Gourmet Cookie Bouquets Recipe Blog

Archive for the ‘Our Cookie Products’ Category

A cookie bouquet is such a welcome surprise. Every day is the right day to send a cookie bouquet. Send one for a graduation, birthday, get well, congratulations, anniversary, housewarming, baby’s arrival, or just because.
The finest cookie bouquets look like real flowers. Only they are decorated cookies. Usually they are sugar cookies cut out in flower shapes and decorated with brightly colored icing so amazingly done that you would swear they are real flowers. You can choose from sunflowers, tulips, roses, or more. Most companies offer standard cookie bouquets that are personalized to the occasion. So it’s not hard to find one you like. You’ll just have a hard time narrowing down your choices since they’re all so pretty.
You can order from many companies online or you can make your own cookie bouquet. It’s really simple. All you need is a good sugar cookie recipe, frosting like royal icing that will harden and is still edible, and long lollipop sticks from the craft store. Consider placing your cookie bouquet in a pretty vase that is also part of the gift. You can choose a vase that is clear with pretty stones at the bottom or fill it with colored faux gemstones from the craft store in bright colors. The weight of the added embellishments will help keep the cookies from tipping over.
When buying a cookie basket online, consider the price. You’ll want to shop around as cookies can be really expensive when done up in this elegant fashion. Be sure you know what you are getting. You may see a lush bouquet of flower cookies in the picture and come to find out that it’s only a placeholder photo and that the bouquet you ordered is really half the size. It’s happened to everyone. So be sure to ask when ordering online.
Find out what the cookies are made from so you really can keep a smile on your recipient’s face. You don’t want to gift them with a food they are allergic to. Ask how often the cookies are baked. You don’t want to send over stale cookies. If they’re not baked daily, consider going someplace else. Is each cookie wrapped individually for freshness? They should be so they’ll last longer.
Find out about personalization. Can you write a special message on your cookie? Usually the center cookie in the bouquet is reserved for that purpose. Be sure you give the correct spelling of the person’s name and write what you want to say. Best not to let the cookie company decide for you or you may get something you didn’t expect. There’s usually a space at the checkout where you can write a message that the company will use as is.
Enjoy choosing your cookie basket, but don’t get soaked by shipping. Once you find the ideal basket, you may find that to get it there will be another $20 or more. Check before you start browsing so you’re not disappointed. And also check to see that they deliver in your area. Ask for the delivery time. Is it guaranteed overnight? Do you have to pay extra to get it there by a certain date?

When the doorbell rings and a basket of cookies is waiting in the hands of a delivery man, the whole day suddenly starts to brighten up. Everyone loves to get cookies and to have them delivered to your door is even better. If you want to put a sparkle into someone’s day, send a cookie bouquet or basket! They’re perfect for birthdays, congratulations, retirements, engagements, thank yous, and more. In fact, there’s really no wrong time to send a batch of cookies.

Know the company you are selecting to send your cookies.  Check out how long the company has been in business? Have they got a customer service department you can actually speak to, or is the whole operation entirely online with no helpline whatsoever? Go for a company who will pick up the phone should something go wrong. It’s fine to order online; just know that there is a number there if you need it.

How will your cookies be packaged? Are they arriving in the middle of August in a plain brown box? After they’ve sat in a hot warehouse and delivery truck, your cookies will be melted goop by the time your recipient opens them. So see if they deliver locally or in a cooler packed with dry ice. If you can’t get an answer from their web site, call the customer service number and find out before you place your order.

See how fast the company ships. Is there a two-day lag period on any order? If you need the cookies to arrive tomorrow for your sister’s birthday, don’t go with a company that won’t promise overnight delivery. Pay a little more and choose a company who will guarantee your delivery on the day you need it.

Is there a quality guarantee? What if your recipient opens a box of crumbs or the cookies are spoiled? Is there a way to get your money back or get a replacement batch sent out? Most businesses who plan to stay in the cookie delivery business know what they are doing and you’ll be happy with your delivery. But there’s always that one chance that something might not be right. What is the guarantee you can hold them to?

Finally, decide which type of cookies you’d like to send and the price range you want to shop in. Most company web sites allow you to browse by price range. That way you don’t end up falling in love with a cookie basket that’s twice what you wanted to spend. You’ll filter your results by the range you can afford and only see those options.

Sending cookies is a joyful task. See about sending rose cookies on sticks or a big tin full of individually wrapped cookies which will last longer and the recipient will have more time to eat. Ask about nut products used in case your recipient has allergies and make sure that information is included with the delivery. And check with any hospital staff before you send food baskets to a hospital floor. Most times it’s fine, but depending on the person’s illness, they may not be able to receive them.

Don't stop here! Get more ideas for cookie gift baskets...

If you’re looking for unique bridal shower favors or baby shower favors, cookie cutters make an easy and fun choice. Since cookie cutters come in every shape and size imaginable, it is not hard to find one that will match the party’s theme.

Start by thinking about the focal point of the party. Is it babies and rubber ducks or rocking horses? Is it white and red for a Valentine’s Day wedding? Choosing a theme can make it easier to find favors that blend seamlessly into the décor.

Once you’ve got your party theme set, it’s time to start the hunt. Begin by going to a high-end kitchen store like Williams-Sonoma or Sur La Table. Both of these companies have online shopping sites if you don’t have a store near you. Look for cookie cutters in copper or tin that match your décor. Often, there’s a whole section devoted to nothing but cookie cutters.

If you can’t find a size and shape you’re looking for, start searching online with terms like “rocking horse cookie cutter.” Chances are you’ll find what you’re looking for in a few simple clicks. Copper cookie cutters can be pricey, so you may want to opt for less expensive tin ones.

Many wedding favor shops online sell cookie cutter wedding favors already made up. But you’ll be limited to a few selections like hearts or doves. If those aren’t what you had in mind, get ready to wrap your own favors.

One nice thing you can do is include the favor with a recipe card. Then guests can actually use their favor. Cut a length of ribbon that coordinates with your party colors. Punch a hole through your recipe card and attach it to the cookie cutter.

Another nice way to display a cookie cutter favor is to actually make a batch of cookies using one of the cookie cutters. Then you can frost and decorate them, wrap them in clear plastic wrap and include them with the cutters. Cookie party favors add a nice touch.

Here’s a recipe from Betty Crocker for sugar cookies. It can work with any cookie cutter you choose. So throw a cookie baking party and make some goodies to go with your favors.

Betty Crocker Sugar Cookies

3 cups powdered sugar

2 cups butter or margarine, softened

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 teaspoon almond extract

2 eggs

5 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

Decorator’s Glaze

4 cups powdered sugar

¼ cup water

¼ cup light corn syrup

1 teaspoon almond extract

Food colors, as desired

Decorations

Betty Crocker® decorating gel (in 0.68-oz tubes), colored sugar and/or decors, if desired

Betty Crocker® decorating icing (in 4.25-oz tubes), if desired

Flaked coconut, if desired

Directions:

In large bowl, beat 3 cups powdered sugar, the butter, vanilla, 1 teaspoon almond extract and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in flour, baking soda and cream of tartar. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

Heat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease cookie sheet. Divide dough in half. On lightly floured surface, roll each half 1/8 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes with 3-inch cookie cutters. Place about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.

Bake 5 to 7 minutes or until edges are light brown. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

In small bowl, beat all glaze ingredients except food colors on low speed until smooth. Divide among several small bowls. Stir desired food color, one drop at a time, into each until desired color. Decorate cookies with glaze and other decorations as desired.

More interested in cookie cutters? Try these articles:

• How to collect copper cookie cutters
• How to make your own cookie cutters
  

Imagine the surprise on your child's face when they are welcomed home from their first day of school with a Cookie Bouquet all for them!

The first day of school is always a big deal, whether it's the first day of Kindergarten or the first day of their senior year or anywhere in between!

We offer many cookie bouquet gift styles to bring wide smiles on that first day!  Choose from a school theme, puppies, flowers, sports and more!

We fresh bake our cookies and deliver them straight to your door so you can be sure they will be waiting there when your son or daughter - or even grandchild - gets home!

The center "message" cookie can be personalized with your very own message, so they'll know this gift was made just for them!

It's a great way to let them know you're proud of them and to start the year off right.

Aren't the cookie bouquets fun? There are so many more choices. Learn all about cookie bouquets.

It's true. We've temporarily dropped the prices on our cookie bouquets for two weeks. From now until August 31, 2010, you can save up to $25 on all decorated cookies!

Now you can send 'Happy Birthday' cookies, 'Get Well' cookies, or even 'Congrats on the New Baby' cookies to any of your friends or loved ones.

These unique cookies are such great gifts that get delivered right to their door, saving you time and stress. This great offer won't last long so get shopping!

Shop the Sale!

Looking for hot deals? Try shopping discount cookies.