Cookie Tin Tips

The creative, wise, and wonderful Sarah Chang offers her suggestions for crafting crave-able Holiday cookie boxes, plus an option to get some of her homemade creations for yourself.

Happy Sunday, y’all! This week we have something new: a guest column! And I couldn’t be happier to have one of my absolute besties taking the reigns of this sleigh to deliver you tips for making the most epic cookie tins. I met Sarah Chang in London, where we were contestants on the Great American Baking Show. It turns out that we live 15 minutes from each other, but somehow we met halfway across the world. Since then, we see each other weekly, if not more. Whether we’re baking together, hitting up a farmers’ market, watching the Great British Baking Show, or just hanging out, I’m so grateful to have Sarah in my life. We have so much in common that it’s silly. I love Sarah, and you will too!

Sarah and I in our natural habitat: the farmers market.

If you’re in Chicago, Sarah is also selling some cookie boxes!

-Martin

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Crafting Creative Cookie Boxes

By Sarah Chang

The holidays are filled to the brim with nostalgia and tradition for so many people. And often, food sits at the heart of those traditions. I came from a very food-focused family. However, the amazing food was often something we’d eat out or order in. There were good cooks in the house, but they were very busy people, and we knew the good places to eat! Birthday cakes? The Swedish Bakery (Martin and I have that spot in common). Celebration meals? Itto Sushi, RL Restaurant, Bistro 110. When it came to Holiday treats, we were very spoiled. My parents were both teachers and we often received many edible gifts from students and friends. Harry and David pears and Dancing Deer cookies quickly became family favorites.

It wasn’t until I started baking in my thirties that I developed my obsession with making cookies during the holidays. Cookies are such a fun and versatile medium for a creative treat. You can go in so many directions with flavors, textures, and designs. It’s no wonder they are the darling of food media during December. If you get invited to or host a cookie-themed party – GO! They are so fun and a totally delicious way to hang out with friends. I’ve hosted several, and I can say it is one of my favorite ways to bring people together.

These days, life has pulled me away from hosting the big parties (pregnancy, now early parenting, school…). I’m focusing the little energy I have toward making holiday cookie tins/boxes as gifts for my friends and family. I love to make a cookie tin as a gift for my people. While this time of year can be very busy for many of us, it is still possible to bake up some delicious and crowd-pleasing treats. A little planning goes a long way, and you do not need to be fussy to impress your friends and family. Here are my tips for building a stellar cookie tin.

Designing Your Tin: There are so many cookie recipes available this time of year. It’s rather overwhelming. As someone who gets very excited by the prospect of a new flavor/texture combo, things can get out of hand quickly. Choose 4-5 cookies/treats. MAX. You can do it. Here are some things I like to think about when deciding:

Each cookie should have a distinct flavor. I generally like to include a treats that are spicy, fruity, nutty, chocolatey, and possibly something that has 1-2 of those flavors.

Try to keep the textures interesting. It’s totally fine to have a 2-3 soft, chewy cookies, but consider adding some crumble and/or crunch somewhere. A sandwich cookie can invite some excellent texture contrast.

Think about color and shape! We eat with our eyes first. Natural colors like matcha, fruit powders, black sesame, or turmeric can make a tin pop, as does brightly colored royal icing. What could be shaped in a non-circle? This would apply to any cut-out cookie but also any layer bar/brownie addition.

Want to make your life easier, your tin over the top, and fulfill all the above tips? Throw in a non-cookie! Gasp! Here is where spiced, candied nuts are amazing. Flavored Rice Crispy Treat? Stunning. Chocolate-covered figs with sea salt and pink peppercorn? Stop it.

Make a Plan: Cookie tins are great because many cookies can keep for 1-2 weeks if stored in an air-tight container. But, to ensure ultimate freshness for your recipients, it is ideal to bake your treats close to the delivery date.

Here is how I try to make it easier on myself.

• For drop cookies: make your dough, shape your cookies, and freeze. Thaw the dough balls in the fridge the night before your big baking day, and all you need to do is bake!

• Shortbread doughs that are slice-and-bake are excellent for introducing angles into your shape collection AND can be made 1-2 days before baking.

• Prep all your jams, caramels, ganaches, etc prior to cookie baking/assembly day.

• Freeze your cut out cookies destined for royal icing (gingerbread, sugar, chocolate), after baking and thaw in the fridge before doing your decorations.

If you decide to include a cut cookie with royal icing, opt for simple but effective icing techniques with a few bold colors. Some that come to mind are:

• Tie-dye icing (lots of good video tutorials on Youtube/IG, like this one by our pal Karis.)

• Cover a cookie with a thin layer of glaze/icing, then sprinkle the top with sparkly sanding sugar

• Spin (AKA drizzle) some thin lines over the top to bring a pop of color and pattern to the cookie.

Packing your Tin: Holiday cookie tins are so visually fun, so I often will recommend using them when you can. I have found affordable and cute tins at dollar stores, thrift shops, and craft stores. Whatever the vessel you choose, you are going to want to consider how to pack your treats to ensure a safe arrival wherever they are headed. Parchment paper muffin liners can be helpful to hold cookies in place as well as separate incompatible flavor/textures. I suggest packing the tin/box as tightly as possible to prevent breakage and offer the feeling of abundance to your recipient. And, if possible, include a list or map of what is included, including potential allergens.

Hopefully this inspires you to try your hand at making a holiday treat tin this year. If not, you can be like my family and buy some amazing treats from local bakers! In fact, if you are in the Chicago area, I’ll be selling cookie boxes at my Holiday Cookie Pop-Up on December 23, 2024 at The Long Room Chicago (1612 N Irving Park Rd). Check out details on my Instagram @onweekendswebake, you can preorder your box here.

Martins says that this is how you feel when you get one of Sarah’s cookie boxes.

Happy Holidays & Happy Baking,
Sarah (& Martin)

Sarah and I at our Great American Baking Show watch party.