That’s the Way the Cookie (Doesn’t)
Crumble: Shipping Baked Goods

Guest Blogger Amanda Gregory is an account executive at Ketchum, the public relations agency for FedEx Office. Once a cooking- and baking-phobe, Amanda has been slowly phasing out the pricey Manhattan bakeries and reaching for the spatula instead. And while her early experiments may come with burnt edges, the below shipping tips make sure they at least arrive at their destination crumble-free!

The holidays have managed to creep up on us yet again, and everyone has begun thinking about holiday gifts and items to send to loved ones. We’ve shared a lot of tips on how to properly pack and ship your holiday items (for a refresher, check out Kellie’s cookie mix gift swap idea and Renee’s holiday shipping tips) and last week, we put those helpful hints into action, big-time.

FedEx and Ketchum assembled and sent perfectly packed cookies to food/baking editors and bloggers so they could share with their readers just how easy it is to send cookies quickly, safely and crumble-free this holiday season. Not forgetting about our own dear Out of Office readers, we thought it would be a great opportunity to take our advice a step further, by photo-documenting the process to share a step-by-step packing tutorial!

First, select the right shipping ingredients: a sturdy container for the baked goods (I like the old-fashioned cookie tins), wax paper, heavy-duty packing tape, bubble wrap or other packing materials, and a sturdy corrugated cardboard box.



And of course, the most important material of all: the treats! Remember that small and sturdy treats ship the best. The Flour Pot Cookies created these customized FedEx package cookies for us. Not only are they adorable and perfect for shipping, they were delicious! 



Line the container with tissue paper – although not necessary for packing purposes, it creates a nice pop of color and blankets the cookies and packing materials – and place two layers of wax paper, folded up into squares, on the bottom.



If you’re shipping more than one cookie, place sheets of wax paper in between each layer of cookies (if the cookies rub together in transit, it can ruin the beautiful toppings or decorations!) and make sure to fill any spaces with crumpled wax paper.



Place two final layers of wax paper on top, fold the tissue paper over, and close and tape the lid to keep it from accidentally popping off.



If you want to share an extra gift, type up your recipe on a customized card design and tape it to the top of your container. And if you’d like to keep Grandma’s sugar cookie recipes a secret, you can also print out and attach a special family photo.



Use the H-Tape method to assemble the bottom of your box and place a thick layer of packing paper at the bottom. (For those who don’t know about the H-Tape method, it means to close and seal all of the box’s seams with packing tape, forming a large “H” at the box’s edges as you do so.) An eco-friendly tip: cushion the container with recycled paper, biodegradable packing “peanuts” or light-weight used clothing.



Make sure the container is snug in the box, and add any packing paper to fill additional holes. Remember the movement test: shake the box gently, and if you can feel or hear any movement, add more cushioning!



In case the shipping label gets separated from the box, make sure to also include the recipient’s address information inside. This can be a fun way to replicate the design from your recipe card, and include a sweet note as an added personalized touch. Place it right on top so your note greets the recipient right when they open their package!



Finally, use the H-Tape method one more time to seal the top of the box and add the shipping label in the position marked on the top of the box.



As a last step, bring the finished product to your local FedEx Office location and ship using FedEx Ground or FedEx Express to guarantee the cookies arrive in time for Christmas. Your last days to ship are coming up – Dec. 17th is the cut-off at FedEx Ground for guaranteed pre-Christmas delivery.

Stay tuned for more last-minute holiday tips from Out of Office! And if you have any helpful baking or shipping tips of your own, feel free to share in the comments. Happy Baking!


Related FedEx Office Solutions: Notecards, Pack and Ship, Packing Service, Personalized Cards, Shipping Supplies, Shipping Services