Perfect Cookie Trays and Tins: Expert Tips for Storing and Sharing
Even if you have your own tried and true holiday cookie recipes, we are here to help you make them better, especially when creating cookie trays and tins for holiday entertaining. And if you need recipes, we have those, too!
Assuming your recipes yield fantastic cookies, you still have to know how to store them, arrange them, and prepare them for mailing, in order to preserve their flavors and textures. I will show you how. I have mailed cookies all over the world – and they arrive just as pristine as when I packaged them up.
Gorgeous, Yet Disappointing

Have you ever been given or come across a cookie tray or tin with an incredible array of cookies, and upon tasting, they are…seriously lacking? They looked so inviting, and yet their flavors and textures disappoint. And curiously, they often kind of all taste the same…
I am going to show you how to prevent this travesty. And it happens WAY too often! I love holiday cookies so much, I wrote an entire book about them, and here are my best tips.
Storing Cookies

Cookies, whether soft, chewy or crisp, will benefit from being stored in an airtight container – but not together! Crisp cookies will become limp if stored with soft ones, so make sure to have enough tins and airtight containers for all of your cookies. Also, make sure to cool cookies completely before placing in a storage container or the heat might create condensation.
You can use silica packets to retard moisture. You place one in your cookie jar, and it absorbs any moisture so that crisp foods stay crisp.
Keep Soft Cookies Soft

For soft cookies, there is something called a Brown Sugar Bear, which is a small piece of terra cotta shaped like a teddy bear. You soak it in water then place it in a container with soft cookies to help retain their texture. You can also place it in a container of brown sugar to help keep it soft. There are products that are made of the same materials, but in different shapes. They all work well. You can also use an apple core, for your brown sugar – but don’t use if you are packaging cookies for a gift!
Store Cookies Individually!

In brief, store each cookie on its own for not only preservation of its texture, but flavor as well! The minute you put a simple sugar cookie, a gingerbread cookie, and a chocolate mint cookie in the same container, every single one of them will suffer due to transfer of flavors!
And then there is texture. Your crisp cookies, packaged with soft cookies, will soften and lose their crunch!
Each Cookie Deserves Proper Storage

Mixing differerent cookies in the same tin, cookie jar or on the same platter, sealed up tight, is a recipe for disaster.
DON’T DO THIS! Whether packaging cookies for yourself, arranging a platter, or creating a care package to mail, your cookies will remain at their flavor and texture peak if packaged separately.
Mint Will Permeat Everything!

Especially any cookies that contain mint should be sequestered unto themselves lest all your cookies end up tasting minty. And trust me, a gingerbread cookie that takes on mint flavors is ruined.
Sending Cookies by Mail

A mailed gift-package of cookies is always well received, but you want to make sure they arrive in as good condition as when they were cooling in your kitchen.
Choose The Right Cookies

First, choose your cookies wisely. Some bar cookies make good choices for mailing as do soft cookies without any soft frosting or icing. Firm, crisp cookies, such as shortbread, are a good choice too. Steer clear of lacy or delicate cookies, which break easily. Also, cookies that have shapes with pointed corners, such as stars, break easily too. Cookies that must be refrigerated or that have thick fillings are also best served at home.
Pack Individually

Begin by packing each kind of cookie in its own small tin or airtight plastic container. I go to the dollar store and load up! Make sure the shapes of the containers are large enough to allow cookies to lay flat on the bottom.
Make a single layer of cookies, top with a piece of parchment, cut to fit, and proceed to add layers of cookies, without overlapping cookies on any given layer. When they overlap, they are more prone to breakage. The last layer should be near the top of the container.
Crumble plastic wrap and lay it over the top layer of cookies, then press the top of the container down onto the cushioned layer of plastic wrap. Gently shake the container; the cookies should not have any wiggle room. If there is still too much air space and the cookies are moving around, add more plastic wrap.
Small Containers Go In A Larger Container

Once each of your different kinds of cookies is wrapped in its own container, place the various containers in a large sturdy box that has been partially filled with Styrofoam “peanuts” packing material, then top off with more “peanuts” before sealing the box.
You want to fill up the outer box with “peanuts” so that the individual containers are as snug as possible and don’t swim around in the box. Alternatively, tape all of the cookie containers together, wrap completely with bubble-wrap so that the entire package fits snuggly inside your outer box. You can also use crumbled newspaper in lieu of “peanuts”.
Time Your Mailing Right

Millions of packages are mailed at Christmastime, so make sure to ask the postmaster how long it will take and plan accordingly. I usually figure extra money into my budget so that I can send my cookies overnight or at the most, 2-day post. At the very least, I suggest mailing early in the week to minimize the chance of your cookies sitting in a warehouse over the weekend. You want your cookies to be as fresh as possible when they arrive.
Giving Cookies as Gifts

Homemade treats are always well received, and I think cookies are the best baked item to give. Why? Because they are simply there for your pleasure and make no demands. If you bring someone a cake, it must usually be served as soon as possible. Cookies are there for when you need them, like when someone drops by unexpectedly, and for when you want them, whether with tea in the afternoon or as a late night snack. During the holidays there are numerous occasions when cookies are simply the perfect treat to have.
The fact that you took the time to bake and have chosen a lucky recipient means that the bulk of your labor of love has been accomplished. But let’s consider gift-wrapping. With a little extra effort, you can turn your cookies into an extra special gift.
Don’t forget Pretty Ribbons!

First of all, the cookies have to be in some sort of container that will keep them fresh and decorative tins are my favorite way to go. Many dollar stores and discount stores, especially around the holidays, stock tins of all sizes. If you use these, which are usually quite colorful and often have holiday themes emblazoned upon them, all you need to do is add a big bow. Go to the fabric or craft store and buy wired ribbon.
These are ribbons that have very thin wire running down the length of each side which allows you to form gorgeous bows quite easily. I also like the dollar and discount stores for decorative bags. You can find very fancy shopping bags, tiny enough to hold one cookie, to large enough to hold several dozen. In this case, you can place your cookies in simple plastic containers, then add colorful tissue paper or cellophane to the bag along with the cookie containers, for an elegantly packaged gift. These stores will have gift boxes, too. These are not airtight, so place simple plastic containers inside.
Used Tins Can Work

Scour flea markets for antique containers, which don’t have to be expensive. Even something as recent as a 60s or 70s cookie jar can sometimes be found at a steal, as can tins from decades earlier. You can always find cheap, one-of-a-kind plates at flea markets. Arrange your cookies on one of these, then add colored plastic wrap and ribbon. Maybe you have never noticed, but right next to the regular plastic wrap in the supermarket, there is colored wrap – and they always have red and green during the holidays.
Think in terms of what you have around the house, too. Recycled crates, tins, wooden gift boxes and baskets can all be put to use.
Add-Ons

Once your packaging is done, whether it is a box, bag or tin, you can add further embellishments. Thread a cookie cutter through the ribbon or punch a hole in a recipe card and include that. You could also include the recipe card inside the tin, box or bag. There are also some small tools, such as tiny whisks, that are inexpensive and look great perched on top of a present. Or consider using decorative labels to stick on packages that give the name of the cookie.
If you have a selection of containers, colored tissue paper, plastic wrap and ribbons at hand, you will be able to put together a present-worthy gift of cookies in a flash.
Our Best Cookies
Here are our most coveted holiday cookies! Which ones will you bake?

- The Best Gluten-Free Rolled Sugar Cookies
- Shortbread
- Gingerbread People & Shapes
- Pecan Butterballs
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies (with flavor variations)
- Vanilla Crescents
- Thumbprint Cookies
- Linzer Cookies
- Rainbow Cookies
Tips for Baking Perfect Cookies

Here at a glance, are our top tips for baking the best cookies, ever!
- Read every recipe through before starting.
- Use the ingredients called for (for instance, do not substitute extra-large eggs for large).
- Take time to measure accurately with the proper tools.
- Use the time cues and visual cues when mixing and baking for best results.
- Do not over-bake – I believe the number one problem with baking cookies is over-baking. Your pans hold residual heat!
- Cool cookies properly
- Store cookies according to individual instructions.
- Relax and enjoy baking your holiday cookies!
Holiday Cookie Secrets from a Pro Baker: Make Them Irresistible

Folks love cookies all year round, but there is something about the winter holidays…even if you do not typically bake, the urge to bake cookies in December comes on strong! After all, they make perfect office and school party treats, are beloved at bake sales, and are great host gifts, as well. And kids love to help bake them during school break.
I have baked thousands, possible millions, of cookies in my life, having written several books on cookies, and of course my bakery always had a big selection at hand. I know cookies.
Here are my best tips, so that your cookies are the best they can be.
READ: Holiday Cookie Secrets from a Pro Baker: Make Them Irresistible
Join Us

Join us on this empowering journey as we explore, celebrate, and elevate “her story.” The Queen Zone is not just a platform; it’s a community where women from all walks of life can come together, share their experiences, and inspire one another. Welcome to a space where the female experience takes center stage. Sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss a thing, Queen!