Cookies! Baked with love by the internet! November 24, 2013 2:48 PM Subscribe
The great Metafilter Holiday-Adjacent Cookie Swap of 2013: signups have begun!
Welcome to the 2013 Metafilter Cookie Swap! Many thanks to shothotbot for organizing last year's excellent swap. This year we will follow a similar process, and all of us will eat our fill of delicious baked goods. Here we go!
To sign up, please send an email containing the following information to meficookieswap@gmail.com by Sunday, December 1st:
1) Metafilter handle
2) Mailing address
3) Do you have any allergies?
4) Are you ok with booze in your baked goods?
I will arrange bakers into geographically-sensible swap groups of 4 and then send the assignments out to everyone. You will then send roughly 6 cookies to each of your assigned MetaBakers. While you are on the hook for at least 18 cookies, I recommend baking at least two dozen so the members of your household don't think you're a jerk for baking things and then not feeding them any.
To make sure swap groups send out and receive cookies before holiday travel wreaks havoc on everyone's schedules, the mailing deadline for this year's swap is Friday, December 13th.
Let the baking begin!
Welcome to the 2013 Metafilter Cookie Swap! Many thanks to shothotbot for organizing last year's excellent swap. This year we will follow a similar process, and all of us will eat our fill of delicious baked goods. Here we go!
To sign up, please send an email containing the following information to meficookieswap@gmail.com by Sunday, December 1st:
1) Metafilter handle
2) Mailing address
3) Do you have any allergies?
4) Are you ok with booze in your baked goods?
I will arrange bakers into geographically-sensible swap groups of 4 and then send the assignments out to everyone. You will then send roughly 6 cookies to each of your assigned MetaBakers. While you are on the hook for at least 18 cookies, I recommend baking at least two dozen so the members of your household don't think you're a jerk for baking things and then not feeding them any.
To make sure swap groups send out and receive cookies before holiday travel wreaks havoc on everyone's schedules, the mailing deadline for this year's swap is Friday, December 13th.
Let the baking begin!
Early stats suggest y'all are into boozy cookies, but a number of you hope no one bakes with fruit.
GET AT ME, BAKERS!
posted by ausdemfenster at 4:35 PM on November 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
GET AT ME, BAKERS!
posted by ausdemfenster at 4:35 PM on November 24, 2013 [2 favorites]
Ooh, I'm so excited about this!
posted by Room 641-A at 5:34 PM on November 24, 2013
posted by Room 641-A at 5:34 PM on November 24, 2013
I am so in. Last year was awesome. Our group managed to have a mini-meetup to swap our cookies!
posted by gaspode at 6:24 PM on November 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by gaspode at 6:24 PM on November 24, 2013 [3 favorites]
Signed up. This is happening. I'm excited.
posted by oceanjesse at 6:34 PM on November 24, 2013
posted by oceanjesse at 6:34 PM on November 24, 2013
Mailing deadline is after my final exam! I'm in!
Not that a final exam's ever stopped me from baking before.
posted by ActionPopulated at 6:56 PM on November 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
Not that a final exam's ever stopped me from baking before.
posted by ActionPopulated at 6:56 PM on November 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
We want to be Special Snowflakes this year and exhaust ourselves sending but not receiving any cookies. Can this be arranged?
posted by bearwife at 7:04 PM on November 24, 2013
posted by bearwife at 7:04 PM on November 24, 2013
bearwife, that can certainly be arranged! Are you absolutely sure? If so, I'll add you to the bonus 5th member of your closest geographical 4-person group.
posted by ausdemfenster at 7:08 PM on November 24, 2013
posted by ausdemfenster at 7:08 PM on November 24, 2013
Signed up! This is going to be the best Quonsar/Cookie-mas ever!
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 7:15 PM on November 24, 2013
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 7:15 PM on November 24, 2013
Woot! I've never done this before, but I've a hankering to do some holiday baking this year, and enjoy some delicious cookies. I'm in.
posted by Superplin at 8:10 PM on November 24, 2013
posted by Superplin at 8:10 PM on November 24, 2013
This was so much fun last year! I am beyond excited to have a good reason to bake and sample at least five different recipes. I also promise that cookies I send out this year will be packaged way better.
posted by Marinara at 9:23 PM on November 24, 2013
posted by Marinara at 9:23 PM on November 24, 2013
so excited, first-time mefi cookie swapper! any tips on mailing cookies? i've only done it once, and the cookies (chocolate chip) all arrived broken.
posted by honey badger at 9:42 PM on November 24, 2013
posted by honey badger at 9:42 PM on November 24, 2013
Mailing advice:
It works very well to wrap cookies in one loooooong sheet of clingfilm (wrap one end-over-end a few times, place the next one a few inches further up the line, wrap that one the same way, etc.) and then wrap that whole stack in aluminum foil. It's probably a wasteful practice, but it gets everything wrapped up well enough to ship. Tubes are great for cookie-shaped items you've managed to stack, as is crumpled-up parchment paper in a Tupperware container to keep things from floating around and becoming crumbs. I like to shove a hunk of bread in with the cookies to keep them fresh, but that may be more superstition than science. Also remember to include a note: "DO NOT EAT BREAD CHUNK!"
posted by ausdemfenster at 10:00 PM on November 24, 2013 [5 favorites]
It works very well to wrap cookies in one loooooong sheet of clingfilm (wrap one end-over-end a few times, place the next one a few inches further up the line, wrap that one the same way, etc.) and then wrap that whole stack in aluminum foil. It's probably a wasteful practice, but it gets everything wrapped up well enough to ship. Tubes are great for cookie-shaped items you've managed to stack, as is crumpled-up parchment paper in a Tupperware container to keep things from floating around and becoming crumbs. I like to shove a hunk of bread in with the cookies to keep them fresh, but that may be more superstition than science. Also remember to include a note: "DO NOT EAT BREAD CHUNK!"
posted by ausdemfenster at 10:00 PM on November 24, 2013 [5 favorites]
Yay for cookies!
posted by amapolaroja at 11:31 PM on November 24, 2013
posted by amapolaroja at 11:31 PM on November 24, 2013
I'm new but I do love me some cookies. My swap group is getting traditional Spanish Christmas cookies!
posted by chainsofreedom at 5:34 AM on November 25, 2013
posted by chainsofreedom at 5:34 AM on November 25, 2013
I'm sort of wary of getting food in the mail from strangers, but I'll sign up this time!
posted by Metroid Baby at 5:50 AM on November 25, 2013
posted by Metroid Baby at 5:50 AM on November 25, 2013
You send 6 cookies - all of the same kind? Not 6 different cookies? (or of a couple different kinds?)
What about something like bark - does it count, or are people strictly cookie only?
posted by needlegrrl at 6:00 AM on November 25, 2013
What about something like bark - does it count, or are people strictly cookie only?
posted by needlegrrl at 6:00 AM on November 25, 2013
Just signed up! I'm excited for this!
posted by resilient_raindrop at 6:11 AM on November 25, 2013
posted by resilient_raindrop at 6:11 AM on November 25, 2013
I think I did this last year.. hmmm.. signed up this year for sure!
posted by royalsong at 6:13 AM on November 25, 2013
posted by royalsong at 6:13 AM on November 25, 2013
May I suggest that participants include their real name with their mailing address? Some postal workers (including mine) won't deliver without a real name specified on the address.
posted by donajo at 6:20 AM on November 25, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by donajo at 6:20 AM on November 25, 2013 [4 favorites]
Thanks for organizing this! Last year I got some really delicious cookies so I'm stoked to participate again :)
posted by brilliantine at 6:24 AM on November 25, 2013
posted by brilliantine at 6:24 AM on November 25, 2013
If anyone in NYC wants company for baking let me know and I'd be happy to help you! I love the idea of cookie swap but know I won't get it together to coordinate the logistics of mailing, what with work and finals.
posted by mlle valentine at 7:17 AM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by mlle valentine at 7:17 AM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
needlegrrl: Yes, you send six of the same cookie (though if you want to send 3 of two different kinds of cookies, I doubt anyone would mind) to three different people, so at the end of the swap you end up with 3 different kinds of cookies baked by 3 other MetaBakers.
We're going to stick to cookies this year to make things simple for everyone, but if someone wanted to get fancy and organize a candy/bread/miscellaneous sugar item swap next year, I bet there would be some interest.
posted by ausdemfenster at 8:09 AM on November 25, 2013
We're going to stick to cookies this year to make things simple for everyone, but if someone wanted to get fancy and organize a candy/bread/miscellaneous sugar item swap next year, I bet there would be some interest.
posted by ausdemfenster at 8:09 AM on November 25, 2013
Last year I think I only sent four cookies to each person because the cookies I made were ~1/4 lb. each, but I may have thrown in some extra goodies, too. This year I'm probably making cookies that are small and delicate so I'll be sending more than six. I think people just care that you sent them homemade cookies!
posted by Room 641-A at 9:43 AM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Room 641-A at 9:43 AM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
"DO NOT EAT BREAD CHUNK!"
If it's after I bake like 48 cookies so that 16 can make it out the door, the note should probably read: "DO NOT EAT BREAD, CHUNK!"
posted by BrotherCaine at 10:06 AM on November 25, 2013 [3 favorites]
If it's after I bake like 48 cookies so that 16 can make it out the door, the note should probably read: "DO NOT EAT BREAD, CHUNK!"
posted by BrotherCaine at 10:06 AM on November 25, 2013 [3 favorites]
yay, stranger cookies! I'm in. I really liked getting the recipes from most of the members of last year's swap group. "This is delicious, I must make more!"
posted by janell at 10:09 AM on November 25, 2013
posted by janell at 10:09 AM on November 25, 2013
Silly question: are bar cookies acceptable?
posted by Pizzarina Sbarro at 10:11 AM on November 25, 2013
posted by Pizzarina Sbarro at 10:11 AM on November 25, 2013
I included a mini loaf of this with my cookies last year, partly for extra cushioning and partly to fill space. I didn't get any complaints, I hope I didn't bend the rules too far, no one should feel they have to include extras, but I love to bake and I always end up with more stuff than I can eat and give away locally.
posted by caryatid at 10:44 AM on November 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by caryatid at 10:44 AM on November 25, 2013 [2 favorites]
We could probably get a decent debate going re: the cookie or non-cookie nature of bars, but I think if the word "cookie" appears in the title or recipe, it qualifies.
I understand this opens the floodgates to an array of horrors ("Tin Can Cookies! Meat Slurry Cookies! Little Box of Cream of Wheat Cookies!"), so kindly keep to the spirit of the exchange.
As caryatid and Room 641-A note above, including more than six (if tiny) or fewer than six (if huge) is ok, as is sending bonus baked goods!
posted by ausdemfenster at 10:59 AM on November 25, 2013
I understand this opens the floodgates to an array of horrors ("Tin Can Cookies! Meat Slurry Cookies! Little Box of Cream of Wheat Cookies!"), so kindly keep to the spirit of the exchange.
As caryatid and Room 641-A note above, including more than six (if tiny) or fewer than six (if huge) is ok, as is sending bonus baked goods!
posted by ausdemfenster at 10:59 AM on November 25, 2013
How many gluten free/wheat free bakers we got in this hizzy? I'm tempted to throw in but by-gods, gluten free cookies crumble when you look at them -- I'd be terrified to think what shipping would do to them, unless I made them 50% fat.
posted by cavalier at 11:30 AM on November 25, 2013
posted by cavalier at 11:30 AM on November 25, 2013
So far we might have a PRO-BUTTER and ANTI-BUTTER swap group, and at least one GET YOUR FRUIT AWAY FROM MY COOKIES group, but no gluten free/wheat free responses so far (of 40 bakers signed up).
Speak up, gluten free bakers! We welcome you!
posted by ausdemfenster at 12:14 PM on November 25, 2013
Speak up, gluten free bakers! We welcome you!
posted by ausdemfenster at 12:14 PM on November 25, 2013
Oh, I should upgrade my group to RAISINS ARE OF THE DEVIL.
posted by jeather at 1:20 PM on November 25, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by jeather at 1:20 PM on November 25, 2013 [6 favorites]
Butter: yay! Raisins: yay! Craisins: not really my thing but I'll eat 'em. Nuts: yay! Bacon: why not? Ranch dressing: it could work!
posted by Metroid Baby at 2:42 PM on November 25, 2013
posted by Metroid Baby at 2:42 PM on November 25, 2013
I signed up! Thanks for agreeing to take over the organizational stuff this year, ausdemfenster!
For any of you who are feeling wary, I do the cookie swap every year and have never had a bad experience with any of them. I know MeFightClub also does them sometimes, and they have some awesome bakers over at the WonderChicken's hangout as well.
posted by misha at 2:53 PM on November 25, 2013
For any of you who are feeling wary, I do the cookie swap every year and have never had a bad experience with any of them. I know MeFightClub also does them sometimes, and they have some awesome bakers over at the WonderChicken's hangout as well.
posted by misha at 2:53 PM on November 25, 2013
Team PRO BUTTER, PRO FRUIT represent!
posted by misha at 2:54 PM on November 25, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by misha at 2:54 PM on November 25, 2013 [6 favorites]
Any aussies in this thing?
posted by geek anachronism at 4:20 PM on November 25, 2013
posted by geek anachronism at 4:20 PM on November 25, 2013
Um this might be a stupid question. But if I did this, would I be receiving the cookies before or after Christmas? I have no idea how long mail travels or whether you're gonna assign us to people far or near...
posted by The Biggest Dreamer at 4:21 PM on November 25, 2013
posted by The Biggest Dreamer at 4:21 PM on November 25, 2013
The Biggest Dreamer, I'm going to do my best to assign people their three closest(ish) fellow bakers to increase the chances that cookies will arrive quickly.
The hope is that all cookies will arrive before Christmas, and more specifically within a week of the December 13th mailing deadline.
posted by ausdemfenster at 4:35 PM on November 25, 2013
The hope is that all cookies will arrive before Christmas, and more specifically within a week of the December 13th mailing deadline.
posted by ausdemfenster at 4:35 PM on November 25, 2013
I'm in again this year. I hope no one minds if I make the same recipe--they did go over well last year.
posted by yuwtze at 5:47 PM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by yuwtze at 5:47 PM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
Is there a vegan group, or a group that wouldn't mind giving/receiving at least 1 set of vegan cookies? Holler at your girl.
posted by divined by radio at 6:02 PM on November 25, 2013
posted by divined by radio at 6:02 PM on November 25, 2013
Funny you should ask divined by radio, I just e-mailed the organizers today to say that I'll probably make vegan cookies. Not vegan myself, but I picked up a lot of my recipes from long stretches spent living with vegans. (One of said vegan roommates had not eaten a cookie since becoming vegan before I showed up. Had to rectify that situation immediately.)
posted by ActionPopulated at 6:29 PM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by ActionPopulated at 6:29 PM on November 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
divined by radio, if you sign up we'll be halfway to a vegan swap group!
posted by ausdemfenster at 6:36 PM on November 25, 2013
posted by ausdemfenster at 6:36 PM on November 25, 2013
(One of said vegan roommates had not eaten a cookie since becoming vegan before I showed up. Had to rectify that situation immediately.)
Aw! *wistful sniffle* That was the first vegan cookie recipe I ever tried to bake by myself. On behalf of all vegan roommates everywhere, I salute you. My go-to recipe is the original Toll House one with Ghirardelli semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips, Earth Balance instead of butter, and Ener-G or ground flaxseed instead of eggs.
So I just signed up! Hopefully we can get another couple of folks to join up for maximum vegan goodness. If any other omnivores are open to the prospect of egg- and dairy-free baking, fear not -- it's very easy and these guides will help.
Vegan Baking: The PPK Shows You How!
Vegan baking cheat sheet
Vegan cookie recipes
More vegan cookie recipes
Even more
Even more
posted by divined by radio at 6:45 AM on November 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
Aw! *wistful sniffle* That was the first vegan cookie recipe I ever tried to bake by myself. On behalf of all vegan roommates everywhere, I salute you. My go-to recipe is the original Toll House one with Ghirardelli semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips, Earth Balance instead of butter, and Ener-G or ground flaxseed instead of eggs.
So I just signed up! Hopefully we can get another couple of folks to join up for maximum vegan goodness. If any other omnivores are open to the prospect of egg- and dairy-free baking, fear not -- it's very easy and these guides will help.
Vegan Baking: The PPK Shows You How!
Vegan baking cheat sheet
Vegan cookie recipes
More vegan cookie recipes
Even more
Even more
posted by divined by radio at 6:45 AM on November 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
I just cleaned out and sorted a kitchen cupboard and it was a moment of boy howdy i have a lot of baking supplies i never use. I'd better do this.
In fact, I may even go with some cookies that I discovered in the course of an AskMe I posted this year.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:47 AM on November 26, 2013
In fact, I may even go with some cookies that I discovered in the course of an AskMe I posted this year.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:47 AM on November 26, 2013
Sign up, fellow Canadian bakers, so that I can swap with you! Pleeeeeeeease!
posted by just_ducky at 8:18 AM on November 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by just_ducky at 8:18 AM on November 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
Ugh I'm very sad the mini-cookie swapping meetup was really fun last year but I'm leaving NY for Canada on the 15th so I would not be around to receive cookies this year :(
posted by SpaceWarp13 at 8:27 AM on November 26, 2013
posted by SpaceWarp13 at 8:27 AM on November 26, 2013
Sad to miss out this year due to work travel. Eat a cookie for me, will you?
posted by anya32 at 11:17 AM on November 26, 2013
posted by anya32 at 11:17 AM on November 26, 2013
51 bakers have signed up so far!
3 are from Canada, 1 is from the UK, and 1 is from Australia. International bakers: come swap with us!
So far NY, MA, and CA are the most represented states, but WI is going strong.
posted by ausdemfenster at 11:55 AM on November 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
3 are from Canada, 1 is from the UK, and 1 is from Australia. International bakers: come swap with us!
So far NY, MA, and CA are the most represented states, but WI is going strong.
posted by ausdemfenster at 11:55 AM on November 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'm in - can't wait!
posted by needlegrrl at 12:00 PM on November 26, 2013
posted by needlegrrl at 12:00 PM on November 26, 2013
Was going to pass this year, but then decided that cookies are awesome and I'm in.
posted by firei at 1:31 PM on November 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by firei at 1:31 PM on November 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
I've been making cookies just for me but then I end up freezing a bunch since it is not healthy to eat that many before they go stale, so I am in.
I hate when people put fruit in chocolate things! It's distracting, just let me focus on enjoying the chocolate. But I don't mind fruit if it is the sole focus of the event. Jam thumbprint? ok. Orange rind in my chocolate cookies? Go fuck yourself.
Raisins are only a treat if you are in the Great Depression and you haven't seen a fruit in 3 years.
Bar cookies and toffee etc count as acceptable cookie substitutes for me. I hope everyone adopts all my rules. the end.
posted by rmless at 2:38 PM on November 27, 2013 [4 favorites]
I hate when people put fruit in chocolate things! It's distracting, just let me focus on enjoying the chocolate. But I don't mind fruit if it is the sole focus of the event. Jam thumbprint? ok. Orange rind in my chocolate cookies? Go fuck yourself.
Raisins are only a treat if you are in the Great Depression and you haven't seen a fruit in 3 years.
Bar cookies and toffee etc count as acceptable cookie substitutes for me. I hope everyone adopts all my rules. the end.
posted by rmless at 2:38 PM on November 27, 2013 [4 favorites]
Mrs. Arbac has volunteered to bake them. I have bravely volunteered to eat them. Looking forward to it!
posted by Arbac at 8:10 PM on November 27, 2013
posted by Arbac at 8:10 PM on November 27, 2013
Hoping other Australians/NZers/SE Asians will sign up - shipping to the US might be scary for cookies, anyone else this side of the equator want to swap delicious cookies or *cough* biscuits?
posted by Kaleidoscope at 1:30 AM on November 28, 2013
posted by Kaleidoscope at 1:30 AM on November 28, 2013
There's two of us! There were two of us last year and it worked out great.
posted by geek anachronism at 2:14 AM on November 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by geek anachronism at 2:14 AM on November 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
Yay!
posted by Kaleidoscope at 1:39 PM on November 28, 2013
posted by Kaleidoscope at 1:39 PM on November 28, 2013
Would be funny though if you guys are secretly totally next-door neighbours.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (staff) at 4:08 PM on November 28, 2013
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (staff) at 4:08 PM on November 28, 2013
(with a little understanding you can find the perfect blend)
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (staff) at 4:10 PM on November 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane (staff) at 4:10 PM on November 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
Silly question: are bar cookies acceptable?
posted by Pizzarina Sbarro at 10:11 AM on November 25 [+] [!]
I am performing a free service this year: If you would like a ruling on whether a type of cookie is acceptable, you can send me an advance shipment and I promise a prompt determination of said cookie/bar/brownie's qualification. I am a credentialed cookieologist.
posted by funkiwan at 1:24 PM on November 29, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by Pizzarina Sbarro at 10:11 AM on November 25 [+] [!]
I am performing a free service this year: If you would like a ruling on whether a type of cookie is acceptable, you can send me an advance shipment and I promise a prompt determination of said cookie/bar/brownie's qualification. I am a credentialed cookieologist.
posted by funkiwan at 1:24 PM on November 29, 2013 [6 favorites]
So excited!
Are we meant to include the recipe or is that an optional extra?
posted by darchildre at 5:29 PM on November 29, 2013
Are we meant to include the recipe or is that an optional extra?
posted by darchildre at 5:29 PM on November 29, 2013
It's not required to include the recipe, but it's definitely appreciated!
The allergy/food sensitivity groups will likely be asked to include a list of cookie ingredients to be on the safe side.
posted by ausdemfenster at 7:38 PM on November 29, 2013
The allergy/food sensitivity groups will likely be asked to include a list of cookie ingredients to be on the safe side.
posted by ausdemfenster at 7:38 PM on November 29, 2013
If anyone still wants to sign up today (December 2), I'll accept sign-ups until the end of the day.
We have 75 bakers signed up! I'll send out swap groups on 12/4 or 12/5.
If you've signed up but have not received a confirmation email from me, please memail me.
posted by ausdemfenster at 6:35 AM on December 2, 2013
We have 75 bakers signed up! I'll send out swap groups on 12/4 or 12/5.
If you've signed up but have not received a confirmation email from me, please memail me.
posted by ausdemfenster at 6:35 AM on December 2, 2013
Should we have gotten our assignments by now? I didn't get an e-mail.
posted by resilient_raindrop at 11:31 PM on December 5, 2013
posted by resilient_raindrop at 11:31 PM on December 5, 2013
I didn't either.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:28 AM on December 6, 2013
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:28 AM on December 6, 2013
Hello, swappers! Assignments will go out this afternoon—there were a few geographic/allergy matching issues, but I think I have it sorted out now.
If you don't get an assignment from me by tonight, please memail me to let me know.
Happy baking!
posted by ausdemfenster at 7:23 AM on December 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
If you don't get an assignment from me by tonight, please memail me to let me know.
Happy baking!
posted by ausdemfenster at 7:23 AM on December 6, 2013 [3 favorites]
If anyone doesn't have his or her assignment, please let me know! All emails have been sent out.
We only ended up with one UK baker this year, so that swap didn't get off the ground.
Australia has a small (2-person) swap and Canada has two 3-person swaps.
CA and NY tied for 1st with 9 bakers each this year.
TIME FOR BUTTER AND SUGAR (except for GROUP VEGAN)!
posted by ausdemfenster at 7:59 PM on December 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
We only ended up with one UK baker this year, so that swap didn't get off the ground.
Australia has a small (2-person) swap and Canada has two 3-person swaps.
CA and NY tied for 1st with 9 bakers each this year.
TIME FOR BUTTER AND SUGAR (except for GROUP VEGAN)!
posted by ausdemfenster at 7:59 PM on December 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
I didn't get my assignment. I've sent you a MeMail but figured I'd comment here as well since I frequently never notice when I have MeMail.
posted by Arbac at 8:55 PM on December 6, 2013
posted by Arbac at 8:55 PM on December 6, 2013
I just learned that my office actually has a cookie swap too!
I think I'll make two different batches - one sufficient for work, one sufficient for Mefi. Both will go out on Thursday.
YAY COOKIES
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:20 PM on December 10, 2013
I think I'll make two different batches - one sufficient for work, one sufficient for Mefi. Both will go out on Thursday.
YAY COOKIES
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:20 PM on December 10, 2013
duffell, I currently have it stuck in my teeth. SO DELICIOUS. WHAT IS THIS MAGICAL CRACK.
posted by brilliantine at 2:51 PM on December 11, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by brilliantine at 2:51 PM on December 11, 2013 [2 favorites]
Our swap is so ridiculously local that we are just going to meet in person to exchange sweets. We don't even have to cross the river or switch subway lines to do so.
posted by maryr at 6:18 PM on December 11, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by maryr at 6:18 PM on December 11, 2013 [2 favorites]
Oh man, I just made my grandma's oatmeal sugar cookies. They were one of those things I never made myself for a long time, because they were magic special only at grandma's house food. But I've had the recipe for years, and it's dead simple, and my grandma's not in good enough health to cook anything anymore, so I figured now was the time. And I'm gonna do her one better by coating the tops in coconut caramel. Thanks grandma.
Vegan group, this is not your cookie, but fear not, I made you something equally delicious.
posted by ActionPopulated at 9:33 PM on December 11, 2013 [2 favorites]
Vegan group, this is not your cookie, but fear not, I made you something equally delicious.
posted by ActionPopulated at 9:33 PM on December 11, 2013 [2 favorites]
And I'm gonna do her one better by coating the tops in coconut caramel
OMG, cookies with coconut caramel sound DELICIOUS! How do you make coconut caramel? I know you aren't in my swap group, but if you MefiMail me your recipe you will get bonus Christmas points*.
*Limit 500 bonus Christmas points per recipe. Void where prohibited. Christmas points have no monetary value. Cannot be exchanged for goods or services. Local restrictions apply.
posted by misha at 8:42 AM on December 12, 2013
OMG, cookies with coconut caramel sound DELICIOUS! How do you make coconut caramel? I know you aren't in my swap group, but if you MefiMail me your recipe you will get bonus Christmas points*.
*Limit 500 bonus Christmas points per recipe. Void where prohibited. Christmas points have no monetary value. Cannot be exchanged for goods or services. Local restrictions apply.
posted by misha at 8:42 AM on December 12, 2013
Yay, I received my first batch of cookies, from swiitchsonic: chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, and pretzel chocolate chip bars. Basically, 50 pounds of huge chocolate chunks with enough batter to hold them together. My official December face-stuffing begins now.
posted by Room 641-A at 11:04 AM on December 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Room 641-A at 11:04 AM on December 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
Ugh, everything that could possibly go wrong in mailing out my cookies did. One of my boxes cookie sets fell out of my bike basket somewhere en route to post office number one-luckily had extra at home. I had to go to 4(!) different post offices before I found one with packing tape out to use. I kept the postal clerk out late while I ineptly tried to assemble cardboard boxes; luckily she was nice about it and helped me get everything packed up. But the point is, they're gone, should be to out of town recipients on Monday, meeting up with tangaroo for a mini local exchange worked out smoothly, and now I have lemon rosemary shortbread to try. Phew.
posted by ActionPopulated at 5:27 PM on December 12, 2013
posted by ActionPopulated at 5:27 PM on December 12, 2013
I also received swiitchsonic's yummy cookies. I will be baking tonight and at the PO tomorrow.
posted by amapolaroja at 5:57 PM on December 12, 2013
posted by amapolaroja at 5:57 PM on December 12, 2013
I may have eaten half of swiitchsonic's cookies already. Delicious! I mailed mine out yesterday, so be on the lookout for some tasty cookies.
posted by Arbac at 8:24 AM on December 13, 2013
posted by Arbac at 8:24 AM on December 13, 2013
Just got great mint chocolate cookies by pocams. Tried one, saving the rest for this afternoon to dull the pain of exams.
posted by sgrass at 8:46 AM on December 13, 2013
posted by sgrass at 8:46 AM on December 13, 2013
Mailed mine out under the wire! Delicious chai oatmeal cookies on the way!
posted by brilliantine at 10:03 AM on December 13, 2013
posted by brilliantine at 10:03 AM on December 13, 2013
computech_apolloniajames and rmless, thank you for the delicious cookies! They were a delight to come home to today.
posted by ausdemfenster at 8:36 PM on December 13, 2013
posted by ausdemfenster at 8:36 PM on December 13, 2013
I made chocolate meringues aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand it's been humid as fuck and pissing down since I posted them. So I am SO sorry if you got a packet of choc-mush from me!
posted by geek anachronism at 2:53 PM on December 14, 2013
posted by geek anachronism at 2:53 PM on December 14, 2013
Got my last package today. I really hope my swapers enjoyed my gingerbread cookies as much as I enjoyed all of theirs.
posted by C'est la D.C. at 4:31 PM on December 14, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by C'est la D.C. at 4:31 PM on December 14, 2013 [1 favorite]
Cest la dc- YOUR COOKIES WERE AWESOME! Thanks so much! And the same to the philadelphia bakers -- tangaroo and actionpopulated yum yum yum! I sent an assortment and if any recipes arewanted, let me know!
posted by bluesky43 at 8:32 PM on December 14, 2013
posted by bluesky43 at 8:32 PM on December 14, 2013
C'est La DC and bluesky43, I got both of your cookie packages. Both so good! C'est la, any chance I could have your gingerbread recipe?
posted by ActionPopulated at 6:41 AM on December 15, 2013
posted by ActionPopulated at 6:41 AM on December 15, 2013
I am a Bonus Baker this year and on Saturday sent packages of some scrumptious nut-free cookies which I hope arrive very soon and unbroken. My recipients should get the recipes and a card too.
posted by bearwife at 10:50 AM on December 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by bearwife at 10:50 AM on December 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
I am so enjoying finding bunches of cookies with my mail that I don't know how I'll cope when they stop arriving.
posted by obol at 4:38 PM on December 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by obol at 4:38 PM on December 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
Project Somerville/Cambridge Cookie Meetup has successfully completed! I have cookies! And other tasty baked (and not baked) goods!
posted by rmd1023 at 6:17 PM on December 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by rmd1023 at 6:17 PM on December 16, 2013 [1 favorite]
Group 5!
I have received two of your batches (deliciousness!), but not a third, and am now worried that my own package is going wonky too. Have you gotten mine?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:06 AM on December 17, 2013
I have received two of your batches (deliciousness!), but not a third, and am now worried that my own package is going wonky too. Have you gotten mine?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:06 AM on December 17, 2013
Group 10! Looks like the first number in my street address (5) was left off somehow in the list?! Luckily, the mailman figured it out with two of the cookie shipments; I got the NC cookies today.
posted by misha at 9:57 AM on December 17, 2013
posted by misha at 9:57 AM on December 17, 2013
I just ate my weighted companion cube cookie. Now it can be a part of me forever.
(Camberville = #1, woo!)
posted by maryr at 10:51 AM on December 17, 2013 [2 favorites]
(Camberville = #1, woo!)
posted by maryr at 10:51 AM on December 17, 2013 [2 favorites]
I guess I should have said I am a bonus baker for cookie group 16. Hoping the cookies have arrived undamaged by now and have proved tasty.
posted by bearwife at 11:44 AM on December 17, 2013
posted by bearwife at 11:44 AM on December 17, 2013
Congratulations, you ate your faithful companion cube more quickly than any test subject on record!
I have so many delicious cookies at home right now thanks to Group #1. I wish I'd brought some to work.
posted by Metroid Baby at 11:54 AM on December 17, 2013 [2 favorites]
I have so many delicious cookies at home right now thanks to Group #1. I wish I'd brought some to work.
posted by Metroid Baby at 11:54 AM on December 17, 2013 [2 favorites]
geek anachronism - wow, how brave to do meringues this time of year! They were lovely, so chocolatey, and I loved the artwork :) Great minds must think alike, I did chocolate cookies too, going in the post tomorrow!
posted by Kaleidoscope at 6:17 PM on December 17, 2013
posted by Kaleidoscope at 6:17 PM on December 17, 2013
Thank you my fellow group 16ers! Three boxes of baked goodness on the same day. You'd think it was Christmas or something.
posted by aspo at 6:40 PM on December 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by aspo at 6:40 PM on December 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
It makes me so happy to hear all these tales of successful swaps, and if no one posts a photo of the weighted companion cube cookies I'll be heartbroken.
posted by ausdemfenster at 6:51 PM on December 17, 2013
posted by ausdemfenster at 6:51 PM on December 17, 2013
Kaleidoscope: "geek anachronism - wow, how brave to do meringues this time of year! They were lovely, so chocolatey, and I loved the artwork :) Great minds must think alike, I did chocolate cookies too, going in the post tomorrow!"
I'm glad they made it! My mum had done a batch on the weekend and they were so easy and so freaking delicious that I had to do another batch. And then of course it rained.
(My kid loves art with a passion, so I passed your compliments on)
posted by geek anachronism at 1:20 AM on December 18, 2013
I'm glad they made it! My mum had done a batch on the weekend and they were so easy and so freaking delicious that I had to do another batch. And then of course it rained.
(My kid loves art with a passion, so I passed your compliments on)
posted by geek anachronism at 1:20 AM on December 18, 2013
Mine are out in the world, travelling far and wide (or rather, across town, since my entire swap group is in Multnomah County.)
posted by janell at 10:48 AM on December 18, 2013
posted by janell at 10:48 AM on December 18, 2013
Empress, never fear! I have received your cookies! Haven't gotten to try them yet so I stuck them in the freezer to preserve the freshness. They smell awesome, though. :)
posted by firei at 6:18 PM on December 18, 2013
posted by firei at 6:18 PM on December 18, 2013
I have received exotic and delicious pistachio cardamom cookies. Thanks hereticfig! They are delightful.
posted by caryatid at 6:21 PM on December 18, 2013
posted by caryatid at 6:21 PM on December 18, 2013
Someone in group 12 sent these. They are perhaps the best cookies I've ever eaten and I don't typically like crunchy cookies! Thank you group 12 person!
posted by royalsong at 3:47 PM on December 19, 2013
posted by royalsong at 3:47 PM on December 19, 2013
Mine are out in the world, travelling far and wide (or rather, across town, since my entire swap group is in Multnomah County.)
posted by janell at 10:48 AM on December 18 [+] [!]
janell, your rugelach are amazing! I have no idea why none of my cross-town cookies have arrived. My friend in NYC got hers today and I sent them out with the local batch. So frustrating.
posted by funkiwan at 1:48 PM on December 20, 2013
posted by janell at 10:48 AM on December 18 [+] [!]
janell, your rugelach are amazing! I have no idea why none of my cross-town cookies have arrived. My friend in NYC got hers today and I sent them out with the local batch. So frustrating.
posted by funkiwan at 1:48 PM on December 20, 2013
Those are phenomenal!
posted by ausdemfenster at 7:42 PM on December 20, 2013
posted by ausdemfenster at 7:42 PM on December 20, 2013
Oh good, I don't have to post a pic of my belly.
posted by maryr at 8:31 PM on December 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by maryr at 8:31 PM on December 20, 2013 [1 favorite]
Thinkgeek has a set of portal-themed cookie cutters!
posted by rmd1023 at 3:51 AM on December 21, 2013
posted by rmd1023 at 3:51 AM on December 21, 2013
Kaleidoscope: "geek anachronism - wow, how brave to do meringues this time of year! They were lovely, so chocolatey, and I loved the artwork :) Great minds must think alike, I did chocolate cookies too, going in the post tomorrow!"
They arrived! They smell amazing and taste beautiful. I just had one with my cup of tea. Thank you!
posted by geek anachronism at 3:59 PM on December 23, 2013
They arrived! They smell amazing and taste beautiful. I just had one with my cup of tea. Thank you!
posted by geek anachronism at 3:59 PM on December 23, 2013
Yay! We love those cookies, and they are super easy to make (shall I send you the recipe?).
posted by Kaleidoscope at 5:44 AM on December 24, 2013
posted by Kaleidoscope at 5:44 AM on December 24, 2013
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posted by CathyG at 3:05 PM on November 24, 2013 [1 favorite]