A version of this post originally appeared on GoodCook. com
It’s the season for holiday baking, and the best way to spread the holiday cheer is by delivering homemade cakes. A pack of delicious cookies or irresistible bars is the perfect way to let your loved ones know you’re thinking of them. We’re here to make sure those heartfelt gifts don’t arrive rock hard or in a pile of crumbs. From the moment your cookies come out of the oven, we’ve got the best tips and tricks for storing, packing and shipping your homemade treats, keeping them as fresh, intact and delicious as possible. Watch the video here.
Whether your treats are delivered to the street or across the country, sturdy, airtight containers make it possible to deliver a stack of cookies to your loved ones without sacrificing shape or taste. Make sure you have several sizes on hand so you can send a small package to a single friend or a larger container to a family. The best containers also have BPA-free material and lids that snap on for a tight seal, perfect for preserving the freshness of baked goods.
Which treats ship well?
Before we get started, we have some suggestions on how to select the best cookies to send, as some cookies are not travel-worthy. DO NOT ship perishable cookies or bars that require refrigeration, such as cheesecake bars or custard Nanaimo bars. Delicate and fragile cookies such as Madeleines also do not ship well. Send firm cookies or bars that hold their shape well, such as brownies and blondies. Drop cookies, such as chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, gingersnap or these 3 cookies from one dough recipe also ship well. Cookies with a firm texture like biscotti, shortbread, or Mexican wedding cookies also ship well.
Pastry packaging tips:
- Place heavy dense bars in the bottom of each container and top with lighter biscuits.
- If you are shipping different cookie flavors (like peppermint and cinnamon), keep them in separate containers so the flavors don’t mix.
- If you plan to freeze your treats, freeze them separately on a cookie sheet or cookie sheet first. Once frozen, transfer to an airtight container.
3 fun ways to pack your baked goods
Half the fun of the holidays is the wrapping! Package your baked goods to gift with one of these 3 fun and festive techniques.
Furoshiki: a modern take on Japanese fabric packaging
- Cut a large piece of fabric
- Place your package in the center and fold each of the corners toward the center.
- Knot edges on top of the container with a simple square knot.
Snowman Wrap: DIY decor for reusable containers
- Cut red adhesive felt lengthwise into a 1-inch strip
- Cut fringe along the end of each strip to make a cheerful scarf and attach to container.
- Stick on black buttons with double sided tape.
Ribbon Wrap: turn your baked goods into a beautiful gift
- Tie with curling ribbon or a bow
- Decorate with natural elements such as pine cones, jingle bells or rosemary
How to ship baked goods
Once your baked goods are packed, prepare them for safe travel no matter the distance.
- BUNDLE UP: Wrap each individual baked treat in plastic wrap before packing in a decorative box and/or shipping box.
- COZY UP: The shipping box should be a sturdy cardboard box large enough to hold two inches of pillow. Insulate around your wrapped goodies with crinkled paper, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or padded wrapping paper to keep them safe in transit.
- SEAL AND LABEL: Seal the box with tape and mark the package with “perishable food” and/or “fragile”. Have fun baking, wrapping, wrapping and shipping!
Packing and shipping do’s and don’ts
- Refrigerate your cookies before wrapping them. A wire cooling rack is perfect for this task.
- DO wrap individual items in plastic wrap or foil.
- Store cookies and bars in airtight containers.
- Do not store soft, moist biscuits near biscuits with a firm texture such as biscotti. The biscotti will absorb moisture and lose its crunch.
- DO NOT overfill or overfill your containers. This can damage the shape of the cookie and cause breakage. If you have extra space in each container, add paper towels for cushion and bulk.