I finished my first batch of cookies today decorated with RI.

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-photo-1307005.html

Why didn't anyone tell me cookies were so much fun?! It beats the heck out of trying to ice smooth buttercream How do you store a big batch like this? Do you wrap each one?

Very nice cookies! If you are just storing them for personal consumption, I would put them in a plastic container with sheets of waxed paper or parchment between. If they are for an order or if you are giving them away, how about bagging each and closing the bag with a coordinating ribbon? Or you can do a few cookies in a take-out type container. I bet the stores are starting to carry Valentine's Day containers now. The possibilities are endless. Have fun!

It is addicting, I know I've been cookie crazed lately and looking forward to excuses to try new designs. Yours came out very nice and I might have to borrow some of your ideas

Those are too cute..way cuter than a regular heart..great job.. I would package individualy..

Thanks for all the nice comments and suggestions. Again, I had a blast making them and I'm already thinking about what to do with my next batch I may take these to work or just give them to family.

Love the take-out container idea...you could even wrap them individually 1st. Individually wrapped cookies with a patterned ribbon would be very cute!

My DH will be so excited that I have acquired yet another obsession

just put my first batch of cookies in the oven....the dobord thing was great....i posted how i made my 9.99 version of this tool.....the dough tasted great and it rolled and cut wonderfully, i can't wait to see how they bake....i have always hated cut outs but today was quick and fun so far....i have to go make the icing next......

Okay, Hammer1....where did you post instructions on how to make your 9.99 version of the dobord? Details....I need details!

Thanks JGMB! I felt like a little kid coloring. I used to doodle constantly in college...maybe it paid off.

I can't wait to package up a few for Valentine's. I"ll have to check into this doughboard thing too.

posted the 9.99 dobord under ght forum cookie heading and titled it dobord for $9.99.

posted the 9.99 dobord under ght forum cookie heading and titled it dobord for $9.99.

How much would you charge for these if they were individually wrapped and tied with ribbon?

Generally, the going rate as suggested on CC is to charge $1 per inch for the cookie and the cost of the packaging added to that. You can adjust the price depending on complexityof design and what you think your area will bear.

The hearts are about 3" but the design is rather simple. I have a guilt complex when it comes to pricing. I was thinking $1.75/each or $20/dozen.

They look so nice. Mine never trun out like that.

So for those of us who haven't jumped on the cookie bandwagon (cookies are way tooooooo easy to eat as opposed to a whole cake!), just how did you do the design? Did you pipe a border and then fill in??

If I don't count the dough prep/baking time, I figured each cookie took me 2 minutes to decorate. Add on 1 more minute for packaging. The designs were very simple. That equates to 20 cookies in an hour or about $35/hr minus materials.

I used the RI recipe from the "How To Bake and Decorate Cookies" article on CC. It was easy to make. I did not outline 1st but just flooded the whole cookie at once. You start on the outside edge and then just keep spiraling until you fill in the whole cookie. I would probably outline first if the design was more complex. On the swirl cookies I did the outline/swirl first, let it dry a few minutes and then filled in the rest.

Ah, but you MUST count the dough prep/baking time, and the bagging/boxing time, and the clean up time, and the electricity or gas for the oven... PLEASE count all of your time and costs - it's more than you think.

I nearly always bag my larger cookies in bags with ribbon. Smaller cookies I bag two to a bag. I found the following web site where you can print out box templets. I printed some out, printed on card stock, laminated them, and put a 4 inch heart cookie in them. They looked great and I already have tons of friends wanting some for their family for Valentine's Day. With a 4 inch heart, my time and materials I am charging $7 each. I have orders for 15 already and not one of them said anything about that being too much!

www.karenscookies.net

Sorry, I meant to tell you where to find the templets on the website. Go to the idea area and scroll down and you'll find a bus in a box and that is where the link to the templets are. Have fun!!

Your cookies look great!

Twopeasinapos: Thanks for the template tips. Those are great!