‘Tis the season to bake!  This is the time of year when sweet treats abound.  I absolutely love to bake, and while I do enjoy the occasional dessert, the true joy of baking is sharing those delicacies with friends and family.

Around this time last year, I participated in a very special cookie exchange in the “sweetest place on earth” with the sweetest kids.  For years, Hershey’s has been helping people host cookie exchange parties across the country.  This festive holiday tradition offers a way for friends and family to get together to share recipes and desserts amidst a season which is often hectic, busy, and rushed.

Traditional recipes shared during this season include blossoms (aka thumbprints), decorated sugar cookies, and chocolate chip cookies.  This year, La Cocina de Hershey’s offers a Spanish twist on this traditional cookie gathering.

Here are some tips on hosting your very own Horneando Juntas:

• Invite guests at least two weeks in advance, giving them time to RSVP
• Ask guests to provide the recipe they plan to make
• Encourage guests to bake with their immediate family and bring traditional cookies from back home
• Inform your guests of the total number of people attending and ask them to bring at least a half of a dozen cookies per guest, for the exchange.
• Encourage them to arrive with an empty, sealable container to take home other guests´ cookies, but make sure to have extra just in case.
• Consider hosting an horneando juntas on a Saturday morning and invite your guests to bring their children.
• Play festive music to start welcoming the holidays in spirit
• Be sure to offer a hot seasonal beverage, such as HERSHEY´S Cocoa or warm apple cider.
• Ask that your guests provide their recipes in advance so that you may create recipe books to provide to your guests in commemoration of your party.

Looking for some recipes to inspire your next cookie exchange? Just visit La Cocina de HERSHEY´S.

Win It!  One of you will win a kit of your own which includes the following:

• 1 bag of HERSHEY´SKISSES Chocolates
• 1 can of HERSHEY´S Cocoa
• 1 $10 Visa Gift Card for the purchase of additional recipe ingredients
• Apron
• Mixing Bowl

Simply leave me a comment with your favorite recipe from the site. Comments will close on January 5th 2012 at 11:59 PM PST.

US Residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

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No compensation was received for this post. Items for review and giveaway supplied by Hershey’s.