Whether you’re sending heart-shaped confections on Valentine’s Day, or cheery gingerbread men for Christmas, cookies are always a great way to show your loved ones that you’re thinking of them around the holidays.
However, if your relatives live far away, then you’ve got to think about mailing your delicious baked goods.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about mailing cookies, including which cookies hold up the best, how to package them, and how much shipping costs!
Can You Mail Cookies & Baked Good with USPS In [currentyear]?
It is possible to mail cookies and baked goods through USPS in [currentyear]. Bar, drop, and dried fruit cookies all hold up well in the mail, as do crisp cookies like biscotti, shortbread, and gingersnaps. Cookies should be wrapped in aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or plastic bags, placed in a sturdy container, then put in a padded mailing box.
If you’re still anxious about making sure your cookies arrive at their destination intact, then check out the rest of our article for everything you need to know!
Can You Send Cookies in the Mail with USPS?
USPS allows postal customers to mail cookies and other baked goods.
That said, it’s recommended to package cookies properly to avoid breaking or melting.
USPS also recommends using an expedited shipping service so your cookies arrive as fresh and delicious as when you made them.
Which Cookies Mail the Best?
Now that you know you can mail cookies through USPS, you’re probably wondering which kinds hold up best in the mail.
Below you’ll find a list of the most mailable baked goods, as well as some you should avoid.
- Bar, drop, or dried fruit cookies (e.g. chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, brownies)
- Cookies with hard textures like biscotti, shortbread, and gingersnap
- Sandwich cookies (package the cookies separately from the filling)
- Pound cake
- Unfrosted cake
- Breads (not yeast breads)
- Muffins
- Candies (e.g. fudge)
In terms of which baked goods to avoid mailing, avoid sending anything that requires refrigeration (e.g. cheesecake bars).
You should also stay away from mailing fragile cookies like madeleines or macaroons, as these will likely crumble no matter how well you package them.
How Do I Send Cookies Through USPS?
Once you’ve chosen which cookies you want to send, you need to know how to package them to ensure that they’ll arrive in good condition.
First, when you’re done baking, let your cookies cool to room temperature before boxing them up.
If they’re still warm when you wrap them, the steam will condense and make everything soggy.
Next, follow these packing instructions:
1. Opt for a durable rigid box or empty tin for your mailing container. USPS’ free Priority Mail boxes are a good option, but you can also use your own packaging.
2. Place bubble wrap in the bottom of the container, then line the container with a piece of aluminum foil or plastic wrap that’s large enough to cover the cookies when the container is full.
3. Wrap 4 to 6 same-sized cookies together in aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or plastic bags.
When mailing soft cookies, slip a piece of white bread inside the packaging to keep the cookies from drying out.
If you’re sending more than one kind of cookie, double-wrap them so the flavors don’t blend.
Another note on mailing different kinds of cookies- don’t pack crisp and soft cookies together. If you do this, the cookies will lose their crispness.
4. Once your cookies are all wrapped up, place the heaviest ones on the bottom of the box. Put some crumbled paper on top, then add the next layer of cookies.
Secure bubble wrap over the top of the cookies once all of the layers have been assembled.
Finish by covering the bubble wrap with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
Some final notes about packing: make sure your cookies are snugly arranged in the container.
On one hand, you don’t want to overstuff the box, as this could cause damage.
However, on the other hand, you should also avoid underpacking, as this allows the cookies to move around too much.
5. Pack the container in a heavy cardboard box large enough to allow for 2” of cushion between the container and the box.
Fill in this space with lots of packing material like bubble wrap or packing peanuts.
6. Seal the container with packing tape, and mark it with the words “Perishable Food” and/or “Fragile.”
If you’re sending baked goods like pound cakes, loaf breads, or fudge, ship them in disposable aluminum pans.
Next, cover the pan with wax paper or seal it in plastic wrap. Finally, place the pan in a plastic bag and secure it in a cushioned food box.
When it comes to candy, make sure the pieces are packed in individual cups or papers, layered and separated with wax paper.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship Cookies with USPS?
Like anything you mail through USPS, the cost of shipping depends on how heavy your items are, and which shipping method you select.
If your cookies weigh less than 13 ounces, you can use USPS’ First-Class Package Service.
Delivery takes 1 to 3 business days, and you can expect to pay somewhere between $4.50 and $7.65, depending on how far your cookies are traveling.
If your package weighs more than 13 ounces, then Priority Mail is your best choice. Like First-Class Mail, delivery typically takes 1 to 3 days.
Prices vary widely, depending on weight and distance. However, you can expect to pay between $10 to $30.
If you’ve got super perishable (or melty) cookies, then it goes without saying that USPS’ fastest service, Priority Mail Express, is your best choice.
This service offers overnight shipping to urban areas, and 2-day delivery to rural addresses.
Prices for Priority Mail Express start at $26.95, and go up from there.
To know more, you can also read our posts on shipping clothes USPS, USPS laptop shipping, and USPS food shipping.
Conclusion
Shipping cookies is a great way to show your loved ones that you’re thinking about them. Luckily, most cookies hold up well in the mail, as long as you package them well and choose a quick shipping option.
