Hello all! I just received a request for 35 dozen (that’s 420 cookies!!!). The party is a 65th birthday celebration and it’s in a month and a half.
The biggest set I’ve ever done was 7 dozen. That one was a nightmare and took two full weeks mainly because I did like 30 different designs for it (using ~15 different colors), so I know I want to limit my designs and color palette. I’ve sent the customer a few inspiration photo ideas with mainly white, black and gold colors, and I will limit my designs to 12 or less so that I can focus on the mass production.
I have a few questions that I need help with, and I would also love any generic advice that you have to give me motivation!
This will be a $1500 order, which I believe is putting me above the threshold for needing to pay taxes on my small business. Does anybody know the process I’d need to go through to do that? Do I need a registered business to do that? If so, I might need advice on that process. I live in Virginia if that’s relevant.
I have two pet bunnies also, so I’m not technically able to be cottage certified. Would I be able to still register my business if I’m not cottage certified?What types of designs take the least amount of time on sets like this? I have an airbrush and a projector if I would need those. But if anybody has designs they’ve done that were very quick but classy, I’d love to see them!
How on earth will I store these cookies while they’re cooling/drying? I only have my regular freezer (on top of my fridge), so I probably won’t be able to freeze all of them before the event. I have two big food tents that combined fit about 200-300 cookies, but I don’t want to leave them in there for too long or else the cookies will dry out. What storage options do I have?
Is it worth getting a heat sealer for this project? I have just been using individual packages with sticky tape to package cookies individually, but that seems so tedious for so many cookies. Should I switch over to the heat sealed option to keep them fresher longer and make the packing go faster?
Are there any things I’m not taking into account? Am I absolutely crazy for trying to take on a project this big? The main reason I’d like to do it is because that’s a huge chunk of cash that would be great to buffer my cookie account, but I’m just not sure I have what it takes.
I’d love any and all advice, thoughts, encouragement/discouragement, etc. that you can give! Thank you in advance!
(Pictures from my most recent set for attention and my Instagram is @bunny.brook.cookies if you want to see some other stuff I’ve done)
by OneTwoPandemonium
3 Comments
That’s an impressive order to take on! Good luck and have some fun!!
1. Can’t help, I’m in a different state
2. Haven’t done an order like that but would agree a projector is a good idea in orders of this volume.
3. I would recommend investing in some cookie sheet covers and go in shifts. I have like ten, they’re life savers. Also large plastic tupperwares. Those will help avoid using a ton of single use plastic bags.
4. I swear by my heat sealer. A little investment, big payoff in longevity of the cookie
5. Don’t procrastinate! Bake ahead and make good use of your freezer. Prep all the icing in one or two days. Go in batches, think ahead on how designs may need to dry between steps.
Yes to a heat sealer. Also, half sheet pans and a bakers rack will be your best friends. These are items that you’ll use with every order!
1. You have to register in your city as a cottage baker. Cottage law in VA: Keep pets out of kitchen and prep area. That’s it. The only time Health Department comes in is when there are too many complaints, even as a cottage baker.
Register a tax account online. Very easy to do.
2. My largest order (bc of small kitchen and other constraints) was 300 cookies.
Work in batches, and keep designs limited and simpler, use stenciling and airbrush for creativity and ease. Projector is your bro in cookie design.
3. Get a bakers rack with a plastic zip cover, plenty of pans. Bake in batches, cool on baking rack, ice, leave on bakers rack overnight.
*** after I freshly ice, i put the cookies in front of a fan to help dry faster, then I place on baker’s rack overnight.
4. Get a heat sealer. Saves time and packaging is the worst part of the process, especially for large orders!
5. No amount of money is worth my sanity. But you will find out what you’re made of.
After this insanity is over, critically think about your limits, the limits of your kitchen, work area, etc and make boundaries for your business and stick to them. Enjoy the journey!