Add a Comment

Mailing Cookies

By:   Allrecipes Staff

Everyone loves to receive packages in the mail, especially the edible variety.

Make sure you get cheers when you mail your elegant eatables--avoid breakage by following these pointers.


Not All Cookies Travel Well

Certain cookies tend to ship better than others do. We recommend that you do not mail cookies with custard or custard-like fillings or toppings, including cheesecake bars or Nanaimo bars. The custard could spoil, making a very unwelcome gift. For that matter, any cookie that requires refrigeration is not a good candidate for the mail. Another type of cookie that doesn't hold up well for mailing is one with a delicate, cake-like texture such as Madeleines. And now, on to the kinds of cookies that can be mailed all over the world.


    These Cookies Are Going Places!

    Cookies that have a crunchy or hard texture such as biscotti, Mexican wedding cakes, crisps, Springerle, and shortbreads make excellent choices for mail delivery. They tend to be fairly sturdy, so you don't have to worry too much about breakage. And since they already have a fairly dry texture, drying out isn't much of an issue.


    Cookies that have a slightly chewy texture, like chocolate chip, oatmeal, snickerdoodles, and white chocolate-cranberry cookies also ship well. These cookies tend to dry out if they are in the mail for more than a week, so if their destination is a long way off, you might want to ship them by express mail to ensure that they arrive just as tasty as when they were baked.


    Macaroons and pignoli mail beautifully. Their chewy, moist textures only seem to improve after they've aged a few days.


    Dense bar cookies such as fudge brownies, blondies and peanut butter bars travel well too. Be sure to individually wrap each one with plastic wrap to keep that moist, dense crumb from drying out.


    Good Things Come in Secure Packages

    Once you've baked and cooled your cookies, you're ready for the next step: packing them. There are a few guidelines you should follow when it comes to preparing cookies to be mailed. Follow these and your special packages should arrive fresh, in one piece, and great-tasting.

    • Don't pack crisp and soft cookies together--the moisture from the soft cookies will seep into the crisp cookies, making them lose their delightful crunch. 
    • Don't overstuff your container. Your cookies may be damaged. Likewise, don't under-pack your container. The cookies should fit snugly. If you have too much space, crumple up a bit of tissue paper to fill the holes.
    • Pack cookies in a sturdy tin or airtight container. On the bottom of the container place a piece of bubble wrap, then line the container with parchment paper or cellophane, leaving enough to tuck over the top once the container is fully packed. Place one layer of cookies in the container. Cover with parchment paper. Arrange another layer of cookies, followed with more parchment paper, and continue this layering until the container is full. Tuck the cellophane or parchment paper over the top, then place another piece of bubble wrap on top, and seal your container.


      Want to Save This Article to Your Recipe Box?

      It's easy! First, copy the article's web address (Url). Then click My Recipe Box at the top right corner of this page. Click Weblink at the top of your Recipe List and paste the Url in the space provided. (Note: If you get a "Sorry...broken link" message, ignore it! Enter a Weblink Title, click Preview, then Save Weblink. Done!)


        Comments
        lauren 
        Jul. 17, 2009 12:18 pm
        What about oatmeal cookies with icing? Are those okay to mail? (if the icing is cooled, of course)
         
        Jul. 20, 2009 5:21 pm
        Thanks for the article. My parents (and family) all live back home 1,700 miles away. I always want to mail them something small that reminds them I miss them and I was unsure on how to mail cookies. I can't wait to try out your tips.
         
        Nana 
        Aug. 1, 2009 2:59 pm
        My son has been deployed I am looking for all kinds of cookies that will travel well with out spoiling. Any suggestions you have I am sure he will appreciate.
         
        Aug. 7, 2009 10:35 am
        I also send cookies to Iraq and wanted to find the best cookies that would stand the trip. I found this website that lists the best cookie recipes for mailing: http://www.blisstree.com/bakingdelights/absolutely-the-best-cookies-to-ship-to-iraq/
         
        mimi 
        Sep. 4, 2009 6:08 am
        I use GLAD PRESS & SEAL. Wrap cookies individually or 3 or 4 together. I ship them to my grandson out of the country and they arrive fresh and unbroken. (thick choc.chip cookies) Fill in empty spaces with toweling paper or newspaper.
         
        TAYLOR2004 
        Sep. 16, 2009 6:32 pm
        Add a slice of bread to a container of peanut butter choco chip or any cookie of these types and they will stay very moist! Great for travel!
         
        Oct. 4, 2009 10:05 am
        My husband is currently deployed to Iraq. I send him cookies bi-weekly. I bake larger cookies and take them out of the oven just before they get as done as I would want them for eating right away. Then, I stack them in freezer bags, seal them up, and place the freezer bags in disposable tin pans. I wrap the tin pans tightly in Glad Press and Seal. I send them out Priority Mail the following day. He says that they always arrive fresh. I have used several recipes from this site, and have received rave reviews. His favorites are Coconut Macaroons III and Classic Peanut Butter Cookies. Happy baking!
         
        LK 
        Oct. 13, 2009 8:47 pm
        My Granma has sent me oatmeal craisin, chocolate chip, Peter Pan Neverland Cookies, and chocolate cookies in the mail. She packed them in ziplock bags (each type got their own bag) with packing paper in the box. They were delicious and came out perfectly! No broken cookies. It's a great gift to give!
         
        patricia 
        Oct. 21, 2009 3:32 pm
        Cookies ship very well when packed in popcorn. The popcorn maintains the moisture and keeps the cookies from breaking. I mail all my cookies this way and they always arrive moist and unbroken
         
        patricia 
        Oct. 21, 2009 3:36 pm
        Cookies ship very well when packed in popcorn. The popcorn maintains the moisture and keeps the cookies from breaking. I mail all my cookies this way and they always arrive moist and unbroken. I have recipes that were shipped to the military men during vietnam. If you would like the recipes email me at hummingbird@infowest.com
         
        Oct. 22, 2009 6:24 am
        Do sugar cookies mail well? Are they considered crunchy or chewy?
         
        Oct. 31, 2009 2:46 pm
        Are cookies with frosting (milk, powdered sugar, butter as ingredients) okay to send in the mail? I want to send brownies with peanut butter frosting.
         
        Shirley 
        Nov. 10, 2009 3:12 pm
        Thanks for the tips, my grandchildren and parents live in New Zealand, this will help alot.
         
        NanaShas 
        Nov. 16, 2009 11:33 am
        I have a grandson who is lactose intolerant and has never had a cookie, poor baby! I am looking for some recipies that I can mail up to him. Any one out there with an idea. It will be much appreciated.
         
        JSTAFFOR 
        Nov. 23, 2009 6:52 pm
        Have you tried soy milk or goats milk? New one out that is called Silk. It is in dairy case with all other milk. Goats milk is usually found with the powered and anned milk.
         
        KaylaWatts 
        Nov. 26, 2009 5:58 pm
        I recently ordered some of the best tasting cookies ever from shelbyscookies.com and they arrived via USPS and they were all neatly packed and intact. I noticed that they used mostly bubble wrap to keep everything well protected. Also, they used kraft paper to keep the box from shifting to much.
         
        LAMBIESGRAMMY 
        Dec. 1, 2009 1:08 pm
        I have been shipping cookies to the troops all over the world since Viet Nam. I always use a purchased cookie tin completely lined with bubble wrap. I stack 2 to 4 cookies in jumbo cupcake papers and pack them together fairly tightly so they don't move around inside the tin. Then I wrap the entire tin in bubble wrap to make sure the tin doesn't pop open inside the box. I fill in the gaps around the tin in the box with candy, gum, nuts, etc. in small zip lock bags. You have to be careful what you send into Muslim countries: no pork products (bacon or lard), no alcohol (rum balls), no aromatic spices like nutmeg or allspice.
         
        marla cox 
        Dec. 13, 2009 7:40 am
        Years ago I sent a boyfriend a box of cookies to training camp packed in plain popcorn. Everyone ate the popcorn, too. So remember to use a large garbage bag for the popcorn before you put bags of cookies in and seal it tight.
         
        Sue Bee 
        Dec. 16, 2009 8:47 pm
        Instead of using parchment paper between the layers use inexpensive coffee filters. I have sent cookies all over the world to my Son who is a Navy Seabee and deploys every nine months. I pack them in Ziplock brand large rectangular disposable containors, very cheap and the hold 2 to 2 1/2 dozen cookies. Traditional Tollhouse chocolate chip cookies make it whole packed this way every time!
         
        clara 
        Jan. 22, 2010 9:06 am
        HELLO,I have been LACTOSE INTOLERANCE half of my life now there is GREAT PILL AT WALMART you only take 1 a day and you can eat any thing with milk . CHILDREN OVER 5 CAN TAKE IT BUT I WOULD CHECK WITH DOCTOR FIRST , I HAVE 2 CHILDREN IN MY FAMILY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM . THE NAME OF PILL IS DIGESTIVE ADVANTAGE , LASTOSE INTOLERANCE , HOPE YOU HAVE LUCK .
         
         
        Something worth saving?

        Register now to save all your favorites in your recipe box.

        ADVERTISEMENT
         
        Select Your Version:  Australia & New Zealand  |  Brazil  |  Canada  |  China  |  France  |  Germany  |  Japan  |  Mexico  |  Netherlands  |  Quebec  |  Russia  |  SE Asia

        United Kingdom & Ireland  |  United States  |  Frequently Asked Questions What's this?