The Best Way to Store Homemade Cookies (2024)

Sheela Prakash

Sheela PrakashSenior Contributing Food Editor

Sheela is the Senior Contributing Food Editor at Kitchn and the author of Mediterranean Every Day: Simple, Inspired Recipes for Feel-Good Food. She received her master's degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy and is also a Registered Dietitian.

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updated Dec 9, 2022

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The Best Way to Store Homemade Cookies (1)

One of the very first things I learned when I began baking as a teenager was there’s a right and a wrong way to store cookies. The first Christmas I embarked on baking a few different types of cookies to gift to family and friends, I piled them all in the same large storage containers before dividing them up into their festive tins.

What happened was the chewy cookies quickly became stale, the crispy cookies became soft, and the mint from one cookie mixed with the gingerbread from another. I quickly realized I was doing it all wrong. Luckily, my family was too nice to tell me all the cookies basically tasted the same.

Here’s what I wish I had known then. These are the best ways to keep cookies fresh and tasting great, all season long.

How to Store Baked Cookies at Room Temperature

The biggest trouble cookies face during storage, besides becoming stale, is their texture can go in the opposite direction that was intended: soft cookies can become hard, and crispy cookies can become soft.

Another obstacle? Strong flavors from one type of cookie can overwhelm others. That means the best way to store cookies is to keep their original characteristics in mind, with the hope of preserving them.

For long-term storage, your best bet is to freeze cookies. However, if you simply want to keep cookies fresh for about a week, you’re better off keeping them at room temperature. Here’s how they should be stored.

Soft Cookies

Soft cookies such as gingerbread, chocolate chip, and peanut butter cookies should be stored separately from crispy cookies. If they have a strong flavor, they should also be stored away from other types of soft cookies in an airtight container.

In order to keep them their softest, tuck a slice of white sandwich bread inside the airtight container. Just like this trick helps keep brown sugar soft, it will keep your cookies soft since the moisture in the bread will leach out into the cookies.

Crispy Cookies

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. This will allow some air to sneak in and keep your cookies away from humidity and moisture. Again, if any of these cookies have a strong flavor, divide them by type.

How Long Do Baked Cookies Last?

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.

How do you like to store your cookies?

The Best Way to Store Homemade Cookies (2024)

FAQs

The Best Way to Store Homemade Cookies? ›

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.

How do you store fresh homemade cookies? ›

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. How do you like to store your cookies?

What is the best way to store cookies to keep them crisp? ›

How do you store cookies to stay crisp? To keep crispy cookies crisp, you need to keep them away from moisture. Always store different types of cookies separately—soft cookies can cause crispy cookies to soften due to their extra moisture. Place crispy cookies in an airtight container, but don't completely seal it.

Is it better to store cookies in the fridge or on the counter? ›

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 you store sugar cookies to keep them fresh? ›

Unless a recipe tells you otherwise, you should always store sugar cookies at room temperature to make sure that they taste as good on day three as they did on day one. Keep them in a cool, dry area of your kitchen; any additional humidity may change their texture, particularly with frosted sugar cookies.

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. Dry cookies become stale when they suck up moisture from the air - causing them to become soft and lose their snap.

How long do homemade cookies last on the counter? ›

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 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.

Can you freeze cookies in Ziploc bags? ›

After baking, allow cookies to cool completely. Place them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet to freeze them, then store them in a freezer-safe zip-top storage bag labeled with the name and date. Squeeze out extra air and place flat in the freezer. To save space, you can flat-stack freezer bags.

Why do my cookies get hard after they cool? ›

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.

Can I leave cookies out overnight to cool? ›

Harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella, can multiply rapidly in these conditions, potentially causing foodborne illness if consumed. Aside from food safety concerns, leaving cookies out overnight can also affect their texture and flavor.

How to keep cookies soft after baking? ›

Putting a slice of fresh white bread in the container with the cookies will help the cookies stay soft: fresh bread is moist, and that slice will give up its moisture for the greater good: keeping the cookies from drying out. We recommend white bread so that no flavor is transferred to the cookies.

How far in advance can you make cookies? ›

Make ahead: Cookies can be stored in airtight containers at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

How long can homemade sugar cookies sit out? ›

“Homemade sugar cookies should ideally be consumed within two to three days, but can last up to one week at room temperature if stored properly in an air-tight container in a dry, cool place,” Mok says.

Does freezing sugar cookies keep them fresh? ›

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.

Do marshmallows help keep cookies fresh? ›

To keep your cookies fresh for up to 6 days store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread or a few marshmallows. What does this do? The bread will soak up all the moisture in the container drawing it away from the cookies.

What two things can you do to freshen cookies that have gone stale? ›

There are a few common methods for softening cookies, including microwaving them, heating them in the oven, and placing them in an airtight container with a slice of bread.

How long to cool cookies before storing? ›

First, be sure to store cookies that have cooled completely. If you try to store cookies that have any heat left in the still you are bound to end up with either broken or soggy cookies. So let your cookies cool completely on a cooling rack for a couple hours before attempting to store them properly.

Can you freeze fresh homemade cookies? ›

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.

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