Inoffensive Baked Tokens of Appreciation

Recently I was helped a great deal by a new co-worker in ways that went above and beyond anything I hoped. I really want to thank this person with some baked treats, 'natch. However, I barely know this person, so I'm having trouble figuring out what to make that would be well-received without coming out and asking, hey, do you like cookies? Lots of people don't like chocolate, even dessert in general, or don't like coconut, or are allergic to nuts, etc. etc. What would be some nice treats that have a good chance of being accepted and eaten? Perhaps a basket of a few different things? Help please!

PS No donuts or other fried things or layer cakes.

Thanks!!

Pie Lady wrote:Recently I was helped a great deal by a new co-worker in ways that went above and beyond anything I hoped. I really want to thank this person with some baked treats, 'natch. However, I barely know this person, so I'm having trouble figuring out what to make that would be well-received without coming out and asking, hey, do you like cookies? Lots of people don't like chocolate, even dessert in general, or don't like coconut, or are allergic to nuts, etc. etc. What would be some nice treats that have a good chance of being accepted and eaten? Perhaps a basket of a few different things? Help please!

PS No donuts or other fried things or layer cakes.

Thanks!!

Lemon bars--I don't think I've ever met anyone who didn't like them and they seem like a "thank you" kind of item...not too fussy, simple, delicious

boudreaulicious wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:Recently I was helped a great deal by a new co-worker in ways that went above and beyond anything I hoped. I really want to thank this person with some baked treats, 'natch. However, I barely know this person, so I'm having trouble figuring out what to make that would be well-received without coming out and asking, hey, do you like cookies? Lots of people don't like chocolate, even dessert in general, or don't like coconut, or are allergic to nuts, etc. etc. What would be some nice treats that have a good chance of being accepted and eaten? Perhaps a basket of a few different things? Help please!

PS No donuts or other fried things or layer cakes.

Thanks!!

Lemon bars--I don't think I've ever met anyone who didn't like them and they seem like a "thank you" kind of item...not too fussy, simple, delicious

Boudreaulicious- You just didn't know you knew someone who despises lemon bars

Pie Lady- You are creative- Why don't you print some little coupons that are redeemable to the bearer (I'm thinking of doing this one myself for MIL)? It could say cupcakes, Dealer's Choice, Bearer's Choice, etc.

That way they can tell you.

Who doesn't like chocolate chip cookies? Make them without nuts if you want to be PC.

My granny hated them. Loved chocolate though, go figure.

goofed

pairs4life wrote:Lemon bars--I don't think I've ever met anyone who didn't like them and they seem like a "thank you" kind of item...not too fussy, simple, delicious

Boudreaulicious- You just didn't know you knew someone who despises lemon bars

Such vehemence! But I have a recipe for Mardi Gras lemon bars and you're hosting the next dessert exchange just days before...should I make them to try to convince you?

I'm with Steve...
or you can go with oatmeal raisin if you want to be healthier-
or oatmeal chocolate chip craisin YUM

or another guilty pleasure of mine- scottish shortbread-
Cynthia makes the best version I have ever tasted.

irisarbor wrote:I'm with Steve...
or you can go with oatmeal raisin if you want to be healthier-
or oatmeal chocolate chip craisin YUM

If someone gave me oatmeal anything cookies as a thank you, I would not feel thanked.

There will always be something someone does not like. A good chocolate chip cookie or even oatmeal can't be faulted. I would not do lemon bars even though I love them they don't show well as they get kind of moist and gooey and sometimes look messy and not too appetizing. If they don't like what you are offering, they can pass them on to friends or family. Its the thought that counts. Brownies might also be a winner. Not too many people don't like them.

Coconuts and nuts I would stay away from especially coconut. About half of all people don't like it I think.

I made chocolate orange shortbread and they were very good.
http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/chocol ... d_cookies/
(I would add more orange zest, though)

May I suggest a dozen each of two very different treats-- that will reduce the chance that your recipient doesn't like either one. I recommend chocolate chip cookies and some sort of spice cookies like Abby Dodge's double ginger crackles. Even though it is a bit of extra work, you will have extra cookies for yourself (either baked or as frozen dough!

Jen

Double ginger crackles:
http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/doub ... ckles.aspx

I made these Austrian raspberry shortbread for a baby shower. Everyone loved them....

Pie Lady wrote:

pairs4life wrote:Lemon bars--I don't think I've ever met anyone who didn't like them and they seem like a "thank you" kind of item...not too fussy, simple, delicious

Boudreaulicious- You just didn't know you knew someone who despises lemon bars

Such vehemence! But I have a recipe for Mardi Gras lemon bars and you're hosting the next dessert exchange just days before...should I make them to try to convince you?

Whatever your heart's desire, bacon, liquor, lemon bars, it's all good.

With so many people now worried about gluten, it's hard to imagine anything that is guaranteed to be eaten. Just make something lovely and let them bask in the love and appreciation. They can find someone to give them to if they can't eat them.

You could go half chocolate chip and half lemon snaps. Something like that. Totally different, both great, variety for those who don't like chocolate (or lemon), and the only thing to worry about is gluten intolerance.

Or maybe florentines.

As long as there's a nice note with it that they can hang onto, anything is likely to be appreciated.

stevez wrote:

irisarbor wrote:I'm with Steve...
or you can go with oatmeal raisin if you want to be healthier-
or oatmeal chocolate chip craisin YUM

If someone gave me oatmeal anything cookies as a thank you, I would not feel thanked.

I know exactly what you mean. Nothing like picking up a cookie, and then going "F*** -- those are raisins, not chocolate chips!"

If you fear chocophobes, how about shortbread? Everybody likes butter.

I would suggest banana bread as universally liked. But really, the kind of person you are thanking sounds like someone who will appreciate the thought, and I wouldn't sweat the details too much. There is no way of knowing what someone will like; anyone who is not an idiot should appreciate the gift anyway.

Judy H wrote:I would suggest banana bread as universally liked.

There is nothing that everyone likes. I detest cooked bananas.

pairs4life wrote:

Judy H wrote:I would suggest banana bread as universally liked.

There is nothing that everyone likes. I detest cooked bananas.

Ok...you hate lemon bars, cooked bananas and i happen to know you're not a chocolate fan...

Dessert Exchange participants have their work cut out for them every month

boudreaulicious wrote:

pairs4life wrote:

Judy H wrote:I would suggest banana bread as universally liked.

There is nothing that everyone likes. I detest cooked bananas.

Ok...you hate lemon bars, cooked bananas and i happen to know you're not a chocolate fan...

Dessert Exchange participants have their work cut out for them every month

It just goes to show while I have a mammoth love of sweets, there's more to it than just sugar. Additional hates would be peanut butter, mint, loads of nuts, and almost always (there are a few exceptions) coconut. I think that completes my list of hates, but that makes it easy for me to pass on a lot of sweets.

How about pound cake? There is nothing in it that can't be liked. Okay gluten, sugar, etc. Maybe they just won't like cake.

Have you ever witnessed your coworker eat at his/her desk? Or enjoy a sweet treat, such as a biscotti, w/a cup of coffee? If you have the opportunity to observe your coworker. Otherwise, I vote for the chocolate chip cookie.

How about a few different flavors of biscotti. Even if she/he doesn't love the flavor etc. the thought that you made something just for her will be appreciated.
btw
Hate chocolate chip cookies or really anything with chocolate chips (unless it is right out of the oven and more like melted chocolate)

Cynthia wrote:...it's hard to imagine anything that is guaranteed to be eaten. Just make something lovely and let them bask in the love and appreciation. They can find someone to give them to if they can't eat them.... As long as there's a nice note with it that they can hang onto, anything is likely to be appreciated.

How about not overthinking this?

I'm completely with Cynthia. Make whatever you want, using your best judgment. Whatever is received will almost certainly be received in the spirit you intended, and appreciated. And isn't that what it's all about? You're thanking them and the gesture is the key. Does it really, REALLY matter whether they personally devour each and every item on the spot or give it all to their dog? It's the thought, right?

I often gift biscotti, so I like that idea. Also, I can't believe I'm going to suggest this, but what about a cupcake or a few cupcakes? I actually do find cupcakes offensive, but it seems usually that I am in the minority on this and cupcakes are generally perceived as a little more special than, say, cookies.

What about muffins? You don't have to worry about smudged frosting. Too healthy?

Pie Lady wrote:What about muffins? You don't have to worry about smudged frosting. Too healthy?

Yes, though better (less healthy seeming) than oatmeal cookies.

That is *exactly* why I refer to raisins as "the devil's fruit".

JoelF wrote:I know exactly what you mean. Nothing like picking up a cookie, and then going "F*** -- those are raisins, not chocolate chips!"

I vote for brownies - just to be on the safe side, leave out the nuts. Brownies >>>>>>> chocolate chip or oatmeal cookies, and are FAR easier and faster to make. A win for all!

swine dining wrote:That is *exactly* why I refer to raisins as "the devil's fruit".

JoelF wrote:I know exactly what you mean. Nothing like picking up a cookie, and then going "F*** -- those are raisins, not chocolate chips!"

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