2024 Cookie Exchange Winners

These treats took top honors at the 2024 Cookie Exchange in Cleveland

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Texas Sheet Cake Cookies

Prep: 20 min.

Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling

Makes: 18 servings

2 large eggs, room temperature

1 pkg. (15½ oz.) chocolate cake mix

⅓ cup canola oil

FROSTING

½ cup butter

2 Tbsp. baking cocoa

3 Tbsp. whole milk

2½ cups confectioners' sugar

Sea salt, optional

1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, whisk eggs. Add cake mix and oil until combined.

2. Drop or scoop by tablespoonfuls into parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until edges are set, 7-8 minutes. Let stand on cookie sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling racks.

3. Meanwhile, for the frosting, in a small saucepan, combine butter, cocoa and milk. Cook over medium heat until butter has melted, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, add confectioners' sugar; whisk until smooth.

4. Spoon the frosting over cookies; sprinkle with sea salt if desired.

Decorated Sugar Cookie Cutouts

Prep: 35 min. + chilling

Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling

Makes: about 4 dozen

(2½ in. cookie cutter)

1 cup butter, softened

1¼ cups sugar

2 large eggs, room temperature

2 tsp. almond extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1½ tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. salt

ROYAL ICING

2 egg whites, room temperature

2 lbs. confectioners' sugar

2 tsp. almond extract

1 tsp. water

Food coloring, optional