Skip to main content

Everything you need for a smart cookie party

‘Tis the season for lots and lots of cookies. And I know because a few friends and I gather to make cookies to give away during the holidays every year. We call ourselves the Cookie Cutters, though we rarely use actual cookie cutters to make our delicious treats. Over the years, we’ve fine-tuned the list of ingredients we bring and the gear we use to make the cookies.

We’ve learned that smart kitchen appliances can help things run a bit smoother. Whether you’re attending a cookie exchange or making a batch with friends, our list of must-have products to throw a successful cookie party can surely help.

What to serve at a cookie party?

Instant Pot Duo Plus multi cooker on the counter.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Besides cookies, having a bunch of non-sweet appetizers on hand is always a good bet. In addition to the traditional cheese and charcuterie plate, you’ll want to make apps using appliances that you can set and forget. That’s where handy items like Instant Pots, crockpots, and air fryers can save you time, so you can focus on the main event: Baking those cookies. Not sure what to make? Check out our list of Instant Pot recipes.

Another small kitchen appliance that can do more than just make apps are smart cookers. The Ninja Foodi 13-in-1 dual heat oven is the Swiss Army knife in this category. You can use it to air fry apps, like chicken wings, serve homemade pizza bites, roast some veggies, and then when you’re done making the apps for the party, you have an extra oven to bake cookies.

Let’s not forget the beverages. You can heat up apple cider in a crockpot for guests to serve themselves. You can also set out a cocktail-making machine if you want to up your game. We like the Bartesian — not only does it feel fancy to say, but it also serves up a slew of high-end cocktails. Partygoers can pick the drink strength or make mocktails. The company recently introduced a line of holiday-inspired drinks perfect for the occasion. And the pods that hold the mixers are recyclable. Just set up the Bartesian on a bar cart and let your guests be the bartender.

Bartesian machine making a cocktail.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Equipment you need to bake the cookies

Of course, you’ll need lots of butter, flour, sugar, and eggs to produce a ton of cookies, but there are many kitchen tools (smart and not so smart, but true workhorses) that can make the experience a whole lot more fun.

Smart food scales

Baking is an exact science, so the first you’ll need is a food scale. This year, we will be using the Etekcity Smart Food Nutrition Scale because we can use the app to operate the scale. It can also do unit conversions, and it will track the nutrition of anything we’re measuring. To be honest, we probably won’t use that feature on cookie day. Who wants to know about all those calories? We’ll definitely use it after the holidays to get back in shape.

Mixers

You will absolutely need a mixer. It’s always useful to have an electric hand mixer along with a stand mixer — especially if you have a lot of bakers in the kitchen. You can’t go wrong with a KitchenAid model. While it doesn’t have an app to tell us when our egg whites are whipped to perfection it does do all the hard work for us.

Kitchen Aid stand mixer in the kitchen.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Smart thermometers

If we’ve learned one thing from the Great British Baking Show, it’s that any baker worth their salt will have a candy thermometer. The Maverick Bluetooth Candy & Oil Thermometer comes with pre-programmed temperature settings for candies, chocolates, and deep-fried recipes. The helpful iOS and Android iChef CT-10 app let you monitor the progress on your phone.

Smart displays

Let’s not forget about a smart display for the kitchen. You can go with an Echo Show or a Google Nest Hub; both will assist you with any baking questions you might have. Ask Alexa, “What’s the best shortbread cookie recipe?” Not only will it display a few options, but you can pick the one you like, and Alexa will tell you how long it takes to make, the average rating, and if you request it, will walk you through the instructions. Ask Google, “How many tablespoons are in a cup of butter?” Google will tell you. You can also ask Google to DJ your party by finding and playing the best holiday music.

There you have it: Everything you need to throw a cookie party and the smart products that will help you become a baking pro.

Joni Blecher
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Joni Blecher has been reviewing consumer tech products since before cell phones had color screens. She loves testing products…
9 things you need to know about in-ceiling smart speakers
Herdio Speakers in a kitchen.

Most of the smart speakers we discuss these days are made to sit on counters, tables, or shelves (and sometimes to be carried around). However, there is another option for those who own their own homes: Ceiling speakers that are installed directly into the ceiling to give you built-in sound exactly where you want it.

If that option sounds interesting, read on to learn about ceiling speakers, what they can do, and why they’re a go-to solution for some smart homes.
Ceiling speakers save on space
Built-in speakers may sound like extra work, but they do have their advantages. Not everyone has room for a smart speaker where they would prefer to listen to music or podcasts. Others may not want a smart speaker set up in the same area they cook or where their children play. In cases like these, in-ceiling speakers stay out of the way while still providing the tunes people want.
These in-ceiling speakers also help with home design
Smart ceiling speakers are also much more customizable than traditional smart speakers. You don’t have to have a level surface nearby to use them. That means they can go anywhere you want to direct sound above or nearby -- an ideal solution for certain dens, home theater setups, playrooms, game rooms, and more. They can also be more easily painted without sacrificing sound quality, so you can make sure that they match the surrounding surface and blend in with the decor.
Smart ceiling speakers use apps or Bluetooth

Read more
What you need to know about all Google Nest products
Nest speaker on table light on.

Google’s Nest line of products (an evolution from the previous Google Home brand after Google purchased Nest) incorporates a variety of smart devices, all designed to work under the Home app and integrate easily with each other. If you’re a fan of Google or frequently use Google Assistant, this is a great smart home ecosystem to invest in, and thanks to tech like Matter, Nest is due to become even more compatible with other platforms in the future.

So, where should you begin in the Nest world? With our guide to all the Nest products, of course! Here are all available Nest models, what they do, and what you should know about them.
Speakers

Read more
What is a smart speaker? Why you need one and which one to buy
Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen, 2020 release)on a table with a yoga matt and water bottle.

We’ve recommended smart speakers for a whole range of purposes in home automation: Now it’s time to take a step back and cover some of the big questions: What is a smart speaker and why is it such an important part of the modern smart home?

We’re tackling every question you may have about smart speakers and popular brands, starting with the basics. Here’s everything you need to know before buying!
What makes a smart speaker smart?

Read more