This year was the biggest Champagne & Cookies yet! This was the first time ever where everybody who I invited could make it (except for one!) and I didn’t even realize how many people would be coming until I started unpacking the champagne flutes and realized I didn’t have enough. Oops! It was busy and packed, but the perfect way to see all my friends before the holidays. This year I had an even split between treats I’ve made before, plus new things I tested out. Here are my annual thoughts on each one:

1. Ginger Molasses Cookies + 2. Christmas Confetti Cookies + 3. Butter Pecan Cookies

Ginger Molasses and Christmas Confetti Cookies are staples of C&C and never let me down. However, my friend Jenny tried this Ginger Molasses recipe on my recommendation and they didn’t turn out for her. We tried to troubleshoot the problem a little bit with no luck, so I’m not sure what’s going on. I will say mine did turn out a little on the flat side this year, but they still tasted perfect.

In the slot normally reserved for Maple Pecan Squares, I tried a new recipe for Brown Butter Pecan Cookies and really liked them. The brown butter flavour really came through giving this cookie caramel-like undertones, and I loved that each one was topped with a butter pecan. It was a little nod to all the pralines I ate in New Orleans earlier this year.

3. Pretzel and M&M Cookies + 4. Chocolate Crinkles

In a shocking turn of events, I could not find Pretzel M&Ms anywhere when I went to Buffalo back in November. Everytime I saw a bright blue bag, it was Caramel M&Ms, and I got very nervous. There are *certain people* who have made threats in the past if these cookies aren’t on the table, so I had to get resourceful. Instead, I made Pretzel AND M&M cookies, using the same recipe, but an equal mixture of crushed up pretzel pieces and plain red and green M&Ms. I didn’t hear any complaints, so I think I safely got away with this one.

This was the third year of Chocolate Crinkles, and I learned this year that these can be made in advance and frozen, and the icing sugar will not be absorbed in the freezer. I might have to retire these next year though; I feel the itch to make something different that’s pure chocolate.

6. Next Level Hello Dollies

I’ve had this recipe bookmarked for 1,000 years, so it was finally time to try it! Traditional Hello Dollies are one of my personal #1 treats of all time, so I was curious to see how I would like this version. What’s happening here is a brown sugar shortbread crust (instead of graham cracker crust), and then the usual mixture of coconut, pecans and chocolate chips. But instead of just sweetened condensed milk drizzled overtop, there’s also salted caramel in the mix. To really take these to the next level, I also drizzled salted caramel overtop each square after I sliced them. I mean…..

These were INCREDIBLE! I think the pan size listed in the recipe is wrong though because they turned out so thick. Next year I’ll make them in a 9×13″.

7. Snickerdoodle Squares (aka Gooey Cinnamon Squares)

This is a recipe from the first Smitten Kitchen Cookbook that I’ve always wanted to try, and I was pleased with the way these turned out. I like to have a few squares on my list, because they’re just quicker and easier than baking tray after tray of cookies, so this was an excellent option. They’re almost cake-like on the bottom, with a gooey layer on top and a thick cinnamon-sugar topping. Not the cutest, but I’ll still take it.

8. Ruffles Squares

It will never NOT be fun to watch people try these for the first time!

9. Salted Peanut Butter Cookies (GF)

This was the only recipe I got frustrated with this year. Click the link above to see what these cookies are supposed to look like: cute little puffs of love! Instead mine were very sad and flat, womp womp. I didn’t have the time to try to make them again, and I’m pretty sure it’s because I chilled instead of froze the dough balls before baking. In any case, they still tasted amazing. I vow to try these again this year though and see if can make them work.

10. Chocolate Coconut Bites (GF)

I’ve made these cute little bites before, and they’re actually a stealthy healthy mixture of oats, coconut oil, cocoa, hemp hearts, and sunflower seeds BUT they taste surprisingly like these old school no-bake cookies you might have had as a kid. I’m not quite sure how this tradition began of always having a ball/bite as one of my GF selections, but now it’s not C&C without it!

Overall I give myself an A- this year. I definitely went easy on myself, and didn’t make anything challenging or time consuming (unlike my favourite from last year), so at times I wondered if everything on my list was too #basic (obviously no one lodged any complaints!). But overall, I was happy with everything, especially the Next Level Hello Dollies.

Next year is the freaking TENTH ANNIVERSARY of this party! I’ve already been referring to it as Champagne & Cookies All-Stars! I might relinquish control of the menu to my friends and get them to vote on their 10 favourite treats from past parties that they want me to make. I can’t wait!