Stop. Collaborate, and Bake! How to Host a Group Baking Soiree

Now, here’s a recipe for fun! Take a handful of good friends and one cozy kitchen, combine with a few delightfully sweet recipes, the intoxicating smells of baked treats, and quality time spent together. The result of this group baking party will be a memorable day with piles of goodies to share with everyone.

Different from a traditional cookie party, where your guests bake and bring their finished product, then swap for others’ baked goods, a group baking party is one where everyone works together to produce a variety of tasty treats. As the host, you’ll provide the recipes and the workspace, and your party attendees will be your baking team.
Believe it or not, this get-together can be done without too much frenzy. With a smart kitchen strategy, a lot can be accomplished in a short amount of time.

The Strategy

To keep the fun level high and the stress level low, choose basic recipes with just a few steps involved. The idea is to provide your guests with a lighthearted opportunity for getting their hands “flour-y” and to participate in the baking process. By providing recipes with simple steps, even non-bakers will find it easy and enjoyable to join in.
Depending on the size of your kitchen and the amount of people you’d like to invite, I recommend choosing three to five recipes, each one using a different baking, or no-bake, technique. For instance, choose a recipe that uses your microwave, another that uses the oven, one for the stovetop, and one that needs only counter space.
Because it can get busy with bodies in the kitchen -- which is part of the fun! -- you’ll want to set up stations. One, two, or three guests can help out at each one. Set up your stations with mixing bowls and utensils and the necessary ingredients for each recipe. Print out and place each recipe at its corresponding station; be sure to print extra copies for your guests to take home with their plate of sweet treats. Have paper plates or special treat boxes ready to pile on the goodies to send home with your guests.

Recipe Selection

For my group baking party, these are the recipes I picked:

• Sugar Cookies with Vanilla Frosting
• No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls
• S’mores Chocolate Bark
• Classic Caramel Corn

There are so many delicious recipes to choose from for no-bake treats. Many of them, like the recipe I chose, use a combo of honey, oats, and peanut or almond butter. Because they’re “no-bake,” all you’ll need to assemble these is a mixing bowl, your ingredients, and some counter space. Chocolate bark is another recipe that is so simple to make but has a big “wow factor” -- with really creative and customizable options.
I admit, I’m addicted to caramel corn. Buttery, crunchy, sweet, golden baked popcorn -- it’s just too dangerous to leave this pan of deliciousness alone with me. My favorite recipe uses microwave popcorn, which simplifies the process a little bit. (Tip: Didn’t finish your movie theater popcorn? Use the leftovers in this recipe!)


If you’re making a recipe that has two or more parts, I recommend completing one part of the recipe ahead of time. I did sugar cookies with frosting, but I kept it really simple by buying refrigerated dough and baking them the night before. Then, my guests could whip up the frosting recipe I provided and frost the already-baked cookies.
Hint: A cookie-frosting station is one of the least intimidating for your “non-baker” friends. Making the frosting takes just a couple of minutes; after a quick chill in the fridge, it’s ready to go. To make it even easier, mix up the frosting ahead of time, too. Truly, even the greenest of bakers will feel like they can participate here.

Party Day!

There will be a lot of sugar flying around this kitchen, so you might consider putting out some light and savory snacks for your guests, such as a veggie plate with dip, mixed nuts, or crackers and cheese. Break out some pretty teacups and serve your guests your favorite tea. Or, try a tea cocktail, like one of these Arnold Palmers with a twist.
As everyone arrives, provide a quick introduction on how the group baking party will work. Have guests choose which recipe they’d like to make and show them to their stations. Be sure they have their ingredients, measuring cups, and mixing bowls as needed.
During the party, when you have a free moment, be sure to take some pictures that you can share with everyone later. Consider making this an annual event to gather your friends for a fun, creative, and delicious way to spend time together!