Fun ideas for participating in and hosting a Cookie Swap

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Product Description

As a specialized form of potluck, a cookie swap has all the same traits that make a potluck so effortless to host. Guests share in the baking and cost burden by bringing their favorite recipes. Cookie Swap takes the popular idea of the cookie exchange party to new heights and new directions. This elegant entertaining book shows that the cookie swap is perfectly suited not only to holiday gatherings but also to garden parties, showers, children's birthdays, summer get-togethers, and more.

(20090512)

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #240390 in Books
• Published on: 2009-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781423603788
• BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
• Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Encouraging Christmastime cookie swappers to up the ante with plans for eight themed swaps-including Valentine's Day, bridal shower, garden party and Halloween (plus Christmas)-Usher produces a wealth of eye-catching bakery, decoration and entertainment ideas for hosts of all experience levels. Recipes are helpfully categorized by skill level, time commitment and type, allowing readers to decide quickly if they're up for the task of Eggnog Cheesecake Streusel Bars, a one on Usher's scale (meaning novice-appropriate), or the mini Chocolate Chai Burgers on Sesame Seed Buns, a considerably more complicated recipe that merits a three. The result is a book that bakers can come back to as their experience and confidence grows, with at least one recipe worth tackling in each theme. Usher's suggestions for transporting cookies via vintage lunch box or Christmas ornament box, and party ideas like dish towels imprinted with vintage postcards, are easy and ingenious, sure to appeal to fans of the Barefoot Contessa and Martha Stewart (no surprise from the designer dessert maker whose work has appeared in Chocolatier, Better Homes and Gardens, Bon Appetit and Modern Bride).

Review
A cookie is one of life's most precious, delicious gifts. Swapping them with friends is all the better. Julia Usher's gorgeous and doable ideas inspire us not only to trade cookies at holiday time but the whole year through. Filled to the brim with mouthwatering recipes and delectable photographs, Cookie Swap is a sweet treat to savor and celebrate. Nancy Wall Hopkins, Deputy Food and Entertaining Editor, Better Homes and Gardens Magazine
(Nancy Wall Hopkins Better Homes & Gardens )

Cookie Swap: Creative Treats to Share Throughout the Year
Julia M. Usher. Gibbs Smith, $19.99 paper (160p) ISBN 9781423603788
Encouraging Christmastime cookie swappers to up the ante with plans for eight themed swaps-including Valentine's Day, bridal shower, garden party and Halloween (plus Christmas)-Usher produces a wealth of eye-catching bakery, decoration and entertainment ideas for hosts of all experience levels. Recipes are helpfully categorized by skill level, time commitment and type, allowing readers to decide quickly if they're up for the task of Eggnog Cheesecake Streusel Bars, a one on Usher's scale (meaning novice-appropriate), or the mini Chocolate Chai Burgers on Sesame Seed Buns, a considerably more complicated recipe that merits a three. The result is a book that bakers can come back to as their experience and confidence grows, with at least one recipe worth tackling in each theme. Usher's suggestions for transporting cookies via vintage lunch box or Christmas ornament box, and party ideas like dish towels imprinted with vintage postcards, are easy and ingenious, sure to appeal to fans of the Barefoot Contessa and Martha Stewart (no surprise from the designer dessert maker whose work has appeared in Chocolatier, Better Homes and Gardens, Bon Appetit and Modern Bride). (Aug.)

Julia Usher is one smart cookie . . . and luckily, we can now all be invited to her Cookie Swap! Her new book has it all: complete basics for beginners, everything a home baker needs to perfect the simple art of "something out of nearly nothing," and imaginative creativity for pros. Well-tested recipes are reliable, fun, and scrumptious; photos are enticing; and party ideas are both practical and budget conscious. Essential for all bakers, this excellent guide to year-round cookie swap parties is a winner. Susan G. Purdy, author of Pie in the Sky
(Susan G Purdy author of Pie in the Sky )

Julia Usher's lovely cookies will inspire you to become a dedicated cookie decorating hobbyist. Nick Malgieri, Author of The Modern Baker, How to Bake, and Cookies Unlimited
Author of The Modern Baker, How to Bake, and Cookies Unlimited )

Julia Usher's over-the-top cookies and detailed, theme-inspired swaps promise joyful sharing and sweet memories for year-round entertaining. Flo Braker, author of Baking for All Occasions, The Simple Art of Perfect Baking, and Sweet Miniatures
(Flo Braker author of Baking for All Occasions, The Simple Art of Perfect Baking, and Sweet Miniatures )

This creative book has become my new gold-standard guide to cookie decorating. Talented baker Julia Usher provides foolproof recipes and teaches us decorating techniques, from the simplest bar cookie to elaborate showpieces. Her whimsical designs and ideas make this book as fun as it is informative. Open it to any page-you're bound to be inspired. Tish Boyle, Editor, Dessert Professional (formerly Chocolatier) and author of The Good Cookie and The Cake Book
(Trish Boyle Dessert Professional )

From the Inside Flap

Cookie Swap Creative Treats to Share Throughout the Year

Julia M. Usher

Photographs by Steve Adams

Cookie swaps are not just for Christmas anymore! Cookie Swap: Creative Treats to Share Throughout the Year shows that the cookie swap is perfectly suited not only to holiday gatherings but also to garden parties, showers, children's birthdays, summer get-togethers, and more. A cookie swap has all the same traits that make a potluck so effortless to host. Plus, the idea of a party all about cookies is simply irresistible, no matter what the season.

As talented baker Julia M. Usher reveals, cookies are infinitely adaptable to different party themes and times of year, resulting in scores of delightful possibilities. Among Cookie Swap's eight parties are a kids' summer bash, with Lemonade Slices and Chocolate Chip Watermelon -Wedges; a spooky Halloween fest, featuring Witches' -Fingers and Friendly Ghosts; and a classic Christmas swap with Hot Buttered Rum Meltaways, Cranberry-Pistachio Biscotti, and Eggnog Cheesecake Streusel Bars.

With dozens of decorating and invitation ideas, over 50 delectable recipes, mouthwatering photos, and tips on hosting the best swap possible, Cookie Swap will inspire readers to make the sharing of cookies the centerpiece of every event.

About the Author

Julia M. Usher is a celebrated pastry chef and food writer who has designed extraordinary desserts for such magazines as Chocolatier, Better Homes and Gardens, Bon Appetit, and Modern Bride, and such books as Vera Wang on Weddings and For the Love of Food. Usher is a former Contributing Editor at Chocolatier magazine, a James Beard Foundation Journalism Awards finalist, and a Director of the Itnernational Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP). She divides her time between St. Louis, Missouri and Stonington, Maine.

Steve Adams loves making beautiful photos of all kinds of food and beverages for companies like Nestle, Anheuser-Busch, Bacardi, Panera, and Kraft. Steve is actuve in IACP and the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) and has taught studio photography at the university level and the Maine Media Workshops. He lives in St. Louis, Missouri.

(20090512)

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Customer Reviews

Beautiful book!
"Cookie Swap" by Julia Usher is an absolutely beautiful book. I agree with the previous reviewer that this book not only belongs in your kitchen, but on your coffee table as well. Perhaps it may even be the ideal book for one's bedside table, since it will assuredly result in the sweetest of dreams.

Ms. Usher's food styling is truly impressive - both creative and detailed. I imagine my attempts to duplicate her work will fall short of the fabulous photos in this book; however, with the author's clear and detailed instructions, I think I may have a shot at success. (And even if I fail, what fun I will have!) Who ever knew that cookies could be such art?

Kelly "Domestic Trainer, a.k.a. Mom"
My copy just arrived two days ago and it has already traveled with me to the pool and a couple play dates so that I could flip through it over and over again and share it with others! It is beautiful and motivating! This book is for everyone and belongs in your kitchen, wrapped as a gift or setting on the coffee table. I have always loved to bake and have mastered only a few. I hope that I have success with even a couple of these that I am proud to bring to my next event, pot luck or school classroom party or give as a thoughtful gift. Better yet, I can't wait to host a Cookie Swap! Regardless, it will be fun trying!

You Can't Eat a View
This is the second time I've reviewed this book. The other review was either omitted or lost in the ether. At any rate, this cookbook reminds me of a restaurant that had the most wonderful location, overlooking a river. But as was stated by a restaurant critic, you can't eat a view!

Upon reading the absolutely glowing reviews of this book I immediately purchased it locally as it was not then available through Amazon. It IS a beautiful book. As several have noted, it looks great on a coffee table or in a bookholder decorating your kitchen. But I've never seen such a collection of truly unappealing recipes with strange ingredients. Further the details as to decorating the cookies so that they look good enough to swap or sell at your church's bake sale are MIA. Perhaps the writer anticipates a very experienced cookie decorator to be reading the book. I wasn't even tempted to try the recipes and found the book a new happy home.

I had to wonder if the other reviewers are friends or fans of the writer. The reviews were so over the top raves that I wondered if they were inspired by something other than actual appreciation for the content of the book.

Again if you want a pretty book for your coffee table or if you like cookies that "aren't sweet" (huh...if you want a cracker make a cracker) or if you like wierd ingredients this is the book for you. If you're looking for something that will have your cookie swap friends begging for your recipes...maybe look somewhere else.