Make Your Own Gourmet Cookie Bouquet
First you need to visit your local craft store, such as Michaels, Hobby Lobby, or A.C. Moore. You will want to pick up a package of large cookie sucker sticks, large cookie/treat bags, and some pretty twist-ties. You will also want to purchase some green flower foam in which to anchor your cookies. I have also heard that you can use a rice krispie treat for the same use…and that way its edible! You will also want to choose some large cookie cutters. I have found that the $10 box of cookie cutters by Wilton is an economical way to get a good selection of holiday cutters for most occasions.
Next, you can visit your local dollar store for a large choice of mugs, baskets, or other containers to present your gift in as well as tissue paper or other filling. Try not to buy these things at thrift shops because although you want to save money, you definately want something clean and new if you are using it for food items.
Now you are ready to bake. Wilton and Cake Central are two great sites to find reliable roll out cookie recipes. Make sure you roll the dough rather thick so that it is easy to insert the stick and makes a big, good quality cookie. After you put the cookies on a parchment-covered baking sheet, slowly insert a stick, twisting gently and guiding with one hand on top of the cookie. Then bake on the top rack of the oven per recipe instructions until edges are slightly browned. Immediately after removing from the oven, take your spatula and gently flatten each cookie so you will have a nice even decorating surface. When they have slightly cooled, you will want to move them to a cooling rack, but do NOT handle them by the sticks until they are completely cool.
Once the cookies are cool, you may begin to decorate! Find a good cookie glaze recipe from one of the above websites. Make sure you outline your design with a thicker version of the glaze to prevent running. You can then go back and fill it in with the thinned glaze. It is best to use a simple round decorating tip in size 2 or 3 and use disposable plastic or parchment decorating bags. In a pinch, you can use a ziplock baggie with the tip cut off, but this will not allow quite as much detail or control. Make sure you allow darker colors to dry some before adding more colors so that they do not run. You can use toothpicks to make a simple dot or line of glaze turn into fancy pointed or swirled designs. When you are finished, allow the glaze to set for about 24 hours before wrapping. The glaze will have a beautiful shine and give a professional look to your cookies!
Once the cookies are wrapped and tied, you can arrange them in your mug or basket using the foam as a base and then tucking tissue or paper strips around the sticks. Try placing the cookies at different depths just as you would a floral arrangement. You can also alternate the decorated cookies with small chocolate chip cookies on sticks. (The only difference is that with the chocolate chip cookies you want to insert the stick into the soft cookie as soon as it comes out of the oven, and then let cool completely for several hours before you touch them again). This allows for less decorating and also more variety should the gift recipient prefer chocolate to sugar cookies.
Now you are ready to give your gift! A personalized tag made on your computer can complete your professional look. Your friends will be amazed at what you can do, and who knows…maybe next year you will be filling orders at the office as well!
