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If you are wondering how many sugar cookies are needed per person, then you have come to the right place. Food packaging has a suggested serving size, but if you’re planning a party you shouldn’t take those too seriously. People generally eat a different number of cookies, whether it’s at a Halloween party, birthday party, Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving dinner, or from a wedding cookie buffet. The serving count per person will vary based on a lot of factors, so how many sugar cookies do you really need for serving a crowd?
Two sugar cookies are needed per person. Women typically eat 1.5 cookies while men eat 2.5. Only one sugar cookie is in a serving, however, individuals can commonly more than double the serving size. If dishes are provided with the cookies, then fewer will be needed.
To learn more about how many sugar cookies are needed for every individual, continue reading below to discover additional information about the topic. And click here to read about how much pre-made cookie dough you’ll need to buy if you want to buy packaged dough.
How Many Sugar Cookies Are in a Serving?
It is no question that portion size is steadily increasing. This means that although there is a recommended serving, individuals ignore this and create their own recommendation. In many cases, people do not even realize that their portions are increasing.
Because of this, although there is a serving size for sugar cookies, many do not stick to this given number and tend to eat more than they should.
Deciding how many sugar cookies are in a serving can be a difficult thing to do. This is because there are many different sizes of cookies, which ends up changing the recommendation. In addition, especially in the United States, individuals eat much more than the actual serving size. This means that you cannot rely on the serving size when trying to estimate how many sugar cookies are needed for a group.
One sugar cookie is a serving. However, most individuals eat more than just one serving, especially if nothing is being served with the cookies. This means that although individuals should only eat one, you must prepare to have people eating many more.
How Many Sugar Cookies for Groups
| Gender | Number of people in the group | Number of sugar cookies needed |
| Mixed | 5 | 10 |
| Mixed | 10 | 20 |
| Mixed | 15 | 30 |
| Mixed | 20 | 40 |
| Mixed | 25 | 50 |
| Mixed | 30 | 60 |
Many parties have both men and women attending. This means that the person hosting will need to account for how many each gender will eat. On average, an individual will eat two cookies.
Although two cookies are needed per person, you may be wondering how many are needed for each gender. Gender plays a large factor in determining the amount of cookies needed. The charts below will help you to plan accordingly.
| Gender | Number of people in the group | Number of sugar cookies needed |
| Male | 5 | 12.5 |
| Male | 10 | 25 |
| Male | 15 | 37.5 |
| Male | 20 | 50 |
| Male | 25 | 62.5 |
| Male | 30 | 75 |
The handy chart above determines how many sugar cookies will be needed for a group of males. On average, males will eat 2.5 sugar cookies per individual. Although this may seem like a lot of cookies to purchase, many cookie companies have discounts for those catering for an event. This means that although purchasing 75 cookies for a group of 30 individually may be too expensive, catering this number will be much cheaper.
| Gender | Number of people in the group | Number of sugar cookies needed |
| Female | 5 | 7.5 |
| Female | 10 | 15 |
| Female | 15 | 22.5 |
| Female | 20 | 30 |
| Female | 25 | 37.5 |
| Female | 30 | 45 |
The chart above determines how many sugar cookies will be needed for a group of females. Most commonly, females will eat 1.5 sugar cookies per individual. As you can see in the chart, the number of cookies needed for women is much less than what is needed for men. Because of this, gender should be a high consideration before purchasing the number of cookies that are needed.
For an article about hosting a Christmas cookie exchange for a group, click here.
What the Experts Say
Males
If there are other desserts being served with the sugar cookies, then expect males to eat two sugar cookies. Males eat more than females, which means that more cookies will need to be provided.
Females
With more than one dessert being served, most females will only be able to eat one sugar cookie. This is because many will sample the assortment, rather than getting multiple of one kind of dessert.
Children
Many find it difficult to decide how many sugar cookies are needed for children. Especially when there is more than one dessert, children can be quite unpredictable. Some kids take more than what they can eat, which means that this needs to be accounted for. On average, children will only be able to eat one sugar cookie, especially if they are large. However, many will take at least three, expecting that they will be able to finish them.
How Many Sugar Cookies if There Are No Other Desserts?
If there are no other desserts being served with the sugar cookies, then more cookies will need to be provided. However, most events should have at least one side being served alongside the cookies, in case of taste preference or allergies.
Males
If no other desserts are being served with the sugar cookies, then one can expect males to eat about three cookies. However, it is highly recommended for there to be sides served with the sugar cookies because otherwise, it may be costly to provide so many cookies, especially for men.
Females
With only sugar cookies being served at the event, females typically take two cookies. While some may take more or less than this number, two is the average amount that women take. While this is lower than the amount men take, the cost will still add up if there is no other food being served.
Children
Children frequently take more cookies than they can actually eat. Because of this, with an event with many children, more sugar cookies need to be provided than expected. Most kids will only be able to finish two cookies when there is nothing being served with them. However, many will take upwards of four thinking that they will be able to eat all of them.
How to Limit the Amount of Sugar Cookies Needed
Provide sides
The first way to limit the number of sugar cookies needed is by providing sides. This is the most popular option as many individuals hosting an event tend to have more than one dish that is being served anyway. Providing sides can greatly reduce the number of sugar cookies needed. If there are multiple dishes and snacks to choose from, many may not even have a sugar cookie. However, if only sugar cookies are being served, then nearly everyone will take at least two.
Pre-serve the Sugar Cookies
The second way to limit the amount of sugar cookies needed is by pre-serving the cookies. This can be done by placing a given number of sugar cookies on a plate or napkin before the event begins. This way, individuals will not take more than they can eat. This works particularly well with kids, as they nearly always overestimate their appetite.
Although this reduces the number of sugar cookies needed, this does take some preparation. If the host of the event is too busy, then they may not have time to pre-serve the cookies. However, if the time it takes to pre-serve them can be factored into the schedule, then it is a wonderful option.
Use Smaller Plates
The third way to limit the number of sugar cookies needed is by using smaller plates. Minds are a tricky thing, and they can oftentimes be misled. According to the Delboeuf effect, using small dishes will reduce the amount of food needed to fill an individual up. This means that when small plates are used, individuals will get fuller quicker than if they used a large plate, thus limiting the number of sugar cookies needed.
Serve the Sugar Cookies Yourself
The fourth way to limit the amount of sugar cookies needed is by serving the cookies yourself. If the host serves everyone the cookies themselves, then fewer people will take more than they should. However, the drawback to this is that it means the host of the event gets to spend less time with their guests doing leisure activities.
What to Serve With Sugar Cookies
Everyone loves to have options! Because of this, sides should be served in addition to the sugar cookies. Below is a list of the most popular snacks that can be paired with the cookies.
Pretzels
Pretzels are a wonderful snack thing to serve with sugar cookies. They go very well with sugar cookies as they will be a perfect combination of sweet and salty. Pretzels will cut back on the sweetness and will provide a bit of saltiness. Many individuals cannot handle too much sugar, so they need a savory treat on the side. Pretzels will do just the trick and will make sure that the amount of sugar one consumes is reduced.
Fresh Fruit
Fresh fruit is always the perfect addition to any dessert. Fresh fruit will enhance the amount of sugar, however, it will be much healthier. Fruit always pairs well with sugar cookies and practically any other dessert. No matter what else is served with sugar cookies, fresh fruit should always be served. Guests will appreciate this as it will provide them with a healthier option to choose from.
Ice Cream
Ice cream is a staple that can be served with any dessert, especially sugar cookies. Ice cream of all flavors should be provided. However, the most popular addition to the sugar cookies may be vanilla. This is because vanilla ice cream coincides with the flavor of sugar cookies perfectly. Guests will be expecting some flavor of ice cream to be served with their sugar cookies, so do not disappoint them!
Milk
Milk is the most common pairing for sugar cookies. It is an obvious choice and a classic one at that. Everyone drinks milk with any kind of cookie, which means that guests will want some with their sugar cookies as well. Some guests may want chocolate milk instead of plain milk, so that should be served along with the sugar cookies.