Mailing Baked Goods: Tips For A Smooth Delivery

 

"Mailing baked goods doesn't have to be complicated"

Mailing baked goods can be a heart warming gift, provided they are shipped promptly and correctly. Nobody wants to receive stale, melted chocolate chips cookies or  a box of dry crumbs that should have been a pound cake.  Here are a few tips and tricks for mailing  baked goods to ensure they arrive fresh and intact!

Mailing Baked Goods: What Baked Goods Ships The Best:

Although you may desire to send fancy glazed or frosted goodies, save yourself the risk and just say no, or at least say no to shipping them in the warmer months. (If your creations just must have frosting, try shipping it in a separate container so that the recipient can add the frosting when it arrives.) Most frosting need to be kept cool to prevent melting or becoming sticky. Frosting and glazes can also make cakes or cookies soggy while in transit if not kept at adequate temperature. Below are a few baked good that ships wonderfully without such a high risk of being ruin. When mailing baked goods,  try to focus on items that are hearty and sturdy as opposed to ones that are extremely delicate and complex.

• Quick breads:  zucchini bread, pumpkin bread, or banana bread.
• Cookies: Oatmeal cookies and sugar cookies
• Bars: Brownies, blondies,
• Cakes:  Carrot cake, pound cake, and fruitcakes
• Candy: peanut brittle, rock candy.

When To Bake & Ship:

Bake and ship your goodies the same day that you make them. Allow them to cool completely before packaging. When mailing baked goods, Priority Mail is usually sufficient. Priority mails generally takes 2-3 days if mailed in the U.S. Use next day delivery for optimum freshness. Although this delivery option will be more expensive it can give you piece of mind of knowing that your baked goods will arrive tasting fresh.

How To Package Baked Goods For Shipping

Always pack your goodies in airtight containers or airtight bags. When packing your baked goods never pack several types of treats in the same container. Every type of cookie, cake, or candy should be packed with it's own kind and wrapped individually. For example, if you are packing pound cake, oatmeal cookies, and brownies. You will need to wrap each slice of pound cake individually and place into a sturdy container that will consist of only pound cake . Do the same for each oatmeal cookie and brownies.  Do not package soft cookies with crisp cookies.

• Wrapping cookies- Cookies can be placed back to back and wrapped securely in plastic wrap. Place a piece of wax paper in between the cookies to prevent sticking. Place each cookie pair in a separate plastic bag.  Nestle the cookies securely in a container, ensuring they can not move around if shook. If the cookies are decorated wrap them individually.
• Wrapping bars and candy- Bars and candy are best shipped in containers, used wax paper to separate the layers. A decorative tin container works well and will keep them protected.
• Wrapping quick breads and cake- Wrap each slice in plastic wrap and place into a container. Make sure that they can not shift around if moved.

Completely cushion the bottom, sides and top of the box with bubble wrap, newspaper or packing peanuts. Fill in any gaps between the containers as well. Everything should be pack tightly and securely. You should not be able to hear or feel the items shifting around in the box when you shake it.

When Mailing Baked Goods Make Sure That:

1. The package is clearly marked that it is "PERISHABLE.  Normally your courier will ask if your package contains perishable goods and place a sticker on it if it does.
2. Make sure that the recipient knows that you are sending perishable goods and that they will be home to accept the delivery.
3. Double check that the recipient's address and your address is written correctly and is affixed securely to the package. The package should be taped very securely as well.

Mailing Baked Goods & Enhancing The Presentation:

Just because food gifts have to be carefully packaged doesn't mean they can't look festive.

• Try placing your wrapped and packaged baked goods in a decorative tins, themed gift bags or wrapping in shimmering cellophane.  Use curling ribbon and stickers to enhance the packing bags and containers
• A baking cookbook can make a great gift to compliment a box full of goodies or even just attaching a recipe card to each item so that the recipient can make them themselves.
• Placing fun, themed stickers all over the outside of the box is sure to bring a smile on the recipients face before they even open the package.

Wanna give a dose of homemade comfort to the ones you love from afar? It could be as easy as mailing baked goods.

Need yummy, mail-friendly treat recipes?