Is there someone in your life who absolutely deserves a huge bouquet of flowers for being such a special person? Does that person happen to be allergic? Does it happen to be a guy? Whether the person is a guy who wouldn’t exactly appreciate flowers, or a woman who is allergic to any plant or flower, you can still give them a bouquet. No, I’m not thinking silk flowers; I’m thinking cookies! It’s easy to make a cookie bouquet and it’s doubtful that your intended recipient has ever had such a gift. You don’t have to bake to make the bouquet, but if you do bake, that’s cool too!
There are several different ways to make the bouquet of cookies. Bake the cookies yourself, and use them to make the bouquet, or purchase cookies you know the recipient loves. The best cookies for the project are any which are large (not huge), flat and round. They can be chocolate chip, peanut butter or even sugar cookies.
You can purchase silk leaves on a stem or you can make the stem yourself. To make the stems use floral wire and cover it with floral tape. As you’re wrapping the tape round and round the wire place a couple of leaves next to the wire and trap them with the tape. Continue wrapping the tape, and adding leaves, until you’ve covered the wire completely with the tape. Add as many or as few leaves as you wish. Make the flower cookies on a short stem or extra long stem. Cookies with long stems will tend to weigh down the wire so they’ll need to be held by supporting the wire just below the cookie. If you purchase silk leaves on a stem clip any leaves away that are really close to the end of the wire. Do not trap the leaves between the cookies; just trap the wire.
To attach the cookies to the floral stems simply use frosting like glue. Spread frosting on a cookie, place the wire in the frosting, then apply the other cookie. Trap the wire by placing it completely across the width of the cookie. This will help support the weight of the cookies. Keep in mind that the frosting between the cookies will show so choose a color that will go well with the type of cookies you’re using.
Sandwich cookies can also be used to make the bouquets but the wire is attached a little differently. Twist the cookies apart, add a little fresh frosting, then lay the wire on one cookie. Attach the other cookie and press them together. Some other cookies, besides round ones, can also be used. Oval and square cookies can be made into bouquets but won’t have the round appearance of some other cookies.
You don’t necessarily have to make each cookie the same. Use some sandwich cookies, some large, round cookies and some oval cookies. Make them varied in colors and flavors to make a really unique bouquet. Mix some of the cookie flowers with some silk flowers to create a completely different arrangement. Although some foods can be made into bouquets, and placed in vases to present, the cookies are heavy and are best presented wrapped in colorful tissue paper. Wrap a ribbon around the paper or place the wrapped cookies in a box, with bow, if desired. If you want to make cookies that will stand up in a vase eliminate the wire and use skewers instead. Wrap floral wire around the stick and add leaves. Frost the cookies and trap the skewer between them.
Make candy reeds and other embellishments by sliding Hershey’s Kisses and similar candies onto a bare wire. Wrap the remainder of the wire with floral tape and add leaves. Place these candy reeds amongst the cookie flowers for an interesting creation that looks great and tastes delicious. Some candies that work well include Starburst Fruit Chews, mini candy bars or even pieces of fudge you made yourself. Dried raisins, fruits and similar foods also work well.
Most people think of women when they think of giving bouquets of flowers, but with the cookie bouquet, you’re giving a gift appropriate for any gender. The bouquets are perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or just to let someone know you’re thinking of them. They’re much cheaper than a bouquet of real or silk flowers and even more delicious!
Reference:
- Purchase floral wire and tape here: www.michaels.com
