does anyone know if there is a way to preserve a cookie that will be used just as a sample? i have made a couple of large gingerbread shape cookies and i am going to decorate them to show what they would be like and give ideas for people who want to order but i dont know how to keep it safe up through christmas...can this even be done?

I don't know, but one of my coworkers is in the process of preserving some baby shower cookies I made last week. She mentioned what she was going to brush on the cookies, but I don't remember. I will see if it worked, and if so, what she used.

Last spring, she preserved a white chocolate rose I had made for a wedding shower. (not for the same person as the baby shower!)

I know that she used to work in the movie and theme park industry (for Disney), making miniatures, so I think she may have done things like this before.

RP

Gingerbread lasts for a long time as long as it is kept in a dry place.. Humidity will make it go soft . I wonder if you dried it very well and then put a shelac or varnish over it ???
Liz

Tiff, Just stopped in for a snoop and seen not many replied to your post.

I have a family memeber who has had a cookie I made for her for 7 years now. I'll sware that the cookie is mummified. (Chocolate chip cookie with hand painted image on fondant) All I've done was used suran wrap and heated the back of the cookie on a warming plate to seal the wrap together, not melt, just warm enough to seal it. The cookie lookes as fresh as the day I made it.

Red, I believe what your friend might have use to preserve the rose could have been a shalack. Working with our local theater group on sets I have used the spray (dip is a huge mess) to preserve many foods, roses, leaves, ect. Sometimes the product is hard to find (not a common product used any more) Check with your local hobby store or your nearest buliding center. Be warned, the fumes are very strong and some brands are very toxic.

Hope it helps.
Shyann

My coworker said she hadn't had a chance to try working with the cookies yet, but planned to do it tonight. She mentioned two things, one from a Home Depot type of place (casting medium?) which is sort of a lacquer and gel something, which is from craft stores. She used the gel stuff to brush on the chocolate rose.

I will get better details tomorrow or Friday.

RP

I have tons of cookies I use for display. I don't do anything to them and I've never had a problem Some are several years old. I don't warp them, I only make sure they are in a dry place, out of the sun. Below is an example. He's been sitting on a book shelf in my office. Just as fresh as the day I made him. (Hoping if we have an earthquate and need supplies, all be able to eat him. LOL

Thanks yall for all the ideas. now to keep the kids away for them...lol....and fairytail that bear is just too darn cute.

I know way back when I used to make these jars that were topped with EVERYTHING for people (such as candy, toys, cookies, etc.) and at the craft store there is a product that is a 2 part deal. You mix one with the other right before you need to pour this stuff on (the cookie) and it hardens, preserves, and glosses (the cookie). It will make it look like glass almost because of the high shine, but it definately works. Wish I knew the name of it, but craft stores will know what you're talking about. Like I said, it's 2 seperate bottles of liquid that you mix together and then pour over. Hope this helps.

you get get clear spray laquer....or shellac........they have it at michaels......I used it on the flower pots in my photos (it's not food safe) I just sprayed the outside of the flower pots with it after I painted them so that they could be wiped easily if they got dirty and also to seal in the paint so it wouldn't wear away over time! I have used it to spray cookies and gumpaste flowers (although it may not be necessary) Just do a light coat and let it dry then flip the cookie over and do the other side.......keep repeating the process until you have 3 or 4 coats on each side.....that sucker will last forEVER!!

It's called a mud pudge, it's creamy like but dries very clear. It's usually used in collages and things like that. Hope this helps.

thanks yall!! what would i do with out yall?

I have also come across a recipe for a non-edible cookie ......mabye that would work, too.

I'll have to look for the recipe.

you can use a spray laquer....or just use some cheap hairspray.

Mount the cookie on a board slightly larger than it is..you can hot glue it or use some royal icing..

then spray the cookie.

This is how we used to preserve gingerbread houses a looooooong time ago! We used to spray them with hairspray. Giving them a couple of coats, letting each coat dry before we spray again.

Make sure you don't "soak" it.. Then we would wrap them and put up in the attic..Just make sure that you tag the cookie someplace..."NON EDIBLE"..lol

HTH