Cupcakes are the perfect treat to share for any occasion. Without proper packaging, there’s no way we can share this amazing goodie with others – which is why today we’re going to talk about ways to pack your cupcakes.
I’m Angie, I’m a self-taught baker and cupcake enthusiast. I’ve been baking cupcakes for over 10 years and run my own humble little cupcake business. As a baker, let me tell you that having good packaging is as important as having a good product! Imagine having baked dozens of cupcakes with nowhere to put them?
Well, don’t worry because in this article, I’ll share with you my tricks and tips for packaging cupcakes. There are a variety of ways you can package them. In a cupcake box, a takeout box, and a paper cup, to name a few. You’ll have to make a choice according to the occasion!
Let’s pack some cupcakes!
Contents
Method 1. Cupcake Box
The first and most logical way is to pack cupcakes in cupcake boxes. Cupcake boxes are available in several sizes and designs and come with inserts that fit cupcakes of different sizes.
Inserts help keep the cupcakes in place and secure them for transportation. The cupcake boxes are great ways to present your cakes as well without having to purchase any extra cupcake stands. They are easy to store and can be stacked easily as well.
The only downside to using cupcake boxes is that they are usually made of cardboard paper, thus they are easily stained by frosting and grease, therefore, cannot be reused.
Method 2. Cupcake Carrier
Cupcake carriers are designed to carry cupcakes and muffins without messing up the icing. Some call it a cupcake caddy, cupcake organizer, storage container, you get the idea. Just think of a plastic container with individual cupcake wells/cavities to hold cupcakes in place, keeping them neat and preventing them from falling out.
Like cupcake boxes, cupcake carriers are also a great way to display your cupcakes – all you have to do is to remove the lid. Oftentimes cupcake carriers also come with a tray with handles. The handles make it easy to remove the cakes from the container without risking messing up the icing when you do.
Cupcake carriers are great if you’re someone who caters or if you’re that friend who’s always expected to bring baked treats to every party – me!
Unlike cupcake boxes which are disposable, cupcake carriers are intended for repeated use which makes them more eco-friendly and cheaper in the long term.
Method 3. Takeout Box
Now we all know not everybody has cupcake equipment at their house or a nearby store ready to go at all times. And that’s okay! Here’s a more accessible option for you – takeout boxes.
Takeout boxes are great for holding individual cupcakes, especially Chinese takeout boxes! They’re just big enough to hold one cupcake and tall enough that it won’t smush the icing. If you have a bigger takeout box, even better, you can hold a few cupcakes in each.
Takeout boxes are great if you want to take a cupcake to-go or when you don’t care as much about how the cupcake looks as long as it still tastes great. I say this because obviously unlike a cupcake box or caddy, a takeout box will not provide as much support for your cupcake.
This means it’s more likely that your cake will tip over, and the container itself is generally not the most presentable either. But when you’ve got nothing else, a takeout box is always a good option. To make this option safer, you can also add a homemade insert in the box to secure the cake.
Method 4. Plastic Cup
I know, but hear me out. Plastic cups can actually make surprisingly cute and secure cupcake containers. After all, it is a “cup” cake.
You can find plastic cups that fit your cupcakes perfectly and that would be ideal. But if you can’t, another method would be to use a larger plastic cup with a cut-out base. Flip your cup upside down and use it to cover your cupcake which you would place on top of the cardboard base. This video has more.
Secure the bottom and the cup together using a ribbon and voila, you have a cupcake container. The best part, it’s see-through so everyone can see how beautiful the cake is without having to untie the ribbon.
This method is great for bake sales as it is an affordable way to package cupcakes with very accessible materials and it looks great as well.
Method 5. Paper Cup
If a plastic cup isn’t an option, you can do the same as above but with a paper cup.
Paper cups are widely available, you can place your cupcake directly into one or turn it over to cover your cupcake with it. Is it the safest way to package your cupcake? No. Is it convenient? Absolutely.
You can also customize your paper cup to add some personality to it. I recommend this method for those who want to take home the cupcake but can’t find any container. Paper cups come really handy in situations like this, as you can simply dispose of them after use.
Method 6. Gift Wrap
You can combine this method with the cup methods listed above to jazz up the packaging a bit. It might even make it easier to carry.
You can find gift wraps in the form of paper, plastic, or little bags. They’re decorative and generally sturdy as well. Using gift wrap can also ensure your cupcake is safe from contamination.
Use this method if you’re packaging individual cupcakes for friends or cupcakes to be eaten right away.
FAQs
Got more questions about packaging cupcakes? See if you can find the answers below!
How do you pack cupcakes for a bake sale?
You can pack your cupcakes individually in small to medium-sized plastic cups with a cut-out base, all secured with a ribbon or gift wrap as described above.
How do you transport decorated cupcakes?
The above methods work for decorated cupcakes as well as undecorated cupcakes.
How do you secure cupcakes in a box?
You can secure cupcakes in a box by using cupcake inserts. Commercial cupcake boxes usually come with an insert that will hold your cupcakes in place without them toppling over.
If however, you can’t find cupcake boxes, you can also make your own cupcake insert using foil or cardboard paper. Follow the links to discover how.
How can I ship cupcakes without damage?
It’s very difficult to ship cupcakes without damage at all. However, you can prevent damage by freezing your cupcakes ahead of time. The harder your cupcakes/frosting, the less likely it is for them to smudge.
Also, use a sturdy cupcake box with a sturdy cupcake insert, place it inside a thermal bag, and secure it inside another cardboard box along with ice packs to keep the temperature cool. On the packaging, make a note to the delivery company telling them that the box cannot be shaken.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ve found your answer above. There are so many creative ways to package cupcakes, I’m sure you have your own creative trick as well.
How do you package your cupcakes? Do you use one of the methods I’ve mentioned? If not please share your secrets with us in the comments below.
About Angie