• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Joy the Baker
Joy the Baker
  • Cookies
  • Bread
  • Cakes
  • Pies
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Cookies
    • Birthday Cake Recipes
    • Biscuits
    • Muffins
    • Cupcakes
    • Drinks
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Fruit
    • Nuts
    • Buttermilk
    • Chocolate
    • Vanilla
    • Holiday
    • Healthy
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegan
  • Blog
    • Baking 101
    • Tips
    • Beyond the Kitchen
    • Let It Be Sunday!
    • New Orleans
  • Camp Joy

How I Package My Holiday Cookie Tins

December 9, 2020 by Joy the Baker 20 Comments

Hello friends and welcome to my accidental cookie factory! 

This marks my fourth year celebrating the holidays at The Bakehouse!  Home sweet home – where the oven is always on and the refrigerator is home to at least two batches of cookie dough.  This marks the first year not having an old fashioned cookie swap party on the big dining room table. You might think that’s slowed down my cookie baking but it most certainly has not. Is it even the holidays if the house doesn’t smell like gingersnap cookies? 

This year I’m gifting cookie tins, cookie boxes, cookie bags to friends and neighbors in New Orleans and cookie shipments to friends across the country. I’ve got a tiny tree and no parties to speak of, but still loads of holiday spirit.  

The offering today is my thoughts on how to package cookie tins and boxes for mailing. If you’d like thoughts on cookie gifting that doesn’t need shipments, there are some great ideas on page 82 of Joy the Baker Magazine along with a handful of cookie recipes you might just love. All bases, covered. 

Let’s box, here’s how! 

What makes a cookie suitable for shipping?

We want a cookie that’s durable and has a decently long shelf life. Think about something like fudge for durability. Think about a cookie with add-ins like peanut butter and molasses because the extra fat and sugar moisture will lengthen the shelf life of the cookie.

The cookies I’m racking up today are: Chocolate Peppermint Black and Marble Cookies // Peanut Butter Cup Holiday Cookies //  Brown Sugar Gingersnaps from Joy the Baker Magazine // and Peppermint Pretzel Marshmallow Fudge, amen. 

But friends!  There is more cookie inspiration below and really more cookies than I can count here on Joy the Baker. 

What supplies do you need for shipping? 

Here are the supplies I use to put together my shippable cookie tins. I’ll provide links but absolutely encourage you to reuse boxes, tins, and packaging material you might have lying around the house from previous packages. All of this packaging material is stuff I’ve saved from previous packages.  We’re being clever where we can this year.  

•  White Metal Tins: I used the 7 3/4-inch round tin but really, any tin from the craft store or amazon that feels like it can hold cookies is great! 

•  Berry Baskets: cute and cost effective, light to ship, can be packed tight and wrapped in cellophane bags with a bow. 

•  Bakery Bags or Boxes

•  Crinkle paper filling, like shredded paper or paper bags cut into large strips. 

•  Bubble wrap or bubble wrap bags

•  Shipping box, tape, holiday stickers, et al. 



I start by wrapping my cookies in pairs in plastic wrap. Our work is to keep the cookies contained and fresh. Plastic wrap is the start. 

Shipping Tip: Wrap the cookies bottom to bottom to keep the top of one cookie from rubbing weirdly. 

This plastic wrap dispenser was a gift from a Bakehouse student who saw me struggling with plastic wrap during a class. She came back with this present / absolute life changer. 

The peanut butter cups instead of Hershey kisses in these cookies are no accident! They make these Peanut Butter Cup Holiday Cookies perfect for stacking bottom to bottom, wrapping, and shipping. 

Whether you’re using a cookie tin, a berry box, a baking bag, or a baking box, cover the bottom with a layer of frayed paper cushion.  



For extra assurance, you can place cookie packets in a bubble wrap pouch. It helps protect the cookies from jostling and helps keep them fresh during shipment.  Totally optional and you don’t have to bubble wrap every cookie pack. Bubble wrapping one cookie helps protect the cookies around it.  



Arrange the cookies in the tin or box, and add more crinkle paper.  

Similarly, add a few cookie packs to a berry box, stuff with crinkle paper and tie into a cellophane bag.

Label the cookie tin lid with the names of the cookies with paper and tape or stickers.   

Add a wired bow, a satin bow, a coffee filter snowflake, a simple holiday tag – anything you have, anything you like. 

Now it’s time to prep the shipping box. Our goal is to secure the cookies so they don’t move an inch!  

You may not have the very same box, that’s totally ok! You want the box to be a few inches longer, wider, and taller than the packaged cookies – thats the only rule. 

Pack a generous amount of filler into the bottom of the box.  



Add the tin and again pack a generous amount of paper filling into 

Close the box and give it a shake – a good shake. You don’t want to hear or feel any cookies move around. If you hear something rattling around, take out the tin or box and pack it a little tighter. 

And off we go to the post office or shipping station.  I try to ship my perishable packages 2-Day. I know. It’s a little spendy but we’ve already gone to this much trouble and we want the cookies to arrive as fresh as possible. Besides, it’s cheaper than overnight shipping?

What cookies should you pack in your cookie tin? Don’t worry – I’ve got pleeeennntttyyy of ideas for you. This is my life’s work. 

•  The Best Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies: a chewy, deeply buttery cookie that is also delicious a few days past baking when it becomes nice and crisp. 

•  Grapefruit and White Chocolate Cookies: a twist on a classic with creamy white chocolate and bright zesty grapefruit zest! 

•  Confetti Holiday Shortbread: little cookie bites. Once you pop, you can’t stop. These are buttery delicious and super fun and easy to make with kids. 

•  Classic Iced Oatmeal Cookies: one of my favorite cookies. Super earthy, sweet and comforting. The may crisp a few days past baking but they’re equally delicious. 

•  Spiced Mulled Wine Fruit Bars: These bars really only get better with time. Crisp butter crust, dried fruit and mulled wine – they’re so rich and flavor and are sturdy enough to ship. 



•  Chocolate Sprinkle Crinkle Cookies: a double chocolate, brownie-like cookie topped with chocolate jimmies. The oil helps keep these cookies soft for days! 

•  Blueberry Cobbler Thumbprint Cookies: a crumbly cookie with a sweet fruit center topped with a crumble topping. They’re crisp and just slightly chewy in the center. 

•  Browned Butter Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats: no one every had a bad day when a krispie treat is involved and that’s just facts. 

Happy Holidays friends! Gosh, I know it’s a weird holiday in the most challenging year but I hope this inspires you to find some joy in the kitchen and ship that goodness off to people you love. Maybe you’re even close enough to drop cookies on a friend’s doorstep. However you give, I hope it fill you right up too.  

You’ll let me know if you have any questions or suggestions in the comments below! 

xo Joy 

Photos with Sarah Becker. 

Previous PostNext Post

Categories: Christmas Cookie Recipes, Cookies, Holiday

Previous Post: « Let It Be Sunday, 300!
Next Post: Chocolate Cherry Yule Log Cake »

Reader Interactions

All Comments
I Made This
Questions
  1. Jeanne

    December 11, 2022 at 3:00 pm

    Hi I think your comments aren’t displaying correctly. It says 19 comments bu only one is displaying.

    Reply
  2. Christine ³

    December 10, 2022 at 6:45 am

    My mom used unsalted air popped pop corn for a cookie box filler. I used it several times & the mailed cookies arrived perfectly to the recipient.

    Reply
« Older Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

RELATED POSTS IN Cookies

a stack of white chocolate macadamia nut cookies with a bite taken out of the top one with milk
Classic White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

Get ready to indulge in the ultimate sweet, salty, nutty treat with these irresistible white chocolate macadamia nut cookies! Made with butter and brown sugar, and loaded with chunks of creamy white chocolate and roasted macadamia nuts, these cookies are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth cravings (with a hint of salt for balance). Whether…

Read More

wider shot of lemon bars stacked on a plate with a bite taken out of one lemon bar
My Favorite Classic Lemon Bars Recipe

When life hands you lemons, make lemon bars! This lemon bar recipe is the perfect way to add a bite of sunshine to the day. These bars boast a buttery and lightly spiced shortbread crust, and a creamy smooth lemon filling that’s the perfect combination of tangy and sweet. Indulge in a square (or two)…

Read More

completed recipe close up shot of a blondie so the toasted almonds, chocolate chips, and sea salt can be seen
My Best Classic Blondie Recipe

Don’t think of blondies as brownies without the chocolate – these chewy little squares are sweet like butterscotch and studded with toasted walnuts and melty dark chocolate pockets. I add a generous sprinkle of flaky sea salt to balance the sweetness of the brown sugar, making these bars the best classic blondie recipe to come…

Read More

Primary Sidebar

Fresh baked emails, delivered to your inbox

Jump to Recipe

Receive recipes from Joy the Baker and updates on events at The Bakehouse.

HI! I’M JOY!

Jump to Recipe

Welcome! This has been my little corner of the internet since 2008!

I’m a baker, photographer, cookbook author and teacher.  I live laugh love in New Orleans. 

MORE ABOUT JOY AND THE TEAM

BOOKS + Magazines

Jump to Recipe

2023 CAMP JOY SUMMER ZINE – get it here!

JOY THE BAKER 2022 SUMMER MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2021 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2020 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

HOMEMADE DECADENCE

OVER EASY: SWEET AND SAVORY RECIPES FOR LEISURELY DAYS COOKBOOK

JOY THE BAKER COOKBOOK

MY FAVORITE CAMPING GEAR

Jump to Recipe

SHOP MY FAVORITE GEAR HERE! 

Jump to Recipe
joy the baker on facebook joy the baker on twitter pinterest-social instagram-socialbloglovin-social

DRAKE ON CAKE

Jump to Recipe

Passionate from miles away since 2015.

CHECK IT OUT ON INSTAGRAM

Drake on cake instagram.

 

BREADS YOU’LL LOVE

close up of strawberry shortcake recipe with soft whipped cream

Dad’s Biscuits Make The Best Shortcake

jambalaya buttermilk biscuits in a row

Smoked Sausage Jambalaya Buttermilk Biscuits

inside of warm cinnamon roll on plate

How To Make The Best Single Serve Cinnamon Roll

LET’S MAKE COOKIES!

a stack of white chocolate macadamia nut cookies with a bite taken out of the top one with milk

Classic White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

wider shot of lemon bars stacked on a plate with a bite taken out of one lemon bar

My Favorite Classic Lemon Bars Recipe

completed recipe close up shot of a blondie so the toasted almonds, chocolate chips, and sea salt can be seen

My Best Classic Blondie Recipe

Footer

Instagram

joythebaker

📚Baker, author of books, lover of butter
🎂Creator @drakeoncake
📝Inquiries megan@underscoretalent.com

joythebaker
We’re About to Be Friends featuring @grossypelos We’re About to Be Friends featuring @grossypelosi and his gigantic meatballs! ♥️🤝🤯
Chai-Spiced Sugar Cookies #taylorsversion made wit Chai-Spiced Sugar Cookies #taylorsversion made with an old sugar cookie recipe I made back in 2009 (like whaaat?) and a boatload of warm autumn spiced @taylorswift added to the dough.⁣
⁣
This cookie recipe explodes on my site every September and for good reason. We’re fall girlies and we love a little nutmeg glaze. ⁣
⁣
Find the full recipe linked in the profile! Xo
I don’t know what it is about this year, but I j I don’t know what it is about this year, but I just need more light-hearted fun, more hugs, more breakfast made by mom, and more coffee walks in the sand. Let’s do autumn now, nice and steady.
🥯🥯 for the weekend, babes! Save this no-yeas 🥯🥯 for the weekend, babes! Save this no-yeast bagel magic for your Sunday morning. ⁣
⁣⁣
Two Easy No-Yeast Bagels⁣⁣
1/2 cup self-rising flour⁣⁣
4 tablespoons greek yogurt (plus a teaspoon or two more if needed)⁣
1 large egg, beaten for egg wash⁣⁣
1/3 - 1/2 cup grated gouda or gruyere⁣⁣
Everything bagel seasoning⁣⁣
3 tablespoons baking soda with 2 cups of boiling water. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray the paper lightly with nonstick spray. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
In a small bowl, use a firm spatula to work together the flour and yogurt. Add a few teaspoons of yogurt if it feels dry and knead into a cohesive ball for 5 minutes or so. Sprinkle with a bit more flour if it gets overly sticky. Cover with a damp paper towel and gather your toppings. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Divide dough in two and roll each piece into a roughly 8-inch rope. Bring the ends around and pinch into a circle. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Sprinkle the bottom of the prepared pan with grated cheese in two spots.  Pour boiling water over the baking soda and float each bagel in the water for 20 or so seconds.  Use a slotted spot or spatula to transfer the bagels on top of the cheese.  Brush lightly with egg. Sprinkle with more cheese and everything bagel seasoning. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Bake for 20 - 22 minutes until deeply golden and bubbling.  Allow to cool for 10 minutes before slicing and smearing with cream cheese.
The secret to really great muffins is eating them The secret to really great muffins is eating them warm, with a big smear of butter and a sprinkle flakey sea salt. ❇️ This goes for any muffin but is especially delicious on these a Vegan Carrot Zucchini Harvest Muffins because they have so many veggies they’re basically a salad. ❇️ Full recipe linked in the bio! Xo
This fall the ultimate chocolate chip cookie is pa This fall the ultimate chocolate chip cookie is packed with oats, @guittardchocolate baking wafers, and candy coated chocolate pieces from @traderjoes. ✌️ It’s the perfect weekend bake, babes! Full recipe linked in the profile!
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Joy the Baker
All rights reserved. Violators will be whupped and sent to bed with no dessert · Privacy Policy

Scroll Up