Special-occasion delights

It's hard not to be charmed by the shower and wedding cookies at Concord Teacakes for brides and grooms to give out as party favors. Teacakes bakers shape delicious buttery shortbreads into party dresses, high-heeled dancing shoes, and multi-tiered wedding cakes decorated with colorful royal icing (about $4 each). To mark the day, brides can even have the date painted on heart-shaped cookies. For baby showers, look for shortbread shaped into baby bottles, prams, and blue-eyed ducklings. "We have boxes full of cookie cutter shapes and never run out of ideas," says shop owner Judy Fersch. Concord Teacakes, 59 Commonwealth Ave., West Concord. 978-369-7644.