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.
How to Store Unbaked Cookie Dough
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.
How to Store Homemade Cookies and Candy to Stay Fresh
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!
The 8 Best Glass Food Storage Containers of 2024, According to Our Tests
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.
Store cookies in a specific area away from food with strong odors to prevent flavor transfer. Set the refrigerator to a slightly higher humidity setting to help cookies maintain moisture. Allow cookies to come to room temperature before eating so they can regain their texture and flavors.
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.
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!
Dry cookies, like shortbread cookies, gingersnaps, and Danish butter cookies, will stay fresher for longer because they have very little moisture. Dry cookies become stale when they suck up moisture from the air - causing them to become soft and lose their snap.
For puffy and tender treats like snickerdoodles, soft chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, or sugar cookies, a little moisture will help them retain their soft texture. If you are planning to eat the cookies within a few days, place them in an airtight container or zip-top plastic bag.
In general, baked cookies will be fine at room temperature for about five days, but only if stored correctly. For most kinds of cookies, there are essentially two ways to store them: in an airtight container at room temperature or in the freezer.
It's all about moisture. To keep it simple, cookie recipes that contain a lot of butter, brown sugar or egg yolks are going to yield soft and chewy cookies, because those ingredients add moisture and retain it for a longer amount of time.
Cookies become hard when the moisture in them evaporates. This can be caused by leaving them out in the air for too long, baking them for too long, or storing them improperly. The lack of moisture makes the cookies hard and dry, which makes them difficult to enjoy.
Once your cookies are baked and cooled, it's important to carefully package them. We've found that wrapping cookies in plastic wrap works the best for preserving, but small resealable bags will also do the trick.
The inclusion of perishable ingredients like eggs, dairy, and fresh fruit can contribute to a shorter cookie lifespan. On the other hand, store-bought cookies often contain preservatives and stabilizers that extend their shelf life.
Plastic or glass containers that you typically put your leftover meals in should work fine. Storing your cookies away from the fresh air helps to preserve their freshness and keep them better for longer.
Containers that are airtight are perfect for storing cookies because they keep moisture away. Containers like ceramic cookie jars may look beautiful, but they are often not airtight and can make your cookies go stale in a hurry.
Line the bottom of a durable, rigid box or cookie tin with cushioning material (like some crumpled parchment), then place larger and heavier cookies on the bottom, and smaller cookies on top. You can also add a layer of parchment paper or wax paper between each cookie for additional protection.
Another way to soften cookies is by placing the cookies in an airtight container with a damp paper towel. The paper towel will release moisture and help to soften the cookies without making them too soft or mushy. Another way is to place the cookies in a plastic bag with a slice of apple or a damp tea towel.
To keep them fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also extend their shelf life by placing a piece of bread or a slice of apple in the container with the cookies, as these can help maintain moisture.
Popping your dough in the fridge allows the fats to cool. As a result, the cookies will expand more slowly, holding onto their texture. If you skip the chilling step, you're more likely to wind up with flat, sad disks instead of lovely, chewy cookies. Cookies made from chilled dough are also much more flavorful.
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