Get simple tips on how to pack and ship cookies that will look as beautiful (as taste as delicious) when they arrive as the moment you box them.
Learn how to ship baked goods in this comprehensive guide. You’ll be sending your holiday treats to everyone on your list very soon!
I am a big proponent of Homemade Gifts and Creative Christmas Ideas. In fact, this post with 50 of the BEST Christmas Cookie Recipes has been shared countless times!
There’s nothing sweeter than sending Christmas cookies, but as I learned years ago, it’s important to know exactly how to package and ship them.
How to Pack and Ship Cookies
Chris, I hope you’re not reading this…when I was 18, I made my boyfriend my signature chocolate chip cookies and shipped them across country. Young, naive and just in love, I thought shipping them overnight via FedEx would be the best option.
It didn’t even occur to me that FedEx couldn’t deliver to a military box until they showed up on my doorstep a week later. The good news? While nearing the end of their freshness, they were perfectly intact.
Why? Because I knew how to pack and ship cookies. Well, almost. I’ve learned a few things along the way.
Here are my favorite secrets to ship picture perfect cookies that will remain fresh.
Quick Tip: If it shakes with you, imagine what it would do being tossed on and off trucks. We want them to look like this (below) when they open them.
Materials
- Sturdy Boxes (like these paper mache ones pictured here)
- Food Safe Packing Material like this paper shred.
- Parchment Paper
- Stickers or labels (optional)
- Ribbon, for wrapping your gift box (optional)
- A secondary box for shipping
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How to Package Cookies
- Start with a sturdy box that you want to present them in. Add food safe packing material so that they don’t shift within the box.
- Cut parchment paper to fit the box…this box is 8 inches wide and 3″ tall, so I cut paper 20″ so that it folds over beautifully and “seals”. I use a paper cutter for straight lines. Place the parchment on top of the fill.
- Add your cookies! If you’re stacking them, cut a parchment square to fit to separate them.
- If desired, add a labeled sticker. We’re all more encouraged to enjoy something when we know what they are and who they came from.
How to Ship Cookies
- Tie the inner box with a ribbon to secure it, if desired.
- Add plenty of packing material, insert your inner box into the shipping box, and fill with more packing material to secure your inner box.
- Take to your drop-off location for shipping, and ensure that you’re choosing a quick ship option to guarantee freshness upon delivery.
Tips
- Choose wisely – some cookies ship better than others, like shortbreads, sugar cookies, etc. (See a list of great recipes for packing and shipping below.)
- Use food safe materials. Parchment paper is easy to cut to fit any box and of course, food safe.
- Choose sturdy materials. If they need to be airtight, use tins.
- Package your cookies inside a box, then fill a second box with packing material, insert the box and surround it with packing material.
- Don’t skimp on the packing supplies. Save peanuts, bubble wrap, etc to ensure that the box inside the box won’t move.
- Ship USPS Priority. It’s quick, reasonable and can deliver anywhere… even military bases. Lesson learned.
Are you mailing any cookies this Christmas? I’d love to hear!
Great article. Thanks for sharing.
How do you keep the cookies fresh? and for how long?
It depends on the cookies you choose, but most will keep 3-5 days. Shortbreads are my favorite for longer shipping times. I usually use Priority Mail. Enjoy!
Do you put any padding for the top part of the cookies? The bottom part is genius, but I am wondering if the top area needs any kind of cushioning. It looks like the chocolate part of it could break off.
No, adding packing to the bottom holds them in there securely so that it isn’t necessary from the top & the box is inserted into another well-wrapped package. I actually sent them to a few people in various areas of the country to test and they shipped beautifully!
thanx for your advice!
Great post! Can you please tell me specifically what boxes those are? They look like paper mache boxes but I couldn’t find it one Paper Mart. They have some great boxes but the ones you have look really sturdy. Thanks!
My apologies, they no longer carry them…you can purchase paper mache boxes at Michael’s & Hobby Lobby. With these packing instructions, any bakery boxes will do. Enjoy!
where did you find your boxes?
Paper Mart & craft store