How to Ship Cookies Without Breaking (and Keep Them Fresh)

Now that you’ve done the baking, it’s time to send those homemade cookies to friends and family. I’ll show you how to ship cookies so they arrive intact and fresh, from choosing the best cookies to ship to wrapping and packing them properly. I’ve actually mailed cookies to my family as a test — here’s what worked for getting them there fresh and in one piece.

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What Types of Cookies Are Best for Shipping?

• Thick, chewy cookies — Sturdy cookies with a soft center generally travel well when fully cooled and packed properly.
• Crisp cookies — Cookies like biscotti and shortbread can ship well, though delicate or thin varieties are more prone to breaking.
• Bar cookies and brownies — Their compact shape makes them easier to pack, especially when cut into sturdy portions.
• Sandwich cookies — Filled cookies can work well when the fillings are stable at room temperature.

How to Ship Cookies Without Breaking Them

There are a few tips and tricks to sending cookies in the mail. From guarding against breakage to avoiding stale cookies, we’re going to cover exactly how to ship cookies in the mail and keep them fresh.

To mail cookies, you’ll need the following:

• Cardboard boxes to ship cookies – These are perfectly sized bakery boxes to ship cookies. They are 12 x 12 x 6, which gives you enough room for packing material to secure your baked goods.
• Metal cookie tins – They come in a pack with 3 different sizes and will fit perfectly inside the shipping boxes. Because they are metal, they provide extra protection.
• Brown bakery boxes – I have these exact boxes. They are quick to assemble and work well for cookies, brownies or candy.
• Packing material, like honeycomb packing paper, peanuts, popcorn, or bubble wrap – I use a combination of paper and either packing peanuts or bubble. Use heavy packing tape to seal the boxes.
• Parchment paper – Scrunched up pieces of parchment can fill any gaps and make everything a snug fit.

How to Pack Cookies So They Don’t Shift

The key to shipping cookies without breaking them is preventing movement. Pack them snugly in the smallest container that comfortably holds them. The less they move, the lower the chance for breakage. There are two places movement needs to be controlled:

• Movement of the tin/container inside the shipping box
• Movement between individual cookies — Fill in any gaps with packing material so the cookies don’t move around.

Before sealing the shipping box, gently shake it. If you can hear or feel the cookie tin moving, open it and add more cushioning. Nothing inside the box should be sliding around. Lastly, place heavier cookies on the bottom of the tin. This may seem like common sense, but when you are in a packing frenzy, it’s easy to forget. Ask me how I know.

How to Keep Cookies Fresh During Shipping

The best way to ensure that your cookies don’t arrive stale is to bake them as close to mailing as possible and to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap.

• Wrap cookies tightly in plastic — Place paired up cookies (bottom to bottom) in the center of a square of plastic wrap. Lift the bottom piece up to cover the cookies, then fold the top piece down. Tuck the sides underneath to secure it. You want the plastic wrap to be fairly tight, to keep the air out. This will also help to keep the moisture in, so your cookies don’t dry out during transit, and it will help protect them against breakage.
• Label the box — I always write “perishable” and “fragile” on the box. It just makes me feel better to do it.
• Shipping overseas or long distance — For baked goods that will travel longer distances, add extra padding to the box. I’d also stick to sturdy cookies, bars, and biscotti for best results. If you have the option to vacuum seal them, this will help to keep them fresh.

When should you ship homemade cookies?

Ship cookies early in the week (Monday if possible) so they don’t spend extra time sitting in a distribution facility. Choose the fastest shipping option that fits your budget, especially for soft cookies or warmer weather. Remember that UPS and USPS will get busier as holidays approach, so plan to ship sooner rather than later.

The Best Cookies to Mail

Now that you know how to ship homemade cookies, here is a list of the best cookies to ship. As you are packing your cookies, consider labeling them. This lets them know what kind of cookies you sent, but also avoids anyone with allergies or sensitivities eating something they should avoid.

Thick and chewy cookies

• Chocolate crinkles – A Christmas cookie staple. Make sure you pack them in something that will contain the powdered sugar, so it doesn’t get on your other cookies.
• Drop style Christmas sugar cookies – The sugar cookies from your childhood. They hold up like a champ in the mail.
• Christmas funfetti cookies – Festive green and red sprinkles in the cookie dough.
• Ginger molasses cookies – Soft, chewy, and so good.
• Classic sugar cookies – Send with minimal decorations, or plain (with decorations included) for best results.
• Chocolate chocolate chip cookies – This is THE cookies for chocolate lovers.

Crunchy cookies

• Butter pecan biscotti – Think butter pecan ice cream in cookie form. If you are sending to a warm climate, I would omit the chocolate drizzle.
• Gingerbread biscotti – The perfect recipe for sending in the mail. It is sturdy and no decorations to worry about.
• Lavender shortbread – Buttery, delicious shortbread is hard to beat.
• Cranberry pistachio biscotti – Studded with tart cranberries and pistachios for holiday colors.
• Almond biscotti – Made with amaretto-soaked golden raisins, this recipe is one of my all time favorites.

No bake treats

• Rum balls – Also, the perfect treat for sending in the mail, but only for grown ups. They actually get BETTER after a couple of days.
• Chocolate bark – Only if there is no threat of melting. Not a good option for sending to warmer climates.
• The BEST buckeye recipe – This easy recipe is the perfect no bake treat for peanut butter and chocolate lovers. Not a good option for sending to warmer climates.

Sandwich cookies

Wrap each cookie individually, and place on top in your tin, so the filling doesn’t get squished out.

• Maple cream sandwich cookies – Maple sugar cookies sandwiched with a light and fluffy maple buttercream.
• Red velvet sandwich cookies – Sparkly red cookies filled with peppermint buttercream.
• Peanut butter sandwich cookies – Sandwiched with a dark chocolate buttercream.

Worst cookies to send in the mail

It’s best to avoid mailing cookies that are very delicate, anything that requires refrigeration, or cookies that have a soft frosting — things like cream cheese frosting are to be avoided.

Decorated cookies can be tricky, but doable, if you take extra care when packing. If they have royal icing, make sure the icing is completely dry and set. Packing them individually in cookie pouches will also help to protect your decorations.

How to Ship Cookies FAQ

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Originally published 12/14/21, most recent update 10/28/26.