What better way to top off your holiday traditions than to gather families together for a fun night of movies, snacks, games, storytelling — and oh, matching pajamas, of course.
I don’t know about you, but there’s just something about Christmastime that gets everyone revved-up with cheeriness and bliss, leaving them in wonder about how to ramp up ideas and adventures, even more. Like baking and decorating cookies to match their pajama patterns of choice. Yep, there you have it. This year’s holiday season just got more challenging.
What if I told you someone has already thought of this idea, and can lead you all the way to the finish line to showcase at your next pajama-night shindig — or to just snuggle in front of the fireplace? More about that, soon.
Meet Anne Clark, a mom and artist, who along with her husband, John Clark, co-founded Anne Clark Cookie Cutters over 30 years ago. Ann took her artistry and love for baking to the next level — from scratch — by turning her art and ideas into a full-on family-owned manufacturer of cookie cutters (the largest in America) with over 800 shapes for various occasions, as well as baking supplies, kitchen tools, recipes, and more.
Ann Clark Cookie Cutters is now run by Ben Clark, Ann’s son. Learning about their intriguing story of humble beginnings for the company, I wanted to know more about the family behind the brand and what keeps them going strong as a team working together, and the exciting opportunity to share new creations with families.
The holidays are always an exciting time of year in the baking industry. With cookie cutters, it’s interesting to see what shapes trend each year,” says Ben Clark, CEO of Ann Clark Cookie Cutters. “The vintage truck with a tree has been a consistently popular shape, but we’re starting to see an uptick with our gnome shape and more woodland-inspired shapes. Vintage-inspired designs are popular this year – our food coloring and some of our classic cookie cutters are being reimagined with nostalgic designs. We also love when folks share their creations with us on social media – it’s wonderful to see how our cookie cutters, which are all made at our facility in Vermont, inspire creativity and togetherness around the globe.”
Ben also added that the 2023 holiday season is particularly exciting at Ann Clark, as it marks an evolution for their brand, even beyond cookie cutters. “We just launched small-batch Buttermilk Pancake and Belgian Waffle mixes, which elevate any holiday brunch,” says Ben. “We are set to release a lineup of four gourmet cake and frosting mixes, which will be hitting the market in early 2024. This expansion allows us to leverage our expertise to help people make delicious food with loved ones this holiday season.”
The team at Ann Clark believes in the importance of family-time together and creating memorable take-aways to cherish over baking.
Our motto is that desserts are fun,” says Ben. “Whether it’s someone’s first time decorating cookies or they’re a seasoned baker, baking and decorating cookies is a rewarding (and delicious) creative outlet. It’s also a great way to bring people together — folks of all ages and abilities can express their creativity in an edible art form. Additionally, with the release of our new Buttermilk Pancake mix and Belgian Waffle mix, we’re making breakfast fun. These mixes offer a gourmet experience at home — the perfect indulgence for those slow holiday mornings where a second pot of coffee gets brewed and family lingers around the breakfast table.”
At Ann Clark, each cookie cutter is handmade at their facility in Vermont, and shapes are meticulously engineered for perfect cookies every time. With a ton of cookie cutter options on the market to choose from, Ann Clark is setting themselves apart by guaranteeing a USA-made product that will last generations to come with proper care.
With new product lines in 2023 and beyond, Ann Clark is truly a one-stop-shop for bakers and decorators this holiday season,” says Ben. “We offer the products and know-how to help people create beautiful and delicious desserts.”
Ann Clark Cookie Cutters provides a wealth of information and inspiration for families and bakers to engage beyond the kitchen. To learn more about Ann Clark Cookie Cutters and free baking resources, visit annclarkcookiecutters.com.
Oh, and about that matching pajama cookie tutorial — here you go. Enjoy!
Matching PJs for Christmas: Candy Cane Pajama Tutorial
To see a full written breakdown of this tutorial at Ann Clark, click HERE.