Cookies and bar cookies are among the favorite simple desserts in U.S. kitchens from coast to coast. So much so, in fact, that the average American eats 300 cookies per year! If you'd like a steady supply of homemade cookies but don't have time to bake several times a week, it's time to consider, "How long do cookies last?" so you can maximize their shelf life. With that in mind, we've rounded up our best tips and tricks on how to store cookies. In dough form or baked, bar cookies or drop cookies (you know, the ones you scoop onto cookie sheets), we're covering all you need to know about cookie storage.
If you want to get a head start on cooking making, but still want fresh-from-the-oven cookies in a few days, store the dough. Then, when you're ready to serve, remove the dough from storage and bake.
Refrigerate Cookie Dough: How long do cookies last in the fridge? Unbaked, you've got about 7 days. Mix cookie dough (except bar cookie batters and meringues) and refrigerate up to 1 week. To store cookie dough, pack dough into airtight containers or shape your slice-and-bake dough into logs and wrap. Store in a tightly-covered container.
Freeze Cookie Dough: Most butter- and shortening-based cookie doughs can be frozen for months at a time. Place dough in a tightly-sealed container and freeze using these directions for up to 6 months. Thaw dough in the refrigerator; shape and bake as directed.
How to Store Baked Cookies at Room Temperature
Curious how long cookies last at room temperature? Most homemade cookies will maintain their taste and texture for up to 3 days. If you leave them out for too long, the cookies begin to harden or dry out. To prevent cookies from becoming stale, cover them with plastic wrap or keep in an airtight container.
How to store cookies in a pan: To keep bar cookies in the baking pan, cover the pan with foil or plastic wrap.
How to store cookies separately: Store each type of cookie separately in a tightly-covered cookie storage container. Layer delicate unfrosted cookies and cookies with firmly set icing or frosting between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container. If you mix soft and crisp cookies, the soft cookies will dry out and the crisp cookies will become soft. They may also begin to absorb the flavor of other cookies if combined, so aim to keep each style of cookie recipe in different cookie storage containers.
As we mentioned, most cookie recipes last up to 3 months in freezer bags or containers when you store cookies unfrosted. Get all the freezing information here.
How (and When) to Store Cookies in Multiple Layers or Single Layers
Sturdy cookies and baked goods, such as drop cookies, unfrosted bar cookies, and cookies with firm-set icing can generally be stacked in layers in airtight containers without losing their shape or freshness. So if you're wondering how to store sugar cookies or how to store chocolate chip cookies—two of our holiday season and bake sale MVPs—this efficient way to store cookies is your answer. Layer between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container or resealable plastic freezer bag ($16, Target). Layer delicate cookies, such as spritz or gingerbread men, between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container. So how long do cookies last like this? The cookies will stay fresh at room temperature or in the refrigerator up to 3 days, or freeze the cookies up to 3 months. When you're ready to enjoy or share them as a food gift, let the cookies sit at room temperature for 15 minutes, then decorate!
Softer cookies and baked goods, including brownies, cheesecake bars, and any sweets with sticky toppings, are best stored in a single layer in an airtight container. This keeps the treats from losing their shape or smushing together in storage. (Although a mash-up recipe of brownie and cheesecake sounds pretty great to us!) The same timing applies here: Store cookies in a single layer in the refrigerator up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.
Now that you're an expert on how to store cookies, the answer to "How long do cookies last?" is more a matter of "How long can you resist them?" rather than "When will they taste less-than-fresh-baked?" Stock that freezer every three months or so and a never-ending supply of homemade cookies can always be yours.
Freezing is the best way to store cookies long term. Freezing a freshly baked cookie preserves that fresh flavor and texture so you can enjoy it any time. For best results, let your cookies cool completely, and then freeze right away. You'll need to make sure the cookies are well wrapped and protected from air.
The goal for crispy cookies is opposite: You want to keep moisture away. To do this, store crispy cookies separate from soft cookies (whose moisture can actually soften crispy cookies), in an airtight container that's not completely sealed.
If you are planning to eat the cookies within a few days, place them in an airtight container or zip-top plastic bag. You can also place a slice of sandwich bread inside the container, which will absorb excess moisture and help keep the cookies soft.
Your stored cookies will stay freshest in a cool, dry place, such as the back shelf of your pantry. Depending on the variety, they'll last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. You can also freeze cookies for up to six months.
Wait for the cookies to cool completely, then transfer them to a reusable freezer-safe bag or container lined with wax or parchment paper. I like to place them in a single layer to avoid any cookies breaking. Cookies will keep well for up to 2 months. Once ready to eat, simply thaw out at room temperature and enjoy.
Cookies can last in the fridge for two weeks, but eating them sooner is better. Store cookies in the fridge in a fully sealable plastic bag or plastic container.
To keep chewy cookies from turning dry and brittle, store them in a zipper-lock bag at room temperature with a small piece of bread (no more than half of a slice) placed inside.
Once your cookies have cooled, store them in layers in airtight containers. Separate each layer with a sheet of wax paper to prevent the cookies from sticking together. Do so, and you should be able to store Christmas cookies at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, notes Auxer.
What is this? Regular homemade cookies will last for 4-5 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature and up to 9 months if stored in the freezer.
Curious how long cookies last at room temperature? Most homemade cookies will maintain their taste and texture for up to 3 days. If you leave them out for too long, the cookies begin to harden or dry out. To prevent cookies from becoming stale, cover them with plastic wrap or keep in an airtight container.
Another reason to buy a cookie jar is that it keeps extra moisture from forming in and around baked goods. This helps to prevent mold and maintain freshness, which is especially important for those who make cookies in big batches!
The key to the second trick, storing the cookies in an airtight container or ziplock bag, is to make sure the cookies have cooled to room temperature. If you seal the container when the cookies are still warm, steam will get trapped inside the container, which might soften the cookies too much.
Your best choices are airtight containers (plastic or glass) because they protect the cookies from breaking. Choose shallow, square or rectangular containers with flat bottoms. (Rounded bottoms cause cookies to bend.) Place waxed paper or parchment paper in between layers.
To extend the shelf life of products, many bakers use specially formulated enzymes for preservation. These naturally occurring protein compounds can keep baked goods soft while preventing crumbling and staling.
In most cases, I prefer to freeze cookie dough over freezing baked cookies. That way, you still get the nice homemade smell and softness of the cookies when they come out of the oven. But if you want to get the whole job done, you can certainly bake the cookies, then freeze them later.
If you're sending homemade sweet treats as part of a care package or sharing cookies that didn't come in a prepackaged container, consider wrapping the cookies in Saran wrap, wax paper, or aluminum foil to make sure the cookies stay fresh and keep their shape.
Store cool cookies in an airtight container (not a cookie jar with a loose lid) at room temperature. Putting cookies, cakes or breads in the refrigerator will dry them out.
In many cases, you may need to layer the cookies in a box or tin with parchment paper. You can freeze cookies, or you can keep them for up to three weeks at room temperature. You may even find that your stored cookies taste just as good as fresh ones do.
Bakery or homemade cookies can be stored at room temperature two to three weeks or two months in the refrigerator. Cookies retain their quality when stored in the freezer for eight to 12 months.
Vacuum sealing baked goods such as breads, cookies and pastries is the best way to keep them fresh for a longer period of time. This also helps you avoid throwing away any leftover slices.
Separate your cookies into small stashes, then use your vacuum sealer to create an airtight environment, which can extend the freshness of your treats. Storing them in small batches makes the thawing process easier, as you can choose a set quantity of cookies to unfreeze at any given time.
What is this? Regular homemade cookies will last for 4-5 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature and up to 9 months if stored in the freezer.
Lay the bags out on your countertop, and as soon as you pull your chocolate chip cookies from the oven, place them on the paper bags. You'll notice quite a bit of grease will be transferred from your cookies onto the paper, but that's what you want!
An airtight container will preserve the cookies' freshness the longest. Tip: A less-secure seal helps keep the snap on crisp cookies, so feel free to use tins for that batch of gingersnaps. Store these snow-dusted butter pecan cookies in an airtight tin.
Just put the cookies in a zip-style plastic bag, seal it up, and put the bag in the jar. Whenever you reach in for a cookie, it's an easy step to open the bag and close it back up to keep those cookies fresh.
Introduction: My name is Pres. Lawanda Wiegand, I am a inquisitive, helpful, glamorous, cheerful, open, clever, innocent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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