I’ve been mixing and freezing cookies for a few weeks now, getting ready for my bake-a-thon.
And what do you suppose happens? The oven is on the fritz. On the fritz!! It started acting up half way through roasting the Thanksgiving turkey and finally gave out that weekend (with a little persuasion from a man in the family).
So!! Not to be deterred or to get myself all in a stress attack, my family is receiving frozen cookie dough. Yes, frozen cookie dough. They’ve never received frozen cookie dough before, it will be something new. And maybe a new tradition will be started. From Cindy’s Freezer to Your Kitchen.
They can bake as many or as few cookies as they’d like at a time. No need for them to feel overloaded with cookies and sweets in one week. (See, it’s all about them, not my oven at all!)
They will think of me (and love me) later in January when they have a hankerin’ for some homemade, warm-from-the-oven cookies. No work involved on their part, just putting frozen cookie balls on a cookie sheet and baking for 8-10 minutes. I’ll be the little man in the big yellow truck this year.
My packaging will be easy (remember, they have to remain frozen). So that means a freezer container or bag.
In Photoshop, I created a very simple tag to print out onto 2×4 labels (found in the office supply section of your favorite store!) in Word or Publisher.
You can borrow this! Click on the photo to open in original size, right click and save to your computer. Insert the picture into the label.
Or they can simply be printed out onto card stock and taped to the container or bag.
You can borrow this! Click on the photo to open in pdf format.
My family will be happy anyway they can get some homemade cookies–or halfways there! I hope the rest of you have a wonderful time baking!!
- We’ll be doing a Gifts from the Kitchen roundup post soon, make sure all of your favorite gift giving recipes are submitted (with a photo if you can)!
Cindy blogs at Our Life Simplified. Do you have a recipe post or kitchen-related story to share on the Farm Bell blog?
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Darlene in North GA says:
Wow! What a great idea. Thanks so much for sharing it. It may have been born of necessity, but it is a GREAT idea. At least I think so.
On December 6, 2011 at 2:24 am
Lorraine Swazey says:
Oh Cindy-fabulous! In fact even better then cooked-later after the rush they can enjoy them and think of u and thank you again!!! Great-thanks! Maybe Santa will surprise u with stove under the tree! Hope hope!!:)-Rain. 🙂
On December 6, 2011 at 7:33 am
Mother of a ROCKSTAR says:
My oven died early this past fall. My husband went out and quickly replaced it. Wasn’t exactly the one I would have chosen but he meant well and I had no down time. I spend a great deal of time cooking and baking. Creating most mixes, and basics from staples and excellent recipes I have found here. We eat cleaner and more healthy foods. My children love the changes. It’s kinda funny..we always have company especially round the table…it’s good to know that you and everyone here have my back when I need a good recipe. Thanks for another great year.
On December 6, 2011 at 7:41 am
mamma-leigh says:
Oh Cindy!! I love it!! I have been trying to think of something to do for my husbands work and that would be perfect!! (I just hope most of the guys know what an oven is…lol)
On December 6, 2011 at 8:44 am
Bev in CA says:
CindyP, have a dear friend who always makes cookies for my DH. This past week she gave us three kinds of cookies, already frozen, to bring home. One was peanut butter cookies. They were in a log. With instructions included. I use my small ice-scream scoop for the other cookie dough, works great. So nice to smell fresh cookies on a cold snowy day. Also great if friends drop by and you are making coffee. Doesn’t take long to bake. Love your labels. Thank you.
On December 6, 2011 at 8:55 am
brookdale says:
What a great idea! What are you going to use for packaging so they won’t thaw? I assume you won’t be mailing these…
On December 6, 2011 at 9:15 am
CindyP says:
I have ears out for a different stove. I have figured out how to bake everything else that I need baked (crock pot, roaster, even the grill)…just not cookies. So, really, I’m not in a huge rush and I can wait until a good deal comes into my life 🙂
I have 2 bachelor brothers that really need these. They buy them frozen in the store! Maybe my gift will go all year long…it takes nothing to whip up cookie dough (and are inexpensive).
@brookdale — These will be hand delivered…right into their freezers. It’s cold enough outside now I don’t have to worry about thawing when I’m traveling (in a cooler in the trunk).
On December 6, 2011 at 9:28 am
LauraP says:
Great plan! And I love this twist on your current challenge — gotta love a cook who turns a setback into an opportunity.
On December 6, 2011 at 10:12 am
lisabetholson says:
Cindy, that is a great work of art. What a tremendous idea.
when my oven didn’t work I cooked everything in electric frying pans, even pies. Just put the pan inside the frying pan and put on the lid, works great.
On December 6, 2011 at 10:37 am
whaledancer says:
This is a great idea. I think you just gave me the inspiration for what to give my neighbors this year. I’ve given people my healthy homemade mixes for Christmas before; they’re appreciated by both busy people who have to hurry to get dinner on the table after work, and by eldery people who find it difficult to do much cooking. Frozen cookie dough would be even easier.
On December 6, 2011 at 11:47 am
carriej says:
I love it! I’m going to do it and keep frozen cookies in my OWN freezer 🙂
On December 6, 2011 at 11:54 am
Pete says:
GENIUS!! Well done, indeed!!!
On December 6, 2011 at 12:10 pm
bonita says:
This sounds like an idea whose time has come. The frozen dough will be especially prized by those who look forward to your cookies every year. And as other have mentions, not only are you sending cookies, you’re sending the magnificent gift of the smell of cookies baking on a cold winter’s day. You don’t have to deal with cooling cookies and cleaning racks and cookie sheets whilst the recipients do not deal with shopping, underwriting, and cleaning bowls, mixers, etc.
On December 6, 2011 at 4:40 pm
Leah says:
Could your oven going out be a blessing in disguise? Now you don’t have to bake the cookies, have invented a great new gift AND get to pick out a new oven! 🙂
On December 6, 2011 at 6:27 pm
Dede ~ wvhomecanner says:
Super idea! Here’s a thought – how about small pizza boxes as a fun way to package?? I know someone who used to freeze and store green tomato slices in them on freezer paper and he swears it’s the best!
On December 6, 2011 at 8:44 pm
Linda Goble says:
That happen to me last year at Christmas time. I was going to make quick breads. I accidentally push the oven cleaner button and I couldn’t stop it. I had my mom’s roaster in the oven where I store it and I was afraid with the high heat it would ruin it. Of course hubby was out playing music at time. Luckily he answered his phone and told me to go to the breaker box to kill it. I was in such a panic I couldn’t think of what to do. . Hubby was able to order new part and fix it for me but it was already to late to bake. I love the idea of cookie dough for gifts. I guess you can make no bake cookies on stove top. Happy stove hunting. Maybe they will have great deals after Christmas. Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!
On December 6, 2011 at 11:31 pm