I shipped these mini camping cookies to a mini camper at sleep-away summer camp. (Tips on how to ship cookies below!)
mini camping cookies
I’m a huge fan of mini decorated cookies. While the smaller canvas can make for more difficult decorating, there are so many advantages to working on a pint-size scale. The cookie cutters are so much cheaper. You get way more cookies out of a batch. Small cookies are easier to eat. And most importantly, when giving as a gift, many, small cookies are easier to share than a few, large cookies. For this summer cookie idea, I made mini camping cookies.
That last one was especially my reason for going small with these camping cookies. I sent these to my niece away at camp, assuming she’s currently surrounded by cookie-loving peers. Scroll to the end for tips on shipping cookies!
how to make camping cookies
To make these, I just prepared my cookie dough, chilled, rolled out, cut out, baked and let cool. I made my royal icing, tinted with Americolor Soft Gel Pastes (Super Black, Bright White, Egg Yellow, Orange, Chocolate Brown, Leaf Green, Electric Purple and Peach). I prepared disposable decorating bags with couplers and round tips sized 2 and 3, filled with the icing, and tied closed tightly with rubber bands. I let the cookies dry well overnight after decorating, then packaged them each in little cellophane bags tied with ribbon. To find cookie decorating supplies, click HERE. For basic cookie decorating how-tos, click HERE. For more cookie decorating recipes, click here. If you need vegan cookies and icing recipes, click HERE.
Look how tiny…
how do you ship cookies?
To ship cookies, below are some tips. The beauty of decorated cookies is they are the perfect sweet to make ahead and ship.
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Let the cookies dry very well first, at least overnight. (Note, you should use royal icing, NOT buttercream frosting, which won’t dry as well.)
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Package the cookies individually in cello bags tied with ribbon or closed with tape.
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Find the smallest box you can to accommodate all your cookies (this may take some trial and error).
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If only shipping a few cookies, layer the bottom of the box with bubble wrap, then arrange the cookies in a single layer. Place popcorn in between the cookies, another layer of bubble wrap, then top with popcorn or crumpled tissue paper tightly.
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If shipping many cookies, stack cookies of the same shape and lay on their side on a layer of bubble wrap. Place popcorn in between the stacks, and bubble wrap on the sides of the box. Top with bubble wrap and fill all the gaps with popcorn or crumpled tissue paper.
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The key to successful shipping is to seal the box and shake it. You should hear NO MOVEMENT AT ALL in the box. Yes, it should be packed that tightly.
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Jill @ KitchenFunWithMy3Sons says
July 10, 2012 at 5:26 pmThese are adorable Meaghan! Really love the tent!
Lisa {Sweet 2 Eat Baking} says
July 10, 2012 at 7:26 pmOh my, these are so cute, Meaghan. I love how dinky they are, yet perfectly and beautifully decorated. I especially like the little toes popping out the tent!
teresa says
July 10, 2012 at 9:27 pmThese are so cute I can barely stand it!
So adorable!
I heart anything that has to do with camping!
Love the way you photographed the cookies on the tree~tray.
xo
ThisBakerGirlBlogs says
July 11, 2012 at 3:51 amThey look too cute! And thanks for the shipping advice – very helpful 🙂
Sarah-Lyn says
July 11, 2012 at 8:46 amoh my goodness, LOVE! So sweet and I miss camping now lol … where do I get this book?
SL
Annamaria @ bakewell junction says
July 11, 2012 at 10:46 amThese cookies look adorable. Nice photos too.
shelly (cookies and cups) says
July 11, 2012 at 11:02 amThese are adorable!
Tracy {Pale Yellow} says
July 11, 2012 at 11:36 amToo cute! Great tips for packing!
anonymous says
July 11, 2012 at 8:33 pmgreat idea! Do you have any other ideas for patterns to ice the cookies? (other than the tree, marshmallow, tent, and fire) i love the feet by the way!
meaghanmountford says
July 12, 2012 at 8:26 pmThough I’m SO not a camper (ask my camping daughter), I’ve done sleeping bags, flashlights, lanterns, canoes, bears, hiking trail signs (dang, forgot about that one, that would be too cute)….
Sue {munchkin munchies} says
July 12, 2012 at 2:43 amI can’t get over how CUTE these are, and small to boot! 🙂 Great tip about the popcorn~Thanks, Meaghan!
Ashley says
July 12, 2012 at 8:47 pmMy boyfriend left a few weeks ago on his first deployment & one thing I’m doing during deployment is sending him a letter each week with 1 thing I can’t wait to do when he gets back. Camping is one of the things I plan on using & these cookies would be perfect to go with it.
I’m not 100% sure how long packages will take to reach him (just send his 1st one today), but I’m guessing 2-3 weeks. Do you think these would last that long?
meaghanmountford says
July 13, 2012 at 8:26 amHi Ashley,
As I started reading your comment, that was my first thought! These cookies DO last much longer than drop cookies, like chocolate chips. I usually say about a week for best freshness. You might be able to squeeze out a few weeks, though they will be a little dry. But I did ship decorated cookies to my husband when he was in Iraq (I think it took a couple weeks, it really depends on where they are going), and they were still enjoyed! All the best to you and your boyfriend!!
Glory/ Glorious Treats says
July 12, 2012 at 10:39 pmThese are just so cute!!
Karen @ Sugartown Sweets says
July 14, 2012 at 12:35 amReally, really cute cookies! So adorable..love the bare feet. 🙂
Ashley says
July 15, 2012 at 1:27 pmThanks Meaghan! I think I may try making a batch, letting them sit in my house for a couple weeks & then having a little taste test. If they aren’t incredibly dry after that, I’ll make another batch to send to him.
I think it’s mostly the thought that counts anyways when it comes to our guys overseas getting packages, so I’m sure he’ll love them dry or not.
meaghanmountford says
July 17, 2012 at 11:03 amGood call Ashley. And I agree about the thought that counts, especially sending them overseas. I remember the cookies and anything homemade were the biggest hits. (A little taste o’ home far away, you know?)
TL Marchand says
July 25, 2012 at 3:23 pmAWESOME! Alexandra sent us a note that reads…
“Aunt Greg and Uncle Meaghan 🙂 sent me cookies. Tell them not to send me anymore.
LOL!! I hope the girls in Maine enjoyed them!
Katy Belle says
July 26, 2012 at 10:58 pmOutstanding! Can’t wait to make these for my Boy Scouts! Mine won’t be so pretty…but its the thought that counts!
kaholly says
September 1, 2012 at 7:52 amThese are TOO cute!!