Cookies to Bake, Pack, and Send

For many of us, having children and grand-children nearby is a dream, rather than a reality. Children are off to school and jobs in other states and grand-children come for visits and communicate by e-mail.

How to keep in touch? What about baking their favorite cookies and mailing them as a surprise? What could be more fun?

Below are some packing tips for sending your treats in the mail. For added fun, enclose a book for them to read while they eat, or maybe some blank paper and crayons. Be creative!

COOKIE CARE PACKAGE TIPS

Drop, Refrigerator and Sandwich cookies are fairly sturdy and less likely to break when shipping.

Drop cookies should be bundled back-to-back in packages of two. Some refrigerator cookies can be stacked in threes and then tied with ribbon to make them look special.

Strong-flavored cookies should be kept separate from milder ones.

Once your cookies are neatly bundled in plastic wrap, place them in disposable plastic containers lined with crumpled wax paper.

Place your cookie containers in a second, larger box that is cushioned by crumpled waxed paper or bubble wrap. I've also heard that using freshly popped popcorn-minus the butter and salt, serves as great packing material and is also edible!

I'd suggest putting the popcorn in ziplock baggies and line your boxes with those, putting your candy/cookie packages toward the center of the box, surrounded by the popcorn bags.

A friendly letter or greeting is always appreciated.

Peanut Butter Brownie Bites
by Debbie De Sisto

Peanut Butter Brownie Bites start with a package mix and include a surprise treat in the center.

15 ounce package brownie mix
1/3 cup hot water
1/4 cup oil
1 egg
48 miniature chocolate covered peanut butter cups

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine brownie mix, water, oil and egg, beat well with spoon. Fill paper-lined mini-muffin cups 1/2 full. Press one peanut butter cup in each cup. Bake 15 - 20 minutes. Cool completely.

Download this recipe.