Community Aims for Record in World’s Largest Christmas Cookie Exchange

The Wedding Cookie Table Community made a spirited attempt to establish a record for the World’s Largest Christmas Cookie Exchange on December 3, 2023, at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Pennsylvania, along with participation from teams around the globe. A total of 33 teams donned festive attire to exchange cookies at the fairgrounds, while an additional 35 teams joined remotely from locations in the United States and New Zealand, where bakers began their efforts 17 hours ahead due to the time difference.

Organizer Laura Magone, a resident of Monongahela and founder of the Wedding Cookie Table Community, expressed her pride in the participants. “You all should be proud of yourselves. What you’ve done today is amazing,” she said. This event not only aimed for a world record but also served as a fundraiser for the Monongahela Area Historical Society. While the official cookie count, verified by certified judges, will be announced later, Magone estimated that the ten-member teams baked around 80,000 cookies.

Inside Kringle’s Kitchen at the fairgrounds, the atmosphere was filled with the spirit of the season. Teams not only baked cookies but also created holiday-themed displays. Among the participating teams were “Yule Love Our Cookies,” the Pittsburgh Steelers-themed “Flour Power,” and a Hawaiian-themed group called “Jingle Leidis,” which featured a Christmas tree made of pineapples adorned with sunglasses and grass skirts. Team Befana Bakers drew inspiration from Italian folklore, where a witch-like figure delivers presents to good children on the eve of the Epiphany.

Many participants, such as Stacey Adger from Youngstown, Ohio, formed connections through social media. Adger led her team, “Baking Up A Blizzard,” which included bakers she met after posting in a Facebook group. “We’re so excited that we’re here today. We all share a love of baking, a love of carrying on family traditions,” Adger remarked. Her team contributed Russian tea cakes and cranberry pistachio shortcake cookies.

The festive atmosphere was further enhanced by Catherine Gruda of Weirton, West Virginia, captain of “The 12 Days of Blingmas.” Gruda’s team was composed of friends and family who embraced the holiday spirit, with her husband, John Gruda, dressing as a toy soldier and composing a holiday-themed song for the event. “This is the perfect beginning to the holiday season. We had so much fun getting things together,” she noted.

Magone’s initiative began a decade ago, celebrating the Southwestern Pennsylvania tradition of wedding cookie tables. The community has grown to include over 381,000 members worldwide and previously set a Guinness World Record for the largest wedding cookie table in 2019, which featured 88,425 cookies for Monongahela’s 250th birthday.

The cookie exchange also had a charitable aspect, benefiting the Monongahela Historical Society. Gruda highlighted the community’s focus on kindness and support. “Laura has promoted an attitude of kindness and caring, and that sets the tone for the whole group,” she said.

Participants brought a diverse array of cookies, including pizzelles, lady locks, and peanut butter blossoms. The “Flour Power” team, inspired by the Pittsburgh Steelers, contributed an assortment of cookies, including five vegan and gluten-free options. Team captain Kelly Elliott Dine expressed joy in forming new friendships through the baking collaboration. “It has been a real collaboration and a total team effort,” she stated.

Visitors at the event enjoyed the festive cookie displays and had the chance to sample cookies, purchase baked goods, and explore a vendor fair featuring local businesses. A cookbook containing several recipes from the exchange was also available for pre-order.

The cookie exchange followed a traditional format where team members exchanged a dozen cookies with their teammates, ensuring that everyone left with a variety of baked goods. While the atmosphere was friendly, a competitive edge emerged as attendees voted for their favorite table, with the winner to be announced shortly.

Magone expressed her satisfaction with the event, noting the unique opportunity for bakers to unite and celebrate their shared love for holiday traditions. “It’s all about the love of baking and maintaining traditions,” she said. The successful gathering not only highlighted the talent of the participating bakers but also showcased the beauty of Washington County, drawing many visitors for what might have been their first experience in the area.