I get this question quite often so thought I’d share some info. with you in a short post. By no means am I an expert; it’s just what I’ve found works for me through trial and error, but I hope you find this helpful.
Before I begin, a few details to go over:
- I’ll be talking about the recipes I use (you can find them here). All recipes are different. Although the answers here will help you in general, it’s best to do some testing if you’re using other recipes, to find out how long yours will last.
- No preservatives are in the recipes I use – everything is from scratch.
- In terms of planning your cookie decorating, besides figuring out how far ahead you can begin making them, these Cookie Decorating Schedules may be helpful for you.
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.
It’s important to wrap them in some sort of an airtight bag or container once they’re dry. I like to put cookies individually in cellophane bags and tie with a pretty ribbon.
Shrink wrapping isn’t necessary, but I’d love to hear from you if this is the method you use. Do your cookies generally stay fresh longer?
A few other ‘shelf-life’ tidbits of information for you:
- Gingerbread cookies typically have a long shelf life. (4-6 weeks).
- I’ve also noticed that gourmet stores with custom decorated cookies (from scratch/no preservatives), have a shelf life of about one month.
- If you’re interested in freezing decorated or undecorated cookies, you can find information in this post and the comment section here.
This Cinderella decorated cookie is the second in a series of princess cookies (Click here to find the first one),copied fromthis piece of art.{Thank you, suisei-ojii-sama!}. I tried to stay true to suisei-ojii-sama’s design, and really fought back the urge cover her dress in disco dust, but I couldn’t resist adding the tips of her little shoes, and of course, covering with disco dust.
A few sweet morsels of information I’d like to share with you:
- The Cinderella cookie shape was made by hand cutting the dough with a paring knife. Easy enough to do if you’re only doing a few cookies, but a heads-up in case you don’t already know, time-consuming if you’re doing a lot of them. There’s got to be cutters out there you could use though (drop me a line please if you see one), or even just pipe her on a rectangular cookie.
- I used a Kopykake projector to help me pipe Cinderella’s shape.
- Click here for the royal icing recipe I used.
Thank you for reading me here, I appreciate each and every comment, and love to hear from you!
If you’d like, leave me a comment below, on Facebook, twitter, youtube or instagram, and share your findings about the shelf life of cookies as well – I love to hear what you’ve learned in your cookie decorating journey.
Have fun baking!
xo,
Marian
p.s.
FAQs
Now for decorated cookies. If you leave them on the counter, at room temperature, they should be good to go for about two weeks. If you decide to leave them in the fridge, they will last about a week, but keep in mind that it's best to eat them within the first three days.
How long do decorated cookies stay fresh? ›
Room Temperature:
Baked and decorated cookies can be stored at room temperature in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks.
How far in advance can you make and decorate cookies? ›
If you want to make your cookies in advance… totally doable! 1 week before event: I start the process UP TO 1 week before the event and don't do any freezing in this time period (either of the icing or cookies).
What is the shelf life of custom cookies? ›
What is the shelf life of your products? All cookies, pretzels, and chocolate-covered Oreos have a shelf life of a few months. All other treats have a shelf life of 4 weeks.
What is the shelf life of homemade cookies? ›
Most cookie recipes last up to five days at room temperature if stored correctly, but a few need to be eaten right away for the best results. If you need your cookies to last longer, you can also refrigerate or freeze most doughs and bake them when you need them. Frozen cookies or dough can last up to three months!
What homemade cookies stay fresh the longest? ›
Dry cookies, like shortbread cookies, gingersnaps, and Danish butter cookies, will stay fresher for longer because they have very little moisture.
How long do cookies last in a Ziploc bag? ›
Place cookies in a fully sealable plastic bag or container. Store them in the fridge for up to two weeks.
How many days before a party can you make cookies? ›
In conclusion, the length of time you can make cookies ahead of an event depends on the type of cookie you're making. Soft cookies can be made up to three days in advance, crispy cookies up to a week, and chewy cookies up to five days.
How far in advance of Christmas can you make cookies? ›
As for the cookies—made for cookie swaps, church potlucks, household snacking, and Santa's plate—there is one little cheat: make now, freeze for later. You'll find that most of your favorite Christmas cookie recipes can be made anywhere from a month to six months before the 25th of December.
How do you make a long shelf life for cookies? ›
Information. 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.
In fact, canned goods will last for years, as long as the can itself is in good condition (no rust, dents, or swelling).” It continued, “Packaged foods (cereal, pasta, cookies) will be safe past the 'best by' date, although they may eventually become stale or develop an off flavor.
Do cookie decorations expire? ›
A.: Colored sugar, sprinkles and other similar cookie decorations have an indefinite shelf life, as they are made of pure sugar for the most part.
What cookie has the longest shelf life? ›
#1 Long lasting cookies: Biscotti.
How to tell if a cookie has gone bad? ›
Signs of a Stale Cookie
- Hardness or Softness: If your usually soft cookies have become hard, or your typically crispy cookies have softened, they're likely stale.
- Off Smell or Taste: Any rancid, sour, or just "off" smell or taste is a clear indicator that cookies have gone bad.
- Mold: This is a definite sign of spoilage.
Room temperature: Use airtight containers, cookie jars, or plastic bags to prevent air exposure and moisture loss. Keep cookies in a cool, dry area. Refrigerated: Use airtight containers or sealed plastic bags to store cookies in the fridge. Monitor the moisture level to avoid condensation.
Can a cookie never expire? ›
A cookie can expire any time from end of session to forever (with one exception): You can set a cookie to expire at 2038-01-19 04:14:07 (the Year 2038 problem comes in if it's longer than that), so it's (in JavaScript): daysToExpire = new Date(2147483647 * 1000).
How long do Personalised cookies last? ›
Homemade cookies will last for a week providing there are stored in a airtight container at room temperature. If stored in a refrigerator they can last upto 2 weeks. On the other hand, commercial processed cookies can last weeks or even months if they are unopened and stored in a cool dry place.
How long do Christmas cookies stay fresh? ›
Information. 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.
How do I make sure my cookies stay fresh? ›
Keep cookies away from direct sunlight, heat sources, or areas with high humidity. Layer cookies with parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking together. Ensure the container is properly sealed after each use to maintain freshness.
