1. Pick the solid cookies.
You shouldn’t try to mail cookies that have ingredients that could break or melt in transit, such as macarons, latticework Florentines, sandwich cookies, or butter wafers. Mail-friendly cookies are those that won’t get squashed or crushed in the mail.
Cookies like snickerdoodles, oatmeal cookies, shortbread, biscotti, bar cookies, and chocolate chip cookies are always a hit. It’s best to avoid sending soft, fluffy buttercream when mailing cookies and instead opt for a dryer, firmer frosting like powdered sugar glaze or royal icing.
2. Allow them to cool before packaging.
We get that the thought of not sharing your freshly baked cookies with a friend or loved one as soon as they cool off from the oven is enticing, but please don’t ship them while they’re still hot. Condensation forms inside the packaging if the cookies haven’t cooled completely. This not only affects the overall texture, but it can also lead to microbial growth, mold, and other potential health risks associated with consuming tainted food.
Let everything cool down completely. Since the postal service doesn’t provide refrigeration, an insulated cooler with ice packs or dry ice might be the best way to ship cookies if you’re concerned about spoilage.
3. Wrap the cookies.
Sending cookies in the mail requires careful thought, and cookie packaging is a key factor. Back-to-back cookie pairs are ideal for plastic wrapping, as recommended by our Test Kitchen. The only exceptions are bar cookies or brownies, which are sturdy enough to be packaged and transported without getting crushed. In order to ensure that your cookies make it through the mail without getting crushed, we recommend dividing the batch in half before mailing.
4. Stack them wisely.
The largest and heaviest cookies should be placed at the bottom of the box when shipping cookies of varying shapes, sizes, and weights. Keep climbing until you reach the tiniest and lightest object. When mailing cookies, it’s important to fill all empty spaces with cushioning materials like bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or crumpled newspaper.
5. Choose a new box.
We advise against reusing boxes, as they can become damaged during shipping. The alternative is to obtain free Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express boxes from the post office.
6. Wrap and label the box.
Seal the top of the box with packing tape. Use kraft paper and tape to close the box.
Include an address card with both the recipient’s and sender’s information. Because of this, the package can be delivered or returned even if the box is opened or the mailing label is removed.
shipping cookies or other holiday treats? There’s no need to mark the box as perishable, but feel free to do so if you’d like.
7. Select express shipping.
You can send cookies more quickly and with less risk of spoilage if you use either Priority Mail Express (overnight to two days) or Priority Mail (one to three days).
