The J Spot: Cookie Swap Are you tired of going out to the same old tired places with your girlfriends? How about having a girls night in? and what better way to do that than to change up the routine a bit and have a good ole impromptu cookie swap? A cookie swap is a fun event that you can have anytime of the year. Most people make up their own rules for cookie swaps, but here is a few simple guidelines you might like to follow to have a fun and fabulous event. If you are organizing the cookie swap, you will probably end up as the host for this event. Make sure that you have a table big enough to hold the plates of cookies that your guests will be bringing. You'll also want to serve some refreshments. Something light will do the trick. Send out an evite (www.evite.com) or make calls to let people know when and where the cookie swap will take place. Tell everyone that they must make homemade cookies and let them know about how many cookies to make. You might also want to tell your guests to bring copies of the recipes for the cookies that they make. Along with the cookies, your guests can swap their recipes. Get some tins or plastic containers for the guests to put their cookies in to take home. Dont want to make the same ole chocolate chip or oatmeal cookie? Below is a yummy recipe that you can try instead! Rugelach recipe courtesy of Barefoot Contessa 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature 1/2-pound unsalted butter, at room temperature 1/4 cup granulated sugar plus 9 tablespoons 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 3/4 cup raisins 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped 1/2 cup apricot preserves, pureed in a food processor 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon milk, for egg wash Cream the cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light. Add 1/4 cup granulated sugar, the salt, and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour and mix until just combined. Dump the dough out onto a well-floured board and roll it into a ball. Cut the ball in quarters, wrap each piece in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour. To make the filling, combine 6 tablespoons of granulated sugar, the brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, the raisins, and walnuts. On a well-floured board, roll each ball of dough into a 9-inch circle. Spread the dough with 2 tablespoons apricot preserves and sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the filling. Press the filling lightly into the dough. Cut the circle into 12 equal wedges—cutting the whole circle in quarters, then each quarter into thirds. Starting with the wide edge, roll up each wedge. Place the cookies, points tucked under, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Chill for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Brush each cookie with the egg wash. Combine 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle on the cookies. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove to a wire rack and let cool. Ok, you now have everything you need for a simple girls night in and for the perfect cookie swap. Have a delicious event! Yolanda Shoshana Yolanda Shoshana is coach, lifestyle expert, speaker, and artist living in New York City. She can be reached at shoshi@modernvenus.net CONTESTS | ABOUT US | LETTER FROM THE EDITOR | CONTACT US © 2007, Sun Goddess Productions All Rights Reserved