Huge Cookie Order.......not Sure Where To Start

Baking By SScakes Updated 13 Mar 2006 , 1:56am by SULIE

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SScakes Posted 19 Jan 2006 , 12:16pm
post #1 of 66

Hi

Okay I admit I think I'm in over my head.
I work for a huge company but we are spread out over 3 buildings. So I get this idea to give our comms manager a sample of cookies because my company normally give out something to the staff for valentines. She liked it and now she asked it I will make 1500 cookies for the 9th. I really don't know where to start. This is the first time I ever tried making cookies. Please, someone help me? Maybe when I calm down I'll be able to think straight but for now I'm not sure whether I'm really happy or scared icon_rolleyes.gif

Oh boy

Regards
Shamani

65 replies
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CranberryClo Posted 19 Jan 2006 , 12:23pm
post #2 of 66

I think I'd face some sort of activation barrier if this were my task.

Do you have available freezer space? If so, I'd mix up, roll and cut out your cookies. Then freeze them on cookie sheets and place in storage bags in the freezer. Then, once you're closer to the date you only have to bake and decorate.

I hope you're getting paid very well! That's a lot of money in the ingredients, but also the time!

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Lazy_Susan Posted 19 Jan 2006 , 12:24pm
post #3 of 66

Just take it one step at a time. Write down your game plan and go with it. I'd start with your recipe and the ingredients you will need. As for making the cookies I would estimate how many cookies a day I need (or can) bake. I'm sure you'll get it done as long as she lets you know in plenty of time what kind of cookies. And I would get started on them ASAP!! LOL

Congratulations on your large order and Good Luck with it. icon_smile.gif

Lazy_Susan icon_wink.gif

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Kos Posted 19 Jan 2006 , 12:28pm
post #4 of 66

deep breaths....HOLY COW! icon_eek.gif

I know when some of the other cookie-makers said they had dozens to make, I asked what kind of time-frame they use. Most of them said they start baking early and freeze the cookies and decorate later. I'll bump this up and hopefully someone in the business will see it. Good luck. <gulp>

kos

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SScakes Posted 19 Jan 2006 , 12:34pm
post #5 of 66

They are not really big cookies probably around 5cm(2inch) heart shaped and the icing is very basic just white icing covering and some red lines running through.

Yes they are paying for them. icon_biggrin.gif

thanks you guys I couldn't log on fast enough to 'chat' to you.

Shamani

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sofiasmami Posted 19 Jan 2006 , 12:41pm
post #6 of 66

since I'm a fairly new baker myself .. I can't really offer advice ... but the one offered already is great!! GOOD LUCK1 thumbs_up.gif

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acookieobsession Posted 19 Jan 2006 , 12:59pm
post #7 of 66

Here is what I do on really large orders.

Make amount of dough I think I will need (add an extra batch just in case) on one day. Before I put in freezer i roll each disk into just thicker than I use to cut. you can lay them flat on a jelly roll pan, separate with wax paper, and then wrap the whole thing in saran wrap when done. Then dough will last 2 mmonths in freezer

Then 2 weeks before i will roll out the cookies and bake...then return to freezer. i bought the largest freezer tupperware type things I could find. You can stack them and freezer (just don't open box again until ready to ice so they don't get frost.


Then, depending on the speed you decorate and the speed the icing you use dries, bake 4-5 days in advance. i suggest you ice and bag as many as you can at one time. The quicker you get them iced and in the bag the fresher they will be for longer.

Remember to make some extra for breakage.

let me know if you need more.

sorry for the typos school bus coming soon...

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Doug Posted 19 Jan 2006 , 1:05pm
post #8 of 66

let's see...

at 12 cookies per cookie sheet, 2 sheets in oven at a time, that's 24 cookies in 10-15 min. 2 more sheet is prep (total of 4 sheets running) that would be 96 cookies an hour...so about 16 hours of baking. (adjust this estimate for the size of your sheets and oven)

as for icing:

1) could you do a pour icing (similar to concept of how ganache is done)? That way you could put large number of cookies on cooling racks and just ice all at once by pouring it on, excess dripping off onto parchment or into pan underneath.

2) can the read lines be freehand squiggles? if so, can do them on large number of cookies at time by again using method of cookies on rack or on parchment and just squiggle away.

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Jenn123 Posted 19 Jan 2006 , 1:07pm
post #9 of 66

If you cut ahead and freeze, be sure that you don't stack them too high. The ones on the bottom will get smashed if you do. After they are frozen solid, then you can stack as high as you like. Do you have this much freezer space?

Are you doing this in your home oven? How many can you bake at one time? If its 24, that's about 13 straight hours of baking if you don't burn anything! (Remember to rotate if you fill more than one level of baking racks.) How long does it take to mix the dough & how many times do you have to do it? Does it have to be refrigerated first? I'd say you are looking at 60 hours minimum of work with a home oven and small mixer. Where are you going to put them all while the icing dries? Do you have enough parchment, pans, boards, racks, to decorate/store them? Do you have to wrap them individually? Do you have enough food coloring? Are you charging enough to cover utilities, extra supplies, 60 hours worth of time, and all of your hair falling out? (LOL)

Think hard before doing this. If you don't have the time, space and equipment you will regret accepting this order. If you can't pull it off, you won't get many future orders for anything. If you do have it, good luck! I hope everything turns out well!

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acookieobsession Posted 19 Jan 2006 , 1:08pm
post #10 of 66

Oh...make sure you have ordered all the supplies way ina dvance...nothing worse than firguring out you are short 100 bags the night before.... icon_biggrin.gif

Icing colors, 10x sugar, etc.

I like dougs idea of the freehand squiggles...very time effective.....

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Doug Posted 19 Jan 2006 , 1:09pm
post #11 of 66

thought: does one of the buildings have a cafeteria that has a kitchen w/ ovens and large cookie sheets you could use (since you are doing this for the company)?

and a bit out there: would they let you do this on company time?!?! (a stretch but ya gotta try! icon_rolleyes.gif )

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taniabanana Posted 19 Jan 2006 , 1:22pm
post #12 of 66

I've been wondering over the past few weeks, how I would cope with a large order.

The other day, i experimented with icing and found that I could ice at least twice the same amount of cookies than royal flooding if i used poured mmf. I put it on with a spatular, it goes right to the edge without dripping off!

I was told that it would take ages to dry, but i found that it's not too bad, no different than royal. I haven't tried to tint it yet though.

GOOD LUCK, and let us all know how you get on! thumbs_up.gif

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YumFrosting Posted 19 Jan 2006 , 1:41pm
post #13 of 66

I can not even imagine making 1500 regular cookies, much less 1500 cut out, decorated cookies! I would seriously rethink this unless you are getting paid REALLY well for this (sounds a tad stressful due to the sheer quantity, plus being your first order!)....maybe you can recruit a friend or someone to help you? If you pull this off, you will have to share with us the details! Good luck, I hope it all works out for you!

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prettycake Posted 19 Jan 2006 , 1:54pm
post #14 of 66

icon_smile.gif Well, you know what you're capable of..If you decide to accept this order, you need a lot of help esp. if these are decorated cookies..

Just don't promise what you cannot deliver !!! icon_smile.gif

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Sherryb Posted 19 Jan 2006 , 2:03pm
post #15 of 66

Do you have any vacation time???

I have made large amounts of cookies ,but not near that many. You have to have a plan.

Sherry

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Lazy_Susan Posted 19 Jan 2006 , 3:54pm
post #16 of 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jenn123

If you cut ahead and freeze, be sure that you don't stack them too high. The ones on the bottom will get smashed if you do. After they are frozen solid, then you can stack as high as you like. Do you have this much freezer space?

Are you doing this in your home oven? How many can you bake at one time? If its 24, that's about 13 straight hours of baking if you don't burn anything! (Remember to rotate if you fill more than one level of baking racks.) How long does it take to mix the dough & how many times do you have to do it? Does it have to be refrigerated first? I'd say you are looking at 60 hours minimum of work with a home oven and small mixer. Where are you going to put them all while the icing dries? Do you have enough parchment, pans, boards, racks, to decorate/store them? Do you have to wrap them individually? Do you have enough food coloring? Are you charging enough to cover utilities, extra supplies, 60 hours worth of time, and all of your hair falling out? (LOL)

Think hard before doing this. If you don't have the time, space and equipment you will regret accepting this order. If you can't pull it off, you won't get many future orders for anything. If you do have it, good luck! I hope everything turns out well!




icon_eek.gif Was there anything you forgot to ask??? LOL!!! Me thinks she doth know her stuff thumbs_up.gif

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bonnscakesAZ Posted 19 Jan 2006 , 7:17pm
post #17 of 66

Do you know of any small bakeries that could bake them for you? There was one here that whenever one of the girls got a huge order she would ask the guy and he would bake them up. Charged per cookie but it was super cheap, like .25 each or something. They can do it so fast with their equipment.

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Jenn123 Posted 19 Jan 2006 , 7:23pm
post #18 of 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lazy_Susan



icon_eek.gif Was there anything you forgot to ask??? LOL!!! Me thinks she doth know her stuff thumbs_up.gif




How could you tell?? Ha Ha icon_lol.gif I don't think I could do an order this large at home and I have LOTS of experience. icon_eek.gif

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beany Posted 20 Jan 2006 , 3:33am
post #19 of 66

Sorry, I don't have anything useful to contribute.....but I just wanted to say good luck!

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SScakes Posted 20 Jan 2006 , 5:18am
post #20 of 66

Thanks to everyone for the help, advice and encouragement.

I'm going to sit and do some planning today and figure out what will work best for me. The tips and ideas that you guys have given me is really appreciated.

I will definately let you know how it all turned out.

Shamani

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sweettreasures Posted 20 Jan 2006 , 5:24am
post #21 of 66

That is a huge order...I wouldn't take on such a task like that...I could barely handle a few dozen let alone decorating all of that. However you did commit yourself and I'm sure it can be done. Like many have said, take a deep breath and write down what you have to do in order to make it less complicated for you.

Out of curiosity, how much does one charge for 1500 cookies?

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Lazy_Susan Posted 20 Jan 2006 , 5:29am
post #22 of 66
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweettreasures



Out of curiosity, how much does one charge for 1500 cookies?




I was wondering the same thing! LOL

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JennT Posted 20 Jan 2006 , 5:38am
post #23 of 66

I would say...WHATEVER one wants to charge!! lol icon_lol.gificon_razz.gif

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Doug Posted 20 Jan 2006 , 5:43am
post #24 of 66

considering what I've seen on pro's sites:

(all figures in American $)

no less than $1, probably $2, and if possible $3.

some pro's are charging $4-$6+/each for custom cookies. (W. Kromer has a valentine heart of $12(!).)

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sweettreasures Posted 20 Jan 2006 , 6:04am
post #25 of 66

Thanks Doug,
I understand the average cookie pricing but what I meant was for the total 1500 cookies. I mean, do you give them a discount for the huge order or charge appropriately for EVERY single cookie?

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tastycakes Posted 20 Jan 2006 , 6:06am
post #26 of 66

You'll be fine!!! I think Doug has it worked out as for baking time, and then add several more hours for ingredient shopping, dough and icing making, rolling and cutting, and packaging. Just get started now, and the 9th will be plenty of time!!!

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Jenn123 Posted 27 Jan 2006 , 2:15am
post #27 of 66

Hi Shamani! Have you made any decisions yet? I'd love to know how it's going.

Best of Luck

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SScakes Posted 27 Jan 2006 , 6:52am
post #28 of 66

Yeah, things are going good at the moment. I started last week already cutting and freezing the cookies. I have a huge deep freezer so that really helps. I have four more batchs of dough to cut an that I am doing tonight and tommorow.
I'm going to make the icing on Sunday and also in the mean time prepare the bags and the ribbons.
I was think of starting the baking on the 1st and do the baking, icing and bagging simultaneously. DH is going to help with the icing and the bagging.
So, thus far it seems like it's going okay.

Will let you know next week how it's going.

Regards
Shamani icon_smile.gif

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JennT Posted 27 Jan 2006 , 7:06am
post #29 of 66

Shamani - have you decided how much you're going to charge?

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Mslou Posted 27 Jan 2006 , 7:21am
post #30 of 66

I use to work for a specialty shop that had the most delish cookies. I was amazed to learn that they were made, cooked and frozen. We just took them from the freezer as needed and decorated. We would take one day a month to bake. Just wrap them well or place in freezer bags.

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