Go to Dollar Tree and buy a bunch of those large plastic platters that caterers use....to transport finished cookies. And buy a bug roll of commercial Saran wrap from Costco or Sam's.
Then get her a bunch of those flat plastic covered trays to keep the undecorated cookies in...Think I got mine at Wal-Mart.

And tell her...."you go girl!"

What a great project!

I think Linda has the right of it. Another place to look is a restaurant supply house.

For storing (and freezing) cookies like that, I use large rectangular flat containers. They come in polypropylene and polycarbonate (both very food safe), and in sizes up to about 14"x10". They're harder to find, though. Sheets of parchment paper cut to size between the cookies keep them from sticking to each other and can be reused several times. These might be easier to manage, but I think the platters are a great idea if she can handle them.

OK, they covered cookies, but I have to tell you that the best thing I've ever found for transporting cupcakes are those disposable cupcake carriers that I get at cake decorating places or Amazon/etc. They can be reused several times, and they are really good for placing a baked cupcake into the "spot" and keeping it while decorating, they don't move around during transport and the frosting and decorations don't get messed up by plastic wrap.

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/12-compartment-clear-hinged-high-dome-cupcake-container-100-case/433KP412.html

Good luck to the baker!

Annie

Thank you so much for responding!! My daughter is the baker, not me, so I have a very elementary question -- if she bakes one day and decorates the next day should she store the baked cookies or cupcakes in the fridge or in an air-tight container not in the fridge?

Either, but even in the fridge, she needs to use an air tight container.

There are a few kinds of cookies that really should be refrigerated, but most should not. Same with cakes. Unless you have an unusual climate. Definitely air tight, but only when they're cool enough. Good plastic wrap will do airtight as well.

You mentioned a tiered container during decorating. I think it's too messy to slide the shelves in and out. If the decorated cookies have soft icing, you can do the trays for storage and transport by inverting one on the other, using binder clips to hold them, and then plastic wrap for air tight.

Annie reminds me, however. Also look at bakery boxes. Good old fashioned bakery boxes. With tissues for separation if necessary. Your daughter can make herself a logo and print stickers to use on them.

Boston Cream Pie cupcakes sounds good, I just might look into those, one of our daughters' favorite...Boston Cream Pie. I think your daughter's "hobby" is great, may lead into something big.

My dream in a return life (LOL) would be a baker, I think I could handle that...especially if the CF was still around for advice.

Not trying to throw a wet blanket on this, but --- there are probably laws in your state governing baking in a home kitchen, even if it is done by a child. If she takes money for what she produces, the government wants to control it, collect taxes on it , and oversee how and where it is made for the "food safety of the general population". You might want to check into your state's laws, just to be safe. In some states if you are caught you are banned from ever in your lifetime baking things for sale.

Check out "cottage laws" for your state.

I agree, Michigan has a "cottage food law" that allows the sale of baked goods as long as there are labels which include the ingredients and the statement that they are baked in a home kitchen which has not been inspected by the Health Department. They also allow jams and jellies and various canned fruit products, fresh produce, eggs, but no pickles or salsa or other canned vegetables or meats. I believe you are allowed to make up to $25,000.00 annually before you become a "business", which requires inspection/etc.

Annie

OP here. We were out of town, so just responding now.

Thanks for all these great tips! We have a Dollar Tree near us (DS's favorite place). We'll go get the items recommended. This week she has 2 requests: one 2-layer blueberry-lemon cake and 24 Boston cream pie cupcakes (those take 2 or 3 days to make!).

On the whole government thing...In my city you can cut down trees, add a pool, put on a home addition, remodel a bathroom, replace your roof and windows, build a deck, etc, without a single permit or inspection. And we are in a major city, not in a rural area or a small town. Oh, but you get in trouble for painting your door a bright color; go figure. I actually wish permits and inspections were required bc it would force the contractors to up their game/skills. I doubt the city cares about a few dozen cookies every so often. It's like baby-sitting or cat-sitting for a kid.

Oh my gosh, I just looked up the Cottage Laws for my state. I didn't even know there was such a thing. She's pretty much in compliance; the law is pretty loose; even pickles are ok ; ) She just needs to add a few things to her labels. If I didn't have a kid interested in this, I never would have heard of cottage laws. She's my youngest of 4, and there are still things to learn!

Would you please share your recipe for the Boston cream cupcakes? Yum, Thank You.

Eta why do they take days to make?

ssdarb, I assumed there would be Cottage Food Laws. not because the government cares about cupcakes or even food safety in many instances, but they do care about taxes, so they want to make sure they get their share!

Annie

I will get that recipe from my daughter. She uses a recipe from a book for that but I think she makes her own glaze. The reason they take so long is because she's 13 and has other things going on in her life. So she'll bake one day, decorate the next, etc. During the school year she has homework and other things, so she usually can't block out so many hours in one day. For a grown-up, if you block out the time, of course it would all be done in the same day.

OK, she is out of town but she told me that she used her Martha Stewart baking book for that recipe. Thanks for the tips.

Ok Thank You I suppose I can contain myself until she returns lol