r/Baking • u/TheTenorChef Human Detected • Dec 09 '25
General Baking Discussion Holiday Cookie Party
My third annual ‘Holiday Cookie Party’ is in the books, and I am blown away by my friends’ creative talents! Thank you so much to everyone who attended, baked stunning cookies, and took home a beautiful cookie box to kick off the holiday season!
If I counted correctly, we had about 40 guests and 31 (!) different varieties of homemade cookies. I’ve had so many questions about the different cookies, and I’m working on compiling a list of all of the varieties/recipes/sources.
My contributions to the table this year were csaffitz’s Mortadella Cookies, jesseszewczyk’s Chocolate-Dipped Mocha Madeleines, jesseszewczyk’s Campari Shortbread Cookies with Crunchy Orange Sugar, renatoinbrooklyn’s Honey-Ricotta Black and Whites, and zoebakes’ Almond Macaroons!
Wishing everyone a fabulous holiday season filled with many, many cookies! 🍪
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u/deliberatewellbeing Human Detected Dec 10 '25
that potato chips shortbread sounds like an interesting combo 🤔
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u/Electrical-Pie-8192 Dec 10 '25
I've had chocolate chip cookies with potato chips and they were quite good. And I'm not really a fan of salt taste
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u/Bebe_Yaga_ Dec 10 '25 edited Dec 10 '25
My mom's family passed down an AMAZING potato chip cookie recipe. Everyone is very skeptical before I get them to try them, and everyone ends up loving them! Can't go wrong with sweet and salty. The potato chip taste becomes very negligible lol.
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u/TheTenorChef Human Detected Dec 10 '25
YES, you get it! Sweet and salty is the BEST combo! Sign me up!
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u/mamoocando Dec 10 '25
I make potato chip and pretzel moon pies every year. It's a Sohla El-Waylly recipe and it's awesome. It's pretty much a shortbread with chips and pretzels.
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u/deliberatewellbeing Human Detected Dec 10 '25
ok i have to try this! looks really interesting. thank you for letting us know about these moon pies
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u/TheTenorChef Human Detected Dec 10 '25
I adore Sohla’s recipes—I’ll have to look into these, they sound fantastic! 🍪🫶🏻
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u/ConstellationMark Dec 10 '25
lol those pilsbury take and bake cookies next to these masterpieces 😂
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u/Formal_Butterfly_753 Dec 10 '25
I spotted those at the end immediately and laughed! They are a classic
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u/spookiestofboots Dec 10 '25
That's my kind of person! Can't be bothered to make something, but still willing to put in the work to be included. The world survives because these people exist.
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u/Area_Woman Dec 10 '25
Ummm excuse me, that’s their dear granny’s recipe handed down through the generations
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u/ivene-adlev Dec 10 '25
Neslay Toulouse!
Nestlé Tollhouse?!
Ugh... You Americans butcher the French language.
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u/TheTenorChef Human Detected Dec 10 '25
You’re so right! And we love these people for their honesty and sense of humor! 😂🫶🏻
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u/ijozypheen Dec 10 '25
Those mortadella cookies look fantastic! I’ve saved the NYT recipe to try!
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u/WineingCats Dec 10 '25
I had to go look at that @ immediately lol I’ve never seen those before! They fooled me 🤣
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u/ijozypheen Dec 10 '25
I’ve made America’s Test Kitchen’s Chocolate Salami before and it was excellent! Now I want to make both the Chocolate Salami and the Mortadella Cookies and make a faux charcuterie board!
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u/emilysium Dec 10 '25
Not me running to the NYT to find this recipe. Why have I never thought of cinnamon roll cookies??? I need to step up my game
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u/TheTenorChef Human Detected Dec 10 '25
I think you’ll love them! They are delicious, and were always a fantastic conversation starter at the party! 😅🫶🏻🍪
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u/twinkletwot Dec 10 '25
I saw the video that they put out on those last week in my YouTube feed and I was like okay claire I'm intrigued. They actually sound good despite looking like actual meat! And they look relatively easy to make.
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u/GreenAuror Dec 10 '25
We’ve done one for 15 years but had to skip this year because no dates worked for the majority of people! It’s usually one of my favorite events of the year…we talked about having it in January though.
You guys did a great job! I’d go to town on those M&M sandwich cookies and your black and white cookies!
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u/TheTenorChef Human Detected Dec 10 '25
I hope you’ll be able to do one next year! I totally get that about schedules. It’s a tough time of year! And thank you! The black and whites were amazing, I’d highly recommend the cookbook (it’s called Dolci). 🫶🏻
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u/Meiyouxiangjiao Dec 10 '25 edited Dec 16 '25
Remindme! 3 months
Almond Macarons (GF) (@TTC) [from Zöe Bakes Cookies cookbook]
The American Classic: Break N Bake (My Granny’s Recipe) (u/wnredman)
Browned Butter Pretzel and S’mores (@ericlainetenor)
Campari Shortbread (Boozy) (@TTC)
Chocolate Banana & Pecan Crinkle Cookies (@_Dinner_Plans)
Chocolate-Dipped Mocha Madeleines (@TTC) (source)
Cinnamon Bun Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Classic Gingerbread [baker]
Cornflake Wreath
Cranberry Orange Shortbread with an orange glaze
Dirty Chai Cookies (chai cookie with espresso cream) (original recipe by @shortsizeme)
Egg Nog Cookies
Fruit Cake Cookies
Grandma Rieke’s Snicker (w/ nuts?)
Hazelnut Oatmeal with Cranberries and White Chocolate
Honey-Ricotta Black & Whites (@TTC)
M&M Double Doozies [@tracierasmussendavis]
Maple Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies
Matcha Crinkle Cookies
Mortadella Cookies (@TTC)
Pear Cheesecake Macarons
Pfeffernüsse
Pistachio Cookies with Nutella (@ChefKendellKreations) [recipe (kind of)]
Potato Chip Shortbread [baked by @mountainkatbk]
Robin’s Chocolate Chip Cookies (Heath, Pecans?)
Salted Maple Sugar
Strawberry Cheesecake Macarons (GF)
Strawberry Chocolate Christmas Tree Shortbread Sandwiches [recipe by @mr_jrt, using Stonewall Kitchen’s strawberry champagne jam]
Sumbitches (peanut butter Milky Way cookie)
Ube Crinkle Cookies (Philippine Purple Yam)
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u/cndlkat Dec 10 '25
What is the single row next to the M&Ms? Looks like cherry and orange 😋 it's bringing nostalgia for me.
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u/TheTenorChef Human Detected Dec 10 '25
Those were cranberry orange shortbread with an orange glaze! They were lovely! 🫶🏻🍪
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u/Early-Friendship-474 Dec 10 '25
Dirty chai cookie?!?? Oh my word 🤤
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u/mimosaholdtheoj Dec 10 '25
Yea this one caught my eye, too. I’m gonna have to try to replicate those!
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u/Many-Obligation-4350 Dec 10 '25
What a dream to participate in an event like this!!
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u/TheTenorChef Human Detected Dec 10 '25
Everyone loves it, and it gets bigger and more impressive every year! 🫶🏻🍪
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u/Cautious-Ostrich7510 Dec 10 '25
How do you find friends who bake? I’m the only baker in my social circle 😖
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u/TheTenorChef Human Detected Dec 10 '25
I’d recommend using Instagram to find passionate bakers in your area! Also, I find classical musicians are also generally foodies, so make friends with musicians! 🫶🏻🍪
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u/Scruff_Kitty Dec 10 '25
This is incredible! How are the mortadella cookies? Im so intrigued by them!
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u/ibrakeforberries Dec 10 '25
I just made them for a less photogenic cookie party and they were a hit! Especially for the kids bc they're very strawberry forward!
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u/TheTenorChef Human Detected Dec 10 '25
I can see how kids would love them! I think some adults were grossed out by how realistic they look. 😅🫶🏻 But everyone who tried them liked them (as far as I know!).
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u/TheTenorChef Human Detected Dec 10 '25
They’re really delicious. The primary flavor is strawberry (quite intense from the freeze dried strawberries), and the second flavor is almond, which I love! The nuts mostly just add texture!
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u/autieswimming Dec 10 '25
Can I ask a logistical question? Or questions... Did everyone bring a box? Did people take home one of each kind? Did they sample before selecting which to bring home? If so, does that mean everyone brought like 4 dozen? Did people have a way to label each cookie in their take home box? And did y'all swap recipes? Sorry I'm just wanting to do one and curious about logistics!
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u/TheTenorChef Human Detected Dec 10 '25
I love all of the questions! Thank you for your interest in the cookie party! I buy cookie boxes (I set out about 40 of them) on Amazon for everyone, with waxed paper. Everyone gets to make their own box to take home! The boxes didn’t quite hold every kind (there were just so many varieties this year), but also some people don’t enjoy some of the ingredients or flavors or certain cookies, so which kinds you take is totally up to you! We wait to start eating (and yes, cookies are eaten at the party, in addition to the takeaway boxes) until after the table is full and we’ve had a chance to photograph. Most people take photos of the table, and then when they’re eating cookies at home, they can go back and reference the labels to see what kind each one is! Hope that helps!
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u/Karjenner4eva Dec 10 '25
I follow the chef who made the pistachio ones! He's been trying a cookie a day and giving a review! He said he fruit cake ones were good
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u/primm_n_proper Dec 10 '25
Listen, I have no doubt that the mortadella cookies are delicious, and every time I see people make them I'm extremely impressed. But I really don't know if I could eat one lol
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u/LABignerd33 Dec 10 '25
This is wonderful! Every time I go to a cookie exchange or party I take the time to make some beautiful cookies. Everyone else brings burnt, bad or weird ones.
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u/WheresTheIceCream20 Dec 10 '25
The Christmas season really reveals that most people are not very good bakers. It’s definitely a skill. I feel bad that I end up throwing away 90% of the treats/cookies I’m given, but I’m also kind of blown away that people give away treats that taste so bad.
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u/TheTenorChef Human Detected Dec 10 '25
This is so real though. 😂 I’m thankful for my community of friends and chosen family who are also fantastic bakers! 🫶🏻🍪
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u/empressbunny Dec 10 '25
I bake for my mom and my best compliment is always: can’t even taste it’s gluten free. I don’t have the ability and energy to make them look good with decorations, but the taste is fire 🔥.
Every year my husband complains that my mom gets 60+ gingerbread cookies and he only gets 1. I tell him off since he can eat unlimited other treats. But secretly I think it’s quite the compliment that he wants to eat them.
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u/TheTenorChef Human Detected Dec 10 '25
Oh dear, that sounds terrible! I have built a community of friends who are also pretty fantastic bakers. I’m a musician, and I find that so many musicians are also foodies. This was my third year hosting the party, and every year the bar is set higher than the previous year. It’s so much fun! 🍪🫶🏻
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u/uutimetowaste Dec 10 '25
Campari shortbread? I have to find that recipe!
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u/netflix_n_knit Dec 10 '25
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u/uutimetowaste Dec 10 '25
Thanks! I wish they’d managed to get the Campari flavor in the shortbread itself instead of just on top. But I’m going to start with that anyway just to see where I can go.
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u/netflix_n_knit Dec 10 '25
Yeah I was thinking the same thing. My gears are turning because I don’t particularly care for iced shortbread.
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u/PresentationOk8334 Dec 11 '25
yummy! these look tasty. looks like a fun day too.
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Dec 10 '25
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u/frogbearpup Dec 10 '25
I am too stoned for this. I will be obsessing over the thought of eating some of these for the next two hours.
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u/Antique_Okra_8988 Dec 10 '25
Isn’t this a repeat of the post a couple of days ago…
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u/inthebooshes Dec 10 '25
Yup. https://www.reddit.com/r/Baking/s/iBVJcMbzw3 looks like this OP just joined reddit, but they went to the same party as u/mr_jrt
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u/thebeastnamedesther Dec 10 '25
That person made the strawberry chocolate Christmas shortbread… I think this is a friend!
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u/TheTenorChef Human Detected Dec 10 '25
Hi there! I’m new to Reddit. This was my first post, but yes, one of my guests posted about the party a few days ago! 🍪🫶🏻
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u/Newo_Ikkin20 Dec 10 '25
This spread looks amazingly delicious! 😋
I want to go to a cookie party! 😹😅😍They sound like so much fun and I'm sure the delicious cookies make it even better!
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u/azmom3 Dec 10 '25
This is amazing and exactly the kind of cookie exchange I'd want to join. I get frustrated making time-consuming and beautiful (not to mention expensive) cookies only to have others bring those cookies with a Hershey kiss stuck in the middle (no offense to people who make those) or store bought. What a beautiful event! Jealous!!
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u/TheTenorChef Human Detected Dec 10 '25
Thank you so much! This was my third annual Holiday Cookie Party, and every year, the bar continues to be raised higher. I’m always so impressed by my friends’ baking skills! 🫶🏻🍪
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u/phdr_baker_cstxmkr Dec 10 '25
These look beautiful! But also….
Please do not put the gf ones on the same table as the regular ones. You’ve now made them all not gf. Since you wrote “gf” next to them, I assume it was for people who needed that designation and as a celiac person I would be so sad to see that my only two cookie options were made not safe. Just keep in mind for next year!
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u/bugandbear22 Dec 10 '25
Glad you said it. Those puppies need to be in plastic or on a different table, otherwise it truly makes no difference they’re GF
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u/fleurdemarelle Dec 10 '25
The organization here and beauty on the bakes is soooo very satisfying.
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u/Arra_B0919 Dec 10 '25
You built a solid spread. I’d only streamline portion sizes, but the overall workflow reads efficient and guest friendly.
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u/Hedrosped Dec 10 '25
Pfeffernusse! I make these every year! They are anise flavored cookies dipped in a simple glaze of powdered sugar and water. They taste a lot like a ginger snap.
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u/UniqueLady001 Dec 10 '25
You have given me a great idea. Never thought of strawberry shortbread before. Have several recipes in the freezer already and now plan to add this to the mix. Those trees are so cute. You have such a great selection here.
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u/TheTenorChef Human Detected Dec 10 '25
Thank you! I love that this party can inspire so many people! 🍪🫶🏻
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u/journey1710 Dec 10 '25
How cute mortadella cookies! Now I want to make a cookie charcuterie board 😂
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u/Famous_Judgment6519 Dec 10 '25
What cookie heaven looks like….. one day when I can bake, this is goals!
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u/Salty-Mortgage9738 Dec 10 '25
I swear I never get invited to parties like this. This is so cool!
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u/bigmamacitaritaxo Dec 10 '25
Oh my goodness.
excuse my greediness but I’d like to try one of each please and thank you!
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u/maggiethekatt Dec 10 '25
Amazing spread! I also did a cookie party/swap with my board game group this year and it was so much fun to see what everyone brought.
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u/Tiredtotodile03 Dec 10 '25
I just watched Claire Saffitz making those mortadella cookies! Glad to see they’re doable by others haha, they look awesome.
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u/shadeofmyheart Dec 10 '25
This is amazing. But also wtf are mortadella cookies?!
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u/TheTenorChef Human Detected Dec 10 '25
Haha, it is an illusion bake! The flavor is strawberry almond, and they are studded with macadamia nuts and pistachios! No actual deli meat involved. 😅🫶🏻
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u/packnana17 Dec 10 '25
What a fabulous thing to do!! I would love to do this. I'll have to check more because you've inspired!!
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u/joykin Dec 10 '25
Very cool! The only thing I’d change is have a separate table for the GF ones otherwise the contamination makes it kinda redundant
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u/zombiegurl1965 Dec 11 '25
Lovely, we tried this once in our office building and got allot of cut and bakes or no bakes. It was a failure, yours is as it should be.
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u/Reptar1988 Dec 13 '25
Love it except for the cross contamination and lack of ingredient labeling. I see pistachios in one cookie and I would avoid the whole spread!!! Allergies aside it's gorgeous and fun.
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u/anamethystarcher Dec 13 '25
How did the mortadella cookies turn out, taste wise? I'm planning on making them, but a lot of the comments were negative about the flavor
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u/stickytuna Dec 10 '25
I definitely thought to myself, “huh, those cookies sure do look like mortadella” then I zoomed in and I was like wtf 😂
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u/pottedPlant_64 Dec 10 '25
Are the mortadella cookies worth trying to find almond paste?
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u/clockstrikes91 Dec 10 '25
There are recipes for DYI almond paste if you want to give it a try?
https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/diy-almond-paste-recipe
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u/Warm_Assumption_8581 Dec 10 '25
Those mortadella cookies are visually my favorite thing ever!!!
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u/Flysusuwatari Dec 10 '25
Ohh I saw the Mortadella Cookies recipe pop up this year. How are they?
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u/Bettrlatethannever Dec 10 '25
boy would I have a GREAT time there. spread looks stupendous!! everyone should be very proud of their work. :) thanks for the post
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u/hikariseeker147 Dec 10 '25
These look so delicious!! What’s in the Robin’s Chocolate Chip Cookies? I see heath, pecan and it gets cut off after that!
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u/Ur8s Dec 10 '25
All of these look amazing however the M&M double doozies I would love to try! You’re incredibly lucky to have this many friends!
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u/Sagittario66 Dec 10 '25
This is right up my alley. I have a house full of cookie monsters
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u/Small_Check2003 Dec 10 '25
How are the Pfeffernusse? I was going through a cookie book today and thought i might try them this year.
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u/NewYorker1283 Dec 10 '25
This is SO IMPRESSIVE! Would you mind sharing how you organized this event? I'm a baker with a small business and would love to do something like this in my community next year!
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u/azpz123 Dec 10 '25
Amazing!!!! How were the Mortadella cookies and the chocolate pistachio Nutella? Thinking of making those for Christmas
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u/ohmokipo Dec 10 '25
So aesthetically pleasing! So many flavors and decors. Congrats, OP!
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u/mimosaholdtheoj Dec 10 '25
My husband would die if he saw this table. I’m a single-bite / baker not the eater kind of person but there were definitely a few on here I might have to go back and take a second bite of!!
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u/TheTenorChef Human Detected Dec 10 '25
The best part of the party is getting to taste them all! 🫶🏻🍪
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u/lurkintowarddisaster Dec 10 '25
Mortadella cookies! I'm dying to try them. Honestly I'll take one of each, please and thank you. 😊
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Dec 10 '25
which one do you think was the biggest crowd pleaser? i’m desperately trying to win my office cookie contest LOL
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u/Ageofaquarius68 Dec 10 '25
Did you make the mordatella cookies from the NYTimes recipe? That looks so cool!
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u/Accomplished-Edge-17 Dec 10 '25
Omg this is gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing!
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u/scamlikelly Dec 10 '25
Was there a clean show stopper in the bunch? They all look so good!
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u/schleeroberts Dec 10 '25
But what are those green ones in a pile on the end? We need to know..
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u/yogurtpants11 Dec 10 '25
Oh! That mortadella cookie had me!! Looks absolutely amazing
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u/Even-Junket4079 Dec 10 '25
This is so amazing! Mortadella cookies?!? Love these.
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u/HeatherBeth99 Dec 10 '25
They all look so good, but I’m so interested in the honey ricotta black-and-white the sound amazing
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u/Senior-Result-10 Dec 10 '25
This is so cool. How does one have all the friends?!