12/04/2017
All you need to know about the Christmas Cookie Contest
Hi Friends!
Kids! If you haven't signued up for the Christmas Cookie Contest- you should!! Between the registered baking teams there will be many different cookies "fighting" for the title of the Ultimate Christmas Cookie. I am excited about tasting all the baked creations but most of all I am excited about all the fun we will have as a community and all the memories you will build with your family and friends.
And here is how the evening will go:
5:15-5:55 PM
• Come to the Fellowship Hall to check in and set up your display. When you come, your cookie entries will get ID numbers and we will point you to your display spot(s).
• Remember 20% of the overall score will come from your presentation, so don't neglect this aspect and set your cookies up for success! You put a lot of effort into your cookies, so let them shine!
• Important: your display will only need between 4 to 10 cookies. The rest of the cookies you will cut into smaller pieces for people to be able to taste and vote.
• Please don't forget to bring along a recipe (printed or written) for each of the cookies.
• Once you set up your display, simply enjoy the evening. We ask that contestants don't stand by their displays and don't point out their cookies to other people.
o If you registered for the Gingerbread Creations, you'll have a chance to work on the edible winter house.
o You are also invited to visit Joseph's Workshop and build a wooden manger which will perfectly fit under your Christmas Tree as a reminder of the Ultimate Gift we are celebrating this holiday season. You can purchase the manger kit at the door while supplies last
6-7 PM
• People's Choice Voting. Everyone at the event will get one vote. You may vote for your own cookie if you really think they are the best.
7-7:30 PM
• Judges will taste and score each and every cookie.
7:30-8 PM
• We will announce the winners and award prizes
Here are a few tips that you might find helpful:
• Read the recipe all the way through, gather the necessary tools, and measure out all the ingredients before starting.
• The holidays are a time to splurge. Use the freshest, best-quality ingredients you can find.
• Make sure you have enough time to complete the recipe without rushing.
• All ingredients should be at room temperature unless otherwise specified.
• Be precise with measurements—an extra pinch of salt can make cookies too salty. Lightly spoon dry ingredients into the appropriate measuring tool and then use a knife to level off the top. Brown sugar is the only ingredients that should be packed down.
• Once flour has been added to the dough, don’t overmix it, as doing so creates too much gluten, which can make for tough cookies.
• Don’t forget to preheat the oven (twenty minutes is a good rule of thumb); an oven thermometer can be used to make sure your oven temperature is accurate.
• Used cooled cookie sheets for each batch or the batter will spread. If you don’t have several sheets to rotate, then rise the sheet in cold water and dry it between batches.
• Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a couple minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Be certain the cookies are completely cool before packing them. Warm cookies produce steam, which when trapped in a container causes the entire batch to turn soggy. Also, let the iced or painted cookies set up and dry completely before storing them.
• Store different types of cookies in separate containers so the flavors don’t mingle and become muddled. Suitable containers include food-safe plastic boxes, metal tins, glass or ceramic canisters, cookie jars, and heavy duty plastic bags. If your cookies are fragile, choose a sturdier vessel to protect against breakage. Use wax paper between the layers of cookies.
• Most cookies will stay fresh in airtight containers stored in a cool, dry place for two or three days or in a freezer for six to eight weeks.
Feel free to contact me if you have questions. 209-648-1664 or [email protected]
Looking forward to seeing you and sampling your tasty creations,
Pastor Kaydi Hemberry
Turlock FMC
