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Cookie Brigade, PAX East 2011: OVER 9000! ($9600 - and counting - for Child's Play!)
VThornheart
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Thanks to the wonderful people of PAX, and all the bakers and distributors who have helped make it happen, we have earned over
$9,600 for Child's Play
at this PAX! Thank you everyone, we look forward to seeing you at the next PAX!
Cookie Brigade, PAX East 2011
Greetings! If you were looking for information regarding becoming a part of the Cookie Brigade for PAX 2011 (or just want to know what it's all about) you came to the right place!
Stay tuned here for updates and information as it develops!
WHO WE ARE:
The Cookie Brigade is a ragtag group of Penny Arcade Forumers who have assembled since PAX 2007 to provide our fellow gamers with delicious baked goods! Cookies are baked by forumers, brought from afar by forumers, and distributed by forumers!
Starting in 2008, the Cookie Brigade began a mission to give these cookies in exchange for donations to Child's Play, the charity started by Mike and Jerry that provides entertainment to kids in children's hospitals. Since starting on this mission, the Cookie Brigade has raised over (EDIT: $30,000) completely from the handing out of cookies and the reception of donations from the incredible, amazing, and generous PAX community!
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE?
Head to http://cookie-brigade.com/ for more information!
I WANT TO HELP IN THE BRIGADE!
If you're interested in
* Baking delicious cookies
* Distributing to people during PAX
* helping with Logistics
we can definitely use your help! Sign up at our website, http://cookie-brigade.com if you wish to participate in the planning, baking, and/or distributing!
An important note: due to certain external pressures on the Brigade, we have to keep some of our more sensitive planning operations private. If you sign up at the Cookie Brigade website, an Administrator will contact you if you're not a known or frequently posting member of the Forums so that we can verify your identity. Thank you for understanding!
We have learned through the past few years at PAX that there is absolutely no end to the need for cookies and people to distribute them... so every dozen cookies that we get *will* be passed out, and bellies *will* be filled by the fruits of your labor... and Child's Play *will* be benefited by your efforts! Please help us by joining the Brigade!
I'M INVOLVED WITH A BAKERY/GROUP THAT WANTS TO HELP!
Have at least one person from said bakery/group join up on the forums and at our website (be it you, your boss, the owner, etc...) and have them get in touch with us! We can't provide much other than thanks to companies that wish to join forces with the Brigade, but if you are willing to put your bakery or company's resources toward helping Child's Play through the Cookie Brigade we'd love the help!
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Before you start, here are some things to keep in mind:
* Make your cookies thicker and more sturdy than you might normally for durability purposes. Since you'll be bringing them all the way to PAX (or mailing them to one of us), and then passing it off to someone who'll be running around giving them away, we need them to be sturdy enough to withstand the transport! Some people make naturally sturdy cookies, so don't worry if that's the case for you... but if you tend to make thin or brittle cookies, drop a message in the Google Group and we can give you some recipe ideas for cookies that can withstand the rigors of transport and distribution!
* Arrange for Cookie Pickup! Arrange on the Google group to mail them to a Baker Liason in time for the Liason to receive it before PAX (that means ideally so that the package arrives before Wednesday), or bring them yourself and make sure to contact a Liason as soon as you get into town to drop them off!
* Wait until the last minute to make your cookies, or preserve them if you cannot. If you have to make them early (for instance, if you must ship them), wrap them using the techniques mentioned here and package them along with fresh bread to preserve their quality: cookies preserved in such a way retain their freshness significantly longer.
* Remember the chocolate chip! Don't be afraid to experiment, but also remember that the #1 most requested cookie at PAX is good old chocolate chip. In general, there are a few bold PAX goers who will try a truly exotic flavor... but many more will want a chocolate chip, oatmeal rasin or peanut butter cookie. if you're making in bulk, please try to make the majority of your cookies in one of the time honored classic flavors.
* Label your Cookies! If you make more than one variety, please label individual bags (or place the bags within a larger bag and label that) so that we know what we're giving out!
* List allergens! If you made it with peanuts in particular, please list it. Those who have an allergy will only be able to eat cookies that they know are safe, so let us know!
*Themed cookies are fun! If you have an idea for a game themed-cookie, go for it! Pac-Man, red shirts bears, throwing stars (from NinjaTown), whatever. People love the themed cookies!
What's missing from this list?
Bakers: Are you an avid baker with some tips from your years of experience? Have you baked for the Cookie Brigade before and learned something you want to share?
Distributors: What suggestions do you have for the bakers? Have you had problems with some cookies in the past? Have you gotten comments or requests from PAX attendees?
Want to bake but not attending PAX? You can ship your cookies to another Brigadier. Here are some tips on shipping cookies:
Wrap your cookies. Wrap your cookies individually (or in small batches). We'll need to have them like this for distribution, but it also helps keep your cookies from knocking into each other and crumbling.
Airtight containers are your friend. We want to keep those cookies from going stale! There's also a chance that your package could get wet while in-transit. If you've individually wrapped your cookies in plastic wrap, you will then want to place them in a ziploc bag or other airtight container (one site suggested Pringles tubes: they are strudy, round, and airtight. Rinse them out first though). Make sure to get out as much air as you can.
Don't mix your cookies. Keep different flavor cookies separate from each other. If you package them together, the flavors may mix.
Choose the right box. Find the smallest box that will fit your cookies without crushing them. You want to give them as little room as possible to move around, but don't force them into a box that is too small.
Cushion your cookies. You'll need some protective cushioning: packing peanuts, bubble wrap, crushed newspaper, etc. Place a layer in the bottom of your box, add your cookies in neat layers, fill in any gaps between and around your cookies with more cushioning, and place another layer on top of your cookies. When you're done, there should be padding between your cookies and the box on all sides and there should be no movement inside the box when shaken.
Properly mark and close your box. Please include a note with your name/forum name and any info we may need in order to award your achievements (number of cookies, type, etc). Securely tape your box closed and mark it as both "perishable" and "fragile".
Take time into account. The less time your cookies are in transit, the less time they are subjected to possible damage. Plus, fresher is better! The US post office priority and overnight flatrate shipping boxes are free and should get the package to its destination within 3 days (international shipping takes longer, of course). Don't wait too long though. Plan to have your cookies arrive by Wednesday, March 9.
Any more tips? Anything specific for shipping internationally?
Here's a general list of what our bakers are planning. Items in italics are questionable and items in bold are specialty (vegan, sugar-free, gluten-free). If you want your name and baked goods added to this list, sign up for the Cookie Brigade website and post in this thread.
ransim – Space Invader candy (pina colada, blue raspberry, strawberry, orange, lemon, and grape flavors), popcorn treats, chocolate candy
menolly07 – Pacman cookies, chocolate chip, Guitar Hero sandwich cookies, Mexican chocolate spritzes?, bacon chocolate chip?, butterscotch potato chip cookies?
MidnyghtChilde – chocolate chip, Star Wars sugar cookies, peanut butter
Krissta – Nutella chocolate chunk, "Eat Me" sugar cookies
lady lilybell – cinnamon bun cookies, sandwich cookies (homemade Oreo's), chocolate chip and bacon cookies, sugarfree peanut butter cookies, strawberry cookies?, gluten-free sugar cookies, gluten-free chocolate chip cookies
thorshauk – chocolate chip, cake mix cookies?, cinnamon oatmeal cookies, vegan cookies
mint – bacon molasses cookies, lemon lime pistachio biscotti, chocolate mint cookies, ginger bread, chocolate chip
Trion – chocolate chip
crimsong19 – chocolate chip
ZephyrRose – coconut angel cake cookies, chocolate chip, vegan?
caro – molasses crinkles, chocolate chip, lemon-poppyseed sugar, vegan peanut butter
wifeofagamer – sugar cookies, chocolate chip, Oreo cookie balls, vegan cookies?
browncoatbeth – Katamari cakeballs
fullofgrace – snickerdoodles?
NomadRaven – chocolate chip, frosted sugar cookies
blueheartgirl – triple chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies?
themeg – sugar cookies, chocolate peanut butter cookies, oreo-stuffed chocolate chip?
savaenelf – chocolate chip, oatmeal
Knuckles056 - chocolate chip
Don't forget to sign up on the Cookie Brigade website and talk with us! http://www.cookie-brigade.com/
Last year we had a lot of cookies at East, but it was but a wave among the tide of cookie need! We need lots and lots of bakers! If you have baking skills and you will have the time to cook even a dozen cookies and bring them to the brigade, we would love you forever! Of course, as many cookies as you can make would be amazing!
Punzie will be coming forward soon with more information for bakers!
I am also going to try and bribe, cajole, and blackmail my friends into baking as well, even those who are not attending PAXEast.
Excellent! The more cookies, the better! And baking is more fun in groups
As we get closer to PAX, I'm going to be trying to encourage/organize some group baking.
I'll plege to bake gingerbread Vault Boys
Choco chip
Peanutbutter blossoms
and maybe some mini portal cake bites (without the fish shaped solid waste)
Altogether about 12 doz. or more.
People freaking *LOVED* your Pac man cookies! Did I get the chance to tell you how quickly they went last year? I went to the main line with them, and I was mobbed by people trying to get them! I can't wait to see this new batch!
Just to make sure, are you still on the Google Group? If not, be sure to jump on there!
We must keep the moderators happy!
Also, I second Moe's motion that there can never be enough Pac Man cookies.
I might even have some PI symbols if the mold works out.
Please do! There are always people with allergies/intolerances/etc. We don't want to leave them out! Gluten-free, sugar-free, nut-free, vegan. These are alternatives we should have.
Also, I eagerly await the perfected Space Invaders candies Ransim! It'll be great!
Well, you have a fair amount of baking knowledge from cupcakes, so cookies will be easier for you. Definitely give it a try with a basic recipe, like snickerdoodles.
@Durinthal
PSN - AngryCremepuff
Indeed, go for it Durinthal and MxWood! We can definitely use the help, and you'll have fun baking them! Well, hopefully you'll have fun baking them.
We also have a really helpful baking community who can give you pointers on making delicious cookies if you need a hand!
And I agree f0cus, gluten free peanut butter cookies can be amazing
My big claim-to-fame cookies are cranberry oatmeal chocolate chip. I want to test with recipes, though, cause I cheat and just use the Betty Crocker bagged stuff then throw other stuff in.
I also found a recipe for nutella chocolate chip cookies which I'm dying to try (I actually just tried nutella for the first time yesterday, omg).
Thats actually a thought. I did come across a few recipes for sugar free candy. I can see about making some of that as well for the people who can't have sugar.
Nutella is so awesome. You'll have to share if they come out as delicious as they sound!
I'm still debating what to make, I have tried and true basics (oatmeal, chocolate chip, snickerdoodle peanut butter*), and some exotics that are just too good - peppermint chocolate chocolate chip, oatmeal with white chocolate chips and dried cranberries or cherries. I'm definitely thinking M&M cookies.
I can't wait to see some of them, I'd love a good vegan cookie recipe, I have a vegan friend and never know what to make for her!
I also decided Im doing a moogle costume for part of PAX. Cookie for charity, Kupo?
*SmittenKitchen's peanut butter cookie recipe is hands down, the best one around!
Hmmmm... this makes me think... Can we try to contact colleges to maybe make some cookies? There's a school with a culinary program nearby me, and maybe they can work it into their class?
I think having 12,000 cookies would actually end up with us satiating the need for cookies at PAX for the first time ever
But if it could be pulled off (or even a fraction of that), it would go a long way to actually meeting cookie capacity... that would be impressive! This last Prime we went through roughly 5,000 cookies, and we still ran out towards the beginning of the day on Sunday (not counting the batch we received at the last minute which allowed us to still distribute at the end of the day
Schools, baking facilities, and anyone who wants to join the brigade are welcome in my opinion. More cookies = more money for Child's Play. We just need more Distributors to rise to the challenge as well if we end up with a huge influx of additional cookies, which is not a bad problem to have!
Also Ransim, a sugar free option would be great! I have been asked before for sugar free cookies, and that's one thing I don't think I personally have ever been given to distribute. =( Sugar free candies would certainly be awesome!
EDIT: Oh, and MidnyghtChilde, your Moogle costume idea is fantastic!
The reason why I suggest culinary schools is because they tend to have equipment that you won't see a whole lot of other places. The one I have in mind has a 3 level European deck oven (capable of handling 9 full-sized sheet pans at once, or 18 home-sized), 5 commercial gas stoves, 3 Hobart mixers (if you know what those are, you know what sort of mixing capacity those give you), a sheeter (kind of a mechanical rolling pin) and a floor-model bread mixer big enough to fit a body in.
The ingredient cost would be all on us, but if there's enough interest, I'll crunch the numbers to see what I can come up with. I also have several recipes for some pretty awesome cookies, including a chewy triple chocolate chip cookie, and my own specialty Mars bar brownie cookie (the Mars bar cookie can be pretty labour intensive, but they're oh so awesome).
If you're interested in contributing (either with your time or money), let me know and I'll investigate costs as long as there's enough people to make it worthwhile.
Just be careful though: you'd have to both figure out how you'd get them all the way to Boston, wrap them, and keep them preserved between the time you rent it and PAX itself. Not to discourage you, because that would truly be an awesome baking contribution! I just wanted to make sure I put that info out there before any serious money was put into it!
The other thing to consider is that all cookie donations are only donations: we can't give compensation for materials unfortunately. =( However, if you figure out the logistics of how you'll get them here in one piece and those other things mentioned above, we *can* form a separate donation fund to let people donate to the cause of renting out the place!
2,000 cookies would definitely be more reasonable for transit and would make a significant addition to our cookie supply! It'd be awesome! In truth, I don't know if we could round up enough Distributors to distribute 12,000 cookies as that's more than twice what we've ever had at PAX before... but it would be neat to try admittedly.
Wrapping is easy, preserving is more challenging but still easy (just a matter of freezer space and I have a deep freeze I'd be willing to donate to the cause for a week or two), transport would be the most difficult. As far as I know, there's lots of Vancouverites going to PAX East, so that would be the best option, which is why I'm putting this out there looking to see who would be up for helping out before I do anything like book kitchen time
If people are interested, I can sort out the issue with Cookie Brigade people donating to cover ingredient costs. That many cookies won't be cheap, and we'd basically just be pooling resources in a more efficient way than previously done. End result is the same, people are still buying flour, butter and eggs, we'd just be doing it in a co-op instead of individually (and thus, economies of scale kick in and we start saving some money). On top of that, I should be able to get stuff ordered on the school's supplier accounts, which means we'd be getting further discounts.
For a project like this, I think aiming for 2,000 for a first go would be a much more reasonable number. Just under 6kg/day - I could easily do that with 1 or 2 helpers. Getting a few of the kinks out plus easier transport would make a higher goal more realistic for PAX Prime 2011. Plus, everyone would get to eat my awesome triple chocolate chip cookies, and I can promise you, that makes 2,000 winners.
Be sure to join the Google Group as soon as you can and put the call out there too: it's where we do the kind of organizing we can't do in this forum for the time being... and it'd be good to get you started up as a Special Projects Liason for this concept!
Refreshing - Fruit-flavored brandy snaps?
Sweet - Snickerdoodles
Sour - Lemondrop Cookies
Mild - Butter tea cookies
Earthy - Truffles, granola/oatmeal
Bitter - beer cookies?
Spicy - Ginger Snaps, tuiles with cayenne chocolate
Smoky - Chipotle Chocolate Chip, Bacon chip cookies
I'm sure with our collective knowledge we can come up with something for each. The biggest challenge is taking each of those attributes, making them present, but still making them nommy.
EDIT: I'll keep adding your ideas, so keep them coming.
Hmm... for mild you could maybe do something like those british biscuit cookies: they have a good flavor, but it's not overpowering like regular cookies.
Refreshing, Earthy, and Bitter are much harder... I can't think of a thing. =( Anyone have a good suggestion?
Refreshing - Fruit-flavored brandy snaps
Sweet - Snickerdoodles
Sour - Lemondrop Cookies
Mild - Butter tea cookies
Earthy - It's only earthy if you get the pun, but you could make truffles. Really easy, and they're named after something that looks like a clot of dirt. Plus you can flavor them with all sorts of liquors, including a nice peaty scotch or an earthy wine.
Bitter - There's lots of recipes for beer cookies that would work really well for this, I haven't tried this one specifically, but it looks okay. I know a guy who works at a restaurant where they put beer in EVERYTHING, I'll see if he has any suggestions.
Spicy - Tuiles filled with a cayenne chocolate. The first one is hard to make, after that they're a snap
Smoky - For this, you HAVE to do bacon chip cookies. Get some smoked bacon, candy it, and substitute for chocolate chips in whatever recipe you want.
Earthy- granola/oatmeal like cookie
Bitter- could be an icing on a cookie that is sourish
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EDIT: I take back the artificial flavored comment, we can't even really have baked goods flavored like alcohol even if they no longer contain it or never did. If you want to make them privately to give to people you personally know, that's cool: but we definitely can't give them out for public distribution. Please see below... Brigadiers should go to the cookie brigade google group for more information.