The Best Way to Mail Cookies

 
For many years, my grandma brought over two large metal tins on Christmas morning. She filled one with thick soft-baked sugar cookies, almost cakey in texture, topped with glittery red and green sugar crystals for my brother and me. In the other tin, she placed dozens of crunchy butterscotch cookies for my dad—one of his all-time favorites!  

Since Grandma always hand-delivered her holiday cookies to us, it took me many years to realize that people actually mail their homemade treats to loved ones, just like regular gifts and Christmas cards… But now, after many years (and many errors) of sending many sweets-laden packages, I’ve finally perfected the best way to ship cookies!

For a quick overview, watch my video below! (It’s less than 45 seconds!) Then scroll down for more information on my tips and tricks!

 
 
MATERIALS YOU’LL NEED
♡ Zip-Topped Bags. I typically use the sandwich size ones because I know they’ll fit in any sized box, including the small flat-rate USPS boxes (I use those boxes the most!). Quart sized and gallon sized also work, if you know you’ll be shipping dozens of cookies in the same large box!

♡ Plastic Wrap. I absolutely love Stretch Tite (you can find it here)! My whole family swears by it. Stretch Tite clings much more strongly than any other plastic wrap brand I’ve tested—a huge benefit when shipping cookies! (Or even just storing baked goods, like my gingerbread or banana bread!)

♡ Tissue Paper. Any kind of paper product will work—old magazines, newspaper comics, even paper towels!—but I think tissue paper looks the nicest when your loved ones open their cookie package!
 

 
HOW TO SHIP DROP-STYLE COOKIES
Drop-style cookies are the kind where you “drop” the cookie dough onto your baking sheet! (Hence the name!) This is usually done with two spoons, a spoon and spatula, or a cookie scoop. Some examples are chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cookies, peanut butter cookies, and snickerdoodles. (← Click on those links for my recipes!)

1) Place two cookies back-to-back. Drop-style cookies generally don’t have flat tops because of the drop-a-mound-of-cookie-dough-onto-the-pan method… But their back sides that were touching the baking sheet should be flat! So put those flat back sides together to make a little cookie “sandwich.”

2) Wrap up inside of the plastic wrap. Wrapping two cookies together makes it less likely that they’ll bend, break, or crumble! Sealing them inside of the plastic wrap also ensures that they maintain their texture and don’t turn stale while shipping.

3) Seal the plastic wrapped cookies inside of zip-topped bags. And do not squeeze all of the air out! Leaving some air in the bags acts like bubble wrap—without actually needing to go to the store to buy some! This is also why you wrap your cookies in plastic wrap first. If you zipped the cookies inside of the bags and left air in without the plastic wrap, they’d quickly turn stale. The plastic wraps prevent staling, and the extra air in the bags ensures your cookies arrive safe and sound!

4) Place the bags inside of your box, and pad with plenty of tissue paper. We’re not taking any chances! Tissue paper is your best friend. Add as much to the box as you can fit—and then try to add just a little more! Your cookie box will probably end up beneath a super heavy package at some point during the mailing process, so the tissue paper (and air in your zip-topped bags!) means your cookies arrive safe and sound. No squashing, no breaking, no bending, no crumbling!

5) Seal, address, and send your box! Time to spread the sweet cookie love!
 

 
HOW TO SHIP ROLLED COOKIES
Rolled cookies, or cut-out cookies, are the kind where you roll out the dough with a rolling pin (and then cut into cute shapes with cookie cutters!). These are usually flat on both sides and much thinner than drop-style cookies. Some examples include sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies. (← Click those links for my recipes!)

1) Stack 3 or 4 cookies together. This depends on this thickness of your cookies. If they’re closer to ¼” thick, then stack 3 cookies. If they’re thinner, closer to ⅛” thick, then you can stack up to 4 cookies. Because your rolled cookies are flat on both the top and bottom, you don’t need to worry about putting them back-to-back. Front to back works just fine!

However, if you’re sending differently shaped cookies, then put all of the same shape together in your stacks. Stack the hearts together, stars together, snowmen together, candy canes together… You get the idea! You’re stacking your cookies so they’re less likely to bend or break, which is why you want the same shapes together. If you stacked a snowman on top of a heart, his top hat might break off!

2) Wrap up inside of plastic wrap. Just like the drop-style cookies, sealing your rolled cookies inside of plastic wrap prevents them from turning stale and reduces the likelihood that they’ll bend or break. Remember to put the top sides of your cookie stacks facing down! This way, when you flip the wrapped cookies over, the pretty side is showing through the plastic.

3) Seal the plastic wrapped cookies inside of zip-topped bags. And do not squeeze all of the air out! Leaving some air in the bags acts like bubble wrap—without actually needing to go to the store to buy some! This is also why you wrap your cookies in plastic wrap first. If you zipped the cookies inside of the bags and left air in without the plastic wrap, they’d quickly turn stale. The plastic wraps prevent staling, and the extra air in the bags ensures your cookies arrive safe and sound!

4) Place the bags inside of your box, and pad with plenty of tissue paper. We’re not taking any chances! Tissue paper is your best friend. Add as much to the box as you can fit—and then try to add just a little more! Your cookie box will probably end up beneath a super heavy package at some point during the mailing process, so the tissue paper (and air in your zip-topped bags!) means your cookies arrive safe and sound. No squashing, no breaking, no bending, no crumbling!

5) Seal, address, and send your box! Time to spread more sweet cookie love!

 

If you’re looking for some yummy holiday recipes, you can find mine here! And if you’re aren’t too concerned about holiday flavors and just want really delicious cookies, you can find all of my cookie recipes here!

And when you put together your cookie package, remember to snap a picture and share share it on Instagram using #amyshealthybaking and tagging @amyshealthybaking IN the photo itself! (That guarantees I’ll see your picture! ?) I’d love to see your cookie packages!