Cookie Sale Checklist

A cookie sale needs more than a good batch of biscuits. Set a sales target first, choose an assortment you can bake consistently, and reserve your sales space early. Work backwards from the sale date: collect allergen details, open pre-orders, assign volunteers, then schedule baking, cooling, packing and transport. This checklist also covers the details people often leave too late, including price signs, change, payment equipment and separating pre-orders from walk-up stock.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Set the sales target
2 people
Choose a cookie assortment
2 people
Collect allergen information
2 people
Reserve a sales space
Create price card
Send invitations
2 people
Open pre-orders
Process registrations
2 people
Collect dietary requirements
Assign volunteers
2 people
Purchase ingredients
3 people
Bake a test batch
2 people
Record recipes and baking times
2 people
Prepare cookie dough
4 people
Bake cookies
5 people
Let cookies cool
3 people
Sort cookies
4 people
Pack cookies
5 people
Label packages
4 people
Count inventory
2 people
Set aside pre-orders
2 people
Check payment methods
2 people
Prepare change
2 people
Print sales signs
Pack transport boxes
3 people
Check equipment
2 people
Load sales materials
3 people

Event

Open venue
2 people
Set up tables and tent
5 people
Dress the sales table
3 people
Display cookies
4 people
Place price and allergen signs
2 people
Set up payment point
2 people
Brief the sales team
2 people
Check stock and the cash register
2 people
Sell cookies
6 people
Provide allergen information
2 people
Restock supplies
2 people
Distribute orders
2 people
Close the register
2 people
Pack leftover cookies
3 people

Aftercare

Take down tables and tent
5 people
Collect waste
3 people
Clean the venue
4 people
Return materials
3 people
Return borrowed items
2 people
Deposit proceeds
2 people
Confirm pre-orders

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tent
Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 8
Tableclothqty 6
Cratesqty 12

Tableware

Serving traysqty 12
Display basketsqty 10

Kitchen

Mixing bowlsqty 8
Baking traysqty 16
Baking racksqty 10
Measuring cupsqty 4
Kitchen scalesqty 3
Dough scrapersqty 6
Rolling pinsqty 4
Oven mittsqty 6
Cooling racksqty 12
Measuring spoonsqty 4
Cake brushesqty 4
Foam spatulasqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Storage binsqty 20

Equipment

Ovensqty 3
Coolersqty 3
Payment terminal
Power banksqty 3
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Cash register
Calculatorsqty 3

Decorations

Prize card holdersqty 12
Sales signsqty 6
Directional signsqty 4

Office

Clipboardsqty 4
Pensqty 20
Permanent markersqty 8
Tapeqty 6
Scissorsqty 4

Cleaning

Cleaning bucketsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 20
Hand broomsqty 3
Trash binsqty 4

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Set your sales target before buying ingredients. Use it to estimate how many packages you need, then keep pre-orders separate from extra stock so reserved orders are not sold by mistake.
Collect allergen and dietary information when registrations open, not on collection day. Label each package before it leaves the packing table, especially when several cookie types share the same display.
Bake a test batch before the main production run. Record the recipe, oven setting and baking time so volunteers can repeat the same result instead of guessing during a long baking session.
Plan the baking sequence around cooling time. Cookies must cool fully before sorting and packing; otherwise condensation can soften them and make labels or packaging harder to handle.
Check payment methods at least one day before the sale. Test the payment terminal, charge power banks, prepare change for cash payments and print price and directional signs before loading the transport boxes.

Frequently asked questions

How early should I start planning a cookie sale?: Start at least 3 to 4 weeks before the sale. Reserve the sales space first, then allow time for invitations, pre-orders, volunteer assignments and ingredient purchasing.
How many cookies should I bake for a cookie sale?: Use your sales target and confirmed pre-orders to calculate the base quantity, then add around 10% extra for walk-up sales and damaged or uneven cookies. Count finished inventory after packing, not just trays coming out of the oven.
When should I bake cookies for a cookie sale?: Bake as close to the sale as practical, usually 1 day beforehand if the cookies keep well. Leave enough time for complete cooling, sorting, packing, labelling and setting aside pre-orders before transport.
How do I prepare for allergens at a cookie sale?: Ask for allergen and dietary requirements when people register or place pre-orders. Record the information for every recipe and label packages before display; do not rely on memory at the sales table.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.