brockett cookie bake 2014

bring on the sprinkles, chocolate chips and the fudge.  it's time for the annual brockett cookie bake.  this year we also incorporated the early christmas get-together because this ever growing family is getting busier and busier during the holidays.

this is a tradition that bobby's family has done for many years.  the siblings would get together at one house, bake cookies and other sweet treats and then go home with a sampling of what everyone made to enjoy during the holiday season.

as the family grew, more and more people came and more and more recipes were shared. and now it's a full on party.  and a win-win for me. food, recipes, and tradition all rolled into one - pun intended.

this year everyone brought their a-game with new recipes as well as the tried and true.  you bake and eat a cookie.  have lunch then eat a cookie. open gifts then eat a cookie.  it's non-stop fun.

i always make the pretzel hugs.

pretzels with a hershey hug.  in the oven at 250 for a few minutes until the chocolate gets soft but not melted.  then straight out of the oven you add m&m's.

this year we tried the peppermint m&m's and they were better than ever. let them cool in the freezer or fridge so the chocolate sets. these are a fun treat to put in a jar and give as a gift.

i also tried 2 new recipes.  this one is a chocolate chocolate chip cookie with a rolo baked in the middle and sea salt on top.

they were decadent.  i also made these sugar cookie blossoms.

i love how festive they looked.  and they were pretty tasty too.

the littlest kids (and a lot of grown up kids too) do the cookie decorating.  that makes them a part of the festivities as well.  it's always fun to see what designs they will come up with.

and of course this family has a great sense of humor.

here's a sampling of what we brought home.  peppermint fudge, snickerdoodles, lemon bars, pretzel toffee (my favorite), peanut butter cookies.  after a few days in the one container everything starts tasting the same, but we enjoy it.

uncle ed and aunt elaine have hosted the cookie bake for the last few years.  they have the perfect kitchen for it, and the oven of my dreams.  but an added bonus is the cappuccino machine.

i don't know how i earned the honor but mine is usually the first one.  i feel so special.

and we share a cocktail or glass of wine. it is a holiday party after all.

this year we also exchanged gifts for the kids at the cookie bake.  every child in the family receives a gift from another family.  gift are sent from all over the country.  it is so fun to watch them rip open their presents.

and to watch the next generation of cousins share in this tradition.

we take lots of pictures too.

but mostly we are a family.  we catch up and share stories and updates.  we wish each other a merry christmas, share lots of hugs and kisses,  and we think about those that can't be with us.

thank you to everyone for continuing this tradition.  we look forward to it every year.  

wishing the brockett clan a very sweet christmas!