How I Make Dough During The Holidays

It all began back in 2005, when my son, Max, was in Kindergarten.  I was totally jazzed about entering that stage in life when I would bake goodies for his class parties.  Early on, I started sending Max to school with little baked treats to give to his teacher.  Of course, Mrs. Foster and I become great friends!

Mrs. Foster gave me the inside scoop on how I could sell baked goods to all the teachers.  After all, teachers have kids of their own but have no time to bake for their kid’s school parties.  She said creating a menu or sales sheet along with an order form to hang in the staff lounge was the way to secured sales.  Of course, I had to get the Principal’s approval first.  How did I do that?

Well, Mrs. Foster lubed the wheels and told the Principal how wonderful my treats were and to expect me to stop by to drop her some FREE SAMPLES.  That’s all it took.  I was in! For every upcoming class party, I created & posted a menu and order form in the teacher’s lounge.

But you know, that was just the tip of the iceburg.  Baking cookies, making fancy rice cereal treats was just fine for parties.  But I discovered there were teachers who were leaving for home without a plan for dinner.  That’s when I started bringing them tamales.  Yes, you read that right.

This white girl makes tamales, and damn good ones too!

I’ve been making tamales for, let me count…uh…8 years.  I have a recipe that will ROCK your world and you’ll swear they were made by some Mexican grandma.  They’re the healthiest tamales you’d ever eat, too.  I make them with a lot of flavor but not spicy.  My tamales are very kid friendly.  Unfortunately, tamales take a lot of hard work.  I don’t recommend selling them.  I only mention them here because they are a big source of steady income from October to the SuperBowl.

Something that is EXTREMELY easy to make, takes very little cash to produce and guarantees repeat business all the way through VALENTINES DAY are those Champion Oreo Truffles I wrote about yesterday.

Now, I like a professional touch, so I purchase candy boxes, cushion inserts, ribbons, and labels.  It makes it easier to charge more when things come in a pretty box.  However, I try to find reasonably priced boxes so they don’t eat into my profit.  I figure up the cost of the individual pieces and work it into the average cost of each truffle.

You know, I don’t remember how many truffles I can make from one package of Oreos.  Make a batch and do the math.  Consistently making the same size truffles ensures a steady number with each batch.

PLACES TO SELL

• your kid’s school
• your dentist’s office
• your doctor’s office
• your kid’s doctor’s office
• your church staff friends

Notice how these places listed have YOUR FRIENDS working there?  Let your friends talk you up to their co-workers, and you be the one to bring a platter of free samples.  Always plan to make the drop in the late afternoon when folks need a boost or right before they leave work. That way, they can take their purchases straight home.

Even when you are just dropping a sampler, be ready to take cash & checks and have boxes ready right then and there.  You’ll kick yourself for not being prepared, trust me.  Have calling cards ready to hand out, too.  People will buy more later for gift giving.  Make a way for them to know when they can call on you. You can also call on them to let them know when your making the next batch.  Either way works.

Now it’s time for the disclaimers.

When it comes to food handling and selling food.  Sanitary conditions and safe practices are of the utmost importance.  Working in an area that is permitted by state health officials is highly recommended.  Check out and read your local health departments website for rules and permits for food handling and safety before entering into this venture.

You don’t have to own a restaurant to sell baked goods.  It is very possible to rent out some time in a commercial kitchen (church kitchen) that has a permit from the health department, to produce and package your goods to sell.

Ok, that’s all I can think of for now.  If you have questions, or you’ve done or do something similar, please share it with us.  In times like these, when time & money are shy, we could all benefit from the wisdom of others.