Whether it’s a beautifully frosted cake or a batch of fresh chocolate chip cookies, no one says no to a gift of baking goods.
There’s something special about receiving a homemade gift, let alone a baked cake that can be enjoyed while fresh.
But have you ever wondered about the right way to gift baked goods?
Over the years, I learned plenty of tips to make sure my gifts are always a hit. Here’s something I came to realize: gifting etiquette can take your gift from good to extraordinary.
Because I don’t like keeping tips to myself, I’ll tell you how to package your gift, how to deliver it, and how to add a personal touch.
The Presentation Etiquette
A gift is all about presentation. You may get the best gift you can think of, but if you present it in a worn out plastic bag, it’ll lose its meaning.
To present a baked gift properly, you have to think of packaging and labeling.
Packaging
Believe it or not, packaging is where most of my effort goes when gifting baked goods. I don’t spend that much effort on the baking process itself.
Personally, I don’t like single-use packages, so I mostly gift my baked treats in glass jars, tea towels, or reusable cookie tins.
Glass jars are perfect for gifting layered treats, like cheesecakes or parfaits. You don’t have to buy new ones—if you have old soup jars, those will do.
You can also use tea towels to wrap cakes or cookies. That way, you’ll be giving two gifts instead of one. If you don’t want to buy new tea towels, you can use parchment paper instead. Wrap your cake in it and finish it off with an elegant twine rope or washi tape.
For cookies, especially decorated ones, I like to use reusable tin boxes. They’re more functional than one-use packages, and they reduce your environmental footprint—a win-win!
Labeling
If you spend too much time perfecting the recipe and packaging, you’ll likely forget the labeling part.
I like to label my gifted baked goods with their expiry date. Some people also like to add a list of ingredients, which is a thoughtful touch.
More importantly, you’ll want to label your gift with any common allergens you used in the recipe, including gluten, nuts, etc.
Personally, I’d ask the recipient about any dietary restrictions before making my gift. If you don’t want to do that, you can always choose the safe route and make a vegan or gluten-free treat.
Your Personal Touch
A homemade baked gift is personal enough, but there’s nothing wrong with adding a nice personal touch to the gift.
I usually top off my gifts with a signed handwritten note. I believe the gift feels more personal when I leave a brief message with it.
And to take your presentation up a notch, you can write some suggestions for serving the baked treat. Mention that it’s best served with afternoon tea, morning coffee, etc.
Freshness and Portion Size
I know that it’s not always applicable to bake the treat right before gifting it, but remember that freshness is a vital part of the gifting etiquette. You’ll want your loved ones to enjoy the gift, so it has to be fresh and straight out of the oven.
If you have no other choice but to bake ahead of time, choose a treat that can stay fresh for hours, like cookies, and make sure to store them properly.
One more thing to consider is portion size. Here is when it gets a bit tricky because you want to be generous with your portions, but at the same time, you want to gift something that’s easy to serve. In this case, your best bet is mini baked goods.
You can opt for cookies, cake slices, or mini muffins. Try to avoid large cakes—they’ll be challenging to handle and pack neatly.
Delivery and Follow-Up
A baked gift is best delivered in person. That way, you make sure that it reaches its destination safely without any frosting falling off. On top of that, you get to share a wholesome moment with the recipient, which is the whole point of gifting.
If you can’t deliver your gift in person, you can always mail it. However, you’ll need to make sure your baked goods are sturdy enough for handling. In this case, I’d go for brownies or biscuits.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes, your way of presenting the gift leaves more impact than the gift itself. In the end, your baked treat will be devoured—the impression is what lasts.
Make sure to choose thoughtful packaging, leave a handwritten note, and deliver your gift fresh. Remember to label the gift with its expiry date and any allergens in the recipe.
Sarah is the founder of Baking Kneads, LLC, a blog sharing guides, tips, and recipes for those learning how to bake. Growing up as the daughter of a baker, she spent much of her childhood learning the basics in a local bakery.