Holiday Cookies for Sale Experience

I undertook this project in an attempt to begin defining how my skills and blog could translate into a small income-generating business. Since I had never done anything like this before and the window of time to receive orders was so small, I kept it low-key. I'd like to say that posting this on my blog resulted in thousands of orders, but it did not. The reason I posted it was so my customers through word-of-mouth advertising could quickly view what I was selling. And it did serve that purpose well.

Though my sales were on the tepid side, I was concerned that a major marketing push just in my local community would have resulted in me failing to deliver the goods, if you will. This did not happen, of course, but I learned how quickly I could have found myself in that situation. I consider this a pilot and now I know exactly how many orders I can handle if I undertake a project like this next Christmas. In the meantime, I'm working on similar, but smaller offerings for Valentine's Day and Easter. I haven't worked out the details yet, but keep checking the site. Thanks especially to my friend Minh. She wins the salesperson of the year award for my nascent company!

Holiday Cookies for Sale!

THIS OFFERING IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR 2007. LOOK FOR SIMILAR OFFERINGS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THANKS TO ALL WHO SUPPORTED MY EFFORTS AND MANY THANKS FOR SUCH POSITIVE FEEDBACK.

I'm making 1, 2 and 4 pound trays of cookies this year for my local audience. Sorry to all my Australian fans. Mail order will have to wait until next year! The two larger trays are depicted below along with a pic of each individual cookie. All trays will have an assortment of these 6 cookies and will be wrapped in clear cellophane and tied up with a bow. Contact me for any special orders you may be interested in, for instance, a tray of only rugelach.



All cookies except spritzers (press cookies) contain pecans or almond flour. Spritzers contain almond extract.

Coconut Cookies

Recipe

Coconut Cookie Recipe

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

Toast for 8 - 10 minutes in the pre-heated oven:

1 cup sweetened, flaked coconut (Baker is a typical brand)
(Check progress frequently and stir flakes or shake pan each time)

While coconut is toasting, add to mixer bowl:

2 sticks (1/2 pound) unsalted butter, softened
1 scant cup sugar (basically 1 cup less 1-2 Tbsp)
1/2 teaspoon salt

beat on medium speed until light and fluffy

Add:
1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

beat on medium speed until combined

Add:
1 egg

beat on medium speed until combined

Add:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cups coconut powder, available in Indian and natural foods stores

beat on low until just combined

Add:
toasted coconut

mix on low speed until just combined

Form dough into balls about the size of ping-pong balls and place on a cookie sheet.
Because dough will be partially frozen before baking, dough won't spread much. Therefore, you can easily bake 15 cookies per sheet. When sheet is full, put in freezer for 30 minutes. Bake in oven for 12 - 15 minutes, checking for browning after minute 12. Cool tray on rack for 1 minute and then transfer cookies to rack and allow to cool completely. Store in airtight containers. Enjoy!