Sunday, November 21, 2010

BRUNCH WITH BINGO: A VERY MERRY COOKIE PARTY GIVEAWAY

WELCOME TO
BOOKIN' WITH BINGO'S
"BRUNCH WITH BINGO DAY" 
I AM EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THIS SUNDAY'S
"BRUNCH WITH BINGO DAY"
FOOD BOOK CHOICE IS.....
GIVEAWAY ENDED
VERY MERRY COOKIE PARTY
How To Plan and 
Host A Christmas Cookie Exchange
BY BARBARA GRUNES
AND VIRGINIA VAN VYNCKT
PHOTOGRAPHS BY FRANCE RUFFENACH 
 
ABOUT THE COOKBOOK:
Today's busy bakers want to make a gorgeous variety of delicious Christmas cookies without spending days upon flour-smudged days mixing, rolling, and baking. Cookies shine at holiday time, and there's nothing more festive than a communal cookie party. This is your guide to the Christmas cookie exchange, where everyone shows up with a few batches of homemade cookies to swap. It's all the variety without the fuss! Recipes covering the classics (brownies, spice cookies, nut balls, slice-and-bake and more) along with cookie ornaments, recipes designed for stamps, molds, cutters and presses are included. Tips on everything you need to know for a successful exchange – from invitations to presentation and packaging. Red-and-white striped edges make this adorable book look like a Christmas present, with 120 recipes to choose from, plus tips for decorating, planning, and throwing the party. 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS and PHOTOGRAPHER:
Barbara Grunes has written more than 45 cookbooks, including The Best Bake Sale Ever Cookbook. She lives in the Chicago area.

Virginia Van Vynckt is a writer, editor, and Web designer. She lives in the Chicago area.

France Ruffenach is a San Francisco-based photographer.
 
RECIPES:
STAINED-GLASS ORNAMENT COOKIES
Yield: Makes 30 cookies
Use fruit-flavored Life Savers, sour balls, or similar hard candies for the "stained glass." It is fun to make your own design for the ornaments. For example, if you want to make a holly leaf or a dove, draw the shape on a piece of cardboard—about 3 inches in diameter is a good size—and cut it out. Edge the gingerbread strips around the design on the cookie sheet. Continue until all the gingerbread has been used.

To crush the candies, use a food processor or place the candies between 2 pieces of waxed paper and crush with a rolling pin.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsulfured molasses
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 6 ounces translucent hard candies in colors of choice, crushed
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy. Add the sugar and molasses and beat for 2 minutes. Beat in the water. On low speed, beat in the flour mixture until a soft dough forms.

3. Gather the dough into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or up to overnight.

4. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheets with aluminum foil.

5. Divide the dough into thirds. Divide each third into 10 equal pieces. Using your palms, roll each piece on a lightly floured work surface into a rope 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter. Gently trace the design of your choice onto the prepared cookie sheets (a wooden spoon handle or chopstick works well for tracing on foil). Outline each design with a rope of dough, pressing the ends together to seal securely.

6. Sprinkle the inside of each design with the crushed candies, dividing the candies evenly among the outlined designs and creating an even layer.

7. Bake in the center of the oven or until the edges of the cookies are golden and the candy has melted, 6 to 9 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheets on wire racks until the candy hardens, about 5 minutes. Gently peel the foil away from the cookies and transfer to the racks to cool completely.
Cookie Exchange Tip: To make this cookie into a tree ornament, attach a loop made from the dough to the top of each cookie before baking. After the cookie is baked, thread a piece of ribbon through the loop and tie the ribbon in a bow. To make these ornaments at a party, prepare the cardboard patterns in advance. 
 
TOFFEE SQUARES
Yield: Makes 48 squares
To heighten the toffee flavor, substitute toffee baking bits for half of the chopped almonds.

INGREDIENTS:
Crust
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
Topping
  • 7 to 8 ounces milk chocolate, broken into pieces, or 1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
  • 1 cup chopped almonds, toasted
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with parchment.

2. Prepare the crust. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugar on medium speed until light, about 2 minutes. Beat in the egg yolk, vanilla, and salt. On low speed, gradually beat in the flour just until mixed. The dough will be stiff. Pat the dough evenly over the bottom of the baking pan.

3. Bake in the center of the oven until pale gold on top, about 20 minutes.

4. Remove the pan from the oven and scatter the chocolate pieces evenly over the crust. Return the pan to the oven for 1 minute. Remove the pan again and, using a knife, spread the chocolate evenly over the crust. Sprinkle evenly with the almonds.

5. Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Using a sharp knife, cut into small squares, then carefully remove from the pan with a small offset spatula or an icing spatula.
Cookie Exchange Tip: This is another of those always-popular cookie-exchange selections: Toffee-laced squares appeal to just about everyone. Dress them up a little by weaving lengths of gold metallic ribbon through the stacked cookies.
 
GIVEAWAY
I HAVE ONE COPY MYSELF TO
  GIVE AWAY OF THIS BRAND
NEW HARD COPY, HOLIDAY
COOKIE RECIPE COOKBOOK!
--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY:
COMMENT ON WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT VERY MERRY COOKIE PARTY COOKBOOK AND WHY YOU WANT TO WIN IT

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK AND LEAVE A LINK THAT I CAN FOLLOW

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE OTHER CURRENT GIVEAWAY YOU HAVE ENTERED HERE ON BOOKIN' WITH BINGO. COMMENT ON ONLY ONE THIS TIME, PLEASE (BUT ENTER AS MANY AS YOU WANT)
+1 MORE ENTRY: GO TO BINGLE BELLS HOME PAGE HERE SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT BINGLE BELL BUNDLES ARE UP SO FAR TO WIN. COMMENT ON ONE THAT IS THERE THAT YOU MIGHT ENTER.


GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, DECEMBER 4!
GOOD LUCK!

102 comments:

Unknown said...

I would LOVE to win A Very Merry Cookie Party Cookbook! I think a cookie exchange is such a great idea for the holidays! I would like to have one at work and with friends and family!

christauf4(at)gmail.com

Unknown said...

Just tweeted about this giveaway!
http://twitter.com/#!/christauf4/status/6214506216693760

http://twitter.com/christauf4

christauf4(at)gmail.com

Unknown said...

I entered the Debbie Macomber Bingle Bells giveaway and I'm sure I'll love all the other Bingle Bell giveaways!

christauf4(at)gmail.com

debbie said...

I love cookbooks, and I really like christmas cookies. I would love to try some new recipes.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered christmas at harrington's giveaway.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I would like to win the debbie maccomber 3 book bundle, (and in fact, I entered).
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

bermudaonion said...

That book looks fabulous - what gorgeous cookies! I'd love to have it because I love to bake! milou2ster(at)gmail.com

bermudaonion said...

I entered the By Nightfall giveaway. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

Pamela Keener said...

I participate in a cookie exchange every year & I love to find new recipes. This book would definately be one I would want.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I tweeted this giveaway.
http://twitter.com/pam4290/status/6357807553056769
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

Debbie Maccomber's 3 book holiday set is the first Bingle Bell Bundle.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I entered "The Imperial Cruise" giveaway.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Elizabeth said...

I am always hosting cookie parties and would love new ideas...sometimes they don't work out too well.

silversolara AT gmail DOT com

THANKS.

Suburban prep said...

My husband and I are involved in baking cookies during the holidays and this book looks like it has a lot to offer us in the way of ideas and recipes.

Suburban prep said...

I entered the Debbie Macomber giveaway.
msgb245 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Those cookie ornaments are amazing. I would love to have this cookbook to assist me in my holiday baking. I also love the cover!

beachbrights@gmail.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

http://twitter.com/#!/alterlisa/status/6387795186688001



alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

traveler said...

What a great cookbook. thanks for this delightful giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I entered Don't Sing at the Table. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

Debbie Macomber Bells Book Bundle Bingle Bells giveaway I entered. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

This would be a very special book which I would enjoy using and sharing. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered Perfection. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

I entered the Debbie Macomber Bingle Bells giveaway and will look for the others as well. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

"It's all the variety without the fuss!" My kind of cookbook


alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

ENTERED NANNY McPHEE RETURNS AUDIO BOOK GIVEAWAY


alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Entered DEBBIE MACOMBER'S 3 BOOK HOLIDAY SET BINGLE BELL BUNDLE

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Some cookies are great for mailing. Just think a batch of cookies and a book for a Christmas gift.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Cindy W. said...

I would love to win this cookie book because I love finding new cookie receipes. I love to bake!

Smiles,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Cindy W. said...

I entered the Debbie MacComber Bingle Bells giveaway.

Smiles,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

LeAnn said...

I would love to win this book for the delicious cookie recipes but also for the tips on how to organize and prepare for a successful cookie exchange.

LeAnn
sunshine9ATimonmailDOTcom

LeAnn said...

I entered the Debbie Macomber Bingle Bells Bunch giveaway.

LeAnn
sunshine9ATimonmailDOTcon

LeAnn said...

I checked out the page for Bingle Bells Bundles and so far there is only one bundle featured: 3 holiday books by Debbie Macomber.
I entered that contest.

sunshine9ATimonmailDOTcom

Connie said...

Hi! I love the idea of this cookbook so I could find new cookie recipes to try out and pass out to friends. Thanks for this cool giveaway! :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

Connie said...

Hi! I entered the Bingle Bells giveaway as well. :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

GreislerCorbett said...

I can remember my mom going to cookie exchanges as a kid and have always wanted to hold one myself as an adult. This book sounds like the perfect guide. Plus, with all of the recipes, I might be able to add some cool recipes to my usual lineup

Anonymous said...

I entered The'Emperor's Tomb' Giveaway.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Bingle Bells Bundles is a great idea, I will get in the habit of checking for new ones.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Unknown said...

I would love to win this book for my mother-in-law who loves to cook. Tore923@aol.com

Jackie Lane said...

My friends and I have been talking about a cookie exchange. On top of that, I've already fallen in love with the Toffee Squares recipe.

Reading said...

I love that this is more than just recipes. It can help me have the cookie swap that I have always wanted.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

I entered the Steig Larsson giveaway.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

slb3334 said...

I love to make cookies so this would be perfect.

Marie Cloutier said...

I would love to win A VERY MERRY COOKIE PARTY because I love to bake Christmas cookies and expand my repertoire of recipes every year. I think this would make a great addition and really help me!
bibliophile at bostonbibliophile.com!

Marie Cloutier said...

I tweeted: Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/bostonbibliophl/statuses/6672967387844608

bibliophile at bostonbibliophile.com thanks!

Julie S said...

This would make a great give for my MIL! She loves to bake, she even bakes doggie treats!
juliecookies(at)gmail.com

Amber said...

I've never hosted a cookie exchange party before, but with the help of this book, I think i could pull it off!
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

mverno said...

a very merry cookie party cookbook would be nice mverno@roadrunner.com

holdenj said...

Did someone say cookies? Those toffee squares look awesome! Thanks for the chance to win this book.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered the Neighbors are Watching giveaway.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I did enter the Bingle Bell Bundle for Debbie Macomber.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Alyce said...

I love making Christmas cookies with my boys each year and am always looking for new ideas, so I'm interested in this cookbook because of that.

akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

Alyce said...

I guess the party/swapping aspect might be wasted on me though. :) So if I did win I would probably check out the recipes and then pass it on to my mother-in-law who is the party person (does a lot of parties for her church). (Sorry for the extra comment, I just wanted to clarify about why I wanted to enter.)

akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

I would love to win this book. the pics are amazing. I am the baker in the family and among my friends and I would love to get this started
joni(dot)taylor3710 at gmail dot com

bison61 said...

I like the fact it has 120 recipes and tips on a cookie exchange

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

dag888888 said...

I collect cookie recipes -- google and print them out but this recipe book is much better and more beautiful!


dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

dag888888 said...

Entered Stieg Larsson giveaway.


dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

dag888888 said...

The Debbie MacComber 3-book holiday set Bingle Bell Bundle giveaway is one I would enter!


dag888888[at]yahoo[dot]com

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/truebookaddict/status/9707036191227904

truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

I've been making decorated sugar cookies every year for as long as I can remember. Now it is a tradition I share with my young sons. A Cookie Exchange party sounds like so much fun and some new recipes would be excellent!

truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

The Debbie Macomber Bingle Bells bundle and I've already entered!

truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

I might enter the Large Print mystery bundle...we'll see!

truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

the first twitter link was linked wrong. Here's the corrected link: http://twitter.com/truebookaddict/status/9720555309629441

sorry!

truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom

LAMusing said...

I like the cookbook has some really pretty cookies. I love to bake and this would be a great addition to my cookbooks!
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

LAMusing said...

I entered Stieg Larsson trilogy giveaway
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

LAMusing said...

I bookmarked the Bingle Bells page!
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

Norma said...

I love the idea of a cookie exchange party! I'd probably give this to my daughter and just enjoy the fruits of her labors :)
bingomamanorma(at)gmail(dot)com

Norma said...

I entered the holiday Hop giveaway
bingomamanorma(at)gmail(dot)com

LAMusing said...

I entered the Purrfect Murder
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

LAMusing said...

I entered the Holiday Hop Bingle Bells
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

/\Heather/\ said...

This is amazing! I just told the kinder we could make stained glass cookies this week! To have an excellent collection of recipes to choose from would be awesome!
heatherpooh (hotmail)

/\Heather/\ said...

I entered the Stieg Larsson giveaway.
heatherpooh (hotmail)

/\Heather/\ said...

I think of all the Bingle Bells Bundles, I'd like to win one of the ARC bundles, specifically bundle three.
heatherpooh (hotmail)

/\Heather/\ said...

I tweeted - http://twitter.com/choochoo428/status/10457036630269952
heatherpooh (hotmail)

Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said...

ooh, this book would be a gorgeous gift for my mom! She goes to a cookie exchange each year and would love new ideas!! i love the photos. thanks for sharing these recipes and thank you for the contest!!

inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said...

entered the southern living contest!

inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

saturdaynightfever said...

I love the cover of this book; I need some new cookie recipes!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

jemr2 said...

I've always wanted to host one of these parties but was too worried about screwing up the details. This book would be great for pulling everything together and the tips would be wonderful!

jemr2@aol dot com

Jeff said...

I'd like to eat some thingas o9ut of this cookbook so I'd love to win it for my wife.

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

http://twitter.com/jeff72768/status/11008286627201024

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=182523155095140&id=100000609680005

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/Jeff72768/review/48263956/

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I entered the NANNY McPHEE RETURNS AUDIO BOOK GIVEAWAY

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

SO far I've entered the first two and plan on entering the third

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I'd love to be able to bring awesome cookie to my Inlaws at Christmas, I'm not really the baker but with this cook book I could be.

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/#!/Romantic73/status/11009788393553920

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=150288448351523&id=100000641625482

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/chirth7/review/48264071/

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I entered BY NIGHTFALL GIVEAWAY

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I've entered the first two and plan on entering the third

chirth7@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I think they'll be some great ideas for cookie exchnages in there. I'd love to win it!!!

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

+5swag shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=159104247467565&id=100001087052807

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/shundelt45/review/48264196/

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I've entered the first two and plan on entering the third

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I entered By Nightfall

shundelt@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I like all the suggestions about hosting a cookie party. I would like to win the book because I would love to try some new cookie recipes for the holidays. garrettsambo@aol.com

Melissa B. said...

I like all the pretty pictures. I want to win because I host a kid's cookie baking party every christmas and this would come in handy.

loni broesch said...

I love the holiday colors and I love trying any new type of cookies!!


trippyjanet at hotmail dot com

Dawn Reid said...

I think a cookie exchange is such a great idea for the holidays! I would love to host one with my family and friends. Sounds like fun
mightynaynay(at)cs.com

Sand said...

I like that it includes recipes for non-traditional cookies and I'd love to have this cookbook as we do a cookie exchange from my family.

cman said...

I love that there are so many cookie recipes. I'd love it for myself because I love to bake with my kids.
Those toffee squares are calling me :)
cmanventuresinc(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I just recently became very interested in baking and would love to win this cookbook so that I could try some new and fun recipes!! And they'd make great treats for the holidays!

Thanks for the opportunity!

ksweeper21[at]gmail.com

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