19 Savory Cookie Recipes for Your Next co*cktail Party (2024)

FAQs

What do you need for a cookie party? ›

You want guests to take some cookies home, not eat them all during the party, so you'll want to offer other snacks for your loved ones to graze on. Set out some savory appetizers, curate a cheese board, offer finger sandwiches, put out a festive party mix, or create a veggie and dip station.

A mixed tin is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Line the bottom and sides of a square or rectangular airtight tin with corrugated paper. Fold short lengths in half for dividers. Envelop your cookies in tissue paper, buffer them with corrugated paper tubes, or protect them using accordion-folds of paper.

Everyone should bring enough cookies so that each guest gets to take home at least two of each kind. For 12 guests, there should be two dozen of each cookie. As each guest arrives, offer to take the cookies so you can arrange them nicely on your main table. Find tiered cookie trays to display everyone's cookies.

The general rule of thumb suggests calculating 2-3 cookies per person if other desserts are available. If cookies are the primary sweet treat, consider increasing the count to 4-6 per person.

Curious how long cookies last at room temperature? Most homemade cookies will maintain their taste and texture for up to 3 days. If you leave them out for too long, the cookies begin to harden or dry out. To prevent cookies from becoming stale, cover them with plastic wrap or keep in an airtight container.

2 Days Before Cookie Day: Bake all of the cookies and make sure you have a place/enough airtight containers to store them. All cookies are fine covered at room temperature. See individual cookie recipes if you want to make them further in advance to freeze.

Aim to make them about two weeks in advance if you keep them at room temperature. Making them one week or a few days in advance is even better if you are going for the freshest possible cookies. Remember that you can always make a new batch if you accidentally keep your cookies out for too long and they become stale.

Cutting boards can work great, especially if you want to mix shapes and sizes. I also love using cake stands or other round serving trays. Cake stand can add height to your table and help your dessert really stand out.

Always include the classics

According to Bakeable member Peggy Daczewitz-Hamlin, every cookie platter needs to include the holiday cookies that everyone is craving. For Peggy, someone who's been baking cookie platters for 40 years, that's sugar cookies, almond crescents and chocolate-dipped butter cookies.

The foundation of any cookie recipe consists of five types of ingredients: fat, sugar, flour, a rising agent, and a binding agent. Fat is added for flavor and controls how chewy or crunchy the cookie is.

How many cookies do I need for a party of 30? ›

For most people, three to four Mini Cupcakes make a serving. If you opt to serve cookies (which Emily notes are a great option for any event--including weddings--for both "budget and funsies"), a standard serving looks like two per person.