beats homemade cookies during the holiday season. Imagine offering guests an assortment of buttery rich cookies flecked with chocolate chunks, pecans, orange zest and more. No time to bake all those sweet treats? That's what friends are for! This year, get all your holiday baking out of the way and visit at the same time.

Organize a cookie party with two or three friends, the ones you've been promising to get together with for months.

Hosting Tips:

Decide how many cookies you plan to bake, and make sure you've got all the ingredients.
Have your guests bring an apron, cookie tins or freezer containers to take their cookies home in, and any extra bakeware you may need. Ie. cookie sheets, cooling racks, spoons, mixers etc.
Mix up at least one batch of batter a day or so in advance to give the party a head start.
Choose holiday music ahead of time and have it playing when your guests arrive.
Give everyone a copy of the recipes
Have a selection of sparkling water, fruit juices or other refreshing beverages to enjoy while you bake your cookies.
About 30 minutes before guests arrive, slip a Kraft Delissio Rising Crust Pizza in the oven. While you're eating, read over the recipes and assign stations.

Set up Baking Stations

	Station 1: Mix It Up Role: Mixing the dough and giving it to the cookie maker. The mixer also packs cooled cookies into containers to go home with each guest. You need: Cutting board, chef's knife, ingredients, measuring cups, spoons, bowls, mixers, dough scrapers, spatulas and cookie containers.
	Station 2: Making & Shaping Role: Rolling, cutting and shaping cookies, putting them on parchment or foil-lined pans and handing them to the baker. You need: Flour, rolling pin, cookie cutters, dough scrapers and spatulas. Line baking pans with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
	Station 3: Baking Dipping with ChocolateRole: Baking, timing and setting the baked cookies to cool. Finish cookies with icing or other decorations. Freeze undecorated cookies in rigid containers, separating layers with wax paper. You need: Timer, oven mitts, lifters, cooling racks, wax paper, chocolate, dried fruit, nuts and other decorations.