How to ship cookies and other baked goods with FedEx
Sharing sweet treats can be simple—whether you’re sending a birthday cake to a friend or macaroons to a customer. Learn how to pack, protect, and ship baked goods so they arrive fresh and flavorful.
Know before you ship
Set your baked goods up for a successful journey with these essentials.
- Sturdy corrugated shipping box
- Insulated liner or foam container
- Cupcake inserts or holders
- Gel packs (preferred for cooling)
- Plastic liners (minimum 2mm)
- Bubble wrap or air pillows
- Absorbent materials
- Packing tape
- Two printed FedEx labels
Best baked goods for shipping
These goodies tend to hold their shape, texture, and freshness in transit.
- Drop cookies
- Biscotti
- Brownies and bars
- Muffins
- Quick breads
- Scones
- Loaf cakes
Baked goods that need extra care
Some treats are more susceptible to smudging, melting, shifting, or damage during transit.
- Frosted cookies
- Decorated cakes
- Cupcakes with icing
- Cream-filled pastries
- Chocolate-covered treats during warm weather
Pro tip:
Ship Monday–Wednesday to minimize the chance of weekend delays. And avoid extreme temperatures whenever possible.
How to pack and ship cookies
Cookies can be shipped at ambient temperatures, refrigerated, or frozen. If they have frosting or designs, we recommend freezing them to prevent damage, cracking, or separation.
Prep your cookies
Allow cookies to cool
A full cool-down locks in flavor while reducing moisture buildup during shipping.
Wrap the cookies
- Sort cookies by flavor and texture.
- Individually wrap cookies with food-safe bags, plastic wrap, or parchment.
Package the cookies
Choose a sturdy container
- Go with a bakery box, tin, or rigid container that will hold up in transit
Pack your shipping box
If you’re shipping the cookies at ambient temperatures:
- Place them in a container. Put the container into a larger corrugated box.
- Add 2–3" of cushioning (bubble wrap or padded paper) on all sides.
- Use a partition to prevent cookies from touching each other.
- Perform a gentle shake test. You want to pack the container tightly enough to minimize movement during the journey.
If you’re shipping refrigerated or frozen cookies:
- Place them in a container. Put that in an insulated shipping container.
- Apply frozen gel packs or dry ice to maintain temperatures.
Instructional video and supporting copy to come.
How to pack and ship cupcakes, cakes, bread, and other baked goods
Shipping cupcakes
Use cupcake liners or clamshell containers to keep treats secure and separated.
- Insert supports like popsicle sticks or spacers into the cupcakes. This helps prevent icing from touching the packaging.
- Freeze cupcakes before shipping to firm up icing.
- Place cupcakes in an insulated container.
- Apply frozen gel packs or dry ice to maintain temperatures during transport.
Shipping cakes
- Place the cake inside a cake box for stability.
- Insert a support like a popsicle stick into the center of the cake. This helps prevent icing from touching the packaging.
- Freeze the cake.
- Place the cake box inside an insulated shipping container.
- Add cushioning around the cake box. Fill empty spaces inside the shipping box to help prevent shifting during transit.
- Apply frozen gel packs or dry ice to maintain temperatures during transport.
Shipping sourdough or artisan bread
- Allow the bread to cool completely. Packing warm bread can trap moisture, leading to condensation and a softer crust.
- Wrap the loaf in food-safe packaging, such as plastic wrap or a bakery bag, to help maintain flavor and texture.
- Place bread in a sturdy box and add cushioning materials to help prevent dents, squished crusts, and other damage during transit.
Shipping pies or specialty desserts
- Place your dessert in a rigid container for stability.
- Freeze your dessert.
- Place the rigid container inside an insulated shipping container.
- Add cushioning around the rigid container. Fill empty spaces inside the shipping box to help prevent shifting during transit.
- Apply frozen gel packs or dry ice to maintain temperatures during transport.
Choose your FedEx® service and ship
Fresh-baked treats are at their best when they spend less time on the road. For best results, ship fast.
Fast shipping options
- FedEx First Overnight®
- FedEx Priority Overnight®
- FedEx Standard Overnight®
- FedEx 2Day®
Drop off your package or schedule a pickup
You can drop your package off one of thousands of convenient FedEx locations. Want us to come to you? Schedule a pickup.
Create and apply your shipping label
- Measure and weigh your package.
- Create and print two labels. Place one inside the package as a backup in case the exterior label becomes damaged or detached.
- Stick the exterior label to the largest flat surface of the box using clear packing tape.
- Label the package as “Perishable.”
- Keep barcodes clear and scannable.
Tips for maximum deliciousness
- Ship early in the week. Send packages Monday through Wednesday to help avoid weekend delays.
- Check the weather conditions at both the origin and destination. If it’s going to be hot and sunny, you may want to reconsider sending chocolate-covered or cream-filled treats.
Other resources
Open a free FedEx account to save on shipping.
Learn how to pack and ship refrigerated food like meat, cheese, and veggies.
Get packing pointers for items like food, cosmetics, and certain liquids.
Frequently asked questions
You can help prevent breakage by wrapping cookies individually. Place them in a sturdy container and separate layers with parchment paper. Add cushioning to minimize movement during transit.
Not always. Many cookies can be shipped without freezing if they’re fully cooled and packaged properly. However, decorated, frosted, filled, or other temperature-sensitive cookies may travel better if frozen. If you freeze cookies, make sure they're well wrapped to help protect against moisture and freezer odors.
Only when you’re shipping items that require temperature control. Gel packs are typically preferred for many baked goods, while dry ice may be a good idea for frozen desserts. Learn more about frozen gel packs and dry ice.
You’ll need a sturdy corrugated cardboard box. Make sure there’s enough room to place that box in the insulated container. Read our packing tips and stock up on shipping supplies.
Baked goods like cookies, brownies, bars, biscotti, muffins, quick breads, and loaf cakes generally travel well.
Some baked goods require more specialized packaging. Others may not be ideal for shipping. For example, cream-filled pastries, highly delicate desserts, and items that melt or spoil quickly.
- Place the cake inside a cake box for stability.
- Insert a support like a popsicle stick into the center of the cake. This helps prevent icing from touching the packaging.
- Freeze the cake.
- Place the cake box inside an insulated shipping container.
- Add cushioning around the cake box. Fill empty spaces inside the shipping box to help prevent shifting during transit.
- Apply frozen gel packs or dry ice to maintain temperatures during transport.
- Choose an expedited FedEx® service.
If you’re a consumer, we don’t recommend it. If you have a business, check out our global prohibited and restricted items lists and explore temperature-controlled shipping options.