Packaging and shipping sugar cookies can be nerve-wracking. Unless you deliver them yourself, you can never guarantee they’ll arrive at their destination intact without the proper packaging techniques in place.
After countless trials and errors (and a couple dozen cookies sacrificed for the cause), I finally discovered a foolproof method that works nearly 100% of the time.
Stick around as I show you how to package sugar cookies in perfect condition. I’ve used this technique to ship hundreds of cookies to my loved ones and customers living across the country!
Am I Allowed to Ship Cookies?
Absolutely! You can send almost any baked goods through the mail. Just make sure they’re properly packaged to maintain freshness and prevent damage during transit.
Food safety regulations apply when shipping internationally, so check the restrictions the country you’re sending the cookies to before proceeding.
How to Package and Ship Sugar Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s how you can ship sugar cookies without breaking them:
Step 1: Wait for the Icing to Dry
I know this sounds like a no-brainer, but I’ve made the mistake of packing my cookies too soon after icing them in my rush to get them shipped out quickly.
Don’t be like me! You want your cookies to be fully dry before packaging them.
Depending on the temperature and the humidity in your area, drying may take anywhere from 12 hours to a full 24 hours.
To dry the decorations effectively, place the cookies on a flat surface or a specialized cookie drying rack in a cool, dry location.
Avoid humid areas like the kitchen as excess moisture can interfere with the drying of the icing.
Step 2: Bag the Cookies
Now that your cookies are all set, it’s time to bag them!
Choose food-safe, clear plastic bags that are specifically designed for packaging cookies and similar desserts.
These bags aren’t only sturdy enough to protect the cookies from breakage but also flexible enough to accommodate various shapes and sizes.
Plus, most of them come with self-sealing adhesive for that extra convenience.
Carefully slide each cookie into individual plastic bags and gently press out any excess air. Then, seal the bag using the adhesive.
If the bag doesn’t have an adhesive, seal it with a ribbon, twist tie, or heat-sealing equipment.
Step 3: Wrap the Cookies
Place two bagged cookies with their decorated fronts facing each other to protect their front designs.
Wrap the cookies in bubble wrap, then seal the ends with tape or a decorative ribbon. Make sure the cookies have enough padding around the front and back.
Repeat the process for each sugar cookie, wrapping them in pairs of two.
You might think this is a bit overkill, but you can never be too careful when delivering your sugar cookies—especially if you put a lot of effort into decorating them!
Step 4: Put Inside a Box
The box you’ll deliver the cookies in should be spacious enough to accommodate them without overcrowding.
Line the walls of the box with bubble wrap and the bottom of the box with a layer of packing peanuts. Then on top of that, add a cardboard cutout.
Place your wrapped cookies upright in the box. For every cookie you place, insert bubble wrap in between. Don’t squeeze too many cookies in the box because this may risk damaging them.
Now, shake the box. Do you see any movement?
If you do, add more padding. Fill any open space with air pillows, crumpled newspapers, or bubble wrap.
Once fully secured, cover the cookies with a final layer of bubble wrap.
Step 5: Pack the Box
Nope, we’re not done yet!
Take the cookie-filled box and place it inside another slightly larger shipping box.
Fill the empty spaces with more bubble wrap, paper, etc., ensuring that the smaller box within is secure.
You want it to be so secure that if someone were to accidentally drop or kick the box, the inner cookie box would remain intact and unmoving.
Step 6: Mail the Box
Your cookies should be mailed out as soon as possible so it arrives fresh. Packaged appropriately, the cookies will remain fresh for about a week or two at most.
Tape the box with clear packing tape and add a few stickers that say “Fragile.”
If your cookies contain common allergens such as nuts or gluten, it’s a good idea to label the package with allergen information to inform the recipient—just in case someone else opens the package!
And that’s it; you’ve successfully packaged your sugar cookies!
How Much to Charge for Decorated Sugar Cookies
There’s a long list of factors to consider when pricing decorated sugar cookies, including:
- Cost of ingredients, including food color markers, food gel colors, etc.
- Cost of all supplies and packaging items, including stickers, tape, business cards, and planners
- Time spent baking, decorating, and packaging each cookie
- Complexity of design and customization requests
- Overhead costs, such as utilities, kitchen equipment maintenance, insurance, and licenses
Simple decorated sugar cookies can cost around $3 to $5 each, but intricate designs can jump to over $15.
You might think this is expensive but it’s actually more than fair.
Decorating each cookie requires meticulous attention to detail. It can be time-consuming, especially if you’re doing a complicated design.
Add in the additional costs of high-quality ingredients, packaging materials, and overhead expenses, and you’ll find that the price is justified.
If they’re being delivered, shipping and handling fees apply. Factors such as shipping distance, shipping method, and packaging materials all contribute to extra costs.
So if a customer were to order, say, a dozen decorated cookies, you can charge them $36 to $60 ($3 to $5 per cookie), plus another approximately $20 for shipping (+packaging fees) if you’re using USPS Priority Mail.
What Types Of Cookies Are Suitable For Shipping?
When shipping cookies, choose varieties that are sturdy and can hold their shape during transit. Here are some types of cookies that are well-suited for shipping:
- Drop cookies
- Sugar cookies
- Bar cookies
- Biscotti
Avoid sandwich cookies, meringue cookies, and temperature-sensitive cookies like refrigerated cookies and chocolate-filled or coated cookies. These cookies are delicate and prone to melting, which can lead to a messy product upon arrival—not something you want!
Final Thoughts
There you have it; my guide on how to package sugar cookies!
I know it might seem like overkill, but the extra packaging goes a long way to protect your beautifully decorated cookies.
By following the steps above, you can almost guarantee that your sugar cookies will arrive at their destination in picture-perfect condition!
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.