It’s the last weekend before Christmas, and the treats-for-neighbors (and friends, coworkers, family, and acquaintances) list just keeps growing. Before you know it, you have 43 cookie plates to put together, and two days to do it.

I’ve been there. In this post, I’ve put together some of my key survival strategies for such moments.

Make a list — and check it twice!

Okay, two siblings, four neighbors, two neighbors you don’t know, six coworkers, five ladies from church, your boss — and if you give cookies to your boss, you should probably make some for your spouse’s boss. And her coworkers. And what about those ten people from her crochet club? Or was it 14 people in her crochet club? …the holiday cookie plate list can get very long, very fast. It’s difficult to pare down — because cookies = love and Christmas spirit and joy and how do you tell someone “I don’t love you enough to give you cookies”?? What a Grinch, right?

Wrong.

Stop right there.

You do not owe anyone cookies. It’s a great way to serve, and I’m all about Christmas cheer — but being accurately aware of the scope of your project is arguably the first key to kitchen success. Decide how much time you have to give and use that as a guide. Decide what the priorities are, and keep the main thing the main thing.

On a practical note, it helps me to make a list — but break it up into sections: people that I really want/need to make cookies for, people that it would be nice to make cookies for, and people that I can perhaps show love to other ways. After a few drafts, my 43-extra-large-cookie-plates-in-two-days project (literally, about a thousand cookies!) drops to 20 plates, or even 10! Much, much better — especially in a time-crunch.

Also, consider spreading out your cookie deliveries. Perhaps some New Year treats are in order? In my experience, most people like to be gifted cookies most days out of the year — not just on Christmas Day.

How many of each cookie do I make?

For what I am calling a “large cookie plate,” plan on one and a half dozen treats: 6 varieties with 3 each per plate. Obviously, it is completely customizable, but that’s a great number to start with. For a family of four, that’s 4 cookies each (Mom gets the extra. Sorry, I don’t make the rules).

The small plates in this photo are for individuals, with one serving per variety, plus a candy cane and a clementine (love those!). The featured photo of this post shows larger plates. Cookie trays can be whatever size you want!

For 12 large cookie plates, I would need about 18 dozen treats. If each batch of cookies makes 3 dozen (pretty standard), then I only need to make one, 3-dozen–sized batch of cookies per variety. (To compare, our original 43-extra-large-plate idea would have needed 1032 cookies, or 29 3-dozen–sized batches total!)

Definitely check the recipe to see how many cookies it makes, and what size they are. Note: Store-bought cookie mixes, should you choose to use them, may require measuring the finished dough to get the listed amount of cookies. If in doubt and you are able to, get an extra one. Running to the store in the middle of a baking project is a hassle.

KISSmas cookie guidelines

Once you know who you are actually making plates for and how many goodies you’ll need, it’s time to decide on recipes. Remember to KISS: Keep It Simple, Santa. Some cookies in life are made for the process — delicate techniques, intricate decorations, highly specific storage requirements. But, remember, you have two days to make cookies for over a dozen families! Put the Jolly Ranchers DOWN and step away from the stained-glass-cookie recipe. Now is not the time — especially if you haven’t made them before.

A great rule of thumb is two drop cookies (where you just scoop them onto the cookie sheet), a bar cookie, a classic holiday favorite, a new favorite, and something that isn’t a cookie (rice crispy treats, fudge, a handful of chocolates or chocolate-covered pretzels, etc.).

When finalizing recipes, it can also be helpful to consider what the tray will look like and what flavors will be present. A variety in shape and flavor can bring visual interest to a tray, make it seem even more appetizing, and satisfy many holiday flavor favorites (This is especially helpful for families or people whose favorite cookie flavors you don’t know). Some winter flavor favorites I pull from include: 

• Chocolate
• Peppermint
• Mint 
• Apple
• Sugar/marshmallow
• Raspberry/Strawberry
• Butter
• Butterscotch
• Rum/Brandy
• Caramel/salted caramel
• Maraschino cherry
• Cinnamon
• Chai spice
• Cardamom
• Gingerbread
• Peanut
• Pumpkin/butternut squash
• “Nutty”/tree nut (Pecans, almond, walnuts, hazelnuts, etc)
• Pistachio
• Vanilla
• Cranberry
• Lemon, orange, grapefruit, and other citrus
• Rosemary, sage

Many people also include coffee/espresso, wine, champagne, whiskey, and other spirits/liqueurs. 

So many options can be a bit paralyzing. A couple of sample plate combinations are listed below as inspiration.

Cookie Plate Combo Suggestions

Cookie Plate Combo 1

• Chocolate chip cookies
• White chocolate cranberry cookies (the chocolate chip recipe, but use half white chocolate chips and half dried cranberries instead of chocolate chips)
• Snickerdoodle Bars
• Chocolate Crinkle cookies
• Behr Track Cookie Bars*
• Rice crispy treats with holiday sprinkles on top (add sprinkles while treats are warm so they stick)

Cookie Plate Combo 2

• Oatmeal cookies
• Peanut butter cookies*
• Brownies
• Gingerbread cookies
• Cranberry-Port Cookies (two batches)
• Chocolate-covered pretzels

Cookie Plate 3

• Double-chocolate cookies
• Sugar cookie with almond extract* (any favorite sugar cookie recipe, but adding almond extract instead of/with the vanilla)
• Brownies (Your favorite recipe is great, or go for a mix. I actually love the brownie mix from Lehi Bakery, but Duncan Hines, Ghiradelli, and Pillsbury all have good options for this kind of project.)
• Peanut-butter cookies with Kisses or chocolate chips (also called peanut blossom cookies)*
• Apple-Maple Blondies (2 pans)
• Peppermint fudge (basic chocolate fudge but use peppermint extract instead of vanilla)

*Check on peanut and tree-nut allergies, especially if you have never made cookies for them before. If in doubt, avoid peanuts and tree nuts (almonds, pecan, walnut, hazelnuts, etc.). This includes “pure” extracts in those flavors. 

Some Practical Parting Advice

Tip 1: Write it down

Check your recipes and write down everything it needs: time (also note any chilling time), what size pan you need, and any special ingredient instructions. This lets you easily see if you have the right pans and enough time. For example, if you need two batches of cookies that need a 13×9, make sure you have two 13×9 pans, or space them out so you can use the same pan twice!

Tip 2: Room temperature

Pay attention to ingredient temperatures: Set the butter out in time for it to come to room temperature (an hour or two in advance), or soften with a mallet (don’t melt it unless it says to. “Soft” does not equal “melted.”). Also check to see if the recipe calls for eggs or cream cheese at room temperature.

Tip 3: Take care to store them well

Store your cookies well. Soft cookies and crisp cookies stay separate (actually, store all cookie types separately). Air-tight containers, plastic wrap, and zip-top bags can be great options; be aware of frosting and delicate cookies. You went to a ton of work, don’t let it be wasted at the last step!

Remember, you are awesome. People love you. Don’t be afraid to cut down the project even further if you need to.

May your brown sugar be soft, your meringues crisp, and your holidays full of love (and cookies).

Good luck and God Jul!