In our deeply divided country, this month may go down in history. Regardless of who you stand behind, I sincerely hope and pray that you can lift up the good in our nation as a whole and, most importantly, within each other. This is not a space for politics or hate, but a place for compassion… and cookies. Cookies are what we can all agree on!
Here is the #1 question I am asked during the holiday season: what is the best way to ship cookies? Without breaking? And remaining fresh? First of all, there you are demonstrating compassion. I love it. There’s no better way to spread love than with homemade food. Plus, who doesn’t want to receive a box of goodies on their doorstep? After a couple years of trial and error (and broken cookies), I’ve found that there’s actually a very simple way to successfully ship cookies to loved ones. The cookies won’t bounce around or break and will arrive as fresh as can be.
The secret is… a sandwich.
But not your typical turkey club or roast beef sandwich– a cookie sandwich without the filling. Two cookies, back-to-back.
What now?
How to Ship Cookies
Place two cooled cookies together back to back. Wrap each sandwich up individually and tightly. I know this uses a little extra plastic wrap but you really don’t need much per cookie sandwich. Wrapping the cookies up, back to back, will keep them sturdy and confined, safe and strong. Unless the cookies are very soft and falling apart in your hands, they shouldn’t break or tear during the shipping process because they are confined and have the support from the cookie beneath it.
Place all of the wrapped sandwiches into a tin or Tupperware container. Stuff the tin or container with tissue paper (here’s a festive option!), crumbled newspaper, or packing peanuts to keep the cookies snug. Place the tin or container into a shipping box and use more crumbled newspaper or other shipping materials if needed. Then send off!
What Are the Best Cookies to Ship?
I find that cookies without chocolate drizzles and/or frosting are best to ship year-round. Stick to drop style cookies such as:
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Peanut Butter Cookies
- Snickerdoodles
- Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Butter Cookies or Chocolate Butter Cookies
- Drop Sugar Cookies
- White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
- Butterscotch Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies (pictured)
- Butterscotch Toffee Chocolate Fudge Cookies (pictured)
- Biscotti (wrap up two together back-to-back)
Decorated Cookies: If you’re sending decorated sugar cookies or gingerbread cookies, make sure your royal icing is completely set before sandwiching and wrapping. If you’re shipping cookies during the cooler months, chocolate dipped or drizzled would be just fine. Be careful with these in the heat of summer, though.
Here are all of my cookie recipes. I have hundreds to browse!
Which cookies don’t ship well? Use your best judgement here. Any delicate cookies or cookies that require immediate refrigeration aren’t ideal for shipping. (French macarons, lace cookies, etc) Stick with sturdier cookies.
What About Blondies, Brownies, and Bars?
Bars/brownies are another wonderful homemade treat to ship. I suggest wrapping each bar individually to preserve freshness, softness, and chew. Remember, pack them into the tin or tupperware container tightly. Some suggestions:
- Homemade Brownies (I like adding festive M&Ms on top before baking)
- Dark Chocolate Coconut Blondies
- Snickerdoodle Blondies
Some Favorite Cookie Tins
Here are some of my favorite cookie tins you can use for shipment. These are also great options for storing holiday cookies or gifting to neighbors and nearby friends and family.
It’s all pretty simple, right? Go send some love!
Cookies pictured above: butterscotch pretzel chocolate chip cookies and butterscotch toffee chocolate fudge cookies.
More Baking Tips
- 5 Best Cookie Baking Success Tips to Improve Your Next Batch
- Why Room Temperature Ingredients Make a Difference
- How to Freeze Cookie Dough (make them now, ship them later!)
- Soften Butter Quickly (helpful trick!)
- Baking Powder vs Baking Soda
- How to Properly Measure Baking Ingredients
- Salted Butter vs Unsalted Butter
Q: How do you usually ship goodies?
Reader Comments and Reviews
Hi! What would you say would be the best method to ship cookies overseas? My brother is in Coit and I want to make sure they get their fresh. Would you suggest to vacuum seal them?
Hi Brittany, vacuum sealing would be a great optionโand making sure that the cookies are extra padded for protection against breaking.
Thank you so much for your advice on the shipment of cookies. I live in Ontario, Canada. My boyfriend lives in Florida. I want to send him homemade cookies without the fear of them going mushy. I really hope that such a distance is not an issue.
I love your suggestion re cookie sandwiches! I mail shortbread cookies to my granddaughters , their favourite gift ! Iโm almost ready to make chocolate crinkles for them too . Cookies for the win !
Iโm sending a Christmas box that includes your orange and chocolate biscotti. Will they get soft wrapped in plastic? If they do, could they be crisped up again?
Hi Barb, they shouldn’t get soft as long as they are well protected from moisture.
I love your message about how to stand together. We should show love and not hate. Thanks for sharing how to ship cookies. I enjoy making a lot of your recipes.
Itโs really confusing trying to figure out your advice on shipping cookies because the ad you have for your mailing list cut it off
Love your recipes would love to bake them and send them
Hi Caryn, I’m so sorry about that! The ads on our site should never block the content. We are contacting our ad agency and asking them to fix the issue.
hi! This was so helpful – thank you! I would like to ship your apple cinnamon oatmeal cookies. How long do they last at room temperature / do you think they would be okay to ship?
Hi Miriam! Because of the apple chunks, those cookies should be kept cold and aren’t the best cookies to ship.
My grandchildren receive โ Love Gramaโ cookie batches every month. I bake , place cookies back to back/ plastic wrap then freeze. After a day they are in the mail
Cookies arrive delish, fresh and no crumbles!
Love that!
I bake several kinds of cookies in December. How long can you store cookies in tins?
Hi Enid, it’s best to defer to the best-by timelines for each specific cookie recipe.
Any special precautions for shipping in the heat?
I love your recipes and helpful tips. Do you have any tips for shipping pound cakes?
Hi Mika, we’d recommend wrapping in a layer of plastic wrap/Press N Seal, then aluminum foil. Make sure the package is well-padded so that the cake doesn’t get smushed!
Thank you for your tips! You mention in another post that a slice of white bread stored with the cookies keeps the cookies fresh. Would it help to put a piece of white bread in the package too since it could take a few days to arrive?
Hi Whitney, you certainly could try it!
I love baking your goodies. The family can’t get enough of your chocolate cake. (includes Black Forest). Getting ready to ship out heart shaped sugar cookies and you just told me how to ship them out. THANK YOU! I do modify some of your recipes to make sure everyone is happy (they are super picky). I now enjoy baking even more.
So glad to hear that you’re enjoying our recipes, Mary!
I love youre desserts it gives me ideas to do
For myself but I wanted to know the best shipping method for baked goods if theyโre not in your area like Iโm in New York and my friend is in El Paso Texas and I donโt really know how to ship stuff over there that is baked goods that wonโt go bad
You are my favorite cookies chef. Thanks a lot.
Sallyโฆ. such a beautiful and touching message for all of us. You touch our lives every day with your friendship, recipes and suggestions, and youโve become part of our livesโฆ. part of our circle of friends. Thank you for all you do for all of us. May peace be everywhere and in everyoneโs heart as we begin a new year. God bless you
Hi Sally and Awesome Bake Team!
I am getting ready to make my Dad some of your coconut macaroons and then then to him for Christmas. We won’t be together this year and I want to brighten his holiday since he won’t be able to see the grandkids or us. If I sandwich then and use some bubble wrap in the box, do you think they’ll travel ok without breaking up? I’m sending some thumbprints too, but those are a bit more sturdy I think so I’m not as concerned about them. Thanks so much! Merry Christmas!
Hi Caitlin, that should work well! Or you could store them in a small cookie tin. Note that the coconut macaroons are fresh at room temperature for only 3 daysโjust something to keep in mind with shipping timelines.
My sister’s and I have been shipping cookies to out of state family for years and never a problem. We send a variety too. Pack them tight, cushion with wax paper, close up the container and then into a box cushioned with newspaper. USPS is the best, cookies got across the country in 2 days one week before Christmas! Family always love them!!