Have You Ever Held A Cookie Exchange?

By Marion Wilkinson

Have you ever dreamed of having so many different cookies at Christmas and you didn't have to bake them all yourself? Well, here's were a Cookie Exchange comes into play. With a bit of planning ahead, you can have a great exchange with little effort.

Begin by thinking of the number of people you would like to attend and ask them to bring 1/2 dozen bagged or boxed cookies for each one invited. Have them bring extra so that you serve them with punch or any other beverage you choose.

Having a different setting for each Cookie Exchange you host, always is a nice surprise for your guests. A Victorian theme always is a big hit, using magnolias, roses and beads as decorations. One year my theme was all Santa, all the time. I used Santa everywhere and it made my guests feel like kids again. Use your imagination, it keeps the party interesting.

During our evening together, my guests always look forward to some games. I supply small, inexpensive gifts as prizes and everyone goes home with a prize. One of our favorite games is trying to figure out what the Christmas song title is by only having the first letter of each word available. An example would be, JB = Jingle Bells. It looks easy, but it can be challenging if your guests aren't up on their Christmas music. Christmas BINGO and Christmas movie trivia are always a huge hit too.

Be sure to ask your guests to bring a copy of their cookie recipe with them. I gather these recipes and make a small Cookie Cookbook each year to give everyone. This can be especially challenging for those you purchase their cookies, but hey, it's about the social aspect of the evening and not necessarily the cookies. Okay, it's about the cookies too!

Last, but certainly not least, is to have fun! I tell my guests that it's not really about the cookies it's about sharing some time with friends around a plate of these tasty morsels! If you feel it's too much work for you during the holiday season, why not ask a good friend or relative to co-sponsor the event with you. This way everyone has a great time and no one is stressed out. Whatever you choose, have fun and eat a cookie for me! - 29885

About the Author:

Learn more about Christmas Cookie Exchanges. Stop by Marion Wilkinson's site where you can find out all about new cookie recipes.

Top 5 Advantages To Using A Silicone Baking Mat

By Anna Mckayla

Even the most accomplished bakers and chefs occasionally have difficulty in removing their fresh baked treats from the pan in one piece. All who enjoy baking, whether professionally in a restaurant or catering shop, or as the occasional weekend cook, have experienced the frustration of lop-sided cakes, pastries and breads. There are many items designed to ease the removal of the item from the pan, some of them may even work up to a point. But most of them will change the taste or texture of the finished product or create more waste in the kitchen. In contrast, silicone baking mats are affordable and effective items and offer good value for the price. They are extremely versatile and reusable to cut down on kitchen waste. A good quality silicone baking mat can be used in place of many of the other items in your kitchen. A silicone baking mat has many other advantages as well!

1. It provides flexibility. With the silicone baking mat, you have a pliable as paper baking tool, that allows you to bend it to loosen your baked goods from the pan, but it's extreme strength means you needn't be concerned about it holding up over time. It's flexibility also allows you to place the mat in almost any pan you'd like to use.

2. It offers versatility. Not only can you line all your pans with this baking mat, but you can also use this as a countertop mat for some of your messier preparations (e.g. caramelized sugar mixes, chocolate spread and fondue preparations.)

3. Clean up is quick and easy. A damp towel is all that is required for cleaning, and then allow it to air dry. You also have the option of putting the mat in the dishwasher as well.

4. It is non-porous and non-absorbent, which makes this product resistant to stains and odors. And because this is a silicone based product, there is very little chance that micro-organisms will survive on its surface.

5. It resists heat. Silicone baking mats can be used in high temperatures without igniting in your oven. They will not catch fire while you are baking. - 29885

About the Author:

You need a perfect baking mat for perfect baking. Visit my Baking Mat blog for recommendations, videos, tips and tricks on baking and baking mats.

How You Can Easily Learn Cake Decorating Lessons Online

By Maria Campbell

If you have been thinking that you might want to take some cake decorating lessons, you are positively not by yourself. With the rise of all of these new Television shows that are centered around such gifted individuals creating these remarkable cakes, there are a lot of people searching for the appropriate cake decorating course.

Before you grab your checkbook and buy the best cake decorating book you can locate, you need to consider taking some real training.

Remember being a child and baking your first cake? How did it look? If you were like most kids, it almost certainly was not even edible! However, with practice you get better and better.

Choosing the finest decorating course is not all that hard if you understand what you are looking for. For example, if you think about taking classes on site, you will be spending time away from your family that you may not want to do.

If you take a class at a location, it may be more pricey than taking classes online at your residence. Furthermore, you will not be able to move at your own speed because there will be other students to consider who may move more quickly than you do. If you fall behind, it will be hard to catch up.

Online cake decorating lessons are easier to master since you can practice the activities over and over again in the privacy of your own residence. This can save you the embarrassment of feeling like you are not doing as well as the other students.

Plus, if you are thinking about starting a cake decorating venture you can practice as much as you require and refer back to your materials when you need to for your business. You can become an expert from your own home!

Your new hobby (or business) hinges on finding the top cake decorating lessons that you can afford. - 29885

About the Author:

Imagine that you can take cake decorating lessons online in your own house starting in the next 5 minutes. Think of how fantastic it would be to shock your family at your next get together when you open up your cake box to show a beautifully decorated masterpiece. They will be stunned at your new skills! Take a look at this online class I saw: Cake Decorating Techniques.

Cooking Starts with Your Cookware Set

By Hannah Jaceneer

Shopping for new cookware sets is an enjoyable endeavor for those whom love preparing new dishes. The unique cookware pieces found in some cooking sets work together to give new and improved cooking abilities in kitchens where they are used. While there are inexpensive cookware sets, this is one area where you should invest some money. Having the right set will help provide the tools to create delicious dishes in your kitchen. There are certain pieces everyone should own, and a reason to buy a collection.

When purchasing cookware as a set, the biggest advantage is the money saved. When purchasing pieces separately, you will find that the prices quickly goes higher than the price of the cookware sets. Not only will your cost be lower, but owning a set provides pieces that will help with the creativity in the kitchen.

One of the pieces you may find included in cookware sets is a Braiser pan. This pan may be round or oval shaped, typically with a glass lid in a dome shape. This pan will generally be a heavy piece, with handles are designed to stay cool even though the pan is made to be used with intense heat. One of the advantages of this pan is that it can be used from stovetop to oven. Those who make dishes in cooking sets want the tight fitting lids, and on a Braiser pan this is especially important to keep the liquids inside the pan for cooking.

The Saucepan is another piece that is often included in cooking sets. This is a basic pot that is round and usually has sides that are steep. The bottom of the pan is normally flat. The lid is usually a typical aluminum or glass lid that assists in retaining heat. Individuals typically use this type of pot in order to create a variety of sauces and/or gravy. Many will also use this pan in order to create tasty soups, as well as to prepare vegetables and vegetable based soups and sauces. There are different levels of evaporation with each type of Saucepan on the market today.

When it comes to cookware sets, perhaps one of the single most popular pieces is the saute pan. Many do not realize it, but this is a multi-functional pan that can be used to produce numerous dishes and tasty treats. This piece of cookware resembles the basic frying pan overall, but if you examine the sides of the pan, you will notice a distinct difference - they are actually relatively short and they are straight instead of curved.

The stockpot is one piece from cookware sets that people may not think about until the holidays. This tall pot is high and usually narrower - like a tall sauce pan. It is best when used to simmer liquids or making large quantities. For some, the stockpot is the most important part of the cooking set. This piece is perfect for chili and soups, and also pasta or large quantities of vegetables.

When shopping for cookware sets, you will discover these pieces as well as several others such as a Wok, Sauteuse pan, Roasting pans, Paella pans, Omelette pans, and more. When purchasing cooking sets, it is important to have a good idea about how you will use the pieces that come included. By doing so, you are allowing yourself to purchase a set that is suited for your personal tastes and kitchen projects. - 29885

About the Author:

Hannah Jaceneer, the writer, suggests you do a thorough cookware set price comparison so you get the best deal on baking supplies you can find.

Cake Decorating Equipment: Figure Out What You Need to Become an Expert Cake Decorator

By Maria Campbell

Many cake decorating equipments are absolutely necessary if you are considering cake decoration as your profession and striving hard to prefect your cake decorating skills. Paddles and icing smoothers are the must-have cake decorating equipments. They come in handy especially if you are decorating a cake with various kinds of semi-solid frostings and icing.

You may also find a rolling pin to be useful. However, plastic ones usually aren?t strong or heavy enough to get the job done, so you may want to go with a marble rolling pin. It?s hard and heavy, and is a much superior choice to both plastic and wood. It is also cold, which is a great asset when fondant is concerned.

Plastic is preferred to marble when it is about the choice of rolling mat. It provides a non-sticky surface and you can easily transfer the rolled out fondant without losing the smooth texture.

One type of cake decorating equipment you really need to get is a good turntable. Since cakes can be heavy (i.e. wedding cakes), you will find a turntable to be very helpful. If you can afford to do so, invest in a good, study model, as some cheap turntables are known to tilt too much.

You can not imagine decorating a cake without the spatula or the palette knife. They are useful when you are icing the cake and ensure a smooth, bubble free covering. Metal spatulas are the choice of professional bakers.

A good piping set is both useful and necessary as far as cake decorating equipment goes. You?ll need a large bag with a large basket-weave nozzle to apply the buttercream to the sides of the cake. A piping set is better for this type of application than a palette knife, and the results are obviously neater.

Fine paint brushes are the important cake decorating equipment if, flowers are the theme of your cake. You can create natural looking gum paste flowers and use the fine brush and food coloring to add your creative touches .The broad brushes are used to clear the work surface.

The flower nails, silver pins, food coloring and decorator tips are other cake decorating accessories. All the cake decorating equipments are affordable and available at local super markets as well in on-line stores. - 29885

About the Author:

Finding Cake Decorating Equipment does not have to be a difficult task. You should be able to buy a set of items to get you started. If you go to the store and buy individual items, you will likely spend a ton more than you should spend. Buying a good quality starter set is the way to go!

Simple Homemade Desserts

By Kristen Thorpe

Desserts after meals should be something that to really help in digesting food. Various fruits have this capability and one of the best desserts is, various fresh fruits sliced and mixed in a bowl, served after a meal. You can add some kind of sauce or dressing to make it tastier. These fruits contain anti oxidants, which adds as a plus- to how they really taste. You may also try other options for desserts.

Bananas Senegalese is eaten in many countries of the world as dessert. This item is very easy to prepare and is also very delicious. It is made with bananas, green crme de menthe, maraschino cherries, brown sugar and butter. First you have to cut the bananas in half, which must be divided lengthwise. Then you put them on the serving dish and after, pour the green mints that youve prepared, on them.

When you are done with all the bananas, place them flat side downward, on the serving dish. Add the green mints prepared, by pouring them on top of the bananas and make sure to spread evenly as you do this. Now pour some brown sugar and mix them up and be careful not to break the banana shapes. Place this in the broiler flame and wait for about 7 minutes. Afterwards, you may serve it while it is warm.

One of the classic desserts, which will be the next dish, can serve up to six people. The ingredients that you will need are cherries, some rum, brandy and ice cream. Once you have all these, along with your kitchen tools and necessities, you may then first, extract the juices from the cherries and place them in the chaff dish. Pour the rum and brandy over the cherries and to add more flavor, you can also add some of its juices by pouring just a little bit over the dish. Then carefully decorate the mixture and put on top of the ice cream; then you are all done with this one.

The next item is called the Eve's Dessert; it is named after the inventor. This is delicious and will refresh your taste buds, leaving the taste in your mouth, for quite some time. Cherries, apples, strawberries, sour cream, melon balls, brown sugar and macaroons will be needed. Buy macaroons which are not that fresh, so you can serve them as larger crumbs. Just peel the thin layer of the strawberry and chop the apples and then mix them in a bowl. Add the other ingredients and viola, the dessert is already done.

Before getting into these desserts, make sure you have everything that you need. That means having all the ingredients, as well as all you kitchenware. Whether you need cutting knifes, mouse whips, pots, skillets, and more- you must have them handy. This way, whoever comes over and whatever the occasion, there will be no problem when it comes to making something in a limited amount of time.

Check and see if you have everything needed and if you notice that something is missing, go ahead and get it today. Just like everything else, it is always good to be ready and prepared. Imagine your visitors coming over unexpectedly; you need to have all the materials and of course the ingredients ready, so that you can serve something right away. Your guests will surely wonder how you made something so delicious in such a short time. - 29885

About the Author:

Would you enjoy a fancy cake for dessert? You don't have to spend a fortune at the bakery when you bake in this Kaiser stainless Charlotte Bundform pan. Or, if you want to go with something smaller for individual portions, you'll like baking in this nonstick bundform pan instead.