Cookie Projects: Baking Cookie Pops

Make sugar cookie dough as described in the baking tutorial. I strongly recommend using my Basic Rolled Sugar Cookies recipe for cookies on sticks. I know that it works and the cookies will hold up. Not all sugar cookie recipes will work for baking on sticks.

Refrigerate dough as usual. Roll out dough thicker than for regular decorated cookies. I recommend 3/8" to 1/2" thick. After cutting out desired shapes, insert sticks. Place one hand flat on top of your dough shape to hold it steady. Use the other hand to insert the stick, twisting slightly as you you are inserting. I like to insert the stick about 2/3 of the way up the cookie to ensure stability.

Once the stick is inserted, carefully turn cookie over, using a thin cookie spatula if needed.	Take a small amount of dough and roll it into a rope. Place dough rope on the cookie where the stick is inserted.	Pat down extra dough with your fingers to attach it securely.
This will reinforce the back of the cookie.	Turn cookie back over using spatula if needed.	Place on a parchment or silicone-lined baking sheet.

Bake cookies as usual. You may need to add a minute or two onto the baking time because of the thickness of the cookies. Remember that the cookies need to be thoroughly baked because soft cookies have a tendency to fall off the sticks. Make sure the edges look golden brown, and the tops of the cookies look dry.

After baking, the extra dough on the back will have flattened out and the cookies will be a light golden brown.

Allow cookies to cool on the sheet pan for about 10 minutes. Carefully use a spatula to move the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Decorate cookies just as you would regular cookies (See decorating tutorials for decorating ideas and hints). The stick can be a bit tricky to work around, but you'll get used to it quickly and shouldn't have a problem. Allow cookies to dry thoroughly before packaging.

A simple way to present cookie pops is to cover with a cellophane bag and tie with some ribbon for a whimsical party favor or gift. For instructions on arranging cookie pops in containers, continue on to Cookie Pots tutorial.

Note: We have the following Cookie Sticks Available through our online store:

• 11 3/4" Cookie Sticks
• 8" Cookie Sticks
• 6 1/2" Cookie Sticks