Military Nesties
MrsHark122
member
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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Care packages and baked goods
1. Do you have any recipes for the cake in a jar thing that you have tried and know to work/taste good/stay fresh(ish)? Please share!
2. Any specific cookie recipes that you have found are better at staying fresh for awhile? Or generally speaking (have you found a certain type of cookie to last longer)
3. What is the best way you have found to pack baked goods to ensure maximum freshness?
Hmm... I think that's it.... this time my husband is at a much smaller location that doesn't appear to receive mail regularly, so I just want to do what I can to make sure whatever I make him has a decent chance of lasting.
and then 4. Any favorite care package items you can think or or that your DH really appreciated...?
Thanks
Re: Care packages and baked goods
I didn't know DH yet the last time he was deployed, so obviously I've never sent him baked goods while deployed. I have, however, sent cookies to him when he was in Egypt and I was here, and to BIL during his finals.
1. I don't, sorry.
2. I usually go with the classic chocolate chip because that's what everyone likes, but I think it's more about the way you package them than the type of cookie. Though, I would pick a thin, crispy cookie that's likelier to break into a million pieces. Thick, chewy ones are probably best.
3. I pack them in Ziploc bags with a piece of white bread. The cookies draw moisture out of the bread so they stay nice and chewy. In the end, you have great cookies and stale sandwich bread.
I sent MH cake balls during the winter months and everyone loved them. I made them up and wrapped them in Wilton foil wrappers, zip lock bag, and shoved in a Gladware container. They took about 10 days to get to him but he said they always tasted fresh and were a big hit with the other guys.
I agree with PP about a classic cookie that is thick and chewy shipping better than say a sugar cookie. Maybe a pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe?
I've been deployed a few times, and the cookies that tasted best were the ones that were thick and chewy. The vaccuum-packed ones tended to do a little better, but sometimes that makes the cookies stick together unless you use saran wrap to layer them.
Sugar cookies also do really well, which is nice this time of year:-)
Also, whatever you send, I would recommend that you individually wrap them, one or two two a pack, in baggies or saran wrap. Often people pass these around to share, and it's a lot easier when they are individually wrapped (less likely to pass germs by everyone grabbing cookies with their dirty hands). And if they end up sitting out for a while before they get eaten, then they won't attract pests like they would if it was one open package (this is a big issue over there...not supposed to have "open" food at all).
I usually always just send chocolate chip cookies. I have sent peanut butter blossoms too but the Hershey's kiss usually ends up getting smashed.
I haven't done a cake in the jar recipe yet, but H has asked for me to send that during this upcoming deployment so I will be trying to soon.
We have a food saver so I always just vacuum seal the cookies, then stick them in the freezer overnight before I mail them. During the holidays packages were taking about a month to get to the ship, and even after that long the cookies were still really fresh.
Other things I send that he loves are beef jerky, sunflower seeds, his favorite candy, crystal light packets, flavored coffee creamer packets, and usually candy related to whatever holiday is in the stores.
I know, I have a feeling it is going to take awhile.... I already sent one package, so I'll let you know how long it takes. They might not even be at the exact same place, though. Anyway, I know it takes THEM days just to get from one spot in the country to the place they are actually staying, so, I don't have much hope for the mail!
1. I use the basic recipe for a double fudge box mix. As long as you boil the lids and get those lids on RIGHT when you pull the jars out of the oven, they stay great! I like making cake from scratch, but have noticed that the box mixes turn out better. If you're worried about freshness with the egg, you can make the dietcoke cake instead.
2. German butter cookies are what I like to send H because we have an old family recipe he loves... But I will say that there are some countries in the middle east that are SO strict on the no-alcohol based products, that it includes things that have vanilla extract in them. Yes. I know that sounds crazy, but I know a few people that had packages torn open to pull out and confiscate cookies >_<
3. I saran wrap them, then wrap it in a paper towel, then saran wrap again (the paper towel will suck up any moisture that seeps in before it hits the bakes goods) then put in a ziploc bag or tupperware.
know, I have a feeling it is going to take awhile.... I already sent one package, so I'll let you know how long it takes. They might not even be at the exact same place, though. Anyway, I know it takes THEM days just to get from one spot in the country to the place they are actually staying, so, I don't have much hope for the mail!
Yes keep me posted on this.. My mom sent out 2 packages before ME and before they even left so Ill let u know when those arrive..lol