Number of Cookies

[kelly tegels]

we are having a cookie exchange at our fitness club 20 plus people how many cookies should each person bring?

[kimesu]

I am having 23 people to my cookie exchange tonight and we are making 3 cookies per person to take home, plus a plate of cookies out for each person to sample, as I give away prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place cookies.

[Marguerite Kennedy]

I always put on the invite 4-6 dozen, I tell them to just double their recipe. I have anywhere from 25-35 ladies and that amount always worked out fine. When they first go around, I tell everyone to please just take one per tray and then they can go around again just to ensure that everyone gets a sample of each sweet. I also opened it up to fudge, candy, bar cookies...so there is alot more variety. I also tell the ladies that they can not repeat their recipe has to be different every year.

[susanpa]

Well, I've only done this one time, but I told my guests to bring 6 dozen cookies. We followed Robin's suggestion and walked around the table(s) taking 3-4 cookies from each tray. We then went around a second time taking 1-2 cookies, until everything was gone. It seemed to work out very well. I made two different varieties (6 dozen each), so everyone got a few "extra" cookies!

I also told my guests if they had any extra cookies (over the 6 dozen) they could bring a few for the tasting tray. We didn't judge for best cookie or anything, and I had several other desserts, but it was nice to have some cookies too!

[Robin]

Hi Susan,

Thank you for implementing my favorite way to swap and for agreeing it works very well. Everyone feels they got their "fair share". Wanna know the worst way to swap? The "pick and choose number system". The first numbers ALWAYS get the BEST cookies and the last numbers end up with the burnt, broken crap that nobody wants. I don't talk about this too much, but I could fill up a book with rant letters I've received!

That style of swapping is prolly the most important reason that some people "hate" cookie exchanges. They go home feeling short changed and guess what, they were.

[Tonia]

Hi, I am super excited we are getting ready for our 5th annual cookies exchange. I think my group grows more and more every year. The girls love the rules however, this year I am allowing chocolate chip b/c some people were only truly meant to make chocolate chip...the stories I could tell you about some of their cookies..ugh. Anyhow I am having about 25 people and I tell them to be ready to make 10 dozen. This allows for people to take more than 3 cookies. I know it sounds like a ton of cookies but it isn't that bad. I love having the party and enjoy the leftovers. Robin thank you so much for creating this well organized and well enjoyed website I love it!!! ;D

[Robin]

Tonia, 10 dozen! LOL Good for you if they'll make that many.

You said:
Re: b/c some people were only truly meant to make chocolate chip...the stories I could tell you about some of their cookies..ugh.

Suggestion:
What about if you send these non-bakers some really simple crowd pleaser recipes like Short bread (3 ingredients) or Mexican Wedding Cakes?

Everyone makes chocolate chip cookies on their own...that's why I am against what is my FAVORITE cookie for a CE. I'm sure there's a nice way you could suggest it.

[susanpa]

Wow ... 10 dozen? I think my party people might not be too happy with me if I requested that!

I didn't prohibit tollhouse cookies last year, and someone brought them, because she said that's the only kind of cookie she bakes. Let me tell you ... those were the BEST tolllhouse cookies I've ever had! They were big, and full of chocolate chunks and nuts, and totally YUMMY! I wouldn't mind if she brought them again ... though I suggested that everyone make something new for this year (a friend write a nifty little rhyme for me to include on the invites!).

[Tonia]

I am laughing at the chocolate chip cookie debacle b/c there is one specific person who this is geared to as far as opeing up the chocolate chip cookies....she is super sweet but anything other than chocolate chip cookies isnt' her forte. Out of respect for her I will just say they were the cookies that everyone left, or threw out...lol. I am only going to allow her to make these cookies once she claims the chocolate chip cookies then that is it. Thanks for your suggestions I greatly appreciate them. Robin I have been a big fan of your site for a couple years, thanks for all you do. By the way they do gripe and groan about 10 dozen but once they all get here they are all fine and love having so many cookies to take home...we are hard core about our cookies...lol ;D

[Pam V]

Going around the table until all the cookies were gone did not work for me last year - I was busy getting other things done so I only went home with 2 dozen and most of them were cookies that no one wanted. I consider myself an excellent baker so this was such a disappointment. Also other ladies wanted to exchange but could not stay so they brought their cookies and left so the person (me) who made sure they got theirs didn't get her own. So I am considering making a chart to easily figure out if so many people bring 6 dozen cookies each lady should go home with so many of each kind. I don't like redoing things so is there anything out there like this? Please let me know - our exchange is on December 4th.

Thanks!

[Pam V]

Well, I came up with my own formula for collecting cookies if your guests bring 6 dozen (72). This is for 5-20 guests;


Divided by 5 people = 14 of each kind plus 2 more cookies of your choice
Divided by 6 people = 12 of each kind
Divided by 7 people = 10 of each kind
Divided by 8 people = 9 of each kind
Divided by 9 people = 8 of each kind
Divided by 10 people = 7 of each kind
Divided by 11 people = 6 of each kind plus 6 more of your choice
Divided by 12 people = 6 of each kind
Divided by 13 people = 5 of each kind plus 7 of your choice
Divided by 14 people = 5 of each kind plus 2 of your choice
Divided by 15 people = 4 of each kind plus 12 of your choice
Divided by 16 people = 4 of each kind plus 8 of your choice
Divided by 17 people = 4 of each kind plus 4 cookies of your choice
Divided by 18 people = 4 of each kind
Divided by 19 people = 3 of each kind plus 15 of your choice
Divided by 20 people = 3 of each kind plus 12 of your choice

I know this is not recomended but works for me!

Pam V

[jennstra]

we have done an exhcnage for about 10 years and have each gal bring 12 dozen we have 13 friends join us, they each take home 12 dozen. We never have trouble finding friends who are willing to bake, especiialy when they see what they get in return.

[mamamulla]

I just have each person bring a "set" of cookies for each person. The set can be anywhere from 6-12 cookies...whatever they can make. So if there's 15 people coming, each person brings a bag for each person to take with them. (I have a best packaging prize so everyone gets creative with the take home sets!)

[Janie]

I was also thinking that pre-packaging the cookies would be a good idea. It would save time & everyone would get some of each (good and/or bad). A prize for great packaging is a good idea!
I had a cookie exchange 16 yrs ago & fumbled through it myself. It turned out OK, but no special cookies - lots of choc. chip & oatmeal. I had everyone pre-package them - not fancy or anything, just paper plates in plastic bags. Considering I was winging the whole party (I'd never known of a cookie exchange & thought I'd made it up, haha), I was happy though. I think I had about 8 gals there. I was pregnant with my firstborn.
I'm hoping to do one this year, with the help of suggestions here & Robin's new book.