
FAQ's
Find a quick answer to your questions on this page.
If you still have a question after you search this page and The Process Page, you may contact me by email here.
Ordering
How do I order
See The Process page for more details.
First thing is to complete the Order request form. But please don't submit just to ask questions.
This will send me and email and will start the conversation with me.
The form is necessary as it will have a lot of questions to help me know what you are interested in and allow me to confirm date availability between me and my artists. If we have an artist available for your date, I will email you to confirm and send you a link where you will place your order and make payment on the website.
Do you ship
No.
As a cottage baker, I am bound by the Colorado Cottage Laws, which prevent shipping out of state.
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If you know someone who lives in Colorado, you can order and pay for the cookies and then have them pick them up and/or ship them to you.
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If you live out of state and are coming in for an event, you can order and pick up yourself when you arrive in Colorado or have someone else assigned to pick them up.
Is there a minimum quantity you have to order
No.
Not unless you are needing another variant such as dairy or another allergen free option and then there is a 2-dozen minimum.
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I prefer to at least do at least a dozen per order, but Iam willing to discuss a smaller quantity based on my availability.
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I also do not have a maximum amount that can be ordered. It is, again, based on my availability for your request.
What is the traditional sugar cookie flavor
Vanilla Almond.
This is what a traditional Christmas sugar cookie flavor will be.
Please see below with questions regarding almond and nut-allergies.
I use an imitation almond extract to be able to steer clear of any nut or tree nut allergies.
How do I order more than 1 dozen
The listing for custom and most other cookies is by "size", such as dozen or half dozen. Then, there is a box to select "quantity", which is for your total quantity of dozens needed.
For example, if you want 3 dozen, you will select the "size" first, i.e.1 dozen custom, and then scroll down a few lines and change the
"quantity" to 3.
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You can also add multiple items to your cart and purchase them all in one transaction. For example, if you want a cookie cake or DIY kit and also custom cookies, you would add each item to your cart before checking out and then pay all in one transaction, just like any other onlilne shopping cart.
How do I pick up my order
As a home based cottage baker, all orders are picked up at my home in Thornton, Colorado, near 136th and Quebec. The exact address will be given after payment is made and order finalized.
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Once at the address, there will be a pick up stand out on the front porch where all orders are placed, either in boxes or bags and will have your name on them. There is no reason to knock or ring the bell to notify us you are there, you can just get your package and head out.
Do you offer large quantity or corporate discounts
No.
This concept does not apply to custom items of any industry. This would make sense in another industry where a larger quantity is easier to produce in bulk, say t-shirts or mugs for instance. With custom art items it takes even longer to produce large quantities and is the reason discounts cannot be provided.
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Imagine you have requested a custom portrait done from an painter/artist. Can you imagine asking them to do 10 dozen (120) of them. That just sounds absurd in that context, doesn't it. Although we are not using paint and are not doing a wall sized portrait, it is still art and every cookie is hand "painted".
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The only "discount" for quantity would be in the case of Party Favors or Printed cookies that use a single design. These have a lower price point due to having a single design that requires less prep/design time, but they are still not "discounted" if you ask for a large quantity.
What payment types do you accept
All orders are placed on the website and we accept all forms of credit/debit cards. We also accept PayPal and is automated through the site.
I no longer accept Venmo and I do not accept cash or checks at the time of pick up. All orders must be paid prior to it being accepted and placed on my calendar.
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Tipping is not required or necessary but always appreciated.
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If you want to leave a tip you are welcome to leave it in an envelope under the front mat and send me an email letting me know it is there so it's not missed.
If you'd like to tip via PayPal, you can do that, but please choose the friends and family option.
The PayPal handle is https://paypal.me/thecookiedarling
Do you deliver
No.
All items are local porch pick up, in Northern Thornton.
How many designs come in a set
Typically we offer 4 different designs for a dozen. This does not multiply per dozen, however. If you order 2 - 4 dozen, or more, we may be able to offer 6 - 8 design for the full quantity if necessary. Most often, 6 is the maximum number of designs done per set.
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An example of an order that would need more is a book club that wants one book per month for a whole year. While this is possible, it will fall under the highly detailed category.
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We offer an option for a single design, which is called
Party Favors.
We call it this because, for a child's party for example, often kids are given a party favor as they leave. If each child receives a different design, that can cause disappointment and tears or arguments, so providing a single design removes that as well as offers a lower price point for this type of gift.
How far in advance do I need to order
As soon as possible.
Even 6 months to a year is recommended for those events you know are coming up, such as graduations and birthdays.
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My calendar is typically booked 3 months out, especially close to major holidays.
Due to the demand during national holidays, or common celebrations like end of school and graduations in May, I may cut off availability for custom orders a month in advance.
Can you take a last minute order
No.
Designing an order and fitting it into an already full schedule is extremely difficult and time intensive with multiple nights of no sleep to accommodate such orders.
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1 week notice is not possible and cannot be accepted.
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2 weeks prior notice
is the minimum notice required to place an order without a rush fee.
IF I agree to this short notice, you will be charged a rush fee and invoiced to the email address you provided after ordering.
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With that said, however, you can submit an order request even if the schedule is showing booked to see if I have had a cancellation and might be able to fit you in.
How do I confirm you received my order
A confirmation email will be sent to the email you provided on the order.
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Please ensure you have typed it correctly and added my email to your contacts so it does not go to junk or spam.
The email it will come from is info@thecookiedarling.com or thecookiedarling@gmail.com.
The confirmation email of your order should arrive within minutes after paying for your order.
If you do not receive one, either it is in your spam/junk folder or it may indicate that your order did NOT go through.
If you do NOT receive a confirmation email, then I will not receive your order. It is up to you to follow up and confirm with me if you haven't heard back from me after you order.
IMPORTANT: Your order is not an order or placed on the calendar until payment is received.
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Confirmation email = an order
No confirmation email = the order was not placed, will not be put on the calendar and will not be fulfilled.
Allergies, Ingredients & Cookie Care
Do you offer Gluten Free items
Yes.
I am a Celiac baker and have a dedicated gluten free kitchen.
ALL my goods are gluten free. See the page on Ingredients for more details.
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Because my base recipe is already gluten free, there is no additional charge for gluten free. Please also note, that my base fees are in line with other Cookiers of similar skill levels that are not gluten free and they are charging $5-$10 extra per dozen for gluten free.
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If you are considering ordering from someone who offers a gluten free/friendly option and upcharges for this, please be aware that their kitchen is not gluten free and has a very high chance for cross contamination.
With my kitchen being completely gluten free, there is no chance for cross-contamination.
Do the cookies come wrapped
Yes.
As part of the base cost, the cookies come individually wrapped in cellophane packing with a matching bow.
If you ask me not to wrap them, they will still need to be wrapped when they leave my kitchen in order to preserve their freshness until they are consumed or displayed appropriately at your location.
What kind of Almond flavoring do you use
Nut--free.
In order to offer treats to the majority of those with the major food allergies, I use Imitation Almond Extract by McCormick. The ingredients are:
WATER, ALCOHOL, AND BENZALDEHYDE
Do you offer NON-Gluten Free items
No.
I am a Celiac baker and have a dedicated gluten free kitchen.
I cannot bring glutenous flours or products in my kitchen as it would contaminate the entire kitchen.
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I have been baking gluten free since 2009 and selling sugar cookies since 2019, so the quality of my cookies are time tested.
The majority of my client are actually NOT gluten free and continue to repeat by year after year. I have won over MANY skeptics who thought gluten free food tastes bad.
If you truly are skeptical, you can email me and I'll be happy to provide you with a free sample.
How long will the cookies stay fresh
They can stay fresh up to 2 weeks in the wrapping provided.
They will still start to firm up within a few days but still maintain their fresh taste.
If you unwrap them and leave on the counter, they will become hard within a day or two.
If you freeze them, they can last conservatively for 3 months. If you deep freeze them, that can be extended up to 6 months.
These times are likely conservative and change wildly based on the many variables at your home, including how you store them, if you don't have a good seal and other flavors from your freezer get in the packages, and the temperature and humidity levels of your home, etcetera. ​
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Please note that freshness after leaving my location is not my responsibility.
What about ingredients
Click on this link to read further about ingredients and gluten questions.
Here I list all ingredients for each item I sell, as well as discuss gluten free concerns and controversies.
Do you offer Dairy Free & other allergen free items
Yes.
I can offer dairy free, nut free, corn free, dye free and vegan all on request.
As these are all outside of my standard recipe, I don't keep the specialized ingredients on hand and will therefore have an additional fee for those variants as well as a 2 dozen minimum order.
Because my base recipe is already gluten free, there is no additional charge for gluten free. Please also note, that my base fees are in line with other Cookiers of similar skill levels that are not gluten free and they are charging $5-$10 extra per dozen for gluten free.
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Please note that, besides gluten, my kitchen contains dairy and nut items, so there is a chance, however slim, of cross-contamination.
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How do you freeze cookies
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Wrap completely
This can be done with a ziplock, a vacuum sealer or kept in the heat sealed wrap I have provided. Note that if your cookies have a bow for a closure, they are not also heat sealed. -
Place in a Ziplock bag or plastic container.
If you already put them in a ziplock, it's still a good idea to double bag it. -
Place on a flat location
If you place soft cookies on top of something not flat, they will conform to that shape and have a potential to break. This includes how you place them in the bags. You need to place a similar shape on top of another similar shape. If, say, the head of a gingerbread man is not on top of the cookie below, it could break off. -
Removing cookies from freezer
Remove cookies at least an hour, or greater, prior to consuming in order to thaw fully. It's important to leave them in all packaging and DO NOT move them until they are fully thawed. Moving them or removing packaging could cause condensation and disturb the food coloring and cause bleeding of the colors.
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I still have a questions
Please email me here if you have a question I have not addressed in the FAQ's or The Process.
Do you offer multiple flavors
Yes.
​Standard flavors are offered year round. Such as, vanilla/almond, chocolate chip, chocolate and snickerdoodle.
Seasonal flavors may include; lemon, strawberry, citrus/orange, apple cider, pumpkin and gingerbread.
The flavors will either be announced as an option or simply listed on the products that they are available with. Some flavors may cost more due to the type of ingredients needed, such as chocolate chips vs. cinnamon.
Freezing cookies
continuted
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Frozen cookies need to be put in the freezer as soon as possible to maintain maximum freshness and level of softness.
If you put them in the freezer a week after you receive them and they are already a bit firmer than when you received them, they will come out as firm or harder than when you put them in. If you put them in as soon as you receive them and they are still soft, they will come out as soft or softer. I'm sure there is science behind these facts and they seem counterintuitive, but that is how it works.
Please note that these are my tested suggestions, but I cannot guarantee the results once they have left my location. Even uses these best practices, there is still a chance that bleeding of the food colors may occur and I cannot be held liable for that.
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What about
Red Dye #3
Click on this link to read further about ingredients and find links to this issue.
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I have always provided a DYE FREE option and still do.
Currently (2025 - 2027), there will be an additional charge due the acquisition cost of dye free food coloring. If this ban becomes enforced starting in 2027 or 2028, I will re-evaluate and see how to best handle this issue.
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Please also note that, unless dye free options are greatly improved, there will be a difference in the depth and brightness of certain colors.
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I will continue to work on this issue and follow whatever laws are eventually put into place.
Still have a question? Have you read through the FAQ page and The Process Page?
If you've exhausted those options, you may contact me by email here.