Behind the Scenes

SOLD OUT.” That’s when she officially started her business and side hustle, The Whimsy Whisk, in October, 2020.

After the first custom order for a bridal shower came in January 2021, Sheridan has been rolling, in dough that is. She typically makes 6-12 batches a week but has made up to 36 dozen. Christmas is by far the busiest season when she averages 1500 cookies for the month. Her second busiest time is May. There are orders for Mother’s day, graduation, birthdays and appreciation days for teachers and nurses.

When you’re making that many cookies it adds up to a lot of butter, flour and eggs. Sheridan says she always uses real butter, not margarine and about three to six pounds weekly, but up to nine to twelve pounds when she’s busiest. Over the last few years, the price of butter has nearly doubled. The same can be said for eggs. She goes through an average of a dozen eggs weekly, but during busy time, she can easily use two dozen, and those prices have made a big impact on a small baking business.

The most time consuming part of the cookie business is the decorating. Sheridan says, “ A simple, normal cookie set might take me 1 hour per dozen, but a more complicated or detailed set has been known to take me over 4 hours per dozen. This includes fine detailed writing, hand painted metallic details, and characters. Note that this is only the decorating, not including the dough making, baking, icing coloring, and the packaging at the end.”

When it comes to the final step - packing, Sheridan said that her mom has been a huge help, especially with holidays preorders. She explained, “Cookies are always cello bagged which allows them to maintain their freshness for 2 weeks and my cookies can also be frozen for up to 3 months as well. Packaging is a high priority for me. Custom cookies are a luxury and I want my customers to feel like they are also getting a boutique, luxury product and experience when they pick up their order. After all, it is custom and made just for them! “

Since Sheridan’’s cookies are available by continued next page A collection of birthday cookies