How To Make Your Own Homemade Cookie Bouquets

We've all seen them. Clusters of big, gourmetcellophane. A different color for each cookie would
cookies, individually wrapped in shiny, coloredbe ok, or all the same color appropriate to the
cellophane, with bows and ribbons. They come inoccassion. Tie each one with some curly ribbon at
many styles and with different treats, toys or giftthe base where the stick comes out of the
items attached to or inside a basket or vase ofcookie. Tie it very tightly so the cookies will stay
some sort. They make a terrific and edible giftfresh on the stick. You can adorn each cookie
idea. After all, who doesn't love cookies? Sadly,with additional, larger ribbons or bows at this point.
they can be very expensive gifts, especially whenWhen using curly ribbon, don't forget to curl it!3.
considering that cookies don't cost a whole lot toNow cut your styrofoam or florist's foam to the
bake.Here's how to make your own cookiesize of the top of the container you chose. Then
bouquets at home without spending afit the foam in so it is nice and tight and near the
fortune!What You Will Need:* Chopsticks ortop of the container. Remember, you can place
Wooden Skewers - Make sure they aresomething heavier in the bottom of the container
heat-proof. If you're baking smaller cookies, thenso that it does not tip over. Small pebbles work
popsicle sticks would also work.* Cookies - Find awell for this. Remember that the sticks will poke
delicious cookie recipe that makes larger sizethrough the foam and into the bottom of the
cookies, your favorite or your gift recipientscontainer.4. Here comes the fun part, let's
favorite will do fine.* Container - This needs to beassemble the cookie bouquet! Take each of your
a sturdy container that is a bit bottom heavy,cookies and stick them through the foam so they
especially if you plan to include more than a fewgo all the way through the foam and further, near
big cookies. You can try putting some pebbles into the bottom of the container. You can assemble
the bottom to make sure the container won't tipthe cookies in any manner you like, but most
over, if needed. Some ideas for containers include:cookie bouquets have one cookie at the center
a coffee mug, a metal or plastic pail, a basket, athat is taller than the other cookies, so keep that
vase, a planter, cookie jar or glass jar, glassin mind. Decorate with additional ribbons, toys,
bottle, a toy or wood box of some sort, teapot,candy, flowers, gifts etc. Each item can be
porcelain or pottery serving ware.* Cellophane -attached with additional ribbon to the container or
The shiny, colored kind looks best, but the coloredthe sticks of the cookies or even with a glue gun
plastic wrap you get at your local supermarket(if appropriate).5. Give your gift and watch the
would work too.* Ribbon - The curly kind workssmiles! Make sure to give the bouquet as soon as
well for this. Any colors you like.* Decorations -possible after you have assembled it, you don't
Anything goes! What's appropriate to the occasionwant the cookies to go stale!Tips:Make sure you
and what does the gift recipient like? Some ideasbake enough cookies for your container, if baking
include: stuffed animals, small toys, candy, balloons,small cookies, you may run out if you are filling a
fake or real flowers, stickers or whatever yoularge container. Always bake more than enough.
find at the local craft store.* Block of styrofoamSurely your extras won't go to waste.Bake both
or florists foam - You know that stereo yoularge and small cookies and use them both in the
bought last December? You probably kept thebouquet for a nice varied look like a more
box, just search your garage for some spare,traditional flower bouquet.More Ideas:Some cookie
clean, styrofoam.* Something to cover up thebouquets use cutout cookies, these can be fun to
styrofoam or florist's foam - You can use a bigmake and decorate. Use your favorite sugar
ribbon, some moss, plastic grass, tissue papercookie cutout recipe and cut into shapes
crumpled up or whatever else you haveappropriate for the occasion. For cutout cookies
handy.Instructions:1. When you place the cookieto work, you may want to double your sugar
dough on the cookie sheet, press the dough downcookie recipe as the cookies need to be nice and
a bit to flatten it so that it doesn't spread toothick for the stick to go through them. For this
much while baking and so that the stick can betype of cookie, wooden skewers will work best,
inserted properly. Before you bake the cookies,chopsticks may be too thick. Then decorate the
you must insert the chopstick or wooden skewercookies with frosting. No need for colored
into one side of each cookie. Push it in almost thecellophane with these cookies, use regular plastic
length of the cookie without going out the otherwrap or clear cellophane so that the beauty of
end. This is an important step, as if your cookie isyour hand decorated cookies shines
too big and your stick is not sturdy enough, itthrough.Remember, your cookie bouquet doesn't
simply won't hold it and the cookie may fall apartneed to look professional, it's the homemade
when you pick it up. When baking big cookies, youtouch that makes it a truly special gift.Ricky
probably won't be able to fit more than 3 cookiesAlberta is an editor for several websites including
with their sticks to a sheet.2. After baking theCookie-Recipes.net, which includes hundreds of
cookies with their sticks, cool the cookiescookie recipes, cookie baking tips, a cookie blog
thoroughly, then wrap each one with the coloredand message boards.