Traveling with food?

[kikidee]

Hey everyone,
So ill be visiting my SO in a little over a month for the first time (second visit but first time for me to go to him) which just happens to land on his birthday. I told him I'd want to make him a cake and he told me what kind he'd want me to make him. (Chocolate cake with strawberry frosting) anywho, if I make it, I'm guessing I won't be able to take it on the plane with me? And if I ship it for when I leave so it can go with me, do you think it will survive the shipping without getting smashed or something? I've never shipped cakes or any food, so I don't know how to protect then /:
Anyone have expirience with this?
Thanks
Kiki

[Anoulie]

Get the ingredients at a store near his house and then bake the cake at his place?

[squeeker]

Yeah I think the best option, if possible, would be what Anoulie said, and bake the cake at his place. It could even be fun going to the grocery store somewhere else and having to come up with compromises and realizing later that it makes an even better cake. Maybe he can even help you! I know I love grocery shopping and baking/cooking for and with my SO! But we're international so that really is our only option.

[lyonsgirl]

You should be able to travel with cake, but you probably won't be able to bring the icing on the plane - unless it's actually on the cake. It will have to go through the scanner, though, and if the TSA person is in a bad mood you may not be able to bring it with you.

I vote for buying the ingredients and baking at his place.

[kikidee]

Yeah I mean I've definitely thought of that, thing is he is living in a dorm on base cuz he's in the airforce. And ill be stayin in a hotel on base...so not sure how I'd get a hold of an oven and baking utensils. Hell, who knows if ill even be able to get ahold of a mixer for the frosting over there unless Of course I buy it...

[ushiwakafox]

Last time I checked it's no outside food allowed, period. I would definitely just buy what you need when you get there and bake it there. You could also try the whole cake in a jar thing, google it if you haven't heard of it. I tried it recently for my SO's birthday, sent four jars of cake and an unopened container of frosting, candles, plastic spoons, matches, and sprinkles. Unfortunately, I guess two of the jars weren't sealed properly and they melted in the Texas heat. The other two were fine and he ate them, but even if they weren't that great he would never tell me. So I guess you could always try that, but really it's much easier to just buy the stuff and bake it where he's at since you're going there anyway.

[conejita_hada]

I've taken homemade pie with me (carry-on) on an international flight and several domestic flights. You'll be fine though I suggest frosting it at his place, unless you're doing a more homemade/rustic frosting design, in which case, just bringing it carry on in a cardboard cake box should be fine. I put the pie in a soft cooler bag (take it out during X-ray because the x-ray can't see through the cooler) and the handles on the cooler bag made it easier to transport.

*Edit: I just thought, they might not allow frosting on the plane if it is not already on the cake because it could be considered a "liquid", I'm not sure. The safest bet would be to either already frost the cake or put the frosting in a sealed container and check one of your bags.

[Schlafmütze]

There was this time I took the risk and brought donuts (12) on a BCN-GER flight. At the security check, -super crowded and loud- I heard a voice shouting: "Who's the owner of the donuts?", then I thought I was screwed! I said, "it's me", then the guy comes super serious and tells me: "you are not allowed to take them with you" and I made this sad face and only said: "oh, really?, why?". His answer was: "Because we are all hungry here!"... I took a deep breath and laughed.

BTT, I don't know how strict TSA can get, but I think you should be fine, as long as the frosting is already on the cake. Good luck!

[Tooki]

I'm guessing that the icing comes under the 100mL liquid rule then if you don't have it on the cake. (Does the TSA enforce the 100mL rule on domestic flights?)

I've never had an issue with cake/cake-like foods on an international flight, so the cake itself should be fine.

[Riyko]

I'm guessing that the icing comes under the 100mL liquid rule then if you don't have it on the cake. (Does the TSA enforce the 100mL rule on domestic flights?)

Yeah they do, I had my daughters bottle of formula examined because i forgot about there still being some left in it when I was coming back from Chile and had to re go through security to get to my gate and they made a huge deal about it until i told them it was formula (the exclusion to the rules are liquids for babies to drink like formula).

I'd say with the icing don't put it on the cake until you get to where your boyfriend is and i'd suggest putting the icing container in your checked bag.

[Chris516]

Buy n' bake the ingredients' near your SO's place. That way you will avoid all the hassles with the TSA.

[ThePiedPiper]

I wonder if it depends on the airport security? I wouldn't think cake would be allowed because it's not sealed? :/ I've seen food like cakes and pies get confiscated before too. Maybe it's a matter of what the agent on duty decides is worth confiscating?

[kikidee]

Buy n' bake the ingredients' near your SO's place. That way you will avoid all the hassles with the TSA.

Again, that would be impossible. I'll be in a hotel, my bf lives on base in a dorm.

[kikidee]

I wonder if it depends on the airport security? I wouldn't think cake would be allowed because it's not sealed? :/ I've seen food like cakes and pies get confiscated before too. Maybe it's a matter of what the agent on duty decides is worth confiscating?

I honestly have no experience bringing food on. I dont know if I should call the airport and ask them xD

[twinkle22]

I always take a ton of food for my SO from the UK to the USA. My Mum made him a sticky toffee cake this time around and I took it in carry-on baggage! You'll be fine! If really worried put the icing in a jar in your hold luggage and add it when there but I would say you'd be fine!