A cookie gift box is precisely what it sounds like–a box filled with delicious cookies. These delectable gifts can be ordered online or bought in a store, but if you want to put one together yourself, you’ve come to the right place.
Below, you’ll find all you need to know to create the perfect cookie gift box.
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Who’s The Lucky Person?
If you plan on sending a box of cookies, you likely have the gift receiver in mind. However, it also helps to plan and prepare for future events as well.
Who is a cookie gift basket right for? The answer–anyone with taste buds. After all, cookies are undeniably the best dessert. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who didn’t like at least one type of cookie. And, if you did find someone like that, you better check them for a pulse.
What type of occasion calls for sending a cookie gift box? Here are a few ideas:
- Birthday—Forget about cake. Help someone celebrate their special day with a box of their favorite cookies.
- Mother’s Day—Show the mom in your life how much she means to you by sending her cookies for Mother’s Day. Beautifully package up her favorite cookies; you’ll surely be her favorite child. (As if you weren’t already.)
- Father’s Day—Forget about sending Dad a tie or a mug like you do every year. This year, give him something he can really sink his teeth into. A delicious gift is just the thing to sweeten him up for the next time you need to borrow $20.
- Anniversary—Nothing says love quite like a fresh, gooey, gourmet chocolate chip cookie. Except maybe a dozen of them.
- Holidays—The next best thing to being with your loved ones on holidays is sending them a tasty gift they will truly enjoy.
- Sympathy—If someone you know has lost a loved one or is going through a challenging time, a box of cookies will be a bright spot in their day.
- Just Because—You really don’t need a special occasion to send someone a box of joy. Cookies are the perfect way to show someone you care and that you are thinking of them.
What’s Inside?
Once you know who you’re going to send cookies to and for what occasion, you need to decide what type of cookies you’d like to put inside your box. There are three general types of cookies to consider:
- Soft And Chewy—These cookies are the most popular and include types such as chocolate chip and snickerdoodles.
- Crispy—These cookies include biscotti, lace cookies, Pizzelle, etc.
- Frosted—The most traditional frosted cookie is the sugar cookie, but there are other varieties, such as chocolate-frosted peanut butter cookies.
Decide if you want to stick to one type of cookie or do a variety. If you are unsure what type of cookie the person likes, give them multiple kinds.
You’ll also want to decide whether to bake the cookies yourself or buy store-bought cookies. The deciding factors could be whether or not you know your way around the kitchen and if you have the time to bake.
Although we are discussing cookie boxes, you may consider adding other things. However, be sure that any other items don’t overshadow the cookies. We want cookies to remain the star of the show. And avoid putting anything else with a strong scent in the box. Otherwise, your cookies could take on the scent of the lip balm or gum or whatever else you have packaged them with.
Keep It Fresh
One of the biggest concerns when creating a cookie gift box is keeping the cookies fresh. Stale cookies do not make ideal gifts.
If you are making a variety of cookies, prepare each dough ahead of time and then freeze it. Bake all the cookies on the same day to help keep them fresh.
The way you package cookies will impact their freshness. The types of cookies you are making will determine how you should package them.
Soft, chewy cookies need to retain moisture to stay soft and chewy. To do this, store these cookies in an airtight container, such as a zip-lock bag.
On the other hand, you should not keep crispy cookies in any container that will retain moisture. Moisture will cause these cookies to go soggy. A cookie tin is a good idea for crispy cookies.
Allow the frosting on your frosted cookies to set for 24 hours before you package them. If the base cookie is soft and chewy, remember to keep them covered while the frosting sets. Once the frosting sets, you can package them according to their base type– crispy or soft and chewy.
Cookies, Assemble!
Now, it’s time to assemble the cookie box. This is the fun part. Next to the actual cookies, the visual presentation is the most essential part of a cookie box.
Choose a box or basket that is not overly deep or too shallow. You’ll want a box or basket that easily fits all of your cookies without much extra space.
Arrange the cookies in various patterns to create a visually pleasing display within your box. First, choose your prettiest cookie to be the central focus. Then, stack some cookies, place them in a cellophane bag, and tie them with a ribbon. Set this stack on its side.
Next, make a stack of cookies with a pretty napkin or cupcake liner between each cookie and place them in a cellophane bag. Place this stack right side up in the box. Alternate laying stacks on their side and setting stacks right side up until you get the look you desire. Use ribbon and napkins as desired.
Note: If the frosting on your cookies is still soft, you could put the cookies “face to face” so the frosting of one is touching the frosting of another. This won’t work if they have a design, but if not, this can keep the frosting from getting on the packaging.
If the box has a lid, place that on top and tie the box with a ribbon, just as you would a birthday gift. If you don’t have a lid, place the box in a cellophane bag and tie the opening closed. Complete the look with a nice bow and a card.
Whoever is lucky enough to get your beautiful cookie gift basket will surely be excited. If all of this seems like too much work for you, simply order a gourmet cookie gift box online and let the pros do the work for you.