From delicate in France to gooey-centered creations in the US, the humble biscuit in all its iterations could easily be granted ‘world’s favourite baked good’ status. Biscuits – or cookies, depending on where in the world you are – are baked to mark all kinds of celebrations, but also make for a pretty unbeatable ‘just because’ treat. And, it turns out, bikkies can be part of a fun fundraising initiative too.
Australia-based cookie cutter retailer recently launched its second cookie cutter drive initiative, with the aim of providing support to schools and clubs across the country. Twenty per cent of the proceeds from total orders placed goes straight back to the school.
“We launched the Cookie Cutter drive as a unique way of giving back to schools and clubs in Australia,” owner of Cookie Cutter Shop Lisa Moulden tells SBS. “We offer items through the drive that are exclusive to the fundraiser, and not available through our site. The schools that have participated so far have had a percentage of sales made through their cutter drives donated to them and used to assist them financially, such as to purchase new equipment or contribute to school camp.”
A participant in this year’s Cookie Cutter Shop fundraiser drive is , a Queesnland school of 27 students with special needs. Sue McBride, the school’s P&C President, tells SBS the drive was an original and easy way to raise funds for the school.
“We set ourselves a goal of $50 and easily surpassed it,” she says. “We ended up with $80. We did quite well, so we’ve decided to do it again. On the day the cookie cutters arrived, everyone was so impressed with how lovely and well-presented they were.”
The funds raised at Mount Isa State Special School will go towards a new wheelchair-friendly Toyota Hiace, which staff will use to take students on outings.
This year’s cookie cutter drive catalogue includes a range of shapes – from cats, dogs and bears, to guitars, cars and even books.
Wondering which cookie cutter to choose? Asked to summarise the year’s biggest trends, Lisa immediately points to a certain technicoloured, social media-friendly mythical creature that’s been taking our feeds by storm.
“As far as cookie cutters are concerned this year we have seen a surge in the unicorn’s popularity,” she says. “This trend has been seen all over social media, with bakers the world over posting pictures of their mythical creations. Unicorn treats have become so popular that even Starbucks jumped on the band wagon by releasing a limited edition Unicorn Frappuccino.”
Moulden confirms what we’ve all been thinking – cookies are a universal delight.
“In Germany, the smell of , a soft-style gingerbread cookie with a sweet and slightly nutty taste, wafts from the kitchens as one of their most popular Christmas baking traditions,” Lisa tells SBS. “In Australia, we pay homage to our fallen when we bake around Remembrance Day. We have cookie cutters made especially for the feast that celebrates the end of Ramadan. Cookies such as Springerle or (popular in Switzerland and Europe in general) are now being made by new generations from recipes passed down through the family.”
