How to Store Sugar Cookies, Frosted or Unfrosted (2024)

FAQs

How do you store sugar cookies that have been frosted? ›

Once your sugar cookie recipe is fully baked and decorated, properly store them “in a tin or an airtight container, once they're cool,” says Food52 community member Brette W.

And if you've already iced your cookies? Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, shares Auxer. Like unfrosted cookies, frosted varieties should be stored in layers in between sheets of wax paper to prevent sticking.

Storing cut-out cookie dough: For cut-out cookies, like holiday sugar cookies, roll out the dough and lay the dough sheets into cake pans or, if you have room, a baking sheet. Cover the dough sheets with parchment paper or wax paper, then stack another on top and store in a freezer bag.

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.

Heat sealing is magic sauce when it comes to decorated sugar cookies. A heat sealed cookie that's completely protected from air can last anywhere from 4-6 weeks!

Sugar cookies, like most cookies, can be frozen, but if you are planning to decorate your sugar cookies with frosting, freeze before decorating. As with most cookies, you can freeze sugar cookie dough or freeze baked sugar cookies.

Although I've tested them for longer and the batches I've tried seem fine for up to 4 weeks, my general rule of thumb is up to 2 weeks. I know they're fine to eat at 4 weeks, but I feel better about giving the cookies away when the recipients don't need to eat them right away.

Frosted cookies require some care to store. Store decorated cookies in a single layer in an airtight container—you don't want to mess up your beautiful designs! At room temperature or in the refrigerator: Cookies that are topped with cream cheese frosting or whipped cream should be stored in the fridge.

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.

Then, to properly store your cookies, you need to either wrap them individually in plastic wrap, place them into a storage bag, or into a sealed airtight container. If you are stacking decorated cookies on top of one another, you can place a piece of wax paper in between them to ensure they don't stick to each other.

How do you store cookies so they stay fresh? ›

Make sure cookies cool completely before storing. Store them at room temperature in an air-tight container, like Tupperware. Store different flavors separately. Over time, strongly flavored cookies like molasses or mint will seep into other cookies, so if possible store each flavor in its own container.

We recommend storing your cookie dough in a small airtight container in your fridge or freezer, depending on when you want to bake it. As a general rule, any cookie dough left on the counter at room temperature will be good for 2-4 hours but then may risk going bad, especially if it is already past its “best by” date.

You can leave your sugar cookies out overnight to dry. In fact, it's recommended that you leave your iced sugar cookies out overnight to fully set.

Once the cookies have completely dried, they can be stored either in an airtight container with waxed paper in between each layer, or in an airtight bag in a single layer. You can store them at room temperature for up to one week. Royal icing does not freeze well.

They will stay fresh for 3 to 4 weeks after that (depending on what cookie recipe you're using). If you don't have a heat sealer or cello bags, an airtight container will keep them fresh for a few days. Store the cookies in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight (not in the refrigerator!).

You've put a lot of work into baking and decorating these cookies, so make sure to let the icing dry. When it doesn't have enough time to set, your just-made decorations are prone to nicks and smudges. Follow this tip: Leave the cookies undisturbed for at least 24 hours to fully dry.

Whichever method you use, start with cookies that have cooled completely. Top the cookies with frosting (homemade or purchased) that is soft but not too runny. (Sprinkles will not stick to dry, stiff frosting.) Drop on fancy sugar or colorful sprinkles before the frosting has set.

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.

With the sugar cookies—which are made by rolling the dough into a log, then slicing it into rounds—we found that freezing already-baked cookies left them dry and crumbly when thawed. We had far better results when we froze raw slices of the log, then baked those direct from the freezer.

Freezing any food will preserve it for a later date, especially baked goods. Refrigerating cookies will dry them out but freezing them will maintain their original glorious state if you store them correctly. Like a fridge, a freezer can also suck the moisture out of your food.

How many days before Christmas should you make cookies? ›

When should I start? Depending on how you are going to store them, Christmas cookies can be baked as early as 3 months before you plan to eat them. If you plan to keep them at room temperature, it's best to make the cookies about 2 weeks or less in advance.

Chilling the dough is a key step in making sugar cookies, especially when you're making cut-outs. Even if you're tight on time, make sure to get the dough in the fridge, or even the freezer, even if it's only for a little while. Skip this step, and the dough will be sticky, and much harder to work with.

Cookies decorated with store-bought frosting should not be stacked or packaged in treat bags, as this frosting does not dry hard. For best results, store decorated cookies in a single layer at room temperature in a cookie or cake box.

This keeps them from sticking together or losing crispness. Metal tins keep cookies firmer than plastic bins. Let cookies cool before storing.

6 Additional Tips for Storing Cookies:

If your container is made out of cardboard, make sure it's wax-coated or line your cardboard containers with wax or parchment paper before placing the cookies inside. Layer cookies between wax or parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together and to keep them crisp.

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.

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.

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.

Stored in the fridge, homemade cookie dough is good for up to five days preferably stored in an airtight container.

Youngman says chilling the dough for at least one hour before baking is crucial. An overnight sleepover in the fridge is even better. But if you can't wait, shape your dough into balls and freeze them for 15 minutes before popping them into the oven. So yes, resting your cookie dough makes better cookies.

What happens if you leave sugar cookies out overnight? ›

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.

The only sure-fire way to dry royal icing is simply time - letting royal icing cookies sit out at room temperature to fully harden. This typically takes a minimum of 6-8 hours.

The BEST Sugar Cookies | with Royal Icing: FAQs. How long do sugar cookies last? Sugar cookies will last up to two weeks if stored in an airtight container on the kitchen counter or pantry. You can also freeze in an airtight container for 6 months.

Icing made with raw egg whites needs to be kept in the fridge, however, icing made with meringue powder can be kept at room temperature.

Frosted cookies require some care to store. Store decorated cookies in a single layer in an airtight container—you don't want to mess up your beautiful designs! At room temperature or in the refrigerator: Cookies that are topped with cream cheese frosting or whipped cream should be stored in the fridge.

In the fridge, your sugar cookies will last for up to one week but are best consumed within three days as your icing will start to bleed as time passes. You also need to make sure that the cookies are properly sealed because you don't want them to absorb the moisture or smells from other foods in the fridge.

Unopened cookie icing does not need to be refrigerated. Treats iced with cookie icing can also be kept at room temperature.

Store cookies in the fridge in a fully sealable plastic bag or plastic container.

Once I decorate the cookies (either the day they are baked or a couple days later), the cookies need to be left out over night to fully dry before packaging. They will not get stale from being left out one day.

Then, to properly store your cookies, you need to either wrap them individually in plastic wrap, place them into a storage bag, or into a sealed airtight container. If you are stacking decorated cookies on top of one another, you can place a piece of wax paper in between them to ensure they don't stick to each other.

Is it better to freeze sugar cookies before or after baking? ›

Most cookies do well being frozen after they are baked. Simple cookies like shortbread, gingerbread, sugar cookies, oatmeal cookies, and chocolate chip cookies all freeze well once baked. Make sure your cookies are completely cooled first. Flash freeze the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet.

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.

🎄Holiday cookie baking

Depending on how you are going to store them, Christmas cookies can be baked as early as 3 months before you plan to eat them. If you plan to keep them at room temperature, it's best to make the cookies about 2 weeks or less in advance.

Homemade cookie dough should be stored in small containers in the refrigerator for two to four days or freeze for two months. Alternatively, small quantities of dough can be frozen and thawed in the refrigerator as needed.