How Far in Advance Should You Order Custom Cookies?
Order custom cookies as soon as you know your date. A good rule of thumb is two to four weeks ahead for most events, and earlier for holidays, graduation season and large orders. Sarah's Sweets takes a limited number of orders each month, and popular weekends fill first.
Why custom cookies take time
A decorated cookie is not a one-step project. The dough is mixed and chilled, cookies are cut and baked, and then the icing goes on in stages: outline, flood, dry, details, dry again. Hand-painted touches such as metallic accents are added last. A single set is usually spread over several days so each layer can dry properly.
Suggested timing by occasion
- Birthdays and showers: two to four weeks ahead
- Teacher Appreciation, Mother's Day, Father's Day: watch for preorder announcements, which come with a deadline
- Halloween and winter holidays: as early as possible, since these are the busiest weeks of the year
- Graduation season (May): a month or more ahead
- Large orders and events: the more notice the better
What if my event is next week?
Ask anyway. Sometimes there is an open spot, and a simpler design can make a short timeline possible. The honest answer may be no, but it costs nothing to send a message.
What to have ready when you order
- Your event date and pickup day
- A rough cookie count (here is how to figure it out)
- Theme, colors, names and ages
- Inspiration photos, if you have them
Holiday and seasonal preorder dates are announced on Instagram. For custom sets, send your order ticket and Sarah will confirm whether your date is open.
Quick answers
How far in advance should I order custom cookies?
Two to four weeks ahead is a good rule of thumb for most events. Order earlier for holidays, graduation season and large orders, because handmade cookie spots are limited.
Can I get custom cookies last minute?
Sometimes. Availability depends on the calendar that week. Send a message with your date and count and ask. Simpler designs are easier to fit into a short timeline.
Why do decorated cookies need so much lead time?
Royal icing cookies are decorated in layers that each need time to dry, so one set is made over several days. Orders are also limited each month to keep quality high.