The Great Metafilter Cookie Swap 2015: sign up here! November 16, 2015 9:09 PM Subscribe
Strangers from the internet will bake you cookies and mail them to your home!
Welcome to the 2015 Metafilter Cookie Swap! It's time for another round of "ew, who puts booze in cookies?!" vs. "this rum-soaked ball of flour and sugar should not fall into the hands of children!" What will this year's strangest reported allergy be? Tune in to find out!
To sign up, please take a few minutes out of your pre-holiday frenzy to fill out and submit the google form below by November 25th:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1UNjtPTKCmFJfd-8BgYI3XOorsQGWB5GjWx9eTWrVnZs/viewform?usp=send_form
I will arrange bakers into geographically-based swap groups of ~4 and send out group assignments by November 29th. You will then be tasked with sending 6 cookies to each of your group's MetaBakers. While this means you are on the hook for a minimum of 18 cookies, you should likely account for other humans/dogs/cockatoos in your home making sad eyes at you until you share with them (always bake extra!).
To maximize the chances that holiday travel won't ruin everything, the mailing deadline for this year's swap is Monday, December 7th.
Let the baking begin!
To start us off, here's some cookie-mailing advice for those who sign up:
It works very well to wrap cookies in one long sheet of clingfilm (wrap one cookie 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 securely enough to ship. Tubes are great for cookie-shaped items you've managed to stack, and crumpled-up parchment paper in a Tupperware container keeps things from floating around and becoming crumbs. I like to shove a hunk of bread in with the cookies to keep them fresh (which may be more superstition than science), plus then your recipients also get a bonus chunk of bread!
Welcome to the 2015 Metafilter Cookie Swap! It's time for another round of "ew, who puts booze in cookies?!" vs. "this rum-soaked ball of flour and sugar should not fall into the hands of children!" What will this year's strangest reported allergy be? Tune in to find out!
To sign up, please take a few minutes out of your pre-holiday frenzy to fill out and submit the google form below by November 25th:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1UNjtPTKCmFJfd-8BgYI3XOorsQGWB5GjWx9eTWrVnZs/viewform?usp=send_form
I will arrange bakers into geographically-based swap groups of ~4 and send out group assignments by November 29th. You will then be tasked with sending 6 cookies to each of your group's MetaBakers. While this means you are on the hook for a minimum of 18 cookies, you should likely account for other humans/dogs/cockatoos in your home making sad eyes at you until you share with them (always bake extra!).
To maximize the chances that holiday travel won't ruin everything, the mailing deadline for this year's swap is Monday, December 7th.
Let the baking begin!
To start us off, here's some cookie-mailing advice for those who sign up:
It works very well to wrap cookies in one long sheet of clingfilm (wrap one cookie 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 securely enough to ship. Tubes are great for cookie-shaped items you've managed to stack, and crumpled-up parchment paper in a Tupperware container keeps things from floating around and becoming crumbs. I like to shove a hunk of bread in with the cookies to keep them fresh (which may be more superstition than science), plus then your recipients also get a bonus chunk of bread!
I had SO much fun doing this last year! I attempted to make chocolate dipped shortbread FOUR times, but it kept crumbling to pieces. So, I ended up mailing the best ones as a bonus, with some other intact cookies to fulfill the "edible" cookie end. Do not mourn for the broken shortbread pieces; I ate them ALL! Yeah!
I don't have much of a family, so swapping cookies with Metafilter neighbors let me participate in a magical activity of the season. *schmoopy*
posted by missmary6 at 11:53 PM on November 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
I don't have much of a family, so swapping cookies with Metafilter neighbors let me participate in a magical activity of the season. *schmoopy*
posted by missmary6 at 11:53 PM on November 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm so glad that it's so early - that means I can confidently participate without coming home from holiday travel to stale cookies!
But ... but what to make!!! So exciting!
posted by aubilenon at 3:10 AM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
But ... but what to make!!! So exciting!
posted by aubilenon at 3:10 AM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
If I'm in Japan, does this mean I have to coerce encourage another ~3 mefites in Japan to participate?
Because if yes then I'm so in!
posted by Juso No Thankyou at 3:20 AM on November 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
Because if yes then I'm so in!
posted by Juso No Thankyou at 3:20 AM on November 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
I have been WAITING for this. I suppose my fellow local Mefites and I could have just thrown a cookie party at any time of year, but this is all official and stuff.
posted by Metroid Baby at 3:22 AM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Metroid Baby at 3:22 AM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
Hmmm, haven't opted in before and very tempted this time... The form is lacking the key question though:
Original Tollhouse cookies are:
A. Tried and true, a solid choice for a swap!
B. Only a little better than hockey pucks (unless warm, duh).
posted by daisyace at 3:39 AM on November 17, 2015 [4 favorites]
Original Tollhouse cookies are:
A. Tried and true, a solid choice for a swap!
B. Only a little better than hockey pucks (unless warm, duh).
posted by daisyace at 3:39 AM on November 17, 2015 [4 favorites]
I can't bake but I volunteer to be on the cookie Quality Control team.
posted by ian1977 at 4:36 AM on November 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by ian1977 at 4:36 AM on November 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
The best cookie recipe is one you can successfully bake. Unusual or fancy cookies are exciting, and you run less risk of baking the same cookies as your swap partners, but I'm happy with getting the slice-and-bake stuff from a tube if that's your jam.
posted by Metroid Baby at 5:26 AM on November 17, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by Metroid Baby at 5:26 AM on November 17, 2015 [7 favorites]
So excited - I missed this last year, and this year, there is a niece to help me eat the cookies!
posted by needlegrrl at 5:51 AM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by needlegrrl at 5:51 AM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
Only a little better than hockey pucks (unless warm, duh).
WHY WOULD YOU EVER SAY SUCH A THING
(my answer is A, obviously)
posted by triggerfinger at 5:57 AM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
WHY WOULD YOU EVER SAY SUCH A THING
(my answer is A, obviously)
posted by triggerfinger at 5:57 AM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
Also I need to know: are bars cookies.
posted by triggerfinger at 6:15 AM on November 17, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by triggerfinger at 6:15 AM on November 17, 2015 [4 favorites]
Are brownies OK? (aka bar cookies - similar to triggerfinger)
posted by mightshould at 6:31 AM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by mightshould at 6:31 AM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
Why wouldn't brownies and bar cookies be included? They're sturdier and easier to ship than most cookies.
posted by peppermind at 6:51 AM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by peppermind at 6:51 AM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
yaaaaay! And I am pro-bar cookies/brownies
posted by brilliantine at 7:11 AM on November 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by brilliantine at 7:11 AM on November 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
AW YEAH COOKIE TIME
posted by too bad you're not me at 7:23 AM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by too bad you're not me at 7:23 AM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
In for the first time and super excited!
For the past few years I've considered hosting a cookie exchange, but I can never get it together. The Metafilter version is better cuz I don't have to clean my house first! (The cookies will be baked in a clean kitchen and I will wash my hands, I promise!)
posted by erloteiel at 7:33 AM on November 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
For the past few years I've considered hosting a cookie exchange, but I can never get it together. The Metafilter version is better cuz I don't have to clean my house first! (The cookies will be baked in a clean kitchen and I will wash my hands, I promise!)
posted by erloteiel at 7:33 AM on November 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
Tollhouse cookies are wonderful EXCEPT the recipe on the bag calls for like twice as many chocolate chips as you really need because they're trying to SELL MORE CHCOCOLATE TO YOU AND YOUR POOR FAMILY CONNECT THE DOTS SHEEPLE
My Mother In Law doubles the chocolate because obviously something's wrong with their original recipe. Nobody could be satisfied with so little chocolate.
Anyway, woohoo for baking! Yay for cookies! I'm in but Google Docs is blocked at work so I have to remember to sign up tonight.
And in my opinion bars, brownies, cookies, other baked desserts all fall under the same general category and recipe comfort level and variety can only make this better. The best things I've gotten at cookie swaps were the furthest from 'cookies' at the event.
posted by Clinging to the Wreckage at 7:51 AM on November 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
My Mother In Law doubles the chocolate because obviously something's wrong with their original recipe. Nobody could be satisfied with so little chocolate.
Anyway, woohoo for baking! Yay for cookies! I'm in but Google Docs is blocked at work so I have to remember to sign up tonight.
And in my opinion bars, brownies, cookies, other baked desserts all fall under the same general category and recipe comfort level and variety can only make this better. The best things I've gotten at cookie swaps were the furthest from 'cookies' at the event.
posted by Clinging to the Wreckage at 7:51 AM on November 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
Hooray! I'm debating whether to do my family's specialty for the third year running, or try something different.
posted by duffell at 7:54 AM on November 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by duffell at 7:54 AM on November 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
I'm in! been a rough couple months, so this and Secret Quonsar are lifting my spirits BIG time. :D
posted by amandi at 7:59 AM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by amandi at 7:59 AM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm not sure I'm going to be able to afford shipping for this and quonsar this year. That said, I really want to participate with sharing at least the idea of cookies with other Mefites. Is this a place where we can wave cool cookie recipes at each other?
posted by sciatrix at 8:02 AM on November 17, 2015
posted by sciatrix at 8:02 AM on November 17, 2015
I have grand plans for collecting and posting the recipes for all the cookies baked this year, but we'll see how that goes. When I send out swap groups, I'll ask everyone to reply to me with the recipe they end up making. Once all cookies are mailed and enjoyed, I'll make the recipe book available to all interested MeFites!
posted by ausdemfenster at 8:13 AM on November 17, 2015 [8 favorites]
posted by ausdemfenster at 8:13 AM on November 17, 2015 [8 favorites]
OMG, I am so excited for this!
posted by holborne at 8:18 AM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by holborne at 8:18 AM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
That said, I really want to participate with sharing at least the idea of cookies with other Mefites. Is this a place where we can wave cool cookie recipes at each other?
Write an updated version of this FPP I put together a few years ago!
posted by purpleclover at 8:24 AM on November 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
Write an updated version of this FPP I put together a few years ago!
posted by purpleclover at 8:24 AM on November 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
Awww yeah. Was just thinking about this in the grocery store the other day!
posted by ArgentCorvid at 9:39 AM on November 17, 2015
posted by ArgentCorvid at 9:39 AM on November 17, 2015
Despite all the best efforts of the team organizing it, I forgot to sign up for Secret Quonsar this year. So I am definitely going to join this this year. Thanks!
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:45 AM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:45 AM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
Last year I did the Cookie Swap and Secret Quonsar. Every day for about three weeks my son came home and asked "DID WE GET ANY MAIL TODAY???" Often the answer was "YES! YES WE DID!"
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 10:40 AM on November 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 10:40 AM on November 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
This will be my first cookie swap ever.
posted by Lyn Never at 11:02 AM on November 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Lyn Never at 11:02 AM on November 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
I am in!
I did get weird looks from coworkers last year when I explained that I was eating cookies sent by random strangers from the internet. I'm still alive and the cookies were awesome, no regrets! The different styles and types and general randomness of what cookies/when you will receive them was the most fun.
posted by Fig at 11:04 AM on November 17, 2015
I did get weird looks from coworkers last year when I explained that I was eating cookies sent by random strangers from the internet. I'm still alive and the cookies were awesome, no regrets! The different styles and types and general randomness of what cookies/when you will receive them was the most fun.
posted by Fig at 11:04 AM on November 17, 2015
Well, if brownies qualify as cookie-type things, then I'll go for it!
posted by thomas j wise at 1:08 PM on November 17, 2015
posted by thomas j wise at 1:08 PM on November 17, 2015
Bars are cookies. Brownies are cookies. Breads are cookies. Cupcakes are cookies. Caramels are cookies. Jam is cookies. Granola is cookies. So, in short, yes. Yes yes yes yes yes, anything you bake will be wonderful and appreciated. If there are enough Mefites in your area, you *just* *might* find yourself at a cookie swap in person (if swaps are arranged locally this year) and then you save postage costs AND you get to meet people. Maybe. I have heard of this happening. At Panera.
posted by maryr at 1:58 PM on November 17, 2015 [11 favorites]
posted by maryr at 1:58 PM on November 17, 2015 [11 favorites]
cookie-swap elves, I signed up but just thought better of it due to finances. Can you please remove me from the swap listings? I'm sorry!!
posted by firei at 3:13 PM on November 17, 2015
posted by firei at 3:13 PM on November 17, 2015
Done, firei—hope to see you next year!
posted by ausdemfenster at 3:56 PM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by ausdemfenster at 3:56 PM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
Ok, I formally apologize for my cookie snobbery, and I'm ready to appreciate all walks of cookies. In!
posted by daisyace at 5:11 PM on November 17, 2015
posted by daisyace at 5:11 PM on November 17, 2015
I love internet strangers and cookies AND jam. Who among you is ready for whiskey + meyer lemon marmalade thumbprint shortbreads?
posted by there's no crying in espionage at 5:46 PM on November 17, 2015 [17 favorites]
posted by there's no crying in espionage at 5:46 PM on November 17, 2015 [17 favorites]
I have never done a cookie swap before but I love stranger food! I'm in.
posted by arcticwoman at 5:52 PM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by arcticwoman at 5:52 PM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
Yay, I've signed up and this will also be my first-ever food-related swap! My first batch of practice cookies are in the oven as we speak. I've polled my coworkers on their most-desired food gift. I will be READY.
posted by triggerfinger at 6:20 PM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by triggerfinger at 6:20 PM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR
better than caps lock day
posted by Soliloquy at 9:24 PM on November 17, 2015
better than caps lock day
posted by Soliloquy at 9:24 PM on November 17, 2015
yeah i would want some kind of advance notice if someone was gonna be like "welp this loaf of sourdough with currants is just like cookies" so i would have plenty of time challenge them to the holmgang before the hietstrenja
posted by poffin boffin at 9:41 PM on November 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by poffin boffin at 9:41 PM on November 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
there's no crying in espionage, please be my friend and/or jam swap partner.
posted by maryr at 10:04 PM on November 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by maryr at 10:04 PM on November 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
poffin boffin, I, along side my preservatives, have survived the fimbulvetr, you cannot hope to defeat me and my carbohydrates.
posted by maryr at 10:06 PM on November 17, 2015
posted by maryr at 10:06 PM on November 17, 2015
IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR
That's whenever it's mealtime for the cats.
posted by aubilenon at 11:33 PM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
That's whenever it's mealtime for the cats.
posted by aubilenon at 11:33 PM on November 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
I love cookies!
posted by amapolaroja at 12:01 AM on November 18, 2015
posted by amapolaroja at 12:01 AM on November 18, 2015
This is not a jam swap or a granola swap or a bread swap! This is a cookie swap! If anyone wants to send bonus caramels or cupcakes or origami swans in addition to their cookies, that's cool, but it is not the point.
The cookie judiciary committee will allow brownies and bars to stand alongside cookies as acceptable swap items.
posted by ausdemfenster at 10:32 AM on November 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
The cookie judiciary committee will allow brownies and bars to stand alongside cookies as acceptable swap items.
posted by ausdemfenster at 10:32 AM on November 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
!
Pistols at dawn, ausdenfenster. My gingerbread loaves and caramels were well-received!
posted by maryr at 10:42 AM on November 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Pistols at dawn, ausdenfenster. My gingerbread loaves and caramels were well-received!
posted by maryr at 10:42 AM on November 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
Yeah! I missed Quonsar sign ups and I love to bake, so count me in!
posted by miratime at 11:15 AM on November 18, 2015
posted by miratime at 11:15 AM on November 18, 2015
A: did a Mefite make it out of the goodness of their seasonal hearts?, and
B: does it contain sugar?
if A+B then C: COOKIE!!
posted by maryrussell at 11:39 AM on November 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
B: does it contain sugar?
if A+B then C: COOKIE!!
posted by maryrussell at 11:39 AM on November 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
maryr*'s 4 lyfe
posted by maryr at 12:03 PM on November 18, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by maryr at 12:03 PM on November 18, 2015 [5 favorites]
happy holidays greg here is a case of antifreeze
posted by poffin boffin at 12:06 PM on November 18, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by poffin boffin at 12:06 PM on November 18, 2015 [5 favorites]
Antifreeze has ethylene glycol, not actual sugar. Sugar alcohols are not sugar.
posted by mountmccabe at 12:36 PM on November 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by mountmccabe at 12:36 PM on November 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
This has reminded me to list sugar alcohols/sugar substitutes in the allergies box.
posted by mountmccabe at 12:45 PM on November 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by mountmccabe at 12:45 PM on November 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
if i signed up for a cookie swap and someone sent me jam i would download a user-notes script for my browser so i could replace their name on mefi with the words "The Jam Giver" in flashing red letters for the rest of time
not sure if good or bad . . .
I would totally give jam! In addition to cookies of course. Just as a bonus!
posted by peep at 1:45 PM on November 18, 2015
not sure if good or bad . . .
I would totally give jam! In addition to cookies of course. Just as a bonus!
posted by peep at 1:45 PM on November 18, 2015
I guess giving people the homemade citrus-cello, which is alcohol and sugar, is right out.
posted by maryr at 1:48 PM on November 18, 2015
posted by maryr at 1:48 PM on November 18, 2015
You could give it to me, maryr....
posted by sciatrix at 2:02 PM on November 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by sciatrix at 2:02 PM on November 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
What about savory cookies? Onion-jam-filled sage shortbread, anyone? ;-)
posted by wonton endangerment at 2:06 PM on November 18, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by wonton endangerment at 2:06 PM on November 18, 2015 [5 favorites]
hmm, that sounds tasty.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 2:10 PM on November 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by ArgentCorvid at 2:10 PM on November 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
brb adding "cookie adjudication" to my LinkedIn skills.
posted by ausdemfenster at 2:13 PM on November 18, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by ausdemfenster at 2:13 PM on November 18, 2015 [4 favorites]
cookie czar
dessert despot
cake caliph
frosting fascist
marzipan monarch
posted by poffin boffin at 3:00 PM on November 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
dessert despot
cake caliph
frosting fascist
marzipan monarch
posted by poffin boffin at 3:00 PM on November 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
that was more difficult than anyone could possibly imagine as i am usually looking for variations on donglord
posted by poffin boffin at 3:01 PM on November 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by poffin boffin at 3:01 PM on November 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
I got burned on the cookie swap last year as only one of my swapmates ever sent anything, so I will regretfully be sitting this one out. But I still plan on enjoying reading about everyone else's cookies!
posted by obloquy at 3:38 PM on November 18, 2015
posted by obloquy at 3:38 PM on November 18, 2015
if i signed up for a cookie swap and someone sent me jam i would download a user-notes script for my browser so i could replace their name on mefi with the words "The Jam Giver" in flashing red letters for the rest of time
I got jam (and cookies) last year! It was awesome! I love cookie swap! Exclamation point!
posted by Weeping_angel at 3:47 PM on November 18, 2015
I got jam (and cookies) last year! It was awesome! I love cookie swap! Exclamation point!
posted by Weeping_angel at 3:47 PM on November 18, 2015
Seriously thinking about this. I haven't baked cookies for quite a while, but I just heard about a recipe I'd like to try...
posted by Songdog at 4:59 PM on November 18, 2015
posted by Songdog at 4:59 PM on November 18, 2015
Anyone willing to do a gluten-free mini-swap for those of us who can't do wheat?
Anyone?
posted by guster4lovers at 7:54 PM on November 18, 2015
Anyone?
posted by guster4lovers at 7:54 PM on November 18, 2015
We have a number of folks willing to do more than one swap, and if any of those people would like to be included in a gluten-free swap group, they can indicate it here or via email (meficookieswap@gmail.com). We had enough people for two gluten-free swap groups last year!
posted by ausdemfenster at 8:12 PM on November 18, 2015
posted by ausdemfenster at 8:12 PM on November 18, 2015
I actually got some really sweet origami Christmas lights in my package last year (in addition to delicious cookies).
posted by topophilia at 8:17 PM on November 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by topophilia at 8:17 PM on November 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
Awesome. I signed up - thanks ausdemfenster!
posted by guster4lovers at 8:49 PM on November 18, 2015
posted by guster4lovers at 8:49 PM on November 18, 2015
78 signups! 18 California representatives make up the largest group so far, and we could use more Japan and UK bakers in case anyone's on the fence about participating.
posted by ausdemfenster at 10:40 PM on November 18, 2015
posted by ausdemfenster at 10:40 PM on November 18, 2015
Loved doing this last year. Mrs. Thief enjoyed partaking in the goodies. They didn't last till Christmas. Maybe it's time for me to try making jam. Strawberry season is around the corner.
posted by BobtheThief at 3:43 AM on November 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by BobtheThief at 3:43 AM on November 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
Hooray! Can't wait for this excellent excuse to make all the cookies I want to bake but cannot manage to eat before they go stale.
posted by rebekah at 8:55 AM on November 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by rebekah at 8:55 AM on November 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
( if anyone invents any recipe that is vegan and uses chocolate and wants it to be published in a chocolate cookbook, memail me)
posted by aniola at 2:13 PM on November 19, 2015
posted by aniola at 2:13 PM on November 19, 2015
I am looking through my cookie recipes on Pinterest trying to decide which one to try.
posted by amapolaroja at 8:45 PM on November 19, 2015
posted by amapolaroja at 8:45 PM on November 19, 2015
Just signed up - I'm another UK baker, ausdemfenster, so I hope that helps!
(I'm getting my kitchen back this weekend, finally, after a remodel that took nearly a month, so I am very excited to do some baking.)
posted by minsies at 5:55 AM on November 20, 2015
(I'm getting my kitchen back this weekend, finally, after a remodel that took nearly a month, so I am very excited to do some baking.)
posted by minsies at 5:55 AM on November 20, 2015
Dragged my feet on Secret Quonsar, so... (brisk typing noises) I'm in! Thanks for organizing this, ausdemfenster.
posted by Iris Gambol at 3:39 PM on November 20, 2015
posted by Iris Gambol at 3:39 PM on November 20, 2015
Update: we have 95 participants so far. C'mon, bakers of Metafilter—let's see if we can get to 100!
posted by ausdemfenster at 8:34 PM on November 20, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by ausdemfenster at 8:34 PM on November 20, 2015 [3 favorites]
This is very exciting, because I only know how to bake one kind of cookie well, and so I need to rely on the kindness of other peoples' cookies if I want to live a rich and varied life.
posted by peagood at 8:26 AM on November 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by peagood at 8:26 AM on November 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
104 bakers have signed up so far, so this thread is generating a minimum of 624 cookies, plus whatever bonus items people plan to send. That's a lot of cookies!
We could use another few Canadian bakers to even out the groups, particularly if you're in the British Columbia or Manitoba areas.
Japan is holding steady with a pair of bakers, and we have an even 4 in the UK.
Because I always manage to forget some key component of this process, I've neglected to collect anyone's email address. That's cool; I've got everyone's MeFi handle—please expect your assignments via MeFi Mail on November 29th.
posted by ausdemfenster at 11:52 AM on November 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
We could use another few Canadian bakers to even out the groups, particularly if you're in the British Columbia or Manitoba areas.
Japan is holding steady with a pair of bakers, and we have an even 4 in the UK.
Because I always manage to forget some key component of this process, I've neglected to collect anyone's email address. That's cool; I've got everyone's MeFi handle—please expect your assignments via MeFi Mail on November 29th.
posted by ausdemfenster at 11:52 AM on November 22, 2015 [2 favorites]
My son was just in a kids' version of A Year with Frog and Toad, so between that and my cookie swap excitement I have cookies cookies cookies running through my head.
posted by fings at 8:47 AM on November 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by fings at 8:47 AM on November 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Literally the only cookies I have ever made were chocolate chip and I think snickerdoodles once. I'm in, but it sounds like I'm going to have to up my game.
posted by WCWedin at 12:41 PM on November 23, 2015
posted by WCWedin at 12:41 PM on November 23, 2015
I thought I signed up for this already, but I don't see my sign up so.... sign me up!
posted by tuesdayschild at 12:16 PM on November 24, 2015
posted by tuesdayschild at 12:16 PM on November 24, 2015
Thanks for setting this up, ausdemfenster!!! So excited, I have 2.5lb of butter at the ready for a bake-a-thon this weekend. Happy Thanksgiving!
posted by honey badger at 7:07 AM on November 25, 2015
posted by honey badger at 7:07 AM on November 25, 2015
P.S. if anyone wonders if it's worth it to splurge on the expensive Kerrygold butter (imported from Ireland): YES, YES it's worth it.
posted by honey badger at 7:10 AM on November 25, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by honey badger at 7:10 AM on November 25, 2015 [3 favorites]
nb the danish one is very nice too, i think it is lurpak?
meanwhile us-brand cultured butter still somehow manages to taste like rancid whey.
posted by poffin boffin at 8:56 AM on November 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
meanwhile us-brand cultured butter still somehow manages to taste like rancid whey.
posted by poffin boffin at 8:56 AM on November 25, 2015 [1 favorite]
I have high-end baking chocolate! I have mailing boxes! Now, I eagerly await addresses...
posted by thomas j wise at 1:53 PM on November 25, 2015
posted by thomas j wise at 1:53 PM on November 25, 2015
I'm fond of Breton butter if they have it. Don't remember the brand but it sure is yummy
posted by aubilenon at 7:15 AM on November 26, 2015
posted by aubilenon at 7:15 AM on November 26, 2015
We have a single lonely Netherlands baker, so if anyone nearby wants to sign up for the swap, we'd love to have you! Assignments for swap groups will go out on Sunday.
posted by ausdemfenster at 1:18 PM on November 27, 2015
posted by ausdemfenster at 1:18 PM on November 27, 2015
I'm fond of Breton butter if they have it. Don't remember the brand but it sure is yummy
beurre d'isigny maybe?
posted by poffin boffin at 3:39 PM on November 27, 2015
beurre d'isigny maybe?
posted by poffin boffin at 3:39 PM on November 27, 2015
oh no, I missed the sign up!! Are you taking late entries?
posted by nanhey at 7:38 PM on November 27, 2015
posted by nanhey at 7:38 PM on November 27, 2015
Ack, I totally missed this! Can people still enter? I submitted the form just in case!
posted by just_ducky at 7:42 PM on November 27, 2015
posted by just_ducky at 7:42 PM on November 27, 2015
beurre d'isigny maybe?
That's from Normandy, and isn't the one I was thinking of, but dang, the Normands sure do make good butter too.
posted by aubilenon at 11:37 PM on November 28, 2015
That's from Normandy, and isn't the one I was thinking of, but dang, the Normands sure do make good butter too.
posted by aubilenon at 11:37 PM on November 28, 2015
Cookies cookies cookies cookies cookies cookies cookies cookies cookies cookies !!!
Today's the day the groups get announced, today's the day the baking starts!
I've already raided a bag of graham flour, and now there's Lurpak thawing in the refrigerator.
(The table butter smells like it would taste even better, but it's immersed in dread water.)
Cookies!
posted by captivepredator at 10:40 AM on November 29, 2015 [3 favorites]
Today's the day the groups get announced, today's the day the baking starts!
I've already raided a bag of graham flour, and now there's Lurpak thawing in the refrigerator.
(The table butter smells like it would taste even better, but it's immersed in dread water.)
Cookies!
posted by captivepredator at 10:40 AM on November 29, 2015 [3 favorites]
The mountmccabe/ausdemfenster household has turned into a Google Maps-aided swap group assignment headquarters. These should be going out in the next couple of hours, so please make sure you have MeFi Mail enabled!
posted by ausdemfenster at 10:47 AM on November 29, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by ausdemfenster at 10:47 AM on November 29, 2015 [3 favorites]
GUYS IM SO EXCITED
posted by moonlight on vermont at 11:01 AM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by moonlight on vermont at 11:01 AM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
Ok! Swap groups will be sent out in batches today, and here is the overview:
- There are 32 groups of bakers, and we named them after instruments because I vetoed mountmccabe's suggestion of naming them after opera arias.
- I'll include food sensitivity/allergy/booze-friendliness information at the top of your group assignment.
- Most groups are 4 bakers, but some are 2 (hi, Japan!), 3 (greetings, gluten-free and eastern Canada!), or 5 (ahoy, western Canada!).
- A few people who flagged their willingness to participate in multiple groups will be doing so to even out the numbers, and I'll try to send both of your assignments in a single MeFi Mail.
- Our only EU participant doesn't have anyone to swap with, and I'm sorry about that. If anyone wants to volunteer last-minute to send cookies to a Netherlands baker, let me know.
Happy baking, everyone!
posted by ausdemfenster at 12:00 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
- There are 32 groups of bakers, and we named them after instruments because I vetoed mountmccabe's suggestion of naming them after opera arias.
- I'll include food sensitivity/allergy/booze-friendliness information at the top of your group assignment.
- Most groups are 4 bakers, but some are 2 (hi, Japan!), 3 (greetings, gluten-free and eastern Canada!), or 5 (ahoy, western Canada!).
- A few people who flagged their willingness to participate in multiple groups will be doing so to even out the numbers, and I'll try to send both of your assignments in a single MeFi Mail.
- Our only EU participant doesn't have anyone to swap with, and I'm sorry about that. If anyone wants to volunteer last-minute to send cookies to a Netherlands baker, let me know.
Happy baking, everyone!
posted by ausdemfenster at 12:00 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
I will send cookies to the Netherlands.
posted by Diablevert at 12:06 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Diablevert at 12:06 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
Just as a heads up, I am helping ausdemfenster out and sending out some of the assignment MeFiMails.
posted by mountmccabe at 1:29 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by mountmccabe at 1:29 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
......*incredibly amused* Everyone in my group lives within fifteen miles of everyone else. Is that common for the US groups, cookie organizers, or are we just fortunate outliers? (I will be satisfied with either response! I just thought it was funny.)
posted by sciatrix at 1:47 PM on November 29, 2015
posted by sciatrix at 1:47 PM on November 29, 2015
There are some definite clusters this year, but there are also the mid-Atlantic and midwestern grab bag groups that cross multiple state lines. Special thanks to the Austin bakers who thoughtfully signed up in a group of 4 to make this easy!
posted by ausdemfenster at 1:51 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by ausdemfenster at 1:51 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
I did not notice that two people in Group Cymbal were co-residents!
Sorry about that. Anyone in group CYMBAL, please look forward to your revised group, GONG (except for one of the co-residents, you'll be transferred).
posted by mountmccabe at 1:57 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
Sorry about that. Anyone in group CYMBAL, please look forward to your revised group, GONG (except for one of the co-residents, you'll be transferred).
posted by mountmccabe at 1:57 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
This is a hilarious color-coded instrument-filled spreadsheet nightmare scenario; I apologize in advance if later today you receive a MeFi mail from one of us that just reads, "Banjo booze ok timpani no shellfish."
posted by ausdemfenster at 2:07 PM on November 29, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by ausdemfenster at 2:07 PM on November 29, 2015 [5 favorites]
Thank you very much for all your work on this!
posted by Lyn Never at 2:25 PM on November 29, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by Lyn Never at 2:25 PM on November 29, 2015 [5 favorites]
Thank yooooou! And thanks so much for updating our swap group. Team Appiah-Duffell is ready.
posted by duffell at 8:36 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by duffell at 8:36 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
Everyone should now have their swap group(s) with the exception of one person I'm waiting to hear back from via MeFi Mail. Let me know if anything seems off, or if you have questions.
Several people have asked about in-person swaps instead of mailing cookies, so if any geographically convenient groups feel like making a meetup out of this, they are encouraged to do so!
Off to bulk purchase fancy chocolate and buff my measuring cups for the week ahead.
posted by ausdemfenster at 9:06 PM on November 29, 2015
Several people have asked about in-person swaps instead of mailing cookies, so if any geographically convenient groups feel like making a meetup out of this, they are encouraged to do so!
Off to bulk purchase fancy chocolate and buff my measuring cups for the week ahead.
posted by ausdemfenster at 9:06 PM on November 29, 2015
i made cookies for myself and ate them so i declare this cookie swap a great success
posted by poffin boffin at 10:40 PM on November 29, 2015 [11 favorites]
posted by poffin boffin at 10:40 PM on November 29, 2015 [11 favorites]
How did I miss this? :'( I signed up today anyway just in case you need an extra for my country.
posted by congen at 7:26 AM on November 30, 2015
posted by congen at 7:26 AM on November 30, 2015
Group kazoo, your cookies (aaaaaand popcorn) are baked and wrapped and ready for posting tomorrow!
posted by minsies at 12:38 PM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by minsies at 12:38 PM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
sciatrix, the two furthest members in group TRIANGLE (in Greater Boston) are 8 miles apart. Three of us are within walking distance of the same bus line.
posted by maryr at 12:54 PM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by maryr at 12:54 PM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
maryr, Group Glockenspiel are in Brookline, Roslindale, and two Arlingons. Maybe quorum for one of those in-person swaps you mentioned?
posted by daisyace at 2:41 PM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by daisyace at 2:41 PM on November 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
Group Harmonica, I'm so glad that we're a no allergy group. Get ready for some nutty delicious somethings!
posted by Weeping_angel at 4:01 PM on December 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Weeping_angel at 4:01 PM on December 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
I finally decided on what cookies to make. Should be getting them in the mail to the Mellotrons by Friday.
posted by amapolaroja at 11:18 PM on December 1, 2015
posted by amapolaroja at 11:18 PM on December 1, 2015
Hello Group Tuba! In my usual style, I'll probably not get to mailing yours until the very last day, but everything will be in the out to you on the 7th.
posted by holborne at 8:16 AM on December 2, 2015
posted by holborne at 8:16 AM on December 2, 2015
All I'm going to say is the Play-Doh Fun Factory arrived. I'm planning a test run, but whether or not they will turn out to be Play-D'oh! cookies is unknown. I have a back-up plan.
posted by Room 641-A at 11:48 AM on December 2, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Room 641-A at 11:48 AM on December 2, 2015 [2 favorites]
Zinon, I just got your cookies and I am eating them right now. Sooooo yummy!!
posted by ilovewinter at 1:38 PM on December 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by ilovewinter at 1:38 PM on December 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
I know at least 1 kazoo package (that I posted) has reached its destination!
Room 641-A, will you take pictures of your Fun Factory experiments, please?
posted by minsies at 10:07 AM on December 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Room 641-A, will you take pictures of your Fun Factory experiments, please?
posted by minsies at 10:07 AM on December 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Tuba, some of the Duffell family's famous saltine toffee is on its way!
posted by duffell at 11:11 AM on December 3, 2015
posted by duffell at 11:11 AM on December 3, 2015
Tuba, some of the Duffell family's famous saltine toffee is on its way!
Ooh, we make this too, only we make it with matzoh!
posted by holborne at 11:19 AM on December 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Ooh, we make this too, only we make it with matzoh!
posted by holborne at 11:19 AM on December 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
The goodies are baking even as I type, so after I sample them to make sure that there's nothing wrong (ahem, purely for science), they'll be on their way tomorrow.
May have nibbled on some leftover batter, also for science.
posted by thomas j wise at 11:51 AM on December 3, 2015 [5 favorites]
May have nibbled on some leftover batter, also for science.
posted by thomas j wise at 11:51 AM on December 3, 2015 [5 favorites]
Harmonicas! For the first time ever I'm not racing to get everything shipped JUST before the deadline. Your cookies went out today! They should be there by Friday.
posted by Weeping_angel at 1:06 AM on December 4, 2015
posted by Weeping_angel at 1:06 AM on December 4, 2015
Room 641-A, will you take pictures of your Fun Factory experiments, please?
No, it was an unmitigated disaster! But here's a link to the Tetris cookies I was planning on making.
posted by Room 641-A at 1:41 AM on December 4, 2015 [3 favorites]
No, it was an unmitigated disaster! But here's a link to the Tetris cookies I was planning on making.
posted by Room 641-A at 1:41 AM on December 4, 2015 [3 favorites]
OK, everyone in Tuba, your mascarpone brownies should arrive on Monday.
posted by thomas j wise at 8:54 AM on December 4, 2015
posted by thomas j wise at 8:54 AM on December 4, 2015
Group Sousaphone! Cookies are in the mail and should arrive on Monday! A slight disclaimer cookies = biscotti -- I hope you enjoy them because they were great fun to make!
posted by bluesky43 at 9:39 AM on December 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by bluesky43 at 9:39 AM on December 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
Group Spoons - your cookies should arrive today! Of course I neglected to tell you what kinds I made so here goes: molasses spice with orange essence; Dorie Greenspan's World Peace cookies (aka chocolate butter) and oatmeal-raisin. I love baking and I hope these arrive intact and tasty. Happy holidays to all! And thanks to except insects, your apricot spice cookies are delish!
posted by killy willy at 10:02 AM on December 4, 2015
posted by killy willy at 10:02 AM on December 4, 2015
Oh, sorry Harmonicas, that's next Friday. I did not spring for next day shipping. I love you all, but that shit's expensive. :-)
posted by Weeping_angel at 11:25 AM on December 4, 2015
posted by Weeping_angel at 11:25 AM on December 4, 2015
Team Kazoo, I totally failed to post my cookies today due to weather and lying post office websites, but they will be in the post tomorrow.
I'm also hopeful the parcel waiting for me at the depot is cookie related...
posted by hfnuala at 3:47 PM on December 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm also hopeful the parcel waiting for me at the depot is cookie related...
posted by hfnuala at 3:47 PM on December 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
aubilenon: your cookies showed up yesterday in the mail. ausdemfenster and I each had a breakfast cookie this morning; they were great! Yay Tambourine!
posted by mountmccabe at 4:14 PM on December 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by mountmccabe at 4:14 PM on December 4, 2015 [1 favorite]
Group Gong: your cookies are done, but there is one more component to go in the box and my post office has dreadful weekend hours so they probably won't make it out until Monday.
posted by bunnysquirrel at 11:50 PM on December 4, 2015
posted by bunnysquirrel at 11:50 PM on December 4, 2015
Groups Glockenspiel and Triangle, watch for your cookies on Monday!
posted by dywypi at 10:08 AM on December 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by dywypi at 10:08 AM on December 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
Duffell, the toffee is great! And just in time for Hanukkah, too.
posted by thomas j wise at 10:35 AM on December 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by thomas j wise at 10:35 AM on December 5, 2015 [1 favorite]
I received the fanciest cookies I have ever eaten today from hannahelastic. Oh so nom! And local ingredients from two continents! You have set a high bar for my cookies, which are getting baked tomorrow. Thank you!!
posted by lakeroon at 2:39 PM on December 5, 2015
posted by lakeroon at 2:39 PM on December 5, 2015
The theramins met up today to exchange cookies in person! And let me tell you: Austin mefi bakers represent.
posted by Saminal at 8:17 PM on December 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Saminal at 8:17 PM on December 5, 2015 [2 favorites]
Group Triangle: your cookies went out yesterday and should arrive by tomorrow.
posted by rebekah at 6:12 AM on December 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by rebekah at 6:12 AM on December 6, 2015 [2 favorites]
Group Euphonium cookies are all packed up to get dropped in the post office box tomorrow morning. For those doing last moment shipping like me, my spouse tipped me off to the PayPal printable postage page.
posted by fings at 3:30 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by fings at 3:30 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Hey, group accordian! Your cookies are being baked tonight and will be sent tomorrow!
posted by triggerfinger at 4:20 PM on December 6, 2015
posted by triggerfinger at 4:20 PM on December 6, 2015
thomas j wise, your quonsmas treats* arrived today**! Those brownies are amazing. Super chocolatey and just the right amount of sweetness.
*I know the cookie swap isn't technically part of quonsmas, but I like thinking of them as quonsmas treats.
**On a Sunday, no less! Not that I'm complaining, but I really don't know how the postal system works.
posted by duffell at 5:31 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
*I know the cookie swap isn't technically part of quonsmas, but I like thinking of them as quonsmas treats.
**On a Sunday, no less! Not that I'm complaining, but I really don't know how the postal system works.
posted by duffell at 5:31 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
I am literally surrounded by cookies! I couldn't decide whether to send an old favourite or try something new, so I decided to make both and then decide. The obvious decision is to send some of each, so that's what I'll be doing first thing tomorrow. Watch your mailboxes, Mandolins.
posted by atropos at 5:52 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by atropos at 5:52 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
(In the interests of food science I ate a lot of icing, hence the overuse of the word "decide".)
posted by atropos at 5:55 PM on December 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by atropos at 5:55 PM on December 6, 2015 [3 favorites]
Spoons, your chocolate chip rum cookies and gingersnaps will be mailed tomorrow.
(Our group note read "Booze ok", and I agree.)
posted by Iris Gambol at 6:18 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
(Our group note read "Booze ok", and I agree.)
posted by Iris Gambol at 6:18 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Group Melodica, I mailed your cookie packages on Friday, so you should be receiving your cookie packages tomorrow! It's the most wonderful time of the year....Cookie Time!
posted by honey badger at 8:56 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by honey badger at 8:56 PM on December 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
Mellotrons! your cookies will be in the oven shortly. Unfortunately I accidentally deleted the message with everyone's contact info. If someone could resend it to me, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!
posted by amapolaroja at 10:48 PM on December 6, 2015
posted by amapolaroja at 10:48 PM on December 6, 2015
The non-Pittsburgh members of group Sousaphone should have mail from me today as well (the one going to Pittsburgh made it on Saturday)!
posted by miratime at 6:03 AM on December 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by miratime at 6:03 AM on December 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm awfully sorry, Group Tuba; some family/medical stuff got in the way this weekend and it looks like I won't be baking until tonight at the earliest. I'm going to try to get your stuff in the mail tomorrow. Please accept my apologies.
posted by holborne at 10:00 AM on December 7, 2015
posted by holborne at 10:00 AM on December 7, 2015
Accordionistas, your biscotti are on the way. When I told my son what I was making, he scowled and said, "I had those once. They were all dry and hard."
posted by lakeroon at 11:05 AM on December 7, 2015
posted by lakeroon at 11:05 AM on December 7, 2015
hfnuala's ginger snaps (group kazoo!) are superb. The best part: I have 2 other types of cookies to try later!
posted by minsies at 12:38 PM on December 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by minsies at 12:38 PM on December 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
thomas j wise, I received your package today. The brownies are awesome -- thank you so much!
posted by holborne at 2:44 PM on December 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by holborne at 2:44 PM on December 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
miratime , your cookies are AMAZING! THANK YOUSO MUCH!
posted by bluesky43 at 4:41 PM on December 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by bluesky43 at 4:41 PM on December 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
Group Zither, you cookies went out today and USPS has just emailed me tracking that says they'll be there tomorrow! Happy munching!
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 7:46 PM on December 7, 2015
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 7:46 PM on December 7, 2015
The post office was just kidding, now the tracking says December 10th. I was pretty damn impressed for a minute.
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 8:01 PM on December 7, 2015
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 8:01 PM on December 7, 2015
Group Contrabassoon's cookies snuck on to the mail truck at the last second today, so they should be arriving before the end of the week.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 8:10 PM on December 7, 2015
posted by ArgentCorvid at 8:10 PM on December 7, 2015
THANK YOU to everyone who baked and mailed and ate cookies this year! A token of cookie swap appreciation, with apologies to Shane MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl:
Fairytale of Cookie Swap
(lyrics by 2or3things with some last-minute assistance from ausdemfenster and mountmccabe)
It was Cookie Swap Day
On Metafilter
My groupmates said to me,
We have no allergies
So I chopped lots of nuts
I rolled out floury dough
I punched out reindeer shapes
And mailed them to you
I found a recipe
For pecan sandies
I've got a feeling
These stale walnuts will do
So have a cookie
I made too many
If I ship them overnight
They won’t be late to you
They’ve got brownies and bars
They’ve got pizzelles and tuiles
And some crisp gingersnaps
with candied orange peel
I was up all night baking
On Cookie Swap Eve
I drank cooking sherry
And then fell asleep
Biscotti
Stroopwafel
My icing is awful
I ran out of jam
So my linzers are bare
Here’s edible glitter
This chocolate’s too bitter
I should have just made
Something simple for once
The mods of Metafilter
All have shortbread on their plates
And the faves are given out
For Cookie Day
Toll House chips
And thumbprints
And some fruit that ferments
Eating dough from the bowl
Unconcerned for my health
Meringues
Chocolate crinkles
Some stale rainbow sprinkles
Snickerdoodle your arse
And please pass me the milk
The mods of Metafilter
All have shortbread on their plates
And the faves are given out
For Cookie Day
I could have made some fudge
Well, so could anyone
It’s not a cookie, though
It’s a confection
I’ll make it anyway
I’ll send it to Trombone
Can’t eat it on my own
I’d pass out in my own sick
The mods of Metafilter
All have shortbread on their plates
And the faves are given out
For Cookie Day
posted by ausdemfenster at 8:20 PM on December 7, 2015 [16 favorites]
Fairytale of Cookie Swap
(lyrics by 2or3things with some last-minute assistance from ausdemfenster and mountmccabe)
It was Cookie Swap Day
On Metafilter
My groupmates said to me,
We have no allergies
So I chopped lots of nuts
I rolled out floury dough
I punched out reindeer shapes
And mailed them to you
I found a recipe
For pecan sandies
I've got a feeling
These stale walnuts will do
So have a cookie
I made too many
If I ship them overnight
They won’t be late to you
They’ve got brownies and bars
They’ve got pizzelles and tuiles
And some crisp gingersnaps
with candied orange peel
I was up all night baking
On Cookie Swap Eve
I drank cooking sherry
And then fell asleep
Biscotti
Stroopwafel
My icing is awful
I ran out of jam
So my linzers are bare
Here’s edible glitter
This chocolate’s too bitter
I should have just made
Something simple for once
The mods of Metafilter
All have shortbread on their plates
And the faves are given out
For Cookie Day
Toll House chips
And thumbprints
And some fruit that ferments
Eating dough from the bowl
Unconcerned for my health
Meringues
Chocolate crinkles
Some stale rainbow sprinkles
Snickerdoodle your arse
And please pass me the milk
The mods of Metafilter
All have shortbread on their plates
And the faves are given out
For Cookie Day
I could have made some fudge
Well, so could anyone
It’s not a cookie, though
It’s a confection
I’ll make it anyway
I’ll send it to Trombone
Can’t eat it on my own
I’d pass out in my own sick
The mods of Metafilter
All have shortbread on their plates
And the faves are given out
For Cookie Day
posted by ausdemfenster at 8:20 PM on December 7, 2015 [16 favorites]
Lutes, the cookies are on their way a half a day late (but not a dollar short). Added some brownies to keep them in place and absorb some of the jolts of transport; we'll see if that works or not. Made snickerdoodles for the first time, and I'm pleased that the recipe worked as is (made a test batch, For Science).
posted by Hardcore Poser at 10:25 AM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Hardcore Poser at 10:25 AM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
Cookies mailed to the three other members of my swap group — I'm sorry they went out a day late, but they're going Priority and will be there this week. I just hope my packing job works!
posted by Songdog at 11:41 AM on December 8, 2015
posted by Songdog at 11:41 AM on December 8, 2015
atropos - your cookies arrived and we (yeah right, I) dug right in. Delicious!! I like them both but the eggnog candy ones are amazing, even without glaze.
Another package from group Mandolin came today, but the post office took it away and I have to go pick it up tomorrow. Boo hoo!
posted by arcticwoman at 1:13 PM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
Another package from group Mandolin came today, but the post office took it away and I have to go pick it up tomorrow. Boo hoo!
posted by arcticwoman at 1:13 PM on December 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
Group Mandolin, I sent everything yesterday, so hopefully they will come soon. I went with David Lebovitz for the recipe!
posted by just_ducky at 5:09 PM on December 8, 2015
posted by just_ducky at 5:09 PM on December 8, 2015
Mandolins, I also sent everything yesterday -- fingers crossed for delivery by the end of the week. (arcticwoman, your caramel delights arrived today and we could not restrain ourselves from eating them all immediately!)
posted by there's no crying in espionage at 6:27 PM on December 8, 2015
posted by there's no crying in espionage at 6:27 PM on December 8, 2015
Group Gong: my mailing plans for Monday were foiled as well, but all packages are en route now and should reach MD and DC today and PA by Friday. I hope the extra treat makes up for the day of delay. catastrophewaitress, your cookies arrived safely and deliciously yesterday. nom and thank you!
posted by bunnysquirrel at 12:29 AM on December 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by bunnysquirrel at 12:29 AM on December 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
I finally got my half of the Group Harp effort into the JP system yesterday. And, it was the first time with that recipe!
posted by Juso No Thankyou at 3:41 AM on December 9, 2015
posted by Juso No Thankyou at 3:41 AM on December 9, 2015
What luck! Just as we finished off bluesky43's tasty biscotti, a package from tangaroo appeared - can't wait to dig in! Thank you both! :D
posted by miratime at 11:13 AM on December 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by miratime at 11:13 AM on December 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
Mellotron packages of gingersnaps are in the mail and I received my first package from Arbac. Very tasty.
posted by amapolaroja at 1:41 PM on December 9, 2015
posted by amapolaroja at 1:41 PM on December 9, 2015
Really sad my name isn't Baker Furiosa IRL.
Tambourines, your cookies are slated to arrive tomorrow! I've been munching on my delicious chocolate/peanut butter cookies and alfajores.
posted by ausdemfenster at 2:28 PM on December 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
Tambourines, your cookies are slated to arrive tomorrow! I've been munching on my delicious chocolate/peanut butter cookies and alfajores.
posted by ausdemfenster at 2:28 PM on December 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
I have received all my cookies from Group Accordian and they're waaaay better than I expected (having never been part of a cookie swap, I wasn't sure what to expect). They were SO GOOD. I'm not ashamed to say that I only had cookies for lunch today (well, a little cake too, but it was my friend's bday so that was a separate thing). Salted peanut butter, biscotti and chocolate ginger YUUUUMMMMMM! Thank you fellow bakers!
posted by triggerfinger at 6:06 PM on December 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by triggerfinger at 6:06 PM on December 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
Huge thanks to arcticwoman and just_ducky! I hosted our monthly work party today and your packages arrived at the same time as my coworkers, so I got to explain the awesomeness of receiving cookies from the internet. I must admit that I whisked the boxes away so I wouldn't have to share! These treats are all mine!
posted by atropos at 11:34 PM on December 9, 2015
posted by atropos at 11:34 PM on December 9, 2015
Tangaroo! such lovely cookies, and who knew? rosemary and lemon! Thank you!
posted by bluesky43 at 6:51 AM on December 10, 2015
posted by bluesky43 at 6:51 AM on December 10, 2015
Mellotrons, sorry that I'm a bit late. I do have a good excuse -- the water main to my entire condo complex was shut off for days while they searched for a leak. The good news is that the water is back on, the cookies are baked, and have been mailed to Arbac and hand delivered to the lovely amapolaroja.
Room 641-A, can I drop off your cookies this weekend? I'm going to be in your home town about 20 blocks away both Saturday and Sunday. I can't figure out how to MeMail you, so I hope you read this. If I don't hear from you by Friday I'll drop them in the mail.
Arbac, your cookies are too beautiful to eat! But I did nibble anyway -- yum!!! Look forward to getting the others in the mail.
posted by LeftMyHeartInSanFrancisco at 11:11 AM on December 10, 2015
Room 641-A, can I drop off your cookies this weekend? I'm going to be in your home town about 20 blocks away both Saturday and Sunday. I can't figure out how to MeMail you, so I hope you read this. If I don't hear from you by Friday I'll drop them in the mail.
Arbac, your cookies are too beautiful to eat! But I did nibble anyway -- yum!!! Look forward to getting the others in the mail.
posted by LeftMyHeartInSanFrancisco at 11:11 AM on December 10, 2015
Yay cookies! Got mine from atropos, arcticwoman, and there's no crying in espionage! Group Mandolin are seriously good bakers!
posted by just_ducky at 5:37 PM on December 10, 2015
posted by just_ducky at 5:37 PM on December 10, 2015
Huzzah!Cookies abound at Casa Catastrophe Waitress! Thank you Alligatorpear, BunnySquirrell, and Nolnacs for the delicious treats. They arrived safely and are now being devoured. Thanks, all.
posted by CatastropheWaitress at 7:20 PM on December 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by CatastropheWaitress at 7:20 PM on December 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
*ahem* As the CatastropheWaiter, allow me to offer my thanks (between bites) to Alligatorpear, BunnySquirrell, and Nolnacs as well. Exciting year in our house: two swap groups under one roof!
posted by duffell at 7:27 PM on December 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by duffell at 7:27 PM on December 10, 2015 [3 favorites]
Glad you're enjoying them, Catastrophe Waitstaff! My thanks also to alligatorpear and nolnacs, whose cookies arrived and somehow disappeared almost as quickly. mmm!
posted by bunnysquirrel at 9:53 PM on December 10, 2015
posted by bunnysquirrel at 9:53 PM on December 10, 2015
Tambourines, your cookies are slated to arrive tomorrow!
COOKIE STATUS: RECEIVED
ASSESSMENT: QUITE YUMMY INDEED
posted by aubilenon at 1:02 AM on December 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
COOKIE STATUS: RECEIVED
ASSESSMENT: QUITE YUMMY INDEED
posted by aubilenon at 1:02 AM on December 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
Concordia's butterballs for Group Kazoo have arrived here and they are excellent. Plus, tattoos! (Thank you!)
posted by minsies at 3:34 AM on December 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by minsies at 3:34 AM on December 11, 2015 [2 favorites]
Group Gong: all cookies have been received and most have been consumed. I may have eaten too many cookies this week but I do not regret it.
posted by nolnacs at 6:01 AM on December 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by nolnacs at 6:01 AM on December 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
Contrabassoons - your cookies all arrived intact and are/were tasty. Ketchup cookies still make no sense to me, but they are in fact very good.
Thanks staraling, Fig, and argentcorvid for the treats and thanks much to ausdemfenster for all the work organizing!
My wife thinks mailing cookies to the internet and receiving cookies from 'strangers' is much less weird now that she's helping me eat them. It helps that this is one of the least weird things I do.
posted by Clinging to the Wreckage at 7:09 AM on December 11, 2015 [7 favorites]
Thanks staraling, Fig, and argentcorvid for the treats and thanks much to ausdemfenster for all the work organizing!
My wife thinks mailing cookies to the internet and receiving cookies from 'strangers' is much less weird now that she's helping me eat them. It helps that this is one of the least weird things I do.
posted by Clinging to the Wreckage at 7:09 AM on December 11, 2015 [7 favorites]
Group Spoons: I mailed mine out on Thursday and UPS said they'd be there EOD today but I got notification that they'll be delayed. :(
Thanks everyone for the delightful cookies. I think I'm the only one who didn't do ginger cookies!
posted by too bad you're not me at 12:25 PM on December 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
Thanks everyone for the delightful cookies. I think I'm the only one who didn't do ginger cookies!
posted by too bad you're not me at 12:25 PM on December 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
Group Timpani for the win! I had a extremely long day on top of a week of long days....when I finally got home tonight, the first thing I dis after feeding kitties was dig into three sets of cookies. And that erased all of the hectic workweek - just thinking about how there's good people all over if you give them a chance. And, some of those very good people cared enough to reach out to a fellow human across the miles and share the goodness of their time and caring.
Thanks to each one of you for being there and becoming a bit of warmth and light in my heart. It's something to hold dear.
posted by mightshould at 6:31 PM on December 11, 2015
Thanks to each one of you for being there and becoming a bit of warmth and light in my heart. It's something to hold dear.
posted by mightshould at 6:31 PM on December 11, 2015
Thank you Mellotrons! The house is full of biscotti right now :-)
posted by amapolaroja at 11:05 PM on December 11, 2015
posted by amapolaroja at 11:05 PM on December 11, 2015
I have delicious cookies in my house - thank you, group BAGPIPES!
I am so thrilled that Domo decided to make pralines with cashews (I'm allergic to pecans!) - they are so incredibly delicious!
posted by needlegrrl at 4:33 AM on December 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
I am so thrilled that Domo decided to make pralines with cashews (I'm allergic to pecans!) - they are so incredibly delicious!
posted by needlegrrl at 4:33 AM on December 12, 2015 [1 favorite]
Team Tuba, I'm really sorry -- I have a pretty bad family crisis going on here and I haven't been able to get to baking -- not sure when I will but I'm going to try to do it by the middle of the week.
posted by holborne at 6:46 AM on December 12, 2015
posted by holborne at 6:46 AM on December 12, 2015
Your cookies arrived yesterday afternoon, there's no crying in espionage. Thank you so much. The gingersnaps are just right with a cup of tea and I'm looking forward to eating the thumbprint cookies this evening!
posted by atropos at 3:00 PM on December 12, 2015
posted by atropos at 3:00 PM on December 12, 2015
Yum yum yum yum yum
Gingerbread men and biscotti
Arrived here today
A modest haiku
Lauding the bakers of Group
Mellotron: y'all rock!
posted by LeftMyHeartInSanFrancisco at 11:17 PM on December 12, 2015 [2 favorites]
Gingerbread men and biscotti
Arrived here today
A modest haiku
Lauding the bakers of Group
Mellotron: y'all rock!
posted by LeftMyHeartInSanFrancisco at 11:17 PM on December 12, 2015 [2 favorites]
Group Theorbo! I mailed your cookies a little late (last Thursday), but I hope they've arrived by now and are unscathed by their travels. OntologicalPuppy and gauche, I received your cookies and they are fantastic! Thank you!
posted by 2or3things at 3:35 AM on December 15, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by 2or3things at 3:35 AM on December 15, 2015 [2 favorites]
The last of my cookies have arrived. And they were delicious.
I declare this swap a resounding (ba-dum-bum) success.
posted by zinon at 11:30 AM on December 15, 2015 [2 favorites]
I declare this swap a resounding (ba-dum-bum) success.
posted by zinon at 11:30 AM on December 15, 2015 [2 favorites]
Thank you, heeeraldo! Your cookies arrived yesterday. I love the very Canadian holiday card, too.
posted by atropos at 7:26 PM on December 15, 2015
posted by atropos at 7:26 PM on December 15, 2015
Accordions, I will cookie-swap with you any day. Between hannahelastic's sophisticated ginger, nanhey's salt-kissed peanut butter, and triggerfinger's intense chocolate, I have never had so much joy arrive in the mail. Thank you, thank you!
posted by lakeroon at 5:14 PM on December 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by lakeroon at 5:14 PM on December 16, 2015 [1 favorite]
Cookies cookies cookies! Thank you for the delicious cookies! Two packages came just in time for me to take some with me on a recent trip, and the third came right after I got back. I'm still savoring the last few that I hoarded.
Delicious treats received:
From Diablevert: Chocolate Caramel Pecan cookies — so good — the kids don't like pecans so these were mine, mine, mine!; and glorious little Tartes with chocolate filing (ganache? and maybe citrus?).
From dormouse: Chocolate Cranberry Oat Drop cookies — you know the way to my heart and my wife's; Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls — my entire family holds you in high esteem; and excellent spiced pecans — mine, all mine!
From Metroid Baby: Ginger cookies that my children admired rather more than the ones I sent out ("less ginger," they said, "and more molasses", though I rather suspect it's the brown sugar that won their hearts) and a yummy set of cookies frosted like florentines but fashioned, I think, of nut brittle.
I am fatter now, and happier. And just in time for the holidays! Thank you, generous bakers and selfless organizers. I'm very glad I made the leap and signed up for my first cookie swap.
posted by Songdog at 2:48 PM on December 20, 2015
Delicious treats received:
From Diablevert: Chocolate Caramel Pecan cookies — so good — the kids don't like pecans so these were mine, mine, mine!; and glorious little Tartes with chocolate filing (ganache? and maybe citrus?).
From dormouse: Chocolate Cranberry Oat Drop cookies — you know the way to my heart and my wife's; Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls — my entire family holds you in high esteem; and excellent spiced pecans — mine, all mine!
From Metroid Baby: Ginger cookies that my children admired rather more than the ones I sent out ("less ginger," they said, "and more molasses", though I rather suspect it's the brown sugar that won their hearts) and a yummy set of cookies frosted like florentines but fashioned, I think, of nut brittle.
I am fatter now, and happier. And just in time for the holidays! Thank you, generous bakers and selfless organizers. I'm very glad I made the leap and signed up for my first cookie swap.
posted by Songdog at 2:48 PM on December 20, 2015
Group Lutes, thank you very much! Snickerdoodles are my childhood favourite, and the buffer brownies were snatched by the child PDQ and heartily approved of. The molassesey chewy ones are my breakfast cookies at work. My cookies were late going out, and I apologize - first I had baking issues (I beat my butter too much) (no euphemism), then I had post-office line-up issues and had to abandon ship a few times before I could complete the transaction. But they are winging their way to y'all, and I hope you like them. They were made with motherly love and only a little cursing.
posted by peagood at 7:18 AM on December 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by peagood at 7:18 AM on December 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
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posted by Marinara at 9:49 PM on November 16, 2015