How to Safely Mail Cookies: The Best Tips and Tricks
When you’re sending a care package, anything from home is always a big hit. But if you choose to send homemade baked goods, do you know how to safely mail cookies so they don’t end up as crumbs when they arrive?
I admit it. I’ve done it before. I send cookies and got lazy and assumed my packing would do it. I didn’t take into account the manhandling my box would get before it arrived with my poor kid.
The good news is that he still ate the broken pieces, and he said they tasted good. But you know I felt badly.
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What Are the Best Cookies to Ship?
The first key is to make sure that you send cookies that are more likely to survive shipping. Those soft and delicate cookies are going to be a challenge no matter what you do.
Instead, look for chewy cookies, as those tend to hold their shape well. These are you good, basic cookies like chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, or snickerdoodle.
Don’t forget those bar cookies, either. Those are often even more sturdy, so think about sending brownies, blondies, and other bar cookies that you know your kids love.
If you’re like me, you probably don’t make shortbread a ton, but its crisp texture makes it perfect for shipping. It’s also pretty easy to make with just a few ingredients, and you can dress it up by dipping it in white chocolate and then colored sugar in school colors.
Avoid shipping cookies with delicate fillings, frostings, or icings, as these can be easily damaged during transit. The same holds true for most sugar cookies, as they tend to just crumble, but there are great sugar cookie recipes that are more sturdy so use those if you plan to ship them.
How to Keep Cookies Fresh
The last thing you want is for your kid to end up with a stale cookie. Seriously, there is nothing worse than a dry and stale cookie.
Obviously, make sure that you ship your cookies within a day or two of when you bake them. And when you choose your shipping options (you all have hear about Pirate Ship and how you can use it to save money on your shipping, right?), don’t go with the absolute cheapest option. Make sure you choose something that arrives within three days or sooner.
The other big tip people often don’t think about? Freeze your cookies before you put them into the box, as this lets them thaw as they travel and arrive fresher.
If you’re packing individual cookies, make sure you wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. If you put them in a sealed container like a cookie tin or a larger zip top bag, this helps retain freshness.
When I send bar cookies, I bake them in a disposable 9×13 pan. After I remove them and cut them, I put them back into the original pan and wrap that tightly in plastic wrap. I’ve been known to do a double batch and later them with parchment paper or more plastic wrap between them.
No matter how you package the individual cookies, make sure that you put them into a sturdy cardboard box and that they are packed in with other items so they can’t easily move or jostle. Fill gaps with bubble wrap or tissue paper or even newspaper.
Package Your Cookies Like Coins
Instead of putting your cookies flat or in a baggie, stack them like coins and wrap a stack of six to 10 tightly in plastic wrap. You want it to be about six inches tall to give it some support, so it will vary depending on how thick your cookies are.
I make multiple coin rolls with my cookies and then nestle in a box, supported by bubble wrap or tissue or other items I’m sending. It’s the whole concept that items are stronger together than individually.
Cookies that are fairly flat can go in a normal stack, but if you have rounded cookies, stack them back to back so the flat edges offer even more protection to each duo.
If your cookies are narrow enough, you can package them in a Pringles can. Just be sure to stuff any extra space at the top with newspaper or something else to keep them from bouncing up and down.
I showed a friend of mine how to do this recently when she was taking those delicious Costco cookies to a friend in Germany. She texted me after she got to her friend and was so impressed that none of the cookies had broken; this really works.
Additional Tips to Make Sure They Arrive Intact
Make sure your cookies are completely cooled before packaging. This helps them firm up and become more sturdy, but it also prevents condensation in your packagaging, which…gross.
When you bake your cookies, add a couple extra tablespoons of flour to the dough to make the cookies a little thicker. You can also add a teaspoon of cornstarch to keep them soft and chewy instead of dry from the extra flour.
Be sure to separate any cookie flavors. No one wants their snickerdoodles tasting like peanut butter, and we all know peanut butter cookies make everything taste like a peanut butter cookie.
When you make your cookies, make them all the same size, as this helps edges not break off. If you don’t already own a cookie scoop, now is the time to get one!
Clearly label the package as “Fragile” to alert the carrier. You can also add “Perishable” to the box, which hopefully will encourage your child to open it sooner.
If you do choose to pack sugar cookies, think about topping them with Royal Icing. This icing hardens into a very solid layer that can help make for a much more sturdy cookie.
Let Your Kid Choose When They Want Cookies (and What Kind)
One of my best graduation gifts EVER is a postcard I give kids – including my own – that is the offer of fresh baked cookies on demand. They absolutely love it, and it would be a great thing to include in any care package you send, too.
The back of it is prefilled out with my name and address and stamped with a postcard stamp. There is a checkbox for the kid to select what kind of cookies they want to receive and to share their mailing address.
Once I get the postcard, I get to work baking and then ship them out. I cannot tell you how many compliments I’ve gotten on this.
You can get your own postcard off Etsy. There are different options for the back, so you can print the one that works best for you.
You’ve Got This – Figuring Out How to Mail Cookies Isn’t So Bad
By following these tips, you can confidently ship homemade cookies that arrive fresh and delicious at their destination. It’s a fantastic addition to any care package.
Do you have a favorite cookie to ship? Share your tips and tricks in the comments!
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