Beauty and Brains

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Photo by: Greg Rannells

These baubles didn’t just dazzle guests with their beauty, they were also incredibly smart additions to Julia’s New Year’s cookie swap. Each contained the name and ingredients of the cookie it was set beside. (In case you hadn’t already noticed, Julia is clearly a fan of this concept, having used it in her first book Cookie Swap, and at parties both before and after!) For step-by-step instructions for making these ornaments, check out Julia’s YouTube video tutorial.

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Cookie Swap E-book Version

If you’re more a device-type than a book-type, then you’re in luck, because Julia’s first book Cookie Swap: Creative Treats to Share Throughout the Year was converted into an e-book shortly after the print version released in 2009. This Kindle e-book contains all of the same great content as the paperback book, but at almost half the price. What a deal!

Cookie Swap

Published by Julia in 2009 and winner of three prestigious Cordon d’ Or Awards in 2010, Cookie Swap: Creative Treats to Share Throughout the Year redefines the traditional Christmas cookie swap and makes the case that swaps should be enjoyed at every time of year. With eight themed cookie parties, ranging from a Valentine’s Day soirée (called An Affair of the Heart) to a Halloween fright fest (called Cookie Monster), Cookie Swap delights with ideas for party invitations and favors, tablescapes, cookie and icing recipes, and cookie designs.

Cookie Swap – Hallmark Gift Edition

Hallmark loved Julia’s Cookie Swap (2019) so much that they purchased the rights to repackage it into this special holiday gift-giving edition in 2014. Five of the eight themed cookie parties that first appeared in the book also show up in this one, completely unabridged, along with all of the original recipes and cookie baking and decorating tips. What’s more, it all comes tied up with a red grosgrain ribbon, faux evergreen, and a charming gift tag that you can personalize for your favorite baker-friend! Parties include ones for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, summer, and Halloween.

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