We decided to throw a holiday party this year for some of our friends, and figured that the Ugly Christmas Sweater thing had been played out…so we went with a Cookie Party. I had never even been to one, let alone thrown one.

I guess typically, a few women get together, make a few dozen cookies and then exchange, so when they go hang out with their families, they have an assortment, and they werent responsible for cooking them all. My rules weren’t terribly specific. I basically charged a batch of cookies for admission, but people made all sorts of goodies…i didn’t get particular. Peanut butter cookies, banana bread, peanut brittle…etc. I was actually super impressed with the success of that part of the party. Everyone decided to participate…and for that I love my friends. (Don’t forget the awesome karaoke madness and raging dance party that occured during the party. Raging in the sense of a filled living room in a small apartment= Super Fun)

I didn’t get too many photos of the actual party, as I was having too much fun and have friends that are better at that than I am…but I did take a few of the food I decided to prepare.

My cookie contributions were a ginger snap and a peanut butter cookie. Got to use the KitchenAid again…spent the day in the kitchen, wore my apron and did my thing. Its fun for me to get super domestic every once in a while.

in-progress peanut butter

completed ginger snaps

We also decided to have a few savory items out…so we didn’t overdose on cookies. Mick made some little cocktail weenies that he crocked with a sauce made of mustard, BBQ sauce and of all things, Grape Jelly….it was an unexpected amazing sauce. I put together some stuffed mushrooms filled with the chopped stems, cream cheese, garlic, green onions and cayenne pepper. I also made some endive appetizers filled with a pear, blue cheese, walnut mixture.  The one thing I did realize while preparing food for a party is that I have no serving trays. I guess that comes later in life with a registry?

endive and mushroom appetizer

endive goodness