Hello eighteen25ers! I’m so happy to be visiting and sharing cookie love with you again!
Tis the season, right? Cookie swaps and neighbor gifts are in full swing. I love it!
Today I’m sharing a little cookie kit for you to giveaway, or better yet make one for your own family!
This is like a cheater way of making gingerbread houses. You don’t have to hold the walls, break the roof, and frost while vertical. And this is a house that’s made to eat, not look at! My kids don’t like gingerbread (I don’t know where I went wrong) so they much prefer eating a big sugar cookie at the end of a fun decorating session.
So our little kit consists of 3 things. Some cookies that are frosted with a base layer of brown royal icing (to imitate the look of gingerbread), some candy, and some white royal icing to adhere the candy.
I’m soooo excited to share this little candy box here, because it was inspired by one of my all time favorite eighteen25 posts. Remember the teacher gift organized in the craft box? Well that inspired me to do this project in a craft box, and now my little candy kit is going in one too!
I gathered some candy and sprinkles and portioned it out. It brought back memories of organizing my Halloween candy in a fishing tackle box as a kid (for real!). And my re-organizing my caboodle on a weekly basis as a teen. Man, I just have a passion for divided plastic containers. Okay, getting side-tracked, but seriously, what kid wouldn’t LOVE this spread? My kids sure bounced off the walls when I showed them! It’s way better than the one kind of sugar pearls that come in store bought cookie kits.
I made a little cover for it, eighteen25 style.
(you can download it HERE)
Now that your candy kits are ready, you just need some sugar cookies. Use your favorite recipe, or refer to my recipe here. And were you worried that you don’t have a house shaped cookie cutter? No worries! A knife is my favorite and most used cookie cutter! You can cut a template out of paper and simply set it on top of the dough as a guide. You can decide how big or small your cookies will be!
Now you need to prepare your royal icing. Refer to this post for the recipe and tips on consistency. Before you tint most of your frosting brown, fill the bottle(s) of white that you will give with your gift. A medium to thick consistency will do for the white. You will need a thicker consistency, and a thinner (flooding) consistency of the same brown.
I decided to do my base layer in steps, letting in dry a few minutes between each fill.
This just created a little bit of dimension and character to my plain brown base layer.
You don’t need to be crazy like me. You can certainly just do one big outline and fill.
But a really important thing is bubble popping while the icing is still wet.
It will dry much smoother if you do this. Just use a toothpick and pop! If it leaves a mark, it is too dry.
The lucky recipient of your gift can use the white icing and candy to create simple little gingerbread house cookies. But my kids didn’t last very long before they stopped decorating and started eating!
In the end, I decided to give one decorated cookie on top and several plain brown cookies underneath.
This is not crazy hard decorating, this is meant for low key, kid enjoyment. Their candy box will go a long way and probably last for another cookie decorating session. I have to say, my kids decorate cookies ALL the time and they still get excited about it. I love the time we share sitting at the table together. Cookie decorating HAS to be one of the best holiday traditions!
I’m wishing you all a happy cookie (holiday) season!
And thank-you Jamie, Jodie and Jen for having me again! You guys are the best!
I’m always on pins and needles to see what you girls will post next!
. . . . . . .
Janet says
What an amazingly fun neighbor gift! I love how it's packaged–so cute and clever. 🙂 Thanks for sharing it!
Diana says
This is such a cute idea! One question though… I haven't worked with royal icing in forever- how long do you have before it might dry out in the bottle? Or will it stay liquid if the cap is on?
Ashleigh says
Hi Diana! Your royal icing will be fine for a few days with the cap on. They will need to stir it up if they've let it sit for a while though. 🙂
the warrens says
Love love love this idea. I'm scrapping my original idea and now using this one. Haha! Any chance you could share the cool printed label? Maybe in word? I'd appreciate it. My email is warren _ tara @ yahoo.com w/out the spaces. Thx!
Kalleen at Second Street says
Ashleigh, once again you amaze me.
Maddock Family says
I would love to know where you get the plastic box. Can I also get an email of the Label. SO CUTE!!!! My email is erikimaddock at yahoo.com.
Customized Creations says
I love this! It is too cute!
Shaela says
this is fantastic! love the candy container – brilliant 🙂
Jessica says
Oh my gosh, LOVELOVELOVE! Im definitely doing this for my neighbors! Ill be getting all the things this weekend and handing them out, as well as making a kit for my kids.
Can you also email me the label?
spitupchronicles@gmail.com
Thanks!
Sue at the Little Shack says
This is sooo cute! It ALMOST makes me wish my kids weren't homeschooled so we could give them to teachers! But, I do have an adorable granddaughter who would LOVE this! Thanks!!
Y u Think says
My wife would love this, she is always trying new baking ideas. First time here, I am going to have to visit your blog more often.
wheatgerm says
looks tasty
özge bayrak says
wow wow wow! lots of followers, i am the new one at this lovely blog… beatiiful and cute lots of things and inspirations. thank you.
Jessica Nelson says
Wow, I'm floored. Those look so yummy! It almost makes me want to bake. lol Thank you for the detailed instructions. 😉
Amy says
Love this!
sue @ cakeballs, cookies and more says
That is just amazing!
reduce cholesterol without drugs says
This kit would be a very wonderful bonding experience with my niece! She just love cookies and I think this will inspire her to bake! It's just lovely!
Angie@Echoes of Laughter says
WoW! What an awesome project!I love it…it is so fun and pretty and creative! Wishing you a wonderful week and Merry Christmas to all! Angie xo
beatsbydre says
Good Christmas gift!!!
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mikky says
Great idea with the tackle box. I've seen it set up with Candys before, but to use it for gingerbread house decorating kits is genius! Now if only your blog was scratch and sniff!!! Mmmm gingerbread.
🙂
mikky
http://www.todaloos.com
Kathy says
Brilliant!
Teresa says
This is the cutest thing ever…adding this to my pinterest boards
Merry Christmas
Holly says
Adorable! I might just have to try this!
Ali Husnaen says
i did try to make like that i couldn't:)
StopTheTime says
this is fantastic .;)
Sue says
I adore this idea! I would love to give AND receive such a fun cookie kit! Love what you do!
Bose says
Thanks a ton for the Sample Printables, Inspiring Designs; Creative Excellence!!
maryellen.fairfax says
I love the box of lollies and biscuit idea! It is so inspirational –> makes me want to cook right now!
Elle says
I absolutely LOVE this! I think I'm going to make a few of these and give them as gifts this year! …what a wonderful idea, and so much better than those boxed gingerbread house sets they sell!
Amithi says
Personally, I love to own things done. It looks cute.
Super idea, probably will use the same. 🙂
Leth says
I want this cookies hahah.
How beautiful and yummy, I go try make this because it's a good deserts for kids.
Elle says
I absolutely love this! Beautiful, delicious, creative! I have shared your link on my own blog, and cannot wait to try this out and give them as gifts this year!!!
Ann "The Scrapbooking Housewife" says
What a very fun and wonderful gift idea!!! The cookies look so yummy and beautifully decorated! Will have to give these a try! 🙂
Kristen Duke Photography says
that is SUPER cute!!!
Dominik says
I'll have to show your blog to my younger sister – she'll love it!!
yours,
Dominik
http://www.luxundpartner.at
mommytime365.com says
I love this idea!!! My son and his class are doing gingerbread houses today in class, but to have a kit – awesome idea!! I have this set as a reminder for next Christmas!
Happy Holidays,
Jenn
Tracie says
I tried to download the label with no luck. Could you please email a new one to me for use? I love this idea and am doing it for a small number of friends.
Thank you!
Tracie
Jodie and Jen says
Oh no! Let me see if I can get it figured out. Sorry!!
Joni says
Hi! I love this fun craft and gift idea. I also tried downloading the label with no luck. Could you email me the label at your convenience? Thank you!
Joni says
Hi! I love this fun craft and gift idea! I also tried downloading the printable with no luck. Could you email me the printable at your convenience?
Thanks!
Joni