Girl, put your apron on!
One of the things I look forward to every holiday season is cozying up by the fireplace and enjoying buttery holiday cookies.
In fact, some of my fondest memories involve making boxed, or tin, assortments with my Mom as Luther Vandross’ My Favorite Things played gently in the background.
Since I’ve purchased cookies over the last few years, I thought it would be really fun to relive an old memory and share the process with you!
In this post, you are going to learn everything needed to make a beautiful assortment of holiday cookies.
You’ll also find out which flavors made it on my nice list, helpful baking tips and recipes, and how to decorate and ship your cookies, if desired.
Scroll down to see just how easy this process is!
This post is about holiday cookies.
HOW TO MAKE A BOX OF HOLIDAY COOKIES
QUICK OVERVIEW:
1. COOKIE REQUIREMENTS
2. BOX DETAILS & SHIPPING
3. GOURMET RECIPES & BAKING TIPS
4. DÉCOR (optional)
1. COOKIE REQUIREMENTS
HOW MANY FLAVORS?
Now, there are no rules when it comes to creating a box of cookies – as long as you have a box and cookies.
Since this is your creation, you get to decide how many, or few, variations you want to include.
My general rule of thumb when creating assorted holiday cookies is to make between 3-5 different flavors. It’s enough to be considered a variety-pack and totally doable in less than 2 days.
HOW DO I PICK FLAVORS?
Some factors to consider when deciding which flavors to include in your box are time, recipient, and handling. Use the questions below to help you choose flavors that can arrive fresh, undamaged, and fit into your timeframe.
Factor #1: Time
- How soon do you need the cookies to be done?
- How much time do you have to bake?
- Will the cookies be made from scratch or are you using store-bought mixes?
Factor #2: Recipients
- Are there any intolerances or food allergies to consider? (The most common type of cookie-related allergies are peanut, tree nut, milk, and eggs.)
- Any need to substitute based on lifestyle preferences like vegan, vegetarian, keto, sugar free, and more?
Factor #3: Handling
- Unless keeping for self, will the cookies be shipped or delivered locally?
- Any potential issues with maintaining freshness and appearance?
Answering these questions and identifying shipping challenges can help you decide which cookies to include in your box and which to save for at-home enjoyment.
If you need flavor inspiration, check out 25 Best Cookie Flavors Ranked and head to Pinterest to find recipes that match your cookie requirements!
HOW MANY RECIPIENTS?
One other thing to consider when making your holiday cookies is the amount of people receiving them.
Tip for larger groups: Keep the amount of flavors low and batch dough for greater efficiency.
General rule of thumb is 3 cookies for each person.
So, for 60 people, you would need 180 cookies, which is 15 dozen.
- (60 ppl x 3 cookies each = 180 total cookies
- 180 total cookies/ 12 cookies in a dozen = 15 dozen cookies needed)
So, you can see, it’s easier to make 15 dozen of the same cookie than 15 dozen of 5 different kinds of cookies.
Tip for smaller groups: If you prefer multiple flavors, make single batches of each flavor and make the cookie size smaller.
For example, for 12 people, you would need 36 cookies, or 3 dozen.
- (12 people x 3 cookies each = 36 total cookies
- 36 total cookies/ 12 cookies in a dozen = 3 dozen cookies)
Ex. A dozen chocolate chip, a dozen peanut butter, and a dozen M&M.
You could also stick to one flavor and multiply the batch 3 times. Totally up to you!
Pro Tip: Dough is usually scooped and rolled into balls 1 Tbsp at a time. For smaller cookies, try scooping with a ½ Tbsp or 1 tsp instead.
Try this cookie calculator if you need help with determining how many cookies are needed for your group/ recipients!
2. BOX DETAILS & SHIPPING
The final destination of your cookies will determine how you pack or arrange them. Here are a few items to remember:
For Shipping:
Be sure to include a note about any allergens and a return address inside the package for all shipments.
- The shape and material of your cookie box can be anything you prefer
- As long as the item can fit inside an approved mailer box.
- Package weight will determine overall shipping cost
- As long as the item can fit inside an approved mailer box.
- Use packing materials to keep the cookies from shifting during the journey.
- Avoid anything that could spoil like custards or unsettled fillings and toppings
- Use an airtight container or wrap cookies individually.
- Give a heads up to recipients that something is coming via mail, so they know to look out for it
- Use express shipping for faster delivery and freshness guarantee.
- Give a heads up to recipients that something is coming via mail, so they know to look out for it
For Local Delivery:
- Make sure cookies are cool prior to wrapping or sealing box.
- Note any allergens or items that require immediate refrigeration.
- Most cookies can remain unrefrigerated for up to a week.
For Use At Home:
- Display cookies on a platter or cutting board once cooled.
- Seal with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container outside the fridge +/- 7 days.
3. GOURMET RECIPES & BAKING TIPS
By now you’ve figured out all the necessary cookie and shipping details.
Now, let’s talk about the recipes I decided to use this year and baking tips you should know if you want to make them too!
FYI, I decided to go with 6 different flavors since my “box” was a wooden silverware tray with 6 slots.
Here are my flavors:
Homemade: Brownie Brittle, Snickerdoodle, Glazed White Chocolate Oatmeal & Cranberry, Peanut Butter Blossoms, and Lemon Thyme
Store-bought: Simple Truth™ Plant-Based Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Brownie Brittle
This is such a fun and easy recipe that can be done with store-bought brownie mix as well!
I chose this since I wanted to create more variety in the box and also re-live my in-flight snack dreams lol!
Baking Tip: Cut this immediately after it comes out of the oven and allow to cool. Brownie Brittle is supposed to be a mix between a brownie and a cookie so this should be crunchy on the outer edges and softer in the middle.
Snickerdoodle
My husband actually requested these, and I was a bit shy because I’ve never made them before. But they turned out GREAT!
I highly recommend adding the sugar + cinnamon mixture before and after the cookies are done.
Baking Tip: Cream of Tartar is not a liquid, it’s a powder and in the spices section of your store. I had to recruit 2 people to help me find it, but it was so worth it!
Substitute Cream of Tartar with vinegar, lemon juice, baking powder, buttermilk, or yogurt.
Glazed White Chocolate Oatmeal & Cranberry Cookies
A great option for anyone who loves a sweeter cookie. I added dried cranberries to the mix and on top of the cookies as well.
Baking Tip: The recipe says to cook these for 15 minutes or until the edges brown. Mine were brown after 8 minutes and would have burned if I cooked them, uncovered, for the entire 15.
- If this happens to you, simply cover the cookies with foil and continue baking until the middle is done.
Peanut Butter Blossoms
I lived for adding the chocolate kiss as a kid and I still do as an adult!
But since my hubby likes them without, I did a mix of half chocolate kisses and half standard PB cookies with the fork imprint.
Baking Tip: If you’re adding the chocolate kiss, allow the cookie to cool out of the oven for 2 minutes max! Then, slightly push the kiss into the cookie, transfer to a plate, and place in the fridge for +/- 15 minutes.
The fork imprint can be done before or after the cookies are done.
If done after, make the imprint 2-3 minutes after cooling out of the oven.
If doing before, create the crisscross pattern and sprinkle with white sugar, if desired.
Lemon Thyme Icebox Cookies
So, I never thought lemon and thyme were a combination missing from my life but WOW, these are phenomenal.
This cookie is top 2 and it’s not #2. I absolutely recommend this even for people, like myself, who aren’t huge fans of lemon cookies.
When you take a bite of the warm, buttery, shortbread and it starts to melt in your mouth, you’ll understand why!
Baking Tip: Use fresh, washed thyme and multiply this recipe!!
Bonus: Plant-Based Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are my absolute favorite so I knew this box would be incomplete without them!
Since I was in a pinch for time, I grabbed the Simple Truth™ Plant-Based Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough from the grocery store and these were done in 15 minutes.
So soft and gooey 😉
Baking Tip: Do not exceed 17 minutes of baking time unless you prefer firm cookies. Also, these are not in the vegan aisle – they’re in the same place as the frozen cookie dough and cinnamon rolls.
4. DÉCOR
There are tons of inspirational photos on Pinterest that show different ways you can style your box.
This year, I decided that I wanted a simpler look overall and omitted most of these. If I were to mail them out, however, here are some decor items I might include:
Rosemary
Thyme
This was super fitting since I already had the lemon thyme cookies. Again, make sure the thyme is washed and fresh if you’re going to include it in a shipment.
Lemon zest
I’d recommend for at-home use or local deliveries. Would be really pretty grated over lemon cookies!
Peppermint/ Candy canes
Cinnamon
Tissue paper
I used a few plain white pieces, and some with gold sparkles, to add a touch of the holiday vibes. Adding the tissue paper also makes clean up a lot easier!
Muffin cups or liners
These are fun and can be used to hold/separate cookies from each other.
Pine cones & greenery, faux
Ornaments
5. CONCLUSION
I hope you enjoyed learning about how you can make the perfect box of holiday cookies!
I am so excited to share some of my favorite recipes and tips to hopefully make your holiday a lot smoother and magical.
Please feel free to reach out if you need some ingredient substitution ideas and remember to tag me in photos + share which cookies you decided to make this year!
Xx