Write about someone hosting a cookie exchange as a cover to hide the true reason for inviting one of their guests.

Posted in Dark on Nov 1, 2022

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✍️ 141 stories

“Bitter Flavours” by Ellie Francis

Submitted to Contest #71

Vanessa carefully placed her cookies inside the cellophane bag, then printed the ingredients clearly on the label. Chocolate and chili. Not a flavour she would choose for herself, but that was what her recipient in the Christmas cookie exchange, Tom, had requested. The strong taste would hopefully hide any deficiencies in her baking.Vanessa wrote Tom’s name on the other side of the label, and threaded it onto a length of shiny red ribbon. She tied the ribbon around the neck of the bag, sealing it securely, and then placed it in the larg...

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“Lizzie” by Hope Mwaura

Submitted to Contest #71

He has to be here somewhere, Elizabeth thought to herself. She was sure she had sent him the invite. “Hey,” her husband, Jack, interrupted her thoughts. “Don’t worry. I’m sure he’ll be here. As for now, enjoy the event.” He kissed her cheek and continued saying hello to the guests who had just arrived. He was right. She had to stop worrying when she had guests to entertain. She walked over to the bright red and green decorated table and took in the familiar scents of cinnamon and peppermint. The cookies looked great. The décor of red and gre...

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“Tribute” by Lily Harbingerr

Submitted to Contest #71

The shop bell rang and there she was, Gretta Emilia Kroll, the most beautiful human I had ever met. Watching her lick crumbs from her lips after the first bite of a double chocolate chip cookie had been the highlight of my day back when we were in high school together.In the 10th grade I started working the front counter of my family’s bakery-slash-coffee-slash-holistic remedies shop. My mom was a hippie that never quite turned yuppie in the 80’s like the rest of her generation did, so homema...

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“Midnight Tea Time” by Stephen McLean

Submitted to Contest #71

10 YEARS FROM NOW 5 YEAR ONGOING WAR WITH NO END IN SIGHT LOOSING TO THE OTHER SIDE Abe walks into the small dim lit Irish Pub, pausing to stand at the entrance, as he scans the area for any hostiles. Droplets of water run slowly down the long leather coat from the never ending rain outside. The patrons briefly pause and glance at the tall dark rugged leather clad figure standing in the establishment doorway before continuing with their lives. Eyeing a small single table in a far corner of the pub, Abe walks slowly past the usual patro...

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“Pinwheel in Faith” by Sylas Seabrook

Submitted to Contest #71

“Absolutely, Janie. The church cares for every member of the flock. Please see Annie on your way out.”“Bless you, Pastor Marcus. This is going to be fun.”Janie went to the door of the church and used her key fob to start the car warming, She went Annie's desk. “Hi Annie. Marcus said I should stop by. How are you?”Annie smiled coyly as she retrieved an envelope from the top right drawer. “I’m doing great, Janie. Here’s the key to the room. I mentioned the request ahead of time. Pastor Marcus asked me to add something from the congregation,” s...

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“Butterscotch Cookie Surprise” by Angela Dempsey

Submitted to Contest #71

Carol Ann had a dilemma; she just received news that would change her life. Sharing the information with her family could have a couple of possible outcomes. How would she ever be able to tell them? It would be nice if she could tell everyone before Christmas, mostly if the result was a good one. Of course, if it went the other way, it would ruin Christmas. She wondered how to get everyone together to see how they treat each other under normal circumstances. Her mother used to do cookie exchanges every year. Carol Ann stopped the tradition t...

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“Snips and Snails and Puppy Dogs' Tails” by Emmanuelle Shemko

Submitted to Contest #71

Once upon a time, there was a nasty witch who owned a bakery. She was gross, with her long oily grey hair and her giant wart covered nose. Her name was Hazel. She loved kids. Sorry, I meant to say she loved eating kids. In her opinion, they were juicy and delicious, and when baked just right, she could use them to make her world-famous oatmeal raisin little boy and little girl cookies. Of course, she didn’t sell these; they were purely for her enjoyment alone. Instead, she sold regular baked goods, and the town adored them. Sometimes she fea...

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“Sweet Treat ” by Kayla Joseph

Submitted to Contest #71

I haven’t stepped foot in my family’s manor since I was a teenager, I realize as my cabbie passes through the manor’s tall, heavy, gates. The path up to the manor is long, I forgot, although it’s long it’s beautiful, so I don’t mind it. The path is surrounded by vibrant American elm trees. As the cabbie drives closer and closer to the manor, memories of my childhood start rushing back. I remember when my little brother and I used to play hide and go seek, it was especially fun because we had so much space to hide. But then I remember the las...

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“Breaking All the Rules” by Danielle Burke

Submitted to Contest #71

“This makes me feel a little sick, Rachel, using Christmas as a set up for an ambush.” Kate fingered a piece of holly that stood proudly around the punch bowl and avoided her friend’s direct gaze. “Kate, it’s a cookie exchange. It’s the perfect set up for a little minor questioning. That’s what we do at these things anyway, right? Stand around and pump information out of each other?” “But the information isn’t always this. . .” Kate paused to grasp the right word. “Specific.” “Look, a young, unattached woman applies for a secreta...

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“The Not-so-Duff Duff Duff” by Tanja Cilia

Submitted to Contest #71

The plan was perfect. At least, so it seemed, on paper. I was chosen to bring to fruition a Sting Operation for the Government of Zirconia, with the aid of the Secret Service. I was to go, find a huge house, buy it, and insinuate myself into the community. I would work undercover, and help nab all the bad apples that passed my way… that is, members of the Five Families that went by the oldest documented surnames in Zirconia – Allard, Catteja, Faljon, Glech, and Lenponi. How I would do so was up to me – but money was no going to be a pr...

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“That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles” by Amy Jayne Conley

Submitted to Contest #71

All was quiet and still in perfect suburbia that night. A last dot here and a line there, and Jane Cleverley's cookies were complete. She, like the twelve other people invited to the cookie exchange, had made thirteen perfect Christmas-themed cookies. Jane had opted for a simple gingerbread man design, with a very special ingredient indeed. A smile spread across her face as she pushed that last cookie into line with the others. The innocent smile each one bore made her chuckle softly to herself. All except one single gingerbread man, whose ...

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“Dangerously Sweet” by Stefanie Starnes

Submitted to Contest #71

It's been two years. Two years since I was deceived and left all alone. Most people would've gotten over it by now, but, not me. If you can't tell, I have an issue with holding grudges. I smiled, finishing the last letter to my worst enemies. I knew who they were, alright. I doubt they knew who I was, but even if they don't, I have hope they'll come for the cash prize because all they care about is money and reputation. I looked over the letters and read the names to myself. Lindsey Holland... The girl who bullied my younger sister behind ...

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“Cookie Recovery” by Jennifer Hansley

Submitted to Contest #71

Liv puttered around her puny kitchen, slightly reddened eyes itchy and distracting. Why, oh why, had she decided to do this again? At 48, one would think she would be a seasoned hostess, but this occasion would be unique. Not only would it be different because she had never led a cookie exchange before, but also because of who would be attending. Should she break it to Heather as soon as she arrived, preventing her from feeling manipulated, or should she allow her young guest to enjoy one more evening withou...

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“Exchange from the Heart” by Quillful Writer

Submitted to Contest #71

Being on the third floor of a city apartment, his kitchen only caught short glimpses of natural light. The winter made that time even shorter, but he had every light on in the place anyway. To be festive for the party. Mason’s sister, Harper, insisted it wasn’t a real cookie exchange without Christmas decorations from top to bottom, and for whatever reason, he let her run away with it. Where she got enough of those trinkets to deck her halls and his, he’d never know. But if he even hinted at being curious, she wouldn’t hesitate to regale him...

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“And Everything Nice” by Kieri Zink

Submitted to Contest #71

Almond extract, not vanilla. It was a simple swap my mother always used when baking cookies and one I came to enjoy. Typically, the difference is fairly small and the taste just a bit more unique. As a child, I learned the hard way that those extracts do not taste as good as they smell. Feeling intoxicated by the smell of vanilla and the excitement of the moment, I popped the teaspoon into my mouth without thought. My stomach seized up instantly and I doubled over. The teaspoon fell from my mouth and lef...

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Write about someone hosting a cookie exchange as a cover to hide the true reason for inviting one of their guests.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 141 stories

“Bitter Flavours” by Ellie Francis

“Lizzie” by Hope Mwaura

“Tribute” by Lily Harbingerr

“Midnight Tea Time” by Stephen McLean

“Pinwheel in Faith” by Sylas Seabrook

“Butterscotch Cookie Surprise” by Angela Dempsey

“Snips and Snails and Puppy Dogs' Tails” by Emmanuelle Shemko

“Sweet Treat ” by Kayla Joseph

“Breaking All the Rules” by Danielle Burke

“The Not-so-Duff Duff Duff” by Tanja Cilia

“That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles” by Amy Jayne Conley

“Dangerously Sweet” by Stefanie Starnes

“Cookie Recovery” by Jennifer Hansley

“Exchange from the Heart” by Quillful Writer

“And Everything Nice” by Kieri Zink

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about a group of people determined to win an award for making the biggest cookie ever.

Write about someone investigating a break-in at a bakery. The only thing missing? A very secret ingredient.

Write about two people who run rival bakeries, but fall in love during their town’s annual holiday festival.

Write about someone trying to recreate a grandparent’s signature baked good from memory.

Contest #71

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

608

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: