Tea Cup Cookie Favors by Chris DeVico of Florida Layout & Editing by Diane Shavkin of New York

I do a great deal of cookie favors.  Whether for a kid's party, bridal shower or a ladies luncheon, cookie favors always seem to work.  And, don't forget Mother's Day!

Yes, this is a Martha Steward cutter.  And, I just love to use this cutter for creating a variety of designs for my cookie favors.  If using Martha's cutters or William Sonoma's the following is true:  Out of 1 batch of Wilton cookie dough, you will get 7 cookies.  Two batches = 15 cookies.  Cooking time is approximately 18 minutes.  Each batch of Wilton dough costs approximately $2.11.  I can decorate 50 cookies in one hour.  In my area, I can sell these cookies anywhere from $6 to $8 a piece.  They can get fancier with lace molds, flowers, etc., but the royal icing ones are just as popular.

Any cookie cutting I do, I either color the dough or "paint" royal icing on the top.  I like the smooth "canvas" to work on.  This has allowed me to come up with quick-easy ways to finish decorating that doesn't turn into a lot of work.  I know not all people like royal icing, but flavoring helps; and I have never had a complaint about it.

If making cookie pops for kids, I use dowel rods and bake the cookies right on them.  A 12" stick I find does nicely.  Turn your cookie sheets over or use the kind with no lip so stick stays flat and you can bake more than 1.

A "cookie seal", that I learned about in a cookie bouquet class, I use regularly.  After I have baked my cookies, on a stick or not, I paint on a cookie seal.  This is especially helpful with cookie pops because your cookies will never fall off the stick, again!  This seals the cookie, gives the back a finished look/shine and increases the "shelf life".  Hence, cookies can be made farther ahead and decorated when necessary.

It is important to roll your dough no thinner than 1/4".
 
 
 
 

To "paint" the royal icing on the cookie, thin the royal icing out with some water.  Not too thin or it will run off ; and not too thick that it can be painted easily.  Mix your color into the royal icing and use your imagination!
 
 
 

One of my favorites is the silver draggy floral.  This method needs to be done as soon as you finish "painting".  Drop your silver or gold draggies randomly to make the centers of your future flowers.  This is a very easy technique, but very effective.  (This is the most requested design that I do).
 
 
 
 

"Sponging" is another very effective, quick way to change a look.  These can all have a white background that you sponge color onto or you can sponge over another color for an even more dramatic look.  I put a little paste color in the lid of the jar, cut up a kitchen sponge, dampen it, dip it in the lid and pat on cookie.  Depending how damp the sponge is, how much color you have on it and the pressure you use, you can make some great looks.  Give it a try on a piece of paper first if you are not too sure.
 
 
 

Using words or saying depending on the event makes them memorable.  I have had brides save theirs from the shower and eat it with the cake on their anniversary.  Flowers can be made ahead in royal icing, dried and then glue on with some royal icing or can be piped directly onto the cookie.
 
 
 

I have supplied sandwich shops, basket makers and candy stores with my tea cup cookie favors.  Some of the stores want them only during holiday times and others have carried them year around.  I have never sold them for under $5.  Whatever is charged after that has varied greatly.  I have also displayed at nail salons that have sold them for me for up to a week before the holiday.  (This business venture just happened.  I gave all the girls in the salon Valentine's and Easter cookies one year.  All their clients saw it on their stations and wanted to know where they got it.  They said from me; and I got flooded with calls.  At that point, it was too late to do anything about. Soooooo, the next year, I made a bunch ahead, stuck around and sold what I had in a few hours.  Now, every holiday I have a list plus extras to take in.

Also, these are the kinds of items that you can keep in a basket around the cash register as your impulse items in your store or shop.  I have one bakery that I supply because they do not have the room or time to make them, but they now carry them regularly because people stop by for them and attach them to a birthday card or for a thinking of you gift on the fly.  The bakery manager said she is not sure who the customers are coming in for anymore.

Have fun with this "Tea Cup Cookie Favor" idea and let your imagination go!

Fondly,
Chris