Unusual Bake Sale Items
My sister is in a school musical this week, and since I'm home, I offered to bake some things for the bake sale they're having as a fundraiser. I'd like to do something different that what others will be making -- i.e., not chocolate chip cookies, rice krispie treats, or brownies. The musical is Crazy for You (a bunch of classic Gershwin songs, tap dancing, and some cowboys, from what I've gleaned).
The only rule is that I have to be able to pack individual servings of whatever I bake, as some of these will be sold as refreshments during the musical.
Anyone have some ideas?
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20 Comments:
financiers!
http://www.joyofbaking.com/Financiers.html
i make them in my muffin tin.
you can also just use frozen berries and put them in the dough before baking to save a step.
whoopie pies!
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/18/dining/181wrex.html?ref=dining
andshewas at 12:27AM on 05/26/09
When I need single serving options I tend to go the cookie route, which is expected, but I try to do cookies most people do not make at home.
Biscotti is everywhere, but really good biscotti is not. I use Nick Malgieri's recipe which is excellent. His website has several good recipes, including the classic cantuccini. http://www.nickmalgieri.com/recipes/7-cookies-bars/_list.html
Another favorite is filled shortbread which can be cut into squares or wedges depending on the type of pan you use. I'm not sure which recipe I used the last time I did it- I think it may have been Gale Gand's, so if you search online you might include her in the search.
You might also look to Dorie Greenspan's blog which has a couple of good cookies recipes. http://www.doriegreenspan.com/dorie_greenspan/
Finally, my favorite cookie is my own. Pardon the self-promotion, but it really is good. (The intro to the recipe is very long, but then, I am pedantic.)
http://catboyskitchen.wordpress.com/2007/08/16/as-kansas-in-august/
CatBoy at 1:50AM on 05/26/09
Here is my recipe for Triple Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti. (It was printed in the St. Pete Times special Christmas Cooky edition.) They taste and look great.
With the cupcake craze still in full swing, what about a nice frosted cupcake? Really great cake with incredible scratch icing is nothing to be sniffed at.
Finally, what about a good, old fashioned macaroon? (With or without chocolate dip.) Ina Garten's recipe for macaroons is very easy to follow. (I have made them using unsweetened coconut and they are delicious.)
therealchiffonade at 6:01AM on 05/26/09
While I can definitely see why you would want to stretch yourself as a cook, it's worth noting that at just about every sale I've been to, cookies, brownies, and rice krispie treats tend to go first. Especially if really large...
You could try fun variations on these, though, like giant cowboy cookies, decorating the brownies with little slogans from the 1930s (or Sweethearts conversation hearts that have slogans like 'Hubba Hubba') or cheesecake 'pops.' (Actually anything on a Popsicle stick is fun).
More unusual stuff might be scones, individual coffee cakes, muffins, and donuts that don't need to be served warm.
HeartofGlass at 7:48AM on 05/26/09
how about pocket pies, individual servings and dont need refrigeration, you can do them fried or pan fried or baked depending on what your preferences are.
huneybumper at 7:59AM on 05/26/09
I've always had great success with lemon bars at bake sales -- just don't drown them in powdered sugar, to minimize mess when they're unwrapped.
I agree that "traditional" items sell well, so maybe add a unique spin to an old standby: substitute white chocolate & macadamia nuts in a basic chocolate chip/walnut cookie recipe. Or do big, chewy oatmeal cookies with dried cherries and chocolate instead of just raisins - there's a simple, easily modified recipe on the inside of the Quaker oats canister lid. Saleswise, it always helps to wrap your treats neatly and make a cute label for the display pan/box so people know what's inside.
Oh, and whoopie pies are a great idea, as someone just said. Make 'em mini, because some recipes will give you full-sized whoopies that typically require two to eat! (At least in public, if we are being polite.)
lobsterfest at 9:49AM on 05/26/09
I agree with HeartofGlass about baking some of the traditional items, just with variations. Like doing Scotcharoos (peanut butter, chocolate, & butterscotch krispie bars) in place of plain Rice Krispie treats. Or make sandwich cookies instead of plain cookies. Just stuff with creamy frosting or filling; you could even roll the sides in nuts, coconut, sprinkles, cookie crumbs, etc. Instead of plain brownies, try Seven-Layer bars, blondies, or frosted banana bars. If you wanted to do cupcakes, you could fill the cakes with a creamy mousse or pudding. Or you could just play around with non-traditional flavors. Most people stick to very basic flavors like chocolate and vanilla for school bake sales, but what about Dulche de Leche, spicy Mexican chocolate (with chiles and cinnamon), hazelnut, Irish cream, gingerbread, chocolate with strawberries, raspberries, bananas, etc. Use as frostings, fillings, extracts in cake, etc.
kimberlymac at 9:54AM on 05/26/09
Know your audience. I made Orange / Chocolate Biscotti for a company bakesale and MANY people did not know what they were and they did not sell well. However, those that DID know what a "biscotti" was loved them.
Bake sales sell on nostalgia (no bake cookies, rice krispie treats rock) and/or visual appeal -- a rockin' iced cupcake would do well. Also SELL it, a cute label and delicious description really help!
Sorry can't help with a theme, but those are some great suggestions from @heartofglass and @lobsterfest.
TeriN at 10:58AM on 05/26/09
I sometimes make cupcakes baked in ice cream cones for bake sales.
The suggestion to label your goodies is also good - especially if you use nuts or other allergens - a pretty tag telling what it is will help sell your item.
SSMom at 11:23AM on 05/26/09
Some things that should be popular and are a bit unusual but not so much that people will get weirded out:
- Miniature tarts with cream and fresh fruit on top (good for strawberry season).
- Chocolate-peanut butter cookies (if you're allowed to use peanuts - think chocolate whoopie pies with peanut butter cream filling) or brownies with a peanut-butter swirl.
- Banana-macadamia nut-chocolate chunk cookies.
- Mocha mandelbrot (biscotti) with a chocolate drizzle.
- Pumpkin cookies with white chocolate chips and walnut chunks.
- Gluten-free brownies. There are lots of recipes online, they use beans and nuts instead of flour. Sounds weird but they have gotten high marks from "regular people" not just those who need to avoid gluten.
- Dried-fruit-and-nut balls. These are made by grinding soft dried fruits and nuts together, sometimes with an added bit of honey. Popular among the no-processed-foods crowd, which often overlap with an arty crowd.
- Cut ginger or sugar cookies in the shape of cowboy boots, package in pairs. Or make a bunch in the shape of half and quarter notes, or treble clefs. Or make plain squares and ice them with pictures appropriate to the show, or the words "Crazy for You."
- Adding to @kimberlymac's idea, cupcakes frosted and/or sprinkled in the school colours.
- Cheese straws. Something savoury is often a bit seller if people don't want a sweet.
- Scones (drop or rolled) with raisins, chopped apricots, or cinnamon chips. Or layers of cinnamon-sugar butter.
- Oatmeal bars with butterscotch or caramel filling.
I agree with @lobsterfest about wrapping the items neatly. Just a bit of waxed paper with a sticker is fine, or a plastic bag with a bit of ribbon. A bow is better than a knot because it is easier to open. I always add a tag with name of the item, and if there is room an ingredients list. This can be very happy for people with allergies, they know right away if they can eat a goody. If you have sheets of plain labels, just print it on the label and use that to seal the package.
morgancain at 11:36AM on 05/26/09
I would recommend biscotti and spanikopita for off-the-beaten-path bake sale options. @TeriN is also right though: if either of those items (or anything else you make) would be widely unrecognizable where you're taking it, you might end up with things not selling well. An altertnative to that is to make a BUNCH, then cut up a few pieces into little little sample sizes so that people can try before buying.
joyyy at 11:46AM on 05/26/09
I agree with morgan on the savory thing. Sometimes you're in the mood for something salty!
how 'bout chocolate dipped pretzel rods? easy to make, white and dk chocolate, some school colored sprinkles...
I once did plain ol' rice krispy treats but as soon as I smooshed thm in the pan, sprinkled with rainbow sprinkles. Then cut them out using a cupcake-sized biscuit cutter... into individual pretty cupcake liners. they were SUCH a hit!
BTW, RKT's are perfect for sprinkles... they stick and don't run everywhere :-)
keep in mind the audience... you'll have kids, but also little siblings, mom and dad, maybe a grandparent or two. "nostalgia" items gussied up to appeal to the adults would be nice... really dark chocolate brownies with a touch of chile, salted caramel anything...
no idea if you'll be in/out of doors, but I constantly underestimate the appeal of chocolate covered strawberries.
wasliche at 11:52AM on 05/26/09
Oreo truffles are always a big bake sale hit. Also, peppermint patty brownies (make brownie batter -- pour half in the pan, cover it with a layer of York Peppermint Patties, pour the rest of the brownie batter on top, then bake -- the peppermint doesn't melt, so when you cut the brownies, there's a thick slice of peppermint running through the middle). Cuban pastelitos (puff pastry with either a savory or sweet filing, basted with simple syrup and baked until golden and puffy). For something savory, maybe a tortilla espanola? Once it's cooled, you can slice it into squares or wedges -- it holds it's shape very well.
gbania at 12:00PM on 05/26/09
What about homemade marshmallows? According to Ina Garten, they're easy and a big hit at bake sales. At least they are in the Hamptons. ;)
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/toasted-coconut-marshmallows-recipe2/index.html
mollykate678 at 1:48PM on 05/26/09
I made dog treats for a recent work bake sale and they sold fast!
goochybird at 2:16PM on 05/26/09
How about some chocolate-dipped shortbread, a la Ina Garten, or some carrot cupcakes, or some little pecan tarts (I make them in my mini-muffin pan and they're a huge hit wherever I take them).
buffy at 2:23PM on 05/26/09
What about little bags of Cracker Jack? It was around before the thirties, but it's old-timey and would make great intermission snacks. Here's one recipe of many on-line. Alternatively, how about granola or trail mix?
Borden Cracker Jack Ingredients:
4 qt Popcorn; popped
1 c Peanuts, Spanish
4 T Butter
1 c Brown sugar
1/2 c Light corn syrup
1/8 c Molasses
1/4 t Salt
Borden Cracker Jack Instructions:
Preheat oven to 250.
Combine the popcorn and peanuts in a metal bowl or on a cookie sheet and place in the preheated oven.
Combine all the remaining ingredients in a saucepan.
Stirring over medium heat, bring the mixture to a boil.
Using a cooking thermometer bring the mixture to the hard boil stage (260).
This will take about 20 to 25 minutes.
You will notice the mixture turning dark brown.
Remove the popcorn and peanuts from the oven and working quickly, pour the caramel mixture in a fine stream over them.
Then place them back in the oven for 15 minutes.
Mix well every 5 minutes, so that all the popcorn is coated.
Cool and store in a covered container.
Source: Top Secret Recipes
zucchini at 3:17PM on 05/26/09
How about toffee packed in small bags?
sarajane at 4:56PM on 05/26/09
I did a Linzer Cookie one year with raspberry and one of the cookies chocolate dipped on the bottom and they sold out in 7 mins. Make them a nice size too.
JerzeeTomato at 4:57PM on 05/26/09
I was also thinking the savory route...
But I thought about mini frittatas baked in muffin tins... or even mini muffin tins and pack 3 to a cellophane/ziplock bag. You can serve these at room temperature.
How about baking mini lasagnas or mini mac & cheese in individual tins with their disposable tops?
MadelynRodriguez at 10:56PM on 05/26/09