Hosting a Christmas Cookie Exchange is something I look forward to every holiday season!

These free cookie exchange printables are perfect for using at your next Christmas Cookie Exchange event.

I’ve included invitations, signs, voting ballots, and even award ribbons. 

Scroll down to download and have a fun and festive time! 

I love the printable signs and display them throughout the event. I put some in frames, on doors, and on the serving table. 

Festive costumes are a must at our Christmas Cookie Exchanges! 

Baking cookies with my girls is one of my favorite holiday traditions. 

The voting ballots are simple and let you fill in the blanks.

There are four to a page to print and cut out. 

Prizes for the winning cookies have the printable award ribbons displayed on them.

You can also cut out and laminate. Then glue a pin on the back to attach. 

So many cookies, so little time!

A hot cocoa bar is another fun addition to a festive Christmas cookie exchange! 

My husband Ashton as the Grinch at the library cookie exchange. 

“Life is short… eat the Christmas cookies.”

You can never have too many cookies!

Download the printable cards and signs below!

1. Cookie Exchange Printable Pack PDF 

2. Christmas Cookie Exchange Sign

3. Cookie Exchange Game 1

4. Cookie Exchange Game 2

5. Christmas Calories Sign

6.  Bake Someone Happy Sign 

7. Taste Christmas Sign

8. Life is Short Sign

9. Cookie Voting Ballot 

10. Cookie Exchange Invitations

11. Award Ribbons

The post Christmas Cookie Exchange Free Printables – Ballots, Awards, and Signs appeared first on For the Love of Food.

These chewy sugar cookies have a delicious twist – I added some of my favorite fall flavors including molasses, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon.

These easy to make rolled cookies were a hit at my latest book club and holiday party! 

This recipe is part of The Sweetest Season, an annual virtual cookie swap co-hosted by Erin of The Speckled Palate and Susannah of Feast + West. Every year, food bloggers get together to share new holiday cookie recipes to make and give.

This year we are raising money for Cookies 4 Kids’ Cancer, which is a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to funding research for new, innovative and less-toxic treatments for childhood cancer.

Since 2008, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer has granted nearly $18 million to pediatric cancer research in the form of 100+ research grants to leading pediatric cancer centers across the country. From these grants have stemmed 35+ treatments available to kids battling cancer today.

Help us raise money for this important cause! Donate through our fundraising page.

Another exciting thing is that Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is in a matching window with their friends at OXO, meaning OXO will be matching every dollar raised through the end of 2025, up to $100,000. Whatever money we raise will automatically double on our fundraising page!

Print

Molasses Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

• ¾ cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• ¼ cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 2 cups flour
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp salt

Instructions

• Melt butter over low heat.
• Cool, add sugar, molasses, and egg.
• Beat well.
• Sift together flour, soda, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, and salt, add to first mixture.
• Mix well and chill.
• Form the dough into 1-inch balls and roll them in sugar.
• Place on a greased cookie sheet 2 inches apart and bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.
• Cool on a wire rack.

Notes

Recipe by Lucy Burdette from "An Appetite for Murder".

Melt butter over low heat then cool and add sugar, molasses, and egg.

Mix well.

Sift together flour, soda, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, and salt, add to first mixture.

Mix well and chill.

Form the dough into 1-inch balls

…and roll them in sugar.

Place on a greased cookie sheet 2 inches apart and bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.

About Cookies for Kids’ Cancer:

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to funding research for new, innovative and less-toxic treatments for childhood cancer. Since 2008, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer has granted nearly $18 million to pediatric cancer research in the form of 100+ research grants to leading pediatric cancer centers across the country. From these grants have stemmed 35+ treatments available to kids battling cancer today.

Fast Facts:

Cancer is the #1 cause of death by disease of children in the U.S.
More than 40,000 U.S. children are actively battling cancer right now.
The average age of a child diagnosed with pediatric cancer is 6.
The combined 12 major groups of pediatric cancers receive 4% of the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) federal budget.
2/3 pediatric cancer patients will develop long-term side effects, many life-threatening—a result of the treatments that “cured” them.
Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is committed to funding research for new, improved and less toxic treatment options for kids.
There are 300,000+ new cases of cancer affecting children worldwide annually. That’s more than 800 new kids affected every day.

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is in a matching window with their friends at OXO, who will be matching every dollar raised through the end of 2025, up to $100,000.

Whatever money we raise will automatically double on our fundraising page!

Help us raise money for this important cause! Donate through our fundraising page.

The post Molasses Sugar Cookies appeared first on For the Love of Food.

This festive holiday display is a fun way to serve donuts for a family brunch or Christmas gathering.

The donut wreath can be assembled easily and is always a hit with kids!

Print

Christmas Donut Wreath

Ingredients

• 2 14 oz packages about 4 dozen assorted donut holes
• 1 14 oz package about 20 mini powdered donuts
• foam craft wreath
• plastic wrap
• toothpicks

Instructions

• Add plastic wrap to a foam wreath completely covering.
• Set the wreath on a platter.
• Begin to add the donut holes all over the top and sides by inserting toothpicks at an angle halfway and gently pushing a donut hole through the center of the toothpick.
• Continue to add donut holes and fill in with the mini powdered donuts too on the top.
• Add donuts until completely covered.
• Wrap with plastic wrap until ready to serve.
• Optional: you can add a bow or ribbon to the center front of the wreath.

Add plastic wrap to a foam wreath completely covering then add to a platter.

I used one package of mini powdered donuts and two packages assorted glazed donut holes.

Begin to add the donut holes all over the top and sides by inserting toothpicks at an angle halfway. 

Then gently push the donut holes through the center of each toothpick.

Continue to add donut holes and fill in with the mini powdered donuts too on the top. 

Add donuts until completely covered. 

Optional: you can add a bow or ribbon to the center front of the wreath.

Serve right away or cover with plastic wrap to keep from going stale.

I recommend you serve the day or the day after you assemble. 

The post Christmas Donut Wreath appeared first on For the Love of Food.

This delicious Christmas recipe is viral online for a reason!

Only three ingredients are required for this sweet and tart holiday treat. I bet you can’t eat just one.

Print

Viral Candied Cranberries

Ingredients

• 1 bag of fresh cranberries
• 12 oz can of Cranberry Ginger Ale soda
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• optional 1 cup orange juice

Instructions

• Add cleaned cranberries to a large bowl and pour cranberry ginger ale on top. You can also add OJ too.
• Soak overnight up to 24 hours.
• Strain all the liquid.
• Coat the cranberries in powdered sugar, tossing gently to coat.
• Spread out on a lined baking sheet.
• Bake at 200 degrees for 5 minutes to "dry out".
• Remove and chill in fridge until ready to eat.

Enjoy this sweet and tart treat with a crunch! They are addicting! 

This recipe makes a bowl full. The perfect amount to share.

They last about a week covered in the fridge- but i doubt they will last that long!

The post Viral Candied Cranberries appeared first on For the Love of Food.

In our home Disney and Christmas go hand in hand, so we usually have lots of DIY Disney crafts up along with our holiday decor. 

So today I am sharing my favorite easy Disney DIY Christmas crafts that your whole family can make at home this holiday season!

DIY Disney Mickey and Minnie Ornaments by For the Love of Food

One of the most incredible things about Disney DIY is that its mascot has one of the most recognizable silhouettes ever. Make some minimalist Mickey ornaments that fans of any age will spot immediately.

Frozen Inspired Snowflake Ornaments by Fireflies & Mud Pies

Some of the best Disney Christmas crafts are the simple ones. These Frozen ornaments are simple but couldn’t be mistaken for anything else.

Christmas Mickey Mouse Shaker Keychain by Artsy Fartsy Mama

This Mickey Mouse craft is a resin project, so it will involve a bit of work. But the results are so cute that they can’t be argued with.

Disney Christmas Elf Mickey Head Craft by Mama Likes This

An excellent printable craft is always welcome. These Mickey elves are fun and straightforward, making them a great Disney Christmas craft for all ages.

Mickey Mouse Santa Paper Plate Craft by The Benson Street

With all those Mickey elves hanging around, you will need a Mickey Santa to go with them. Turn a paper plate into a perfect Mickey Santa quickly and easily with this Christmas craft.

DIY Mickey & Minnie Christmas Ornaments by Cutefetti

Here are some more super cute Mickey ornaments to match everything. Once these are all done, you could make an entire Mickey Christmas tree.

DIY Mickey and Minnie Mouse Disney Christmas Tree by For the Love of Food

This year I created a Mickey and Minnie Mouse themed tree in my home. Check out all the fun DIY details on the blog!

Disney Elsa Christmas Ornament Craft by Craft Play Learn

Fans of Frozen who don’t have much time will love this next craft. The printable template takes all the guesswork out, so there’s no risk of mistakes.

Minnie Mouse Wreath Decoration by The Inspiration Edit

While working with printables, there’s this adorable Mickey Wreath decoration printable. Even little ones will be able to finish this craft without trouble.

Mickey Mouse Printable Snowflake Paper Crafts by In the Playroom

Here’s a little spin on the printables. This one gives a template for several paper snowflakes with a Mickey accent. Make a whole snowstorm’s worth, and decorate the house with them.

Paper Mickey Mouse Ornaments by Red Ted Art

These fun little Mickey and Minnie ornaments put a twist on the ordinary paper ornament. They take things into 3D for a paper ornament like no other. 

DIY Mickey Christmas Wreath | Dollar Tree Craft by For the Love of Food

This Mickey themed wreath was surprisingly easy to make and turned out so cute. It makes a great gift!

The post DIY Disney Christmas Crafts appeared first on For the Love of Food.

This fun “You’ve Been Mugged” printable gifting game is a Christmas take on the popular “You’ve Been Booed” game.

Simply add a tag and info sheet to a coffee mug and fill it with treats then leave it as a surprise for your neighbors, coworkers, teachers, or friends.

Then they can keep spreading the Christmas cheer and “mug” someone else!

I’ve included free printable tags, door hangers, and signs along with an instruction sheet and even treat and gift ideas below!

This is a great way to gift just about anyone from coworkers to friends and even your kids’ teachers!

Simply print out the “You’ve Been Mugged” signs to include with your gift.

I adjusted mine to print 4 to a page and attached them as tags to the mugs.

There is also an instruction sheet to explain all the details.

Print then fold and add inside the mug.

I also included door hangers and funny gift tags too!

You can just gift the mug or add some treats like hot cocoa packets, tea bags, coffee pods, and candy.

So cute and so fun! 

Click here to download and print the You’ve Got Mugged ideas and tags!

1. You’ve Been Mugged Sign

2. Door Tags

3. Instructions 

4. Treat and Gift Ideas 

5. Funny Tags

The post You’ve Been Mugged Christmas Gift Idea and Printable Tags appeared first on For the Love of Food.

This Southern breakfast favorite is perfect for holiday celebrations and potlucks. Made in the Crock-Pot and cooked overnight, these creamy, buttery grits feed a crowd with just a few ingredients. 

Print

Overnight Creamy Crock-Pot Grits

Makes 10-12 servings

Ingredients

• Ingredients:
• 2 cups stoneground old-fashioned grits not instant
• 7 cups water
• 1 tbsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter cubed
• ½ cup heavy cream

Instructions

• Directions:
• Add grits, water, and salt to a large slowcooker.
• Stir well then add the lid.
• Cook for 7 hours on low. Stir once or twice if possible so it doesn't stick to the sides.
• After 7 hours, remove the lid and add the heavy cream and butter. Stir until completely melted and creamy.
• Ladle into bowls and serve warm.

It is important to use “old fashioned” or stone ground grits for this recipe.

Do not use quick grits which is finer ground and cook much faster. 

All you need to start these grits in the slowcooker are 2 cups of stone ground grits, salt, and water.

Do not use milk- we will add cream later.

Add grits, water, and salt to a large slowcooker.

Stir well then add the lid.

Cook for 7 hours on low. Stir once or twice if possible so it doesn’t stick to the sides.

After 7 hours, remove the lid and add the heavy cream and stir.

Now slice up a stick of unsalted butter. 

Add the butter to the creamy cooked grits. 

Stir until completely melted.

Now you have a big crock full of the creamiest buttery grits you have ever had!

 Ladle into bowls and serve warm.

Makes plenty of servings, around 10-12 bowls. 

The post Overnight Creamy Crock-Pot Grits appeared first on For the Love of Food.

Brie is one of my favorite versatile soft cheeses because there are so many ways, both sweet and savory, to serve it!

This roundup features over 50 delicious recipes for brie appetizers to make and enjoy!

1. Baked Brie With Red Pepper Jelly – Coastal Wandering 

2. Whipped Brie with Rosemary Maple Bacon – How Sweet Eats

3. Pan Fried Brie with Blueberries – Salty Side Dish

4. Easy, Savory Baked Brie with Pesto – Foxes Love Lemons

5. 4 Ingredient Garlic Baked Brie – Girl and the Kitchen

6. Baked Brie Cheese with Orange Fig Spread and Toasted Pistachios – For the Love of Food

7. Caramelized Onion, Apple and Brie Tart – How Sweet Eats

8. Bacon Jam Apple And Brie Crostini – With A Blast

9. Baked Mango Chutney Brie Bites – Masala and Chai

10. Best Air Fryer Baked Brie – The Typical Mom

11. Basil, Bacon & Peach Baked Brie – Your Home Based Mom

12. Razzle Dazzle Baked Brie with Cashews and Raspberry Jam – For the Love of Food

13. Smoked Prosciutto Wrapped Brie – Learning to Smoke

14. Sausage and Brie Puff Pastry – Glitter Inc

15. Blackberry Walnut Baked Brie – Cooking with Curls

16. Pumpkin Spice Baked Brie with Almonds – For the Love of Food

17. Maple Whiskey Baked Brie with Walnuts – Vikalinka

18. Grilled Caprese Brie – Tasteful Venture

19. Cranberry Brie Bites – A Family Feast

20. Crispy Brie and Fig Spring Rolls – Asian Inspired Eats

21. Air Fryer Blueberry Brie Pastry and Dip Appetizer – Xoxo Bella

22. Brie Bruschetta Crostini – Muy Bueno Blog

23. Raspberry Pistachio Baked Brie – For the Love of Food

24. Caramelized Pecan Brie – Grace and Good Eats

25. Herb Garlic Baked Brie – Little Spice Jar

26. Baked Brie with Jam – Dizzy Busy and Hungry

27. Blackberry Brie Bites – Inside BruCrew Life

28. Fig and Brie Bruschetta – The Short Order Cook

29. Cranberry Pecan Brie Baked in a Bread Bowl – For the Love of Food

30. Brie And Pear Salad – With A Blast

31. Baked Brie In A Skillet – Will Cook for Smiles

32. Baked Brie in a Sourdough Bread Bowl – Foodness Gracious

33. Baked Brie with Apples and Pecans – Couple in the Kitchen

34. Candied Bacon Baked Brie – Blackberry Babe

35. Blueberry Brie Phyllo Bites – The Foodie Physician

36. Strawberry Jalapeno Brie – Noshing with the Nolands

37. Christmas Ornament Brie Cheeseball – For the Love of Food

38. Baked Brie with Pistachios – Canadian Cooking Adventures

39. Cherry Salsa Baked Brie – Everyday Southwest

40. Pumpkin & Brie Crostini with Candied Nuts – Foxes Love Lemons

41. Baked Honey Brie – Salty Side Dish

42. Baked Brie with Sun-Dried Tomatoes – Easy Kitchen for All

43. Cranberry Brie Tart with Pancetta & Thyme – Bakerita

44. The Melting Pot’s Bacon and Brie Fondue – For the Love of Food

45. Olive Baked Brie – Homemade in the Kitchen

46. Brie With Caramelized Onions, Prosciutto, And Fig Jam – What A Girl Eats

47. Cranberry Brie Focaccia Bread – How Sweet Eats

48. Maple Pecan Baked Brie – Fake Ginger

49. Brie Stuffed with Piloncillo-Caramelized Apples – Muy Bueno Blog

50. Easy Baked Brie with Nuts and Honey – Gypsy Plate

51. Brie Quesadillas – Good in the Simple

52. Cranberry Brie Pull Apart Bread – Yum in the Kitchen

53. Sliced Brie and Berries Appetizer – For the Love of Food

54. Easy Baked Brie with Phyllo Dough – The Typical Mom

55. Pineapple Cranberry Brie Crescent Ring – Xoxo Bella

56. Whipped Brie – Babaganosh

The post 50+ Delicious Brie Appetizers To Try! appeared first on For the Love of Food.

This sweet and festive ornament shaped cheeseball is ideal for serving as a Christmas themed appetizer!

Print

Christmas Ornament Brie Cheeseball

Ingredients

• 6-8 oz spreadable brie cheese
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries divided
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans divided
• 1 tbsp honey
• Rollo gold wrapped candy optional
• crackers for serving

Instructions

• In a bowl mix together the soft brie, 1/4 cup cranberries, 1/4 cup pecans, and honey.
• Once combined scoop onto a large piece of cling wrap.
• Form into a large ball and secure top.
• Place in the fridge for a couple hours up to overnight.
• Once it is set, remove from fridge and unwrap.
• Add the remaining cranberries and pecans to a plate and roll the brie ball in them to coat.
• Place on a decorative plate.
• Top with a gold wrapped Rollo candy as the top of the "ornament".
• Serve with crackers and a knife for spreading and enjoy.

This Christmas themed cheeseball is so easy to make with just four ingredients! 

I used this spreadable brie cheese. 2 3-4oz packages of it was enough for one cheeseball.

Add 1/4 cup cranberries and 1/4 cup pecans to a bowl.

Add honey.

Then add both containers of soft brie. Mix well to combine.

Scoop onto a large piece of cling wrap.

Form into a large ball and secure top.
Place in the fridge for a couple hours up to overnight.

Once it is set, remove from fridge and unwrap.
Add the remaining cranberries and pecans to a plate.

Roll the brie ball in them to coat.
Place on a decorative plate.

Top with a gold wrapped Rollo candy as the top of the “ornament”.

Place on a decorative plate and serve with crackers and a knife for spreading.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from my family to yours!

The post Christmas Ornament Brie Cheeseball appeared first on For the Love of Food.

It’s Christmas season and of course we are watching our favorite Christmas movies every night! Home Alone is tonight’s choice, so I created a dinner inspired by Kevin McCallister’s Christmas Eve meal, macaroni and cheese, in the movie. This Stouffer’s Copycat Mac and Cheese turned out just as creamy and delicious as the frozen microwavable original- maybe even better! Make this comfort food dish tonight and have a Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal!

Print

Home Alone Stouffer's Copycat Macaroni and Cheese

Makes a large 9x13 pan full or approx 6 dinner servings

Ingredients

• 16 oz box Elbow Macaroni Pasta uncooked
• 1/4 cup 1/2 stick butter, unsalted
• 2 cups Cheddar cheese shredded
• 1 cup Gruyere cheese shredded
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 10 oz can condensed cheddar cheese soup
• 2 tsp yellow mustard
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 Cups of Milk

Instructions

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow pasta and cook for 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Add butter to a large skillet and melt over medium heat.
• Stir in soup, mustard, and all seasonings.
• Whisk in shredded cheese, a handful at a time, until smooth.
• Next, stir in sour cream.
• Finally, stir in milk slowly. Whisk until smooth.
• Remove from heat and stir in pasta, coating completely.
• Scoop into large bowls, put on the "Home Alone" movie, and sit down and enjoy.

I picked up a microwave Stouffer’s meal similar to what Kevin ate in the movie so I could compare my recipe.

Start by gathering your ingredients. I think the cheese soup, cheddar, sour cream, and mustard (or mustard powder) are a must for this copycat recipe but the addition of gruyere had me on the fence. 

It definitely made it creamier and richer but slightly different. So I’ll leave that as an optional ingredient if you want to change it up!

Add butter to a large skillet and melt over medium heat.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow pasta and cook for 8 minutes. Drain and set aside. 

Stir in soup, mustard, and all seasonings. 

Whisk in shredded cheese, a handful at a time, until smooth.

You can either use all cheddar cheese or substitute 1 cup of shredded gruyere cheese for a richer, nuttier flavor!

Next, stir in sour cream.

Finally, stir in milk slowly. Whisk until smooth. 

Remove from heat and stir in pasta, coating completely. 

We made a container of Stouffers mac too so we can compare.

They were close except the microwave version wasn’t as creamy and the gruyere in my first batch had a richer flavor.

But so, so good!

Creamy, cheesy, and delicious!

Scoop into large bowls, put on the Home Alone movie, and sit down and enjoy.

Also check out this Home Alone Interactive Movie Printable for a fun movie night game!

The post Home Alone Stouffer’s Copycat Macaroni and Cheese appeared first on For the Love of Food.