pass cookies off as homemade for party?

[shaynaatl]

DH and I are going to a friend's dinner party on Friday night. We are avid bakers, and the host asked us yesterday to make a dessert for the party (I believe it will be the only dessert there). We said sure.

The problem is this week is super hectic. DH is out of town for work until Friday afternoon. I'm trying to wrap up year-end work projects, xmas shopping, and house cleaning.

DH has some of that pre-made frozen chocolate chip cookie dough he bought from a kids' charity. Would it be wrong to just bake those? Would you pass it off as homemade, or would you explain you didn't have time to make something from scratch? If it matters, it's a casual party (11 adults & 4 kids).

[Deleted]

I think it is fine to make them, but I would not lie about their origin. I'd probably actually get in touch with the host and say "You know, this week will be super hectic and I'm not sure I'll be able to bake. Do you mind if I pick up a dessert from..." and then I'd buy something from a good bakery.

[ECB]

Dec 19, 2012 10:11:40 GMT -5 v said:

I think it is fine to make them, but I would not lie about their origin. I'd probably actually get in touch with the host and say "You know, this week will be super hectic and I'm not sure I'll be able to bake. Do you mind if I pick up a dessert from..." and then I'd buy something from a good bakery.

All of this. Absolutely don't lie about it, though.

[mbcdefg]

Why does this even matter? Just bring the cookies and if someone asks how you made them, say, "We bought the frozen dough from XYZ Charity and I baked them. They're pretty good, right?"

You don't need to apologize or anything. If anyone is bitchy enough to ask why you didn't make them from scratch, just smile and say, "I didn't have any extra time this week. If you don't like them then don't eat them."

[heyrebekah]

Depends how they turn out.

I don't really think those premade cookies are all that great so I wouldn't necessarily want people to think I baked them.

[perkyderky]

Maybe it's because I work in the industry, but there's no way I'd mistake any sort of frozen, pre-made cookies for homemade. I don't think it's a bad alternative though, but like "v" mentioned, I'd either tell the host in advance, OR (and this would be what I'd do) I'd just go to my favorite bakery and splurge on a nice cake or a variety of cupcakes or something. Everyone is busy this time of year, there's no shame in admitting you didn't have time. I just wouldn't try to pass off anything as my own.

[Deleted]

Who explains? I'd buy some vanilla ice cream and show up with cookies.

[Deleted]

I think I'd rather to go to a bakery and pick up something. (Not the grocery store bakery)

[pitterwoo]

I wouldn't say you baked them because they might not taste all that good or they might taste not homemade and then people will wonder.

[bunch]

Those cookies are usually not good. I agree I'd go to a bakery first.

[cookies]

I don't think it matters. I've had that kind of cookie before and it's delicious. Throw some festive sprinkles or some holiday M&M's to the mix and call it a day. It's not like you're showing up with a bag of oreos. It's still a freshly baked cookie.

[Deleted]

Dec 19, 2012 10:26:35 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

I don't see why it matters if it is homemade. It would be easier to just go to a bakery and pick out something.

The host asked her to make something, and she agreed. The host probably asked her to bring a dessert because she is an avid (and good) baker and the host might prefer that the OP bring something else if the OP isn't going to bake something. Maybe the host would prefer that a homemade dessert be served, and would ask someone else to make something (or would make something herself) if the alternative was that a guest was going to bring a random purchased dessert. I mean, it would be rude of the host to not graciously accept whatever OP brings, but I think it would be nice to make sure that you're bringing something that the host wants you to bring.

[dexteroni]

I agree about going to a good bakery. I wouldn't want people to think crappy fund-raising cookie dough was my own handiwork. Just pick up something awesome and tell them "I completely ran out of time, but this is the best <whatever> in town."

And I wouldn't bring chocolate chip cookies if they were going to be the only dessert. Pick up a cake or a torte or something.

ETA: I like v's idea of calling the host to let her know. That way she'll know in advance what the dessert will be, and won't feel like you just flaked on her.

[Deleted]

Be upfront with the host. Those cookies are decent, but so greasy. You can't pass them off as homemade.

[5thofjuly]

Those cookies are gross. DH buys them every year to help support a coworker's kid and we promptly put the entire batch of dough in the trash.

[Deleted]

I would pick up a nice cake or pie. Cookies aren't sufficienct if they are going to be the only dessert at a holiday party anyways imo.

[noodleoo]

Dec 19, 2012 10:30:10 GMT -5 v said:

Dec 19, 2012 10:26:35 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

I don't see why it matters if it is homemade. It would be easier to just go to a bakery and pick out something.

The host asked her to make something, and she agreed. The host probably asked her to bring a dessert because she is an avid (and good) baker and the host might prefer that the OP bring something else if the OP isn't going to bake something. Maybe the host would prefer that a homemade dessert be served, and would ask someone else to make something (or would make something herself) if the alternative was that a guest was going to bring a random purchased dessert. I mean, it would be rude of the host to not graciously accept whatever OP brings, but I think it would be nice to make sure that you're bringing something that the host wants you to bring.

Um, the host asked her TUESDAY to make a homemade baked dessert for a FRIDAY dinner party? I think that's actually rude of the host. Who has time to plan, grocery shop, and bake on such short notice, the week before Christmas? If they had asked 2 weeks ago, that's different. I mean honestly, I probably wouldn't have agreed to it knowing there is no way I'd have time. If it a was a Sat night party, I could do it during the day on Sat, but for Friday, there is just no time if you work full time.

So yeah: Be honest. Tell the host you underestimated the craziness of hte week and offer to buy a dessert or bring the cookies. If your offer isn't good enough for the host, then they can take care of it themselves. But I'm sure they will graciously accept whatever you bring.

[pacificrules]

Dec 19, 2012 10:33:58 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

And I wouldn't bring chocolate chip cookies if they were going to be the only dessert. Pick up a cake or a torte or something.

This is the biggest reason why you should call the host.

[Deleted]

I did this once with a pie I was supposed to make for work. It worked too, lol.

Eta: I never said I made it but I put the pie in a pan I brought from home and didn't correct anyone's natural assumptions