As I mentioned previously, we were moving away from traditional favors, and moving more in the direction of a dessert bar! Well, once we had decided on a dessert bar, we needed to decide what it would include. Obviously, our first choice was a s’mores bar. But sadly, because of our mountaintop location, that was an immediate “no.” I think that candy bars are really fun, and you can be really creative, BUT we’re just not big candy people. Besides, my friend M had one at her wedding last month, and I rarely saw anyone go near it besides the younger guests. And we are having cake, so even though to family and friends I’m the cupcake queen, I thought cupcakes would be overkill (PLUS I would NEVER PAY anyone to make them, meaning I’d be doing it myself and THAT many cupcakes would be a LOT of work!).
One day while cruising Pinterest, I came across something that I knew immediately would be perfect: A COOKIE BAR! Not only are chocolate chip cookies one of Mr. B’s most favorite treats, but with inspiration like this, who could disagree?
Images via Style Me Pretty / Photo by Jonda Spurbeck / Event design by Love and Lavender
Image via Style Me Pretty / Image via Mirelle Carmichael Photography
So after talking it over with Mr. B, we had officially decided that a cookie bar was the way to go! The beauty of choosing cookies is that cookies FREEZE. So I am able to make them all myself without the stress of making them the day of (like I would have had to do with cupcakes). Now it was just a matter of what cookies I would make and how many. Oh, and how I would present them, of course.
Chocolate chip cookies were a given (as they’re Mr. B’s favorite). Ginger snaps are another one of my favorites, so they’re in. Oatmeal raisin is always a crowd-pleaser. I plan on doing iced sugar cookies as well, but they are also the most labor intensive since you can’t freeze them iced, and it’d have to be done in the couple days before. We’re going to do one more type of cookie, either double chocolate, or “everything but the kitchen sink” cookies…the jury is still out.
For presentation, I found AWESOME, GIANT cookie jars for $9.97 at Walmart! I also bought some silver tongs and am planning on putting the iced sugar cookies on some glass cake plates! Top that off with my awesome DIY bunting and it makes one fantastic dessert bar!
Are you planning on having a cookie bar or other dessert bar at your wedding? Are you being as adventurous as I am and baking the items yourself? Or playing it safe and purchasing them?
We changed our idea from a candy bar to a sweets bar since we thought candy bars were being overdone. What were planning on doign is getting people around us to help out by making some kind of sweets (brownie, peanut butter balls, cookies, nanaimo bars, etc.) Then we can put a little sign and say grandma’s favorite, mother of the groom’s favorites, etc… that way I don’t have to stress about making them myself and people can feel included. Oh and did i mention ALOT CHEAPER hehehe
I like the idea of a cookie bar- very cute! I never hit the candy bar at weddings either. I’m just not a candy eater at all!
I had a surprise cookie bar for my hubby in addition to a chocolate bar for myself. They were both a huge hit! I even got a giant cookie as his grooms cake.
Although I didn’t opt to bake the cookies, I bought most of them from Sams Club a day ahead. I also used cookie jars from Walmart.
We had chocolate chip, m&m, double chocolate, oreos, sugar, italian cookies. I also ordered a case of thin mints from the Girl Scouts and saved them until the wedding. Plus I had fortune cookies made with custom fortunes inside.
I did do a formal favor. It was a Godiva biscuit in the shape of a hear, with dark chocolate ganache on top. It perfectly matched the chocolate and cookie theme of “Our Sweet Day – His Cookies, Her Chocolate” Plus they were really inexpensive, 12 for $8.99. We just individually wrapped them in lollipop bags the night before and closed them up with a “Thank You” twist tie.
Good Luck on your cookie buffet and all the baking. Can’t wait to see the photos.
we are also doing a cookie bar. we are doing 4 types of cookies and then will have some cake pops!!!
Here’s our cookie buffet http://gallery.weddingbee.com/photo/the-surprise-cookie-buffet#post-70857
We’re doing a cookie bar too! I plan to make a few types of dough ahead of time and freeze them in portioned balls, and then baking the day before. I’m also asking my friends and family if they want to contribute by making their specialty. And then maybe buying a couple supplemental kinds (meringues from Trader Joes!). Plus I think we might throw a couple of candies on the bar too, especially Jordan Almonds because my dad loves those.
For presentation, we’re doing wide, shallow serving dishes. I figure it’ll be easier to grab them that way. And I’m thinking tile corners with dry erase marker for labels!
I’m excited to see how yours turns out!!!
Yum! Sounds delicious! Can’t wait to see what it all looks like together!
Have you ever heard of the cookie bar tradition in Pittsburgh area weddings? See this NYT article.
I just had a milk and cookie bar at my Oct 7th wedding. We had 10 different kinds of cookies. My husband and I made 3 of them. The other 7 were made by a friend at work. Although I made the batter in advance, it was still a lot of work to bake them the week of the wedding. But I would do it again; the bar was a huge hit!
That sounds awesome. I’m carving chocolate chip cookies now.
Definitely cannot go wrong with a cookie bar! Sounds yummy, but i’m a big sweet tooth so I am baised, lol. In addition to the wedding cake, we did a vienesse dessert bar (had three kinds of cookies included). Our caterers provided the desserts and we added two of our own which we purchased, not homeade since it was semi -DW wedding. Our dessert bar doubled as both the dessert course and as take home favors for those who were interested. We had cute little chinese take-out boxes that we decorated with labels for our guests to pack their treats in. 
Mmm, the guests at your wedding are in for a real treat! Homemade cookies always taste better too. I love gingersnaps and chocolate chip! Can I come too?
Sounds really awesome! I love the idea of dessert bars, cookies and cupcakes as a spin on the candy bar!
@bracelet: Thanks for sharing this article, Bracelet! I’m a Pittsburgh girl and grew up with cookie tables, so I was just about to link it myself. I honestly didn’t even realize it was a Pittsburgh/western PA thing until I read it!
Mrs. Buffalo, San Diego, CA Age and Occupation: 26, Treasury Services Representative Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Manufacturing Engineer Engagement Date: July 28, 2011 Wedding Date: September 2012 Venue: Bailey's Palomar Resort About Me: I’m a So Cal girl who doesn’t like the ocean (or sand) and would much rather be out in the country. I’m a Gleek and a Twi-hard, I enjoy baking, reading, watching old movies, and listening to country music. We both love football season, and thankfully our two favorite teams are in different conferences (and therefore rarely play each other). He’s a die-hard Indianapolis Colts fan, and I love the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (and YES, we’re both born and raised San Diegans). He’s my best friend, and I can’t wait to begin the journey of our lifetime together.
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