I need to make a bunch of cookies by June...we are doing a fundraiser for my BF's mom who is undergoing chemo~ and proceeds are going towards her new wig & for someone to help watch her @ home...this is going to be held at an annual firefighter show...was thinking of doing a cookie bouquet to sell off~ not sure how to do this:

questions:
- What r some good cookie recipes? Do I use fondant or just RI? or both? Chocolate even- or maybe a variety???
- What kind of cookies should I make?

Anyhelp would be greatly greatly greatly appreciated!

TIA!

There are two recipes you'll find on this site that are very popular in the bouquets. I have always used the NFSC (no fail sugar cookies) and usually have success (although I recently learned that if you substitute the butter with margarine DO NOT use Blue Bonnet..they will fail). The NFSC will hold their shape. I also found the taste the little bland at first, but you can experiment with different flavorings until you find what you like. The other recipe that seems popular is Penny's. I have not yet tried, but plan to soon. Both of these recipes can be found in the recipe section of this site.

As for frosting, I've done a couple of different things. 1)I've used royal icing to do the whole cookie, outlined and then thinned with water and "flooded", the cookies looked great but I'm not a huge fan of the taste of royal. 2)I've used a basic glaze (powdered sugar, vanilla, and water) and then accented in the royal icing 3) decorated in buttercream which is, in my opinion, the best tasting but not the prettiest. Plus because the icing does not get hard they are hard to wrap. I want to try the rolled buttercream I've found on this site, that's another option for you as well.

My advice for inserting the sticks is to do them before baking. You can do it after, but from what I understand you have to move quickly and be careful so you don't burn your fingers. I like to buy lollipop sticks (Wilton makes them and WalMart carries them). Other's have had success with wooden skewers (I did not but could have been because it was my bad batch of dough) or coffee stirrers (I have not tried). I think I've even read of people using popsicle/craft sticks.

I'm not sure what design you could do. Perhaps some of the more creative people will give you some ideas?! I always come here for inspiration!

On a personal note, God's blessings to your BF's mom. I will include her in my prayers. Jodie