Cookies Inc. : Recipe Ratios & Business Math

In this hands-on, interactive lab, students step into the role of an aspiring entrepreneur with a dream of starting a cookie business. Inspired by their grandmother’s delicious homemade cookies, they decide to sell them in a mall—but quickly realize they need $3,000 for the deposit. With only a $1,500 investment from Grandma, they start small with a cookie cart in the mall, learning critical business and math skills along the way.

Students target is to make a profit of $3000 or more over the course of three simulated months.

Throughout this lab, students apply ratio concepts, measurement conversions, and cost analysis to calculate the total cost of making each cookie. They begin by scaling Grandma’s recipe, which is measured in teaspoons and cups, into standard units like pounds and gallons. Using a supplier's rate card, they determine ingredient costs and apply pricing strategies based on demand and profit curves.

Each simulated month consists of three key tasks:

✅ Month Planning: Decide how many cookies to produce.

✅ Purchase Order Preparation: Determine ingredient quantities and prepare an order to buy supplies.

✅ Pricing Strategy: Set the price of cookies based on demand and profit analysis.

At the end of each month, students analyze their sales performance, adjust their pricing and production strategies, and track their earnings. An auto-calculated leaderboard, presented by the teacher, displays each student’s profit standings, allowing for a competitive and engaging experience.

The ultimate goal? Earn enough profit to pay back Grandma’s investment and secure $3,000 to open a cookie store inside the mall!

This engaging simulation blends math, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship, making real-world business concepts accessible and fun for students. Will they make the right decisions to build a successful cookie empire? Let’s find out! 🍪💰