Mailing cookies and baked goods have never been easier than with USPS. USPS is a mailing service in the US, and it is also called United States Postal Service. Let’s learn about Mailing Cookies Baked Goods Via USPS.
To mail your cookies, you need to choose cookies that can last the journey, and package them in tin boxes or plastic bags with layers of foil and bubble wrap. Moreover, you can prep the cardboard box to keep the cookies safe. When done, you can mail them.
You can mail cookies and baked goods via USPS at affordable prices. You just need to pack them to prevent them from breaking, and then you can mail them to your friends and relatives. It’s best to use USPS’ Priority Mail Express for cookies mailing.
Which Cookies are the Best Choice for Mailing via USPS?
While cookies and baked goods are a perfect treat and gift for friends on the holidays, you can’t send just any type of cookie.
Cookies in the approved list are:
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Bar and cookies with dry fruits like Cranberry Orange Cookies
- Biscotti, gingersnap, shortbread, and other hard biscuits
- Sandwich cookies (pack the cookies without the filling and place the filling in a mason jar)
Baked Goods that Make Great Gifts:
- Poundcake
- Non-yeast bread
- Candies such as fudge,
- Plain cupcakes and muffins
You shouldn’t send fragile cookies like madeleines or goods that need refrigerating like cheesecake.
How to Pack the Cookies or Baked Goods for USPS?
After you have chosen what type of cookies to make, you need to know how to pack them in such a way as to make sure they stay safe.
Step 1: Bake & Cool to Perfection!
After baking the cookies and baked goods that you want to send, allow them to cool. If the food isn’t cool or at room temperature, it will fog in the packaging and get soggy. Moreover, don’t freeze the cookies either because when they melt, they will become wet. This will in turn make them soggy.
Step 2: Place the Cookies Separately
Please each type of cookie together. For example, place the drop cookies together and the bar cookies together. Here you have two options, you can go for a tin box (USPS’s free Priority Mail Boxes can also work) or package the cookies in airtight plastic ziplock bags.
Step 3: Preparing the Tin Box or Plastic Bag
If you’re using plastic bags, package each type of cookie in one type of bag. You can add hard biscuits like meringue and biscotti together since they are both hard. You can line the plastic bags with aluminum foil for extra protection.
If you’re using a tin box or small tin boxes, line the bottom of the box with bubble wrap. Then, place aluminum foil on top of the bubble wrap (the foil should be large enough to cover the cookies from the top too). You can use both a tin box and plastic bags too if you want.
Step 4: Cookie Arrangement
Make stacks of the same type of cookies and place them in plastic bags and other packaging. It’s better to pack each type separately. Pack the hard cookies in one plastic bag and the drop cookies in another, and also the rest until all the cookies and baked goods are packaged.
When packing pound cake, you can use a long tin box or wrap each cake in plastic wrap, and parchment paper and place them together in a larger tin box. Also, avoid placing soft and hard cookies together. Keep them separate.
It’s best to put the heavies of the cookies at the bottom of the tin box. Then, place a layer of holiday tissue paper or a crumpled paper towel. Don’t overstuff the cookies with them but place enough to prevent movement. Cover the tin with aluminum foil and bubble wrap.
Step 5: Assembling the CardBoard Box
Use a heavy and large cardboard box. Place the tin box or the plastic bags inside it. The box should ideally be big enough to accommodate around two inches of packaging material like shipping peanuts or popcorn, or bubble wrap between the box and the goods. Make sure all the plastic bags or the tin is covered and won’t move during transport. Use plastic or adhesive tape to seal the cardboard box and label it “Fragile” or “Perishable Food”.
USPS’ Different Mail Types & Pricing
If the cookies and baked goods can last a couple of days, you can avail of USPS First-Class Package Service for packages less than 13 ounces. For packages over 13 ounces, you can use Priority Mail. Priority mail starts from $8.70 and you can get a package delivered in 1 to 3 days. For First-Class Mail, the starting rate is cheaper but delivery is between 1 to 5 days.
You can use Priority Expres Mail to deliver goods in 1 to 2 days. It’s the best option if you’re sending baked goods like brownies, or soft cookies.
Conclusion
USPS has made mailing cookies and baked goods even easier and you can now send holiday gift packs to your loved ones and relatives with USPS. To package the goods, you can use any type of packaging material such as tin boxes, plastic bags, etc. When placing the cookies, you need to take care of a few things to prevent the cookies from breaking, etc. After you’re done with packaging, you can send it off with any of USPS’ mail expresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How to keep my cookies fresh for a longer time?
You can add a slice of bread to keep your cookies moist and prevent them from turning brittle. In transport, moist and soft cookies usually turn brittle and hard so a slice of bread helps a lot.
Q2. How Much Does USPS Priority Express Mail Cost?
Since you’re mailing cookies via USPS, you can use Priority Mail Express. It guarantees a next-day or 2-day delivery time, and its price starts from $26.95 and goes up based on travel time and distance.
