an easy-to-follow roadmap for the best cookie exchange party ever!

 

            Celebrating a decade of baking cookies for their annual Christmas Cookie Exchange, 12 local girlfriends have published “Sweet Traditions – Cookie Exchange Recipes, Menus and Ideas.”  This attractive 146-page hard cover cookbook is filled with 10 years of mouth-watering cookie recipes, complete menu selections, clever ideas for cookie packaging and suggestions for hosting a cookie exchange. This easy how-to cookbook, with over 200 recipes, explains how to host the best cookie exchange party ever!

            To commemorate this one-of-a-kind publication, a book signing will be held on Thursday, September 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Polish Art Center, 9539 Jos. Campau in Hamtramck, Michigan 48212. This will be the first opportunity to purchase or order this keepsake cookbook at the very reasonable price of only $12.

On display at the book signing will be several cookie packaging ideas. Refreshments will include cookies baked by the ladies from recipes in the just-released cookbook.

            All 12 ladies, who also refer to themselves as “The Cookie Connection,” will be on hand to sign this keepsake book. “As you will see when you travel through this cookbook, we have provided a treasury of culinary delights. We know you will enjoy the recipes and all of the cookie exchange hints,” said Leslie Cahill, one of the 12 bakers, who has published nine cookie pamphlets for the group since its beginning 10 years ago.

            She explained that the women are longtime friends brought together in the 1980s by their Polish heritage, their connection to the city of Hamtramck (once the largest enclave of Polish residents west of Warsaw), and in many cases by their children who attended the same elementary school.

            “Our children have grown, some are married, some have children of their own, and some have moved on to pursue their careers. But not us,” said another baker Alice Kopecky. “We have stuck together like peanut butter on the roofs of our mouths.”

            Lorraine Owczarek adds, “We have taken our Cookie Exchange to new heights as our story in the book will explain. This cookbook celebrates our 10^th annual holiday extravaganza.”

            Mary Wood comments, “We sincerely hope our readers enjoy the recipes in this cookbook as much as we do. As the Polish would say, “Smacznego.”  (Translation: “Tasty”!)

            Here is a complete list of “The Cookie Gals”:

Leslie Cahill - Milford, MI. and Melbourne, Australia

Alice Kopecky - Hamtramck, MI.

Lorraine Owczarek – Chesterfield, MI.

Cathy Tomaszewski – Hamtramck, MI.

Fran Owczarek – Warren, MI.

Mary Wood – Sterling Heights, MI.

Mary Cwiertak – Warren, MI.

Fran Olkowski – Lexington, MI.

Sharon Slezak – Chesterfield, MI.

Gwen Mack – Sterling Heights, MI.