We tend to collaborate on recipes, and get through each one faster. Tends to also not contaminate cookies, as opposed to having two batters side-by-side that will need to likely cook at two different temperatures.

Also good are Peanut Butter Blossoms -- recipe typically found on Peanut Butter Cookie mixes (essentially a peanut butter cookie with a Hershey's kiss put in the middle of it right after it bakes). And while they're not technically cookies, Rice Krispie treats are yummy around the holidays as well.

You will need at least 3 baking sheets, 1 for the oven, 1 for prep to go in the oven and 1 for cool down (some cookies can't be removed until they have a little time to set).
Parchment paper is great!! This year I made snickerdoodles (for people w/ food allergies) and my mom makes a great jelly cookie (like a cookie turnover).

I had my own cookie party last Saturday where I made four different kinds of cookies (Hazelnut Biscotti cookies, Chocolate Crinkles, Cherry Nut Slices and Sugar Cookies). I did the dough for all four kinds the night before, so it's helpful to bring the cookie dough already prepared to the party. I also use Pampered Chef scoops (small and medium) to dish out the dough. Instead of cutting out sugar cookies this year, I opted to roll them into a log and slice. It took less time than using the cookie cutters and surprisingly no one seemed to mind.

Happy Baking!

My Mom, sister & I make several kinds separately, then gather them together and pack tins with all of them. This year we went a little crazy and made 20 kinds. I think less varieties with big batches works better. Making a few bar cookies helps since they don't need so much attention.
Insulated cookie sheets take a little longer to cook, but don't burn the bottoms. I love them! Lots of cookie racks are a must, and somewhere to put them all when they're cool--tins, plastic-ware. Get a good cookie lifter, too. Keeps you from destroying the cookies as you remove them from the sheets.
My favorites are Cherry-chocolate Nuggets (made with marachino cherries), Citrus Slices (with lemon, lime and orange, from Good Housekeeping a few years back) and Gingersnaps (from Cooking Light). The gingersnaps use candied ginger--really different.

I've been getting my cookie baking done in batches over a few days. I made Chocolate Espresso Snowcaps (Martha Stewart online), Molasses Cookies, and a basic cookie recipe from Sandra Lee. That last made really good cutouts.

Baking basics: always take out everything you need before starting to make certain you have enough and that you don't forget something. I measure before I start mixing for the same reason. I also mix spices with baking powder/baking soda so I have a visual color change in the batteror dough to tell me it's well mixed (and no soda/powder clumps--which taste terrible!).

Gingerbread or gingersnaps and sugar cookies say Christmas to me.

The Post had a fabulous recipe for lime shortbreads several years ago (maybe '95 or '97?).

Epicurious.com has something that looks similar to the chocolate snowflakes, but it includes Sambuca -- very good and unusual.

Butter cookies are a tradition in my family -- not sure if appropriate for your party, though.

There are several types of cookies that are great for young children to make, usually done on top of the stove (cookie/candy sorta). One is to melt white or milk chocolate in a double boiler and then stir in nuts, raisins and/or dried fruit. Place spoonfuls onto parchment paper and let them harden.

You say this is the only chance you and your friend have to get together--so, is the time with your friend more important than fancy cookies? With a small child, perfection is not possible. French & Saunders (UK comedy duo) did a hilarious sketch when the parent and nanny did the Christmas crafts to parental standards (which were planned to involve the kids)while the kids watched movies. Your daughter will be so proud of what she has made--make certain she knows how proud you are of what she has made, even though you could do it better.

We encourage users to analyze, comment on and even challenge washingtonpost.com's articles, blogs, reviews and multimedia features.

User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.