Cookies Are This Holiday Season's Currency for Spreading Good Cheer

MISSION, KS--(Marketwire - Nov 16, 2011) - (Family Features) When searching for holiday gifts, forget elaborate presents and gift cards this season. Gingersnaps, macaroons and other tasty cookies are the season's hottest item to sell, exchange and give to help spread the holiday spirit.

This season, new mom and business woman, Ivanka Trump has joined forces with The Glad Products Company to transform what giving back is all about by supporting Cookies for Kids' Cancer, a non-profit that raises funds for pediatric cancer research through bake sales. Glad is making a donation to the cause for each cookie sold, exchanged or given this November and December, up to $100,000.

Pediatric cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children in the United States, yet approximately half of the drugs used to treat children with cancer are at least 20 years old.

"As a new mom, I was really struck by the gravity of these statistics," said Trump. "I am excited to share one of my all-time favorite cookie recipes and hopefully inspire people to get involved by transforming their holiday baking and supporting the efforts of Cookies for Kids' Cancer."

There are two easy ways to get involved to help Cookies for Kids' Cancer to meet their goal of exchanging one million cookies:

• Host a Bake Sale or Cookie Exchange - Large or small, as an individual or with a school, church, or business, host a bake sale or cookie exchange to benefit Cookies for Kids' Cancer. Register your event and then share how many cookies were sold or exchanged at www.CookiesForKidsCancer.org.
  
  
• Exchange a Virtual Cookie - Add some holiday cheer to your friends' Facebook walls by sending them a virtual holiday cookie. Either chose a friend to send a cookie to, or play a fun game to help give back. Remember, every cookie helps in the fight against kids' cancer. Check it out at www.Facebook.com/Glad.
  
  

"We want to make supporting pediatric cancer research easy and something anyone can do anywhere," said Gretchen Witt, founder of Cookies for Kids' Cancer. "We want to give parents hope by showing them how much people care. Pediatric cancer needs each and every person to get involved in order to make a difference and Glad Products makes it easy."

Here is one of Ivanka Trump's favorite holiday cookie recipes for inspiration:

Ivanka's Chocolate Chip Cookie
2	sticks of butter
1	cup brown sugar
3/4	cup granulated sugar
2	eggs
1	teaspoon vanilla
2	cups flour
1	teaspoon baking soda
1	teaspoon salt
1 1/2	cups semisweet chocolate chips

Mix butter and sugars in electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; continue to mix.

Add flour, baking soda and salt; mix further. Lastly, add chocolate chips.

Spoon out tablespoon sized portions onto cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes.

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