This year was the TENTH Champagne & Cookies Party! I can’t believe I’ve been hosting this celebration since 2010! In a special twist this year, I relinquished cookie selection to five of my friends who’ve been around since the very first C&C. I asked them to choose their favourite treat from parties past, I picked five more of mine, and we basically ended up with Champagne & Cookies All-Stars! More on their picks, plus mine, and a special announcement, below:

1. Whipped Shortbread + 2. Weedy’s Choice: Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies + 3. Maple Pecan Pie Squares

Weedy was the first one to respond to my email, and all she wrote was CRACK COOKIES! I knew exactly what she meant, and found the recipe for these Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies, which I haven’t made in a few years. Even though Weedy couldn’t make it to the party this year, I honoured her choice, and everyone loved it.

My first two choices were C&C classics. I love these melt-in-your-mouth Whipped Shortbread cookies from Baked Occasions, plus Maple Pecan Pie Squares that I’ve been making forever and everyone loves.

4. Pretzel M&M Cookies + 5. Nicole’s Choice: Chocolate Crinkles

I told my crew not to use up their selection on Pretzel M&M Cookies because I knew they’d be one of mine. This was the breakout hit of the very first C&C, and we’re all still obsessed. Sadly you can’t buy Pretzel M&Ms in Canada anymore, but thanks to various generous friends, I had many bags in my cupboard waiting for December baking.

Nicole’s choice was a surprise to me, because I thought for sure she was going for Soft-Frosted Sugar Cookies, and instead she emailed a one word reply: CRINKLES. I absolutely LOVE these, they’re so rich and fudgey, and also one of my faves.

6. Kristine’s Choice: Pretzel Linzer Cookies

I knew Kristine was going to pick these Pretzel Linzer Cookies, which I grumbled about a little bit, only because roll-out cookies are so time consuming. But after not making these for a couple years, I was reminded that they are absolutely delicious and worth all the effort! They have ground up pretzels in the shortbread style cookies, plus a homemade salted caramel filling, and they’re one of Deb’s finest creations.

7. Lydia’s Choice: Campfire Squares

Lydia’s choice was another one I easily predicted! Campfire Squares have always been her favourite, even though she says she doesn’t love marshmallow. They look kind of wonky because I forgot to spray the plastic wrap before pressing it on top, and I ended up having to saw it off.

8. Aoife’s Choice: Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Balls

I’ve always included a couple gluten-free treats for Aoife, and her choice was these awesome Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Balls. This is a super simple treat that gets mixed up in the food processor: just dates, nuts, peanut butter, vanilla and salt. Of course I like dipping them in a bit of dark chocolate because peanut butter and chocolate can’t be beat.

9. Hello Dollies

My one true love! Obviously they made the cut. These are the most homely looking treat, but they’re hands-down my favourite and it’s not Christmas without them.

10. Ruffles Squares

I’m still loving these sweet + salty squares, they’re my new favourite tradition!

Overall, I give myself an A+ for this year, but it’s kind of cheating because I’ve made each of these treats before and knew they’d be perfect. So, now for the big announcement. After 10 years of hosting this party, and well over 1,000 cookies, I decided that Champagne & Cookies is being retired. I’ve always wanted to host a Friendsgiving again, but American Thanksgiving is always so close to C&C that I never had the time/energy to do both. I also found a random list in an old notebook titled “Christmas Cocktail Party” with all kinds of cute ideas for holiday apps and drinks. It just made me realize that I have so many other party ideas that I want to have, and I don’t want to be tied to just cookies anymore! I think my friends took it well, because they know it’s being replaced with something else and not gone altogether.

It’s the end of an era! But on to bigger and better for 2020 and beyond!