The Best Way to Store Cookies: How to Keep Cookies Fresh (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to store cookies to keep them 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.

Use Airtight Containers

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.

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. What's more, the plastic bag can be scrunched (within reason) to fit into almost any size cookie jar opening.

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.

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.

Baked cookies will stay fresh for three days in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. If you decide to freeze baked cookies, plan to defrost and serve them within three months.

* Store crisp cookies in a container with a loose-fitting lid. * Cookies can be frozen for as long as six months with good results. Put cookies in a container lined with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and separate each layer of cookies with more plastic wrap or foil. Tightly seal 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.

Keeping cookies fresh for five days should be no problem at all. Store soft cookies in an airtight container or resealable bag.

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!

Does plastic wrap keep cookies fresh? ›

Sealable plastic containers and bags can keep cookies in good shape for the few days they might spend at room temperature—just tuck the bagged cookies inside these other vessels.

We give the top spot to Oxo's Good Grips 3-Quart Pop Medium Cookie Jar for its space-saving design and pop-button airtight lid. A good budget choice is Style Setter's Chalkboard Glass Canister Set. It comes with three different sizes of glass jars, each with chalkboard labels.

Storage Temperature Matters

The temperature can be a big factor when storing cookies. Unless otherwise noted, don't store cookies in the refrigerator: The cool air can rob cookies of their moisture and make them taste bland. In general, store cookies at room temperature or freeze them, as specified above.

Keep cookies cool

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.

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.

If you are storing the cookies in layers, place a piece of damp paper towel in between every two layers. Cover the opening fully with plastic wrap and finally, the cover. Dampen the paper towel again each day to maintain the moistness and that should keep the cookies nice and moist.

So, now that you know the reason behind the different appearances of the two sides, you're probably wondering if you should use aluminum foil with the shiny side up or down. Quite simply, it doesn't matter. Since the exact same material makes up both sides, they will perform precisely the same way.

Wrap cookies in plastic wrap for added protection.

Make sure to wrap stacked bar cookies carefully to prevent the parchment paper from slipping out. If you don't have plastic wrap, you can also use aluminum foil or skip this step altogether.

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

Anything that should remain secure shouldn't be stored. That includes passwords, credit card numbers, social security numbers, etc.

Can I store cookies in a cardboard box? ›

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.

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. Moist bars, such as cheesecake and lemon bars, can be refrigerated for seven days.

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.

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!

Softer cookies, including brownies and frosted cookies, should be stored in a single layer in an airtight container (such as glass meal prep containers or plastic storage containers) so they won't smush together.

It's safe to say that although cookie jars are nice to look at, they aren't ideal for keeping our cookies fresh. If you simply must use a cookie jar, be sure to use one with a seal on it so that your cookies don't get stale while inside the jar.

Let it sit for long enough—the famous Jacques Torres chocolate chip cookie, published in the New York Times, mandates a rest of at least 24 hours and up to 72—and the starches and proteins in the flour begin to break down, leading to more browning and caramelization.

Storage Temperature Matters

Unless otherwise noted, don't store cookies in the refrigerator: The cool air can rob cookies of their moisture and make them taste bland. In general, store cookies at room temperature or freeze them, as specified above.

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.

Most recipes recommend chilling cookie dough for several hours in the refrigerator, but the good news is that you can use your freezer in a pinch.

How do you keep cookies crisp? ›

Keep those cookies crisp by storing them in an airtight container. Some people toss a piece of bread in with the cookies to help absorb any excess moisture. You could also re-crisp them by baking on a wire rack in a 300 degree F oven for a few minutes.

Once my cookies are baked, cooled, iced and dry, I package them in cello bags and seal them with a heat sealer. I use the 8″ size heat sealer from ULINE (you can also find them on Amazon). They will stay fresh for 3 to 4 weeks after that (depending on what cookie recipe you're using).