• Home
  • Tips
    • Tips That Help In The Kitchen
    • Meal Plan 101 And Why You Need To Do It
  • Recipes
    • Conversion Chart
  • Party
    • Why Choose Linkup Parties?
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Legal
    • Comment Policy
    • Copyright
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy and Cookie Policies
    • Terms and Conditions

Marilyns Treats

May 27, 2016 · 32 Comments

Tip Friday Shipping Cookies

Tip Friday

I have made a thousand and one mistakes when shipping just baked cookie gifts to family and friends. I typically baked what I loved and shipped it all dolled up with bows, gift wrap, and long ribbons inside the shipping box. I think I broke all 5 rules that way.
I have made a thousand and one mistakes when shipping just baked cookie gifts to family and friends. I typically baked what I loved and shipped it all dolled up with bows, gift wrap, and long ribbons inside the shipping box. I think I broke all 5 rules that way.

SHIPPING COOKIES

I have made a thousand and one mistakes when shipping just baked cookie gifts to family and friends. I typically baked what I loved and shipped it all dolled up with bows, gift wrap, and long ribbons inside the shipping box. I think I broke all 5 rules that way.

Keep reading for the five mistakes everyone makes at some point and how to keep your cookies perfect, fresh and unbroken until opened eaten.

Here are 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Packing & Shipping Cookies.

Shipping cookies immediately after they come out of the oven.

I have made a thousand and one mistakes when shipping just baked cookie gifts to family and friends. I typically baked what I loved and shipped it all dolled up with bows, gift wrap, and long ribbons inside the shipping box. I think I broke all 5 rules that way.

Shipping warm cookies to the ones you love is a bad idea. That’s because cookies that haven’t properly cooled down to room temperature can create a layer of condensation in your bags and boxes.

This may change their texture! They are no longer chewy or crisp. Even a bigger problem is that can cause bacteria growth.

Do everyone a favor and wait until the cookies are as cool as the air around you.

Packing your cookies in anything but an airtight container.

I have made a thousand and one mistakes when shipping just baked cookie gifts to family and friends. I typically baked what I loved and shipped it all dolled up with bows, gift wrap, and long ribbons inside the shipping box. I think I broke all 5 rules that way.

Craft style boxes, vintage tins, and every kind of chic gift basket to hold all of your baked holiday gifts are great to giving cookies in person. But do not ship homemade cookies in those containers when the gift needs to make it across the country or even to the next state.

Decorated boxes are beautiful, but an airtight container will keep cookies fresh as long as possible especially during the holiday postal season. The U.S. postal service and every other shipping company will do their very best to make sure packages arrive on time, but delays happen.

Perhaps there’s a snowstorm or a broken down vehicle? Whatever the case, an airtight container will go a long way to ensure that first bite on the other end is moist and chewy.

You can always pack that airtight container inside your beautiful box or tin. You can still share your pretty projects full of your cookies. And that provides an extra layer of protection agains broken cookies!

Not using enough padding in your cookie package.

I have made a thousand and one mistakes when shipping just baked cookie gifts to family and friends. I typically baked what I loved and shipped it all dolled up with bows, gift wrap, and long ribbons inside the shipping box. I think I broke all 5 rules that way.

Cookies seem to be a solid kind of food, and they can certainly spend time being crushed in a backpack. Even then though broken cookies never deterred any kid!

But cookies need a little more cushion when traveling via the mail. Pack them snugly, using three boxes. You can have your cookie filled air tight container, inside a beautiful gift box in a shipping box. (Think Russian stacking dolls) Then add lots of packing material like shredded newspaper, bubble wrap, or craft paper.

I have made a thousand and one mistakes when shipping just baked cookie gifts to family and friends. I typically baked what I loved and shipped it all dolled up with bows, gift wrap, and long ribbons inside the shipping box. I think I broke all 5 rules that way.

Pack the cookies in bags, one or two at a time, before placing them in their airtight cookie box. The bag provides padding and keeps the gift box crumb free. Don’t skimp on the padding to get them to your recipient safely. And as a bonus they have a lot of fun busting that bubble wrap. An extra gift for sure!

Shipping delicate cookies.

I have made a thousand and one mistakes when shipping just baked cookie gifts to family and friends. I typically baked what I loved and shipped it all dolled up with bows, gift wrap, and long ribbons inside the shipping box. I think I broke all 5 rules that way.

When choosing cookies for my mailed gifts, it’s best to avoid ones that are likely to break during transit. Anything flakey and fragile, like macarons, lacey Florentine cookies or cream filled sandwich cookies need extra care.

They probably won’t arrive flawless no matter what how well they’re wrapped. Save the delicate cookies for your own parties or your neighbor. Opt instead for sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, chocolate chip cookies, or sturdy bar and biscotti cookies.

Choosing a shipping method that takes a week or longer.

I have made a thousand and one mistakes when shipping just baked cookie gifts to family and friends. I typically baked what I loved and shipped it all dolled up with bows, gift wrap, and long ribbons inside the shipping box. I think I broke all 5 rules that way.

Most cookie recipes last about a week but no longer than two weeks. You don’t want them to arrive just as they’re reaching their best date.

Don’t ship them via parcel post or any other method that will have your cookies in transit for a week or longer.

Instead ship using USPS priority mail. This option generally takes only two to three days in transit.

UPS ground often arrives the next day in some regions, or up to five days if shipping across the country. You want to give your recipient every day they can get to enjoy every last delicious bite.

In my home that may not be important. Homemade cookies usually don’t make it to the cookie jar.

If a cookie or two breaks in the post let it go. Don’t apologize. You may feel bad over a broken cookie. But your recipient will get over it because they’re holding a box of homemade cookies! And, I don’t mind either. In fact, every type of broken cookie is accepted and relished at my home so if you need my address, keep me posted.

And the rule in my home is “Anything broken or burnt is mine!”

Summing it All up

There are two types of cookies that ship well. These are bar cookies and crisp cookies.

Bar cookies are fairly moist. They can be cut into convenient squares or rectangles.

And they stay fresh longer than other types of cookies so long as they’re wrapped well.

Crisp cookies have a low water content, and should be well wrapped to keep them from absorbing moisture.

Here are some hints for sending your creations to someone you care about:

Choose a sturdy corrugated box or large tin to ship your cookies.

Line the bottom with soft food safe packing material. Plastic bubble wrap or unbuttered popped popcorn work very well.

Small paper baking cups are an attractive way to package individual cookies.

They also protect the cookies from damaging into each other. Just make sure they are packaged in an air tight container.

Place heavy cardboard in the bottom of a zip top freezer bag.

Place bagged cookies in a single layer covering the bottom of the box completely. The more snugly the cookies fit the less they’ll shift as they travel.

Fill the remaining space in the box with more packing material, to ensure a snug fit.

Place this box inside a larger box, with packing material all around it.

Close the box, seal, label, and ship.

Need more about cookies? Learn about Freezing Cookie Dough, or Storing Cookies.

Most images in my Tip Friday Series use free stock photos. This article is part of the Tips That Help in the Kitchen Series, Tip Friday.

Sugar Cookies, Cream Cheese Icing and Sprinkles are a combination that is tasty any time of year.
Sugar Plum Fairy Iced Cookies
Sugar Cookies, Cream Cheese Icing and Sprinkles are a combination that is tasty any time of year.
Check out this recipe
These delicious Lemon Meyer cookies are made even more special with the addition of coconut, molasses, and macadamia nuts. The taste is a subtle one, but the sweetness of the molasses is offset by the zest of the lemon.
Lemon Coconut Macadamia Nut Cookies
These delicious Lemon Meyer cookies are made even more special with the addition of coconut, molasses, and macadamia nuts. 
Check out this recipe
Let this cookie put the spirit of the holiday in your home! Vanilla Iced red velvet cookies say I Love You in any language.
Red Velvet Iced Cookies
Red Velvet! Get into the season of love and Holidays! Vanilla Iced red velvet cookies say I Love You in any language.
Check out this recipe

You might want to browse around my site a bit more and have a look at

  • My Recipe Index
  • Kitchen Tips
  • Meal Planning and Guide

Please read my Privacy Policy for more information on how your data is used.

Meet the Chef

blankI am Marilyn Lesniak. Writer, Photographer and Chief Bottle Washer behind the scenes at Marilyn's Treats. Don’t burn down the kitchen!! Let me help with my Kitchen Tips, Hacks and Recipes for all levels of Chefs. Read More…

Follow Marilyn’s Treats

Previous Post: « Shrimp and Grits in Pancetta Cream Sauce
Next Post: Chicken Florentine with Spinach and Parmesan Cheese »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. blankSherry Nappa says

    June 7, 2016 at 10:28 PM

    Great tips! I can’t tell you how many boxes of cookies I’ve received that were nothing but crumbs. I wonder if I did that to other people 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing with us at Funtastic Friday.

    Reply
    • blankMarilyn Lesniak says

      June 8, 2016 at 6:00 PM

      Shipping food is the hardest part of baking after the dishes!

      Reply
  2. blanksahana says

    June 5, 2016 at 10:05 PM

    Helpful tips. Thank you for sharing with us at #HomeMattersParty. We hope to see you again next week on Friday, @ 12.00AM EST

    Reply
    • blankMarilyn Lesniak says

      June 6, 2016 at 2:25 PM

      Thank you! Comments are always welcomed.

      Reply
  3. blankShirley Wood says

    June 5, 2016 at 8:42 PM

    Marilyn, I need to get on your shipping list so you will send me some cookies. I know you’re a good cook. So glad we party together. Thanks for sharing with us.

    Reply
    • blankMarilyn Lesniak says

      June 6, 2016 at 2:25 PM

      No problem Shirley. The next time the little princess has a fair I will aend you Snickerdoodles!

      Reply
  4. blankNikki Frank-Hamilton says

    June 5, 2016 at 2:47 PM

    Great tip to send a care package to someone you love. My daughter will be going away to college in the next few years and this is a great idea to send her some love from home!

    Reply
    • blankMarilyn Lesniak says

      June 6, 2016 at 2:23 PM

      And she will so appreciate it! Can you say “freshman 20”?

      Reply
  5. blankJess Powell (Babi a Fi) says

    June 5, 2016 at 10:39 AM

    This is really helpful! I’m always really wary of shipping food in case it gets ruined along the way.

    Thanks so much for linking up with #FridayFrivolity 🙂

    Reply
    • blankMarilyn Lesniak says

      June 6, 2016 at 2:22 PM

      You are so right. Refrigeration, freshness and breakage are big concerns. It can become expensive and frustrating but there are times it is worth it!

      Reply
  6. blankMiz Helen says

    June 4, 2016 at 4:29 PM

    This is a great post for Shipping Cookies, I will be pinning this one! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend!
    Miz Helen

    Reply
    • blankMarilyn Lesniak says

      June 4, 2016 at 8:35 PM

      Thank you Miz Helen for the Pinterest love! Have a beautiful week!

      Reply
  7. blankKatrin says

    June 4, 2016 at 10:30 AM

    Thank you for this tip Marilyn! I would have never thought of using popped popcorn for the bottom lining, what a great idea!

    Reply
    • blankMarilyn Lesniak says

      June 4, 2016 at 8:34 PM

      Thanks Katrin. If you put the popcorn in a ziplock bag, they get an extra treat too!

      Reply
  8. blankKathleen - Bloggers Lifestyle says

    June 3, 2016 at 6:08 PM

    Very helpful cookie transporting information to keep them fresh and in one piece.

    Kathleen
    The Bloggers Pit Stop

    Reply
    • blankMarilyn Lesniak says

      June 3, 2016 at 9:37 PM

      Thank you Kathleen!

      Reply
  9. blankJess says

    June 3, 2016 at 1:58 PM

    Definitely a great tip! 🙂

    I’d love for you to share it with my Recipe and Crafts Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

    Reply
    • blankMarilyn Lesniak says

      June 3, 2016 at 3:03 PM

      Thanks Jess. I will!

      Reply
  10. blankHelen Fern says

    June 3, 2016 at 10:40 AM

    I love your tips – I’ve never shipped cookies but will use your instructions if I do! Thanks for sharing on the What’s for Dinner link up!

    Reply
    • blankMarilyn Lesniak says

      June 3, 2016 at 3:00 PM

      You are welcome Helen. I am glad it is useful.

      Reply
  11. blankLisa says

    June 2, 2016 at 4:28 PM

    You always have such great tips…this is really good to know. I’ve never shipped cookies because I didn’t really know how but now maybe I’ll give it a try! Thanks so much for sharing your tips with us at Share The Wealth Sunday!

    Reply
    • blankMarilyn Lesniak says

      June 2, 2016 at 9:04 PM

      Glad I could help!

      Reply
  12. blankDanita says

    June 1, 2016 at 8:08 AM

    Nothing like getting a little love in the mail in the form of a good cookie! Great tips! Thanks for sharing at #SmallVictories

    Reply
    • blankMarilyn Lesniak says

      June 1, 2016 at 8:48 PM

      Thank you Danita. I agree!

      Reply
  13. blankMichelle Reeves (The Joy Chaser) says

    June 1, 2016 at 5:24 AM

    Great tips Marilyn! I’ve never had the courage to ship cookies but perhaps I’ll have to give it a go. Thanks for sharing and joining us at #sharethejoy

    Reply
    • blankMarilyn Lesniak says

      June 1, 2016 at 8:48 PM

      I always stayed away from shipping for that same reason. It is expensive and a lot of work but sometimes it is worth it.

      Reply
  14. blankChloe Crabtree says

    May 31, 2016 at 2:36 PM

    This is a good one for holiday cookie shipping! Glad to have your tips to share over at Celebrate Your Story! Thanks for coming by!

    Reply
    • blankMarilyn Lesniak says

      May 31, 2016 at 3:33 PM

      You are welcome Chloe. I am glad it can be useful to you.

      Reply
  15. blankRachel Osborn says

    May 30, 2016 at 10:36 PM

    Good to know! Thanks for sharing at the Family Joy linkup!

    Reply
    • blankMarilyn Lesniak says

      May 31, 2016 at 3:27 PM

      You are welcome Rachel. See you next week!

      Reply
  16. blanknancy says

    May 27, 2016 at 5:53 PM

    Do you only link up with food bloggers?
    I’ve got a linkup on Friday, Fancy Friday.
    http://www.nancysfashionstyle.com

    Reply
    • blankMarilyn Lesniak says

      May 28, 2016 at 5:37 PM

      I ran over to check your party out. It appears only fashion posts are allowed? I added it to my Pinterest Board for you.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Meet The Chef

blankMarilyn Lesniak. Writer, Photographer and Chief Bottle Washer behind the scenes at Marilyn's Treats. Don’t burn down the kitchen!! Let me help with my Kitchen Tips, Hacks and Recipes for all levels of Chefs. Read More…

Follow Marilyn’s Treats

Can’t Find It?

Receive My Weekly Email

Please read my Privacy Policy for more information on how your data is used.

Feature Pages

Conversion Chart Featured Image. Shows kitchen tools in Imperial and Metric.

Conversion Chart

Meal Planning is a habit that is easy to fall into. Getting your week of meals together ahead of shopping actually takes less time and removes the stress of thinking about dinner.

Meal Planning 101

This is the series named Tip Friday. It provides all types of Kitchen hacks and tips.

Tips That Help In The Kitchen

Whether you make a lot of cheesecakes, or this is your first you want to read these tips first! Bain Marie.

6 Tips to a Perfect Cheesecake Experience

Worst Crock Pot Meal Irish Soda Bread In crock pot prior to cooking.
How Not to Make The Worst Crock Pot Meal

Copyright © 2021 · by Marilyns Treats

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy