Hershey's Launches Cookie Headquarters, the One-Stop Holiday Baking Destination for Personalized Expert Advice and Recipes

Hershey's and Betty Crocker Team Up to Sponsor Cookie Exchange Parties for 1,000 Lucky Consumers

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Nov 09, 2011, 10:06 ET

HERSHEY, Pa., Nov. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With the holidays quickly approaching, baking and entertaining preparations are in full swing! Whether it's a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, everyone needs a little help to ensure their holiday treats turn out just right. Hershey®'s is here to help with the launch of Hershey's Cookie Headquarters, an online resource full of recipes and tips, and access to a team of experts to answer consumers' baking questions during the busy holiday baking season through consumer posts on HersheysKitchens.com, Hershey's Kisses® Brand Chocolates and Hershey's Kitchens Facebook pages and the @HersheysKisses Twitter handle. Consumers who visit the site will also have the chance to enter to host their own cookie exchange party sponsored by Hershey's and Betty Crocker®.

"When it comes to baking, timing is everything," said Hershey's Kitchens baking expert Linda Stahl. "For the first time ever, Hershey's is inviting consumers to connect and get customized tips and advice – directly from the experts and each other - to help bakers in the kitchen this holiday season."

Hershey's Cookie Headquarters

Hershey's Cookie Headquarters at HersheysKitchens.com is the ultimate one-stop destination for holiday bakers. The site will feature a live Twitter feed of current conversations from the @HersheysKisses Twitter handle and visitors can submit questions to Hershey's baking experts and receive timely and personalized responses. Beginning today, a team of experts will be on-hand on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. EST and weekends from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. EST to help consumers with all of their baking needs. Consumers are encouraged to visit the site often to submit questions, share comments and join in on the latest baking conversations with fellow baking enthusiasts. Experts from Hershey's Kitchens or Hershey's Kisses Brand Chocolates will also play host to weekly Twitter chats focused on a variety of holiday topics as another way for bakers to interact with one another and share their own tips and advice with participants.

Hershey's and Betty Crocker Cookie Exchange Parties

To help get into the holiday baking spirit, Hershey's is teaming up with Betty Crocker to offer consumers a sweet opportunity to host one of 1,000 cookie exchange parties sponsored by the baking powerhouses. Consumers can visit HersheysKitchens.com or FavoriteCookies.com from November 7 - 20 to apply for the chance to host a cookie exchange. If chosen, participants will receive a party pack complete with all of the necessary items to host the ultimate cookie exchange including Hershey's and Betty Crocker baking products, party favors, and recipe booklets to share with guests.

Hershey's and Betty Crocker want to help consumers plan the perfect party this holiday season so Stahl is teaming up with Kristen Olson, a baking expert from Betty Crocker Kitchens to share their advice in a blog inspired by their more than 40 years of collective baking and hosting experience. In addition to the weekly blog posts, recipes and cookie exchange tips, FavoriteCookies.com provides holiday hosts the opportunity to share their own favorite recipes and photos with each other. The powerful combination of Hershey's and Betty Crocker's plethora of baking knowledge and the extensive consumer experience available makes the site the ultimate destination for cookie exchange enthusiasts nationwide.

In preparation for a cookie exchange, bakers can turn to FavoriteCookies.com to find favorite holiday cookie classics like Peanut Butter Blossoms – the rich peanut butter cookie topped with a single Hershey's Kisses Brand Milk Chocolate and made with Betty Crocker® Peanut Butter Cookie Mix. The site features must-make seasonal cookie recipes featuring essential holiday baking ingredients including: Betty Crocker cookie mixes, Gold Medal® all-purpose flour, Hershey's Kisses Brand Chocolates, Hershey's Cocoa, and Hershey's Baking Chips.

For more information on Hershey's Cookie Headquarters, easy recipes and baking tips, or to apply to host a cookie exchange party, please visit HersheysKitchens.com.

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is the largest producer of quality chocolate in North America and a global leader in chocolate and sugar confectionery. Headquartered in Hershey, Pa., The Hershey Company has operations throughout the world and more than 12,000 employees. With revenues of nearly $6 billion, Hershey offers confectionery products under more than 25 brand names, including such iconic brands as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Hershey's Bliss, Hershey's Special Dark and Hershey's Extra Dark, Kit Kat, Twizzlers, and Ice Breakers. Hershey also is a leader in the premium and artisan chocolate segments, with such brands as Scharffen Berger and Dagoba, offered through the Artisan Confections Company, a wholly owned subsidiary. The company is focused on growing its presence in key international markets such as China and Mexico while continuing to build its competitive advantage in the United States and Canada.

For more than 100 years, The Hershey Company has been a leader in making a positive difference in the communities where its employees live, work and do business. Corporate Social Responsibility is an integral part of the company's global business strategy, which includes goals and priorities focused on fair and ethical business dealings, environmental stewardship, fostering a desirable workplace for employees, and positively impacting society and local communities. Milton Hershey School, established in 1909 by the company's founder and administered by Hershey Trust Company, provides a quality education, housing, and medical care at no cost to children in social and financial need. Students of Milton Hershey School are direct beneficiaries of The Hershey Company's success.

About Betty Crocker

Since her creation in 1921, Betty Crocker has enjoyed a distinguished history as a multimedia superstar. Featured in radio, TV, print and now online, this cultural icon has rightfully earned her reputation as the "Original First Lady of Food."

Since first published in 1942, over 75 million Betty Crocker cookbooks have been sold. BettyCrocker.com is one of the top websites in the food category and Betty Crocker's Facebook community has more than 1 million fans. Betty Crocker branded products garner over $1 billion in sales annually. For more information, visit www.bettycrocker.com.

SOURCE The Hershey Company