I love the idea of a cookie swap. Mostly because I love the idea of cookies. You bake up a massive batch of your most impressive cookie, gather with friends who have also baked up massive batches of their favorite cookies, taste, taste, taste, pack a bunch up to take home, then taste some more until they’re gone.
What happens if you’re vegan? The scenario looks something more like this: bake up a massive batch of your most impressive cookie, gather with friends who have also baked up massive batches of their favorite cookies, eat your own cookies, listen to your friends rave about your “can’t believe they’re vegan” cookies while they taste, watch them taste, then take home the one cookie of yours that’s left after your friends annihilated them.
Or, you could go to a vegan cookie swap. Last night I chose the latter option and had a blast. Members of the veg group here, VegWorcester, organized a rockin party for us compassionate cookie lovers complete with a competition, ugly sweaters, and photos with Santa. And cookies. Lots and lots of delicious cookies. We had 24 entries, and took home 3 of each. I’ll let you do the math because i’m too lazy. As I type I’m trying to resist devouring my whole box of take homes.
We had plenty of vegan beverages.
People were bringing in their cookies by the (six) dozen, and before long it was clear we had a contest on our hands. And a lot of eating to do.
People scoped the scene.
And finally it was time to line up, pack up, and vote.
There were several noteworthy entries. Raspberry-filled, wood stove mint chocolate chip, and coconut macaroons come to mind.
These adorable melted snowmen, inspired by Calvin and Hobbes, won the prettiest cookie prize.
We took photos with Santa.
And after all was said and done, we ate!
I made off with some major loot. If I don’t want to be rolled out of my house, someone needs to come over and help me finish these! Overall, the event was well-organized (particularly for a first time), majorly fun, and full of good food and friends, the important things at this time of year. A great way to bring some joy to a long week! Not to mention how encouraging it was to have such a turnout of passionate vegans, proving that food can be sustainable, compassionate, and delicious.
And as for my cookies? You’ll have to wait a bit for that recipe!
What kind of cookie would you bring to a cookie swap?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
a personal favourite would be apricot, toasted coconut and dark chocolate. What an awesome idea… hooray for cookie swaps, particularly animal friendly ones
Wow, that sounds pretty incredible!
I’ll take one of everything, please.
Fave cookie? Gingerbread. Always.
I DID take (at least) one of everything! There was at least one variety of gingerbread too!
wow, what a huge cookie swap! i didn’t get one organized this year, but i think i’ll get one up an running next year within our northern veg society. how can you go wrong really with 2 dozen varieties of vegan cookies?!
i’d be eyeing the table for rugelach – it’s a favourite of mine but i rarely take the time to make them.
I’ve never made rugelach! It always looks yummy though.