By Tara Kimura, CBCNews.ca

Some years back, I read an article suggesting that women starting their careers should not bring baked goods into the office on the basis that they would not be taken seriously. For better or worse, I've actively chosen to ignore this tip, reasoning that I would never think less of a co-worker who chose to share a batch of cookies or a day-brightening birthday cake.

That's not to say there aren't challenges to baking for your colleagues. Last year, for example, I teamed up with two other colleagues to test a trio of brownie recipes. I eagerly accepted — but later when I pulled a wobbly pan of failed brownies from a water bath, I promised I was done with office baking. A second batch proved successful and I was eager to share the results. (Though I must admit that I played it cool, describing the process as an easy-peasy, piece of cake, ahem.)

Undoubtedly, the stakes are a little higher when sharing baked goods with your colleagues. In fact, there's been somewhat of a backlash against workplace cookie exchanges in recent years. Some bakers warn the swaps can lead to extreme competition as colleagues try to outdo each other, leaving everyone feeling exhausted and inadequate.

How do you keep your cookie exchanges congenial? Share your tips in the comments section below. (Tara Kimura/CBC)

But, for the past two years, I've participated in a cookie exchange at work and have found it to be the opposite of stressful. Initially some of us admitted we felt a certain degree of trepidation, though I think now we've fallen into a comfortable groove. I think our success is in part related to the ground rules we established early. Anyone can opt out if they feel particularly harried. The circle is small. And each baker brings one dozen cookies to share. Somehow it remains a happy event and I am so very eager to bake for and share with my colleagues.

Do you participate in a cookie exchange? How do you eliminate competition between bakers? Do you bring baking into the office?