Community Unites to Attempt World Record for Largest Cookie Exchange

The Wedding Cookie Table Community made a spirited attempt to set a record for the World’s Largest Christmas Cookie Exchange on December 3, 2023, at the Washington County Fairgrounds. In a festive display of community spirit, 33 teams gathered in person while another 35 teams participated remotely from various locations, including sites across the United States and even New Zealand.

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 remarked during the event. The cookie exchange not only aimed for a world record but also served as a fundraiser for the Monongahela Area Historical Society.

While the official cookie count conducted by certified judges will be released on December 4, Magone estimated that the teams collectively baked around 80,000 cookies. The atmosphere inside Kringle’s Kitchen at the fairgrounds was filled with holiday cheer, as teams showcased their creations and decorated tables in festive themes.

Among the participating teams were “Yule Love Our Cookies,” the Steelers-themed “Flour Power,” and the Hawaiian-themed “Jingle Leidis,” which featured a unique Christmas tree made of pineapples adorned with sunglasses and grass skirts. Each team brought a creative touch to the event, with many bakers meeting for the first time after connecting through social media.

Stacey Adger, team captain of “Baking Up A Blizzard” from Youngstown, Ohio, shared her enthusiasm for the event. “We’re so excited that we’re here today. We all share a love of baking, a love of carrying on family traditions,” said Adger, who contributed Russian tea cakes and cranberry pistachio shortcake cookies. Her teammate, Brad Gessner, noted his extensive baking experience, having once prepared 400 dozen cookies for his daughter’s wedding.

The festive spirit continued with Catherine Gruda, captain of “The 12 Days of Blingmas,” who described the exchange as a delightful way to kick off the Christmas season. Gruda’s husband, John, dressed as a toy soldier, even composed a “blingy” version of the classic carol to celebrate the occasion. “This is the perfect beginning to the holiday season. We had so much fun getting things together,” Gruda stated.

Founded a decade ago, the Wedding Cookie Table Community has since grown to encompass more than 381,000 members worldwide. The group previously set a Guinness World Record for the largest wedding cookie table in 2019, baking a total of 88,425 cookies for Monongahela’s 250th birthday. Over the years, the group has supported various charitable causes, including cookie donations for first responders and victims of community tragedies.

The cookie exchange highlighted the tradition of holiday baking, with participants bringing a wide array of cookies, including pizzelles, lady locks, and baklava. Team “Flour Power” even made five varieties of vegan and gluten-free cookies, showcasing inclusivity in their baking efforts. Team captain Kelly Elliott Dine expressed appreciation for the camaraderie fostered during the event. “It has been a real collaboration and a total team effort,” she remarked.

Visitors to the event enjoyed sampling cookies, participating in a vendor fair, and could even pre-order a cookbook featuring recipes from the exchange. The cookie exchange followed a traditional format, with team members exchanging a dozen of their cookies for a dozen from fellow bakers, ensuring that everyone left with a delightful assortment.

Although the atmosphere was friendly, participants had the opportunity to vote for their favorite cookie table, with the winner to be announced shortly. For Magone, this event represented a unique blend of community engagement and the love of baking. “I am so happy that all of these folks came to Washington County, many for the first time, and get to see how beautiful our county is,” she reflected. “We accomplished a lot today.”