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Date: 7/21/2021
WILBRAHAM – Cookie Creatives by Jennifer at 2133 Boston Rd. is a bakery that specializes in custom designed sugar cookie favors, elegant confections and miniature desserts.
Owner/Pastry Design Artist Jennifer Burkhart began Cookie Creatives in 2007 with training in both classic and advanced pastry decorating techniques. She said she has had a passion for decorated cookies since she first discovered them over six years ago while exploring the art of cake decorating.
“It started as a hobby and when I was 23, I took cake decorating classes at Michaels,” Burkhart said. “From there, I just started experimenting with royal icing; basically, self-teaching myself how to make decorative cookies and then it just evolved.”
When Burkhart and her husband were married in 2007, they moved to be closer to his job and she had to leave her job working in insurance. “It was a perfect opportunity to turn my hobby into something more and Cookie Creatives by Jennifer officially became a business,” Burkhart replied.
In 2008, she had the chance to work with renowned cake designer Michelle Bohigian, the owner of Something Sweet By Michelle in Worcester. Burkhart recalled it being a good experience to be behind the scenes of running a bakery, which helped her move forward with her business and have a better understanding of what she was going to be doing.
Before going into business, Burkhart put her skills to the test and made over 100 cookie favors for her own wedding, which she said was good practice for the future. “Now, there are a lot of bakeries that do decorative cookies but back then it was not very common yet,” Burkhart explained. “It was starting to be a new edible art form, so there wasn't anywhere to fall back on. I felt I could do a better job on my own favors and get what I wanted. It was a lot of work in the few days before the wedding, but it was a great experience and everyone loved the cookie favors.”
Typically, Burkhart said it’s a blank slate to start. Each client comes and they begin from scratch. She likes to have her clients tell her about the event they’re having; how many people are attending, are there colors, what’s the feel, the style and how they're picturing using the favors in the event. April, May, and June are typically her busiest months for wedding orders and October, November and December are filled with holiday orders. Burkhart also has many corporate clients who send cookies for various occasions throughout the year. Other popular events people order treats for include baby showers, birthdays and anniversaries.
“It’s rewarding to be able to help people add a special, sweet touch to their events,” said Burkhart. “I think that the guest experience is always so important and I love being able to help clients enhance that for their guests.”
She continued, “Edible favors are always a favorite choice because it’s rare that they are left behind at an event. Decorated cookies make such a versatile favor choice because they are completely custom to each event. They can help tell your story, whether it’s with the inclusion of a monogram, the party theme, incorporating event colors or highlighting something important in the client’s story.”
Burkhart’s cookies have been used as favors for weddings and showers, served on platters alongside other baked goods and used as centerpiece arrangements and guest seating cards. Their cookies have also been used to help businesses promote their brand and reach potential customers.
Contact Cookie Creatives by Jennifer at 237-5513 or jennifer@cookiecreatives.com.