Sending homemade cookies to friends, family, or customers is a thoughtful and delicious way to show you care. However, without proper packing and shipping techniques, those delicate treats can arrive in crumbs instead of whole, beautiful cookies. Whether you’re mailing holiday treats, running a baking business, or sending a care package, follow these steps to ensure your cookies arrive fresh, intact, and as delicious as when they came out of the oven.

1. Choosing the Best Cookies for Shipping
Not all cookies travel well. Some are too delicate, while others become stale quickly. For best results, pick cookies that are sturdy, not overly fragile, and can last several days without losing freshness.

Best Cookies to Ship:

✔ Drop cookies (chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter)
✔ Bar cookies (brownies, blondies, lemon bars—cut thick)
✔ Shortbread or butter cookies (firm, less prone to crumbling)
✔ Biscotti (naturally hard and durable)
✔ Macarons or meringues (if packed with extra care)

Cookies to Avoid Shipping:

✖ Thin, crisp cookies (snap easily in transit)
✖ Frosted or glazed cookies (can melt or smudge)
✖ Cookies with perishable fillings (like custard or cream)

2. Preparing Cookies for Packing

Baking and Cooling Properly

• Bake cookies fully so they’re sturdy and not underbaked (which makes them softer and more fragile).
• Let them cool completely before packing—warm cookies can create condensation, making them soggy.
• Consider making thicker cookies that hold their shape better.

Separating Flavors
If you’re shipping different types of cookies, keep strong flavors separate (e.g., don’t mix peppermint cookies with chocolate chip; the flavors will blend).

3. Choosing the Right Packing Materials
Using the correct materials will cushion your cookies and prevent breakage. Here’s what you’ll need:

✔ Airtight containers or tins – Keeps cookies fresh and prevents crushing.
✔ Parchment or wax paper – Helps separate layers and prevents sticking.
✔ Bubble wrap – Adds an extra layer of protection.
✔ Packing peanuts or crumpled paper – Fills empty spaces inside the shipping box.
✔ A sturdy, corrugated shipping box – Avoid flimsy boxes that can get crushed in transit.

4. Packing Cookies for Shipping

Layering Inside the Container

1. Line the bottom of your tin or airtight container with bubble wrap or crumpled parchment paper.
2. Place a layer of cookies, making sure they lay flat and not on top of each other.
3. Separate layers with parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking and shifting.
4. If shipping soft cookies, add a slice of white bread to help retain moisture.
5. Fill any gaps with crumpled paper or small bubble wrap to prevent movement.

Sealing the Container

• Once cookies are snug inside, seal the container tightly with a lid.
• Wrap the entire container in plastic wrap to prevent air exposure.

5. Packing the Shipping Box
Once your cookies are packed in a container, you need to secure them in a shipping box.

1. Choose a box that fits your container snugly (but leaves room for padding).
2. Line the bottom of the box with bubble wrap or crumpled packing paper.
3. Place your cookie container in the center of the box.
4. Fill empty spaces with packing peanuts, crumpled paper, or bubble wrap to prevent shifting.
5. Close the box and gently shake it—if you hear movement, add more padding.

6. Choosing the Right Shipping Method

Speed Matters
The faster the cookies arrive, the fresher they’ll be. Choose a priority mail or express shipping option when possible.

Best Time to Ship

• Ship early in the week (Monday-Wednesday) to avoid weekend delays.
• Avoid shipping right before a holiday when carriers are overwhelmed.

Labeling the Box

• Write “FRAGILE” and “PERISHABLE” on the outside.
• Include a “This Side Up” label if needed.
• If sending internationally, check for customs restrictions on food shipments.

7. Alternative Packing Methods for Special Cookies

Individually Wrapped Cookies
For delicate cookies (like macarons or iced sugar cookies), wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap or small cellophane bags before placing them in the container.

Stacking & Rolling Method
For round cookies, stack 2-3 cookies together and wrap them in parchment paper before placing them in a container. This helps prevent movement and breakage.

8. What to Do If Cookies Break?
Even with the best packing techniques, accidents happen. If cookies arrive broken, don’t let them go to waste! Here are some creative ways to use them:

• Crumbled topping for ice cream, yogurt, or oatmeal.
• Mix into a milkshake for a cookie-flavored treat.
• Make a cookie crust for cheesecake or pies.
• Use as layers in a trifle dessert.

Final Thoughts
With the right packing and shipping techniques, your cookies will arrive fresh, whole, and ready to be enjoyed. Whether you’re sending treats for the holidays, a birthday, or a special occasion, taking the time to package them correctly shows thoughtfulness and care.