Hi...I just wondered if anyone has ever shipped a cake. If so, how did you package it and send it so that it stayed fresh and didn't get destroyed?

Anybody out there??? Suggestions?? Please??

I hope someone knows because just yesturday I was wondering the same thing. And also what types of cakes are best for shipping?

Just so you know we are here... no experience in shipping cakes. Have transported long distances on my own. I would think it would be very difficult to ensure the cake wouldn't be destroyed but maybe someone else has had some experience

Great Question!!! I don't know either, just wanted to bump this back to the top. Does ANYONE have experience with this? Can this be done?

I have wondered the same thing b/c I have a friend who moved to NY that really misses my cakes. I don't know how it would be possible to ship a cake. You know how UPS, Fed Ex, etc. treat packages. Even if you said it was fragile, there's no way of guaranteeing that the package will remain right side up. And I've never seen any kind of packing material that would be suitable for a cake. Too bad though Guess I will just mail her cookies or petit fours!

I knew some guys that worked at UPS and they told me that the packages that are marked fragile are the ones they treat the worse. Just goes to show the wonderful people that are out there.

I believe many decorated cakes are shipped frozen with dry ice in insulated boxes. I had come across a how to WS on this a while back but I'm having trouble finding it. If I come across it again, I'll post it.

Here's some info...

http://www.baking911.com/howto/mail.htm

I'm thinking a simple fondant cake might work if it can be shipped overnight and if it were well packaged, with buttercream filling. (nothing that could spoil) Cookies are also a good alternative.

Gilson, that is terrible....I can't believe they would take their jobs that un-seriously.

Thanks for the link, lisa.

i was planning to do some experimental shipping myself! How does the Swiss Colony do it? Anyone received a cake from them lately?

I saw some show (prob the Food Network or it was Martha Stewart living Weddings show) anyway - Sylvia Weinstock was saying that she ships all arund the world and she uses - i think - UPS commercial airline service (not sure if that's what it's called). But the point is - I think that ground shipping is not an option. She marks the boxes with arrows pointing upwards (right side up)

Another option - by the way - is ship a food product to yourself and check out how they do it.

I received a food item that was shipped to me as a gift a few months ago and it came in a styrofoam box that had dry ice in it. It also had a think insulator inside.

Hope this was mildly helpful. lol.

Maybe we should all try shipping a cake to a relative or friend for the holidays and see how it turns out - then we can compare the results and see which method is best!!

Ironic...I just got the Swiss colony catalog. I'll call and ask!! Great suggestions!

I need to do some checking-in on this too! Someone just called from TN (I'm in VA) and they want some cheesecakes sent to them for Thanksgiving....I never mailed cheesecakes before, but I need to find out the details! If I come up with any good info, I'll post it!

ok!

I'm going to ship out some pies and small cakes to relatives I am not going to be with - let's see how this experiment works out!

LOL -

this will be funny..."Happy Holidays! Here's your gift! A box full of crumbs and buttercream!"

....lol...just imagining their faces...

..hey..why don't we all just send them to each other??? That would be fun!

There was a post from someone on CC before and I think she said she shipped cakes but after properly packaging (dry ice, styrofoam, etc.) it was like $100.

..ouch!!

Mrs. Missey!! What a great idea!!

Mrs. Missey - we should do little shipping tests! However, if it is $100, let us not do the shipping tests, lol!

I wouldn't even know where to begin to look for dry ice - but I recall that one needs to handle it with thick gloves...(elementary school science class from eons and eons ago...)

But dry ice wouls freeze the cake solid...I wonder if there is a another way...

..I was thinkg maybe I could freeze the cheesecake fist and then ship it in styrofoam and that way it would thaw on the way! ??

Dry ice is available at most grocery stores now. I know Kroger and Randalls here in Texas has it.

BTW, I'd be willing to be your test receiver!!!!

Thanks gilson6...I'll keep that in mind!!

I was asked this very same question yesterday, and now I found this post
Has anyone attempted any experimental shipping?

Hrmm, sounds like another reason to make a cake!

i_luv_cake ...noticed this is your first post...Welcome to Cakecentral!!

I saw a freezer with Dry Ice at my grocery store last week. I've walked by that freezer a gazillion times and never bothered to read the big sign that read DRY ICE. *shakes head* Shows you how much I pay attention. I didn't even know you could get it from the grocery store.

bikegal

lol, oh no Lisa..the person recieving the cake would know that CAKE would be in it..lol

but can you imagine the shipper's face??

I don't think they do it now..without gazillion reams of paperwork...but this is what she did back in the dinosaur ages..lol