Nothing beats a sugary and sweet treat, does it? Biting into a delicious sugar cookie is one of life’s simplest and yet greatest pleasures.
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Whether they are plain, frosted, or you have added some secret ingredients, sugar cookies are an enjoyable treat all year round!
Baking them can be a bit of an art form, needing to be soft but not too soft so you can frost them without being too hard and crunchy. They can take a few attempts and recipe tweaking to be just right.
After going through all this trouble to get your perfect sugar cookie, the last thing you want is it going off before getting the chance to enjoy them.
It begs the question: how long do sugar cookies last? And what is the best way to store them? It depends on the cookie dough as to how long do cookies last. Chilling cookie dough helps but again it depends on the cookie recipe. Freezing cookie dough might be an option too, just be mindful of any raw egg in the raw cookie dough.
It begs the question: how long do sugar cookies last? And what is the best way to store them?
Well, you have come to the right place! We are here to answer all your sugar cookie storage-related questions from the pantry to the freezer! Just keep on reading for plenty of helpful tips to enjoy your sugar cookies for months!
How long do sugar cookies last?
You can expect your sugar cookies to last for up to two weeks in an airtight container either stored in the pantry or on the kitchen counter.
But for real longevity, you can keep your sugar cookies in the freezer for up to six months!
Want to know more? Keep reading for our ultimate sugar cookie storage guide!
Storing Sugar Cookies: What You Need to Know
Sugar cookies are a popular treat across the country. The delicious cookie is a versatile biscuit that can be tweaked to suit your tastes.
Whether it’s the traditional sugar cookie, frosted for a birthday, or you’ve added some fruit, nuts, or chocolate, you are sure to have a fantastic tasting cookie that you will love!
But when they aren’t stored properly, your delicious cookies turn hard. Not a little firm, oh no, teeth-breaking hard - the worst kind of cookie! We aren’t sure about you, but around here, a bad cookie ruins our day!
But fear not, we have the perfect sugar cookie storage options for you! Even after a few days, the cookies will still be fresh and enjoyable!
Let’s run down your storage options, helping you find the perfect storage solution for your sugar cookies.
Storing Sugar Cookies at Room Temperature
The secret to enjoying fresh sugar cookies is minimizing their contact with air.
Frequent exposure to air will cause your sugar cookies to go stale and hard quickly. Think about how often you open the lid of your cookie jar, all that air is hitting your sugar cookies and ruining them!
So what can you do?
Individually Wrap Your Sugar Cookies
We know it sounds like a time-consuming and tedious task, but individually wrapping each of your sugar cookies will extend their lives and keep them fresh. Think about when you see cookies out to buy; they are often pre-packaged and wrapped individually to ensure their freshness.
Providing you have the correct materials, individually wrapping them will prolong the life of your sugar cookies.
Wax paper or individual cookie bags are excellent options, providing the individual cookies are sealed to prevent any air from entering the cookie. With these methods, you can expect two weeks of freshness for your sugar cookies.
However, individually wrapping sugar cookies can be wasteful, especially if your wrap is not recyclable. It can also take a lot of time if you have lots of cookies. Thankfully, we have plenty of other methods that will allow you to store your fresh sugar cookies at room temperature with ease!
Other Ways to Store Fresh Sugar Cookies
Check out our list of other sugar cookie storage methods for your freshly baked cookies!
- Keep your sugar cookies out of direct heat or sunlight; a cool cupboard or pantry is fantastic!
- Store your cookies in layers, separated by plastic wrap or wax paper
- Store the cookies in small portions in airtight containers
- Avoid using a cookie jar that is opened frequently or is not airtight
There are many options for storing your sugar cookies; these are just a few options. All of the options involve keeping your sugar cookies on the counter or in a cool, dry pantry. Remember to avoid direct sunlight and heat too!
If you are storing them on a kitchen countertop, be sure to keep the sugar cookies far away from the oven or other heat sources that could impact your sugar cookies, turning them stale.
Whichever method you use, do not leave your cookies sitting uncovered or out of a container for extended periods as they will go hard and stale. The time it takes to cool your cookies down after cooking is fine to be left uncontained or covered.
Using layers to separate your cookies will protect them from any air that seeps into the container when you open it to take a cookie out. Think of these layers as protective barriers, keeping the lower layers of cookies protected from the air!
Any of these sugar cookie storing methods will see your cookies fresh for two weeks if they are well protected. There might be a noticeable difference in their freshness after roughly seven days.
Can you Freeze Sugar Cookies?
Want your sugar cookies to last for ages? You might be wondering if sugar cookies can be frozen?
The answer is, yes, you can freeze sugar cookies to extend their shelf life truly. Once the sugar cookies have been baked and cooled, you can freeze them immediately or freeze after being frosted.
We recommend freezing your cookies before frosting them to ensure a fantastic taste that the freezer won’t compromise.
Why not bulk bake your sugar cookies and have a freezer full of sweet treats ready to satisfy a sugar cookie craving?
How to Freeze Sugar Cookies
Use the following step-by-step guide to learn how to freeze your sugar cookies, preserving them for a rainy day!
- Bake your sugar cookies as usual.
- Once baked, allow the cookies to cool to room temperature, avoiding leaving them to sit for too long.
- Pre-freeze your cookies to avoid them falling apart. Layer the cookies on a cookie sheet and freeze them for 1-2 hours before transferring to a storage method of your choice.
- Place the cookies into a heavy-duty freezer bag or an airtight container; the choice is yours!
- No matter the storage method, place the cookies in layers. Separate each layer of cookies with wax paper to prevent them from sticking together.
- Label and date the packaging before sealing the cookies tightly to stop air from entering.
- Store the sugar cookies in the freezer for up to six months.
And there you have it, a simple and easy method to freeze your sugar cookies! Your cookies mustn’t be touching when you freeze them so that you can remove them with ease when it comes to enjoying them!
Step 3, or the pre-freeze step, is not essential but will protect soft cookies from sticking, cracking, or breaking in the freezer.
It’s worth doing to ensure your cookies remain in the best quality for as long as possible. Freezing your sugar cookies offers both short and long-term storage, guaranteeing freshness for months!
How to Thaw Frozen Sugar Cookies
Defrosting your frozen sugar cookies for use is simple. Remove the desired amount of cookies and place them on a plate in the refrigerator for a few hours to thaw.
Alternatively, you can pull them out straight away and begin frosting them if you wish!
If you want a warm sugar cookie, place them in the oven for a few minutes. Take the cookie straight from the freezer to remove the chill and return the sugar cookies to their former glory.
Remember not to leave them in the oven for too long; we are only warming the cookies, not baking them again!
Can you refreeze sugar cookies?
We would not recommend refreezing your sugar cookies. Once you have thawed your cookies, refreezing them can cause the texture of the cookie to change.
You also run the risk of ice crystals forming in the cookies, which will result in a soggy sugar cookie - not ideal!
Instead, thaw only the amount of cookies you need at that time and consume them rather than attempting to refreeze them.
How long will thawed sugar cookies last?
When it comes to thawed sugar cookies, they are best enjoyed immediately after thawing when they are freshest! However, what if you have thawed your sugar cookies and no longer fancy them?
Use the storage options we discussed earlier and place your sugar cookies in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. You can expect a few days of freshness, so be sure to enjoy your cookies during this time!
You can, of course, place them in the oven for a few minutes, too, to enjoy a warm and fresh sugar cookie! You would never know it was previously frozen.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it! The perfect ways to store your sugar cookies for life-long freshness! Airtight containers and protected layers around your cookies will ensure that your sugar cookies are fresh and soft for weeks and months to come!
Whether you are using containers or the freezer, freshness is guaranteed, and crumbly, hard cookies will have been banished to your memories only! What are you waiting for? Get some containers and find your perfect sugar cookie storing method now!
If you have some more questions, stick around and check out our FAQ section, where all things sugar cookies are discussed!
FAQs
Get your last-minute cookie queries answered here!
Should you store sugar cookies in the refrigerator?
Storing sugar cookies in the refrigerator is not something we would recommend. They don’t need the cooler temperatures necessarily, rather a cool and airtight space.
However, if you are struggling to find a cool and dry space to store your sugar cookies, the refrigerator will work fine.
Ensure that the sugar cookies are layered and stored in an airtight container, as discussed earlier in the article! You can place either frosted or unfrosted sugar cookies in the refrigerator.
What is the best room temperature for storing sugar cookies?
There is no optimal temperature to recommend for your sugar cookies; unless your house is hot, you should be fine. Instead of focusing on the temperature, opt for a cool and dry space to store your sugar cookies in.
Avoid leaving your sugar cookies near heat or in direct sunlight. A closed pantry that is slightly cool and dry is ideal, or a kitchen cupboard! These cool and dry environments with properly stored sugar cookies will ensure they remain fresher for longer.
Can you store frosted sugar cookies long-term?
When it comes to storing sugar cookies long-term, we recommend not frosting them as the frosting can impact their longevity. This is because frosting has a different shelf-life than your sugar cookies.
Instead, wait until you are ready to serve or use your sugar cookies, and then frost them. It means you can enjoy a deliciously fresh cookie and frosting without needing to compromise on either!
However, if you choose to frost your sugar cookies beforehand, you can store them in the freezer for up to a month. Any longer and you are likely to notice a difference in taste or texture. Use within a month and thaw in the refrigerator before use for a frosted sugar cookie!
