12 College Care Package Treats

Prior to sending my oldest off to college, I’m not sure I ever mailed one of my kids a care package. But since her freshman year, I’ve found popping an occasional little something in the mail to be a sweet way to stay connected. And while my packages aren’t always about food, I do think baked goods from home can’t be beat. With the school year wrapping up, I thought some inspo might be in order. I’ve curated a collection of 12 college care package treats that range from mega healthy to mildly decadent and work well when boxed up and sent in the mail. I’ve also learned a few things in the care package process that might come in handy.

College are Package Tips

• Send your baked goods as soon after baking as you can swing it for maximum freshness. Best is to send earlier in the week, so your package doesn’t get held up at the post office over the weekend.
• Wrap everything well! A layer of plastic wrap plus a resealable bag work for most baked goods. You can also re-use your produce bags for this purpose to minimize single-use plastic. Provide some padding around the goodies so they don’t get jostled on their journey. Crumbled newspaper or tissue paper will do the trick.
• I’ve found the US Postal service flat-rate priority service to be the most affordable way to mail things in a speedy fashion. If you go with their small flat rate box, it costs $7.20 and will arrive in 1 to 3 days. Consider picking up the box in advance so you can pack it at home once your treats are baked and cooled.
• Consider including a little something extra to go with the treats, such as a favorite tea  or hot cocoa mix.
• Don’t forget a love note! That may be the best gift of all.

12 College Care Package Treats

1. Cowboy Cookies

2. Slow Cooker Pumpkin Bread (works in the oven, too)

3. Four-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

(Tip: be sure to pad well around these cookies, since they can be delicate if battered around too much)

4. Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins or Bread

5. Coconut Granola Bark

6. Whole Lotta Love Bars

7. Homemade Trail Mix

8. Adventure Bread

9. Pumpkin Spice Blueberry Muffins

10. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

11. Ginger Molasses Rye Cookies

12. Chocolate Hemp Amaze Bars

(Tip: these will travel best if you don’t cut them before you send  AND advise your college student to refrigerate when they arrive, since they hold up together better in the fridge).

For non-food care-package ideas, you’ll find some good ones in this article from Real Simple  and a bunch more ideas here.