Are you making tree-shaped sugar cookies or gingerbread and snickerdoodles this year? We hope so: The tradition of baking Christmas cookies is one many families look forward to. Whether you are whipping up several dozen or just a batch or two, knowing how to store your cookies properly will ensure they maintain their flavor and texture.
There are a few different factors that go into keeping homemade holiday treats fresh, which is why we asked professional bakers to explain how to properly store Christmas cookies to guarantee optimal freshness throughout the season.
Understanding how long different cookie types last will help you determine how to store them, says Melanie Auxer, a food scientist and vice president of Insomnia Cookies. You can expect these treats to stay fresh between 3 to 14 days when stored at room temperature, she explains. Softer or filled cookies will last on the short end of the range, while biscotti and other hard cookies stay fresher for longer. Auxer suggests storing baked cookies in the freezer for up to six months if you want to enjoy them far beyond that timeline.
Cool Before Storing
No one likes a soggy cookie, and for that reason, always let cookies—or any baked goods—cool before storing, notes Auxer. "If not cooled, the moisture generated by the heat will get trapped inside of the storage container and cause the cookies to get soggy," she says. Generally, Christmas cookies will take about 10 to 20 minutes to cool after you take them out of the oven.
Store Different Varieties Separately
If you baked batches of different cookies, each type should be stored in its own container. Not only will this keep the flavors separate, but it will also prevent the cookies from absorbing unwanted moisture from nearby treats. "I like to keep more delicately flavored or textured cookies separate from others since these soft cookies can quickly pick up background notes from something like anise if packed together," says Anna McGorman, a pastry chef and director of culinary operations at Milk Bar.
Traditional Spritz or press cookies are usually baked from the same dough, though, so those can be kept together. "Think of storing Christmas cookies like making a fruit salad—bananas are going to get a bit roughed up by the more sturdy melon cubes if left too long together," McGorman says.
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.
Store Cookies Without Frosting Them
If you plan on keeping cookies for more than 7 days, don't add frosting until you're ready to serve, since icing has a different shelf-life. 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.
How to Refresh Dry Cookies
If your cookies have started to dry out a few days after you baked them, you can pop them in the microwave for 5 to 10 seconds, making sure to cover them with a damp paper towel, says McGorman. Serve the cookies immediately after microwaving.
Alternatively, you can also add half a slice of bread to your airtight container overnight. "The cookies will reabsorb some moisture from the bread and should be as good as new," she says.
To keep your cookies fresh, you need to keep air out. For that reason, we suggest storing cookies in an airtight container—here are our picks for the best cookie storage containers. Make sure nothing gets in the way of the container and its lid, and double-check that the seal is tight.
To keep your cookies fresh, you need to keep air out. For that reason, we suggest storing cookies in an airtight container—here are our picks for the best cookie storage containers. Make sure nothing gets in the way of the container and its lid, and double-check that the seal is tight.
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.
To extend the shelf life of products, many bakers use specially formulated enzymes for preservation. These naturally occurring protein compounds can keep baked goods soft while preventing crumbling and staling.
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.
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.
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.
The key to keeping cookies fresh and soft is to seal them in an airtight container, like a resealable freezer bag. And here's a nifty little trick: add a piece of bread to the bag.
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.
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. How do you like to store your cookies?
Plastic wrap is my go-to material for wrapping cookies. It keeps them fresh longer and you are able to showcase the beauty of your homemade cookie. Whatever you choose, be sure to use a food-safe wrapping option like parchment paper, cellophane bags, waxed paper, or aluminum foil.
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. (Consult this handy how-to guide to the matter.) Generally, most recipes will be best if baked and then frozen.
Common packaging materials for cookies include flexible barrier bags, plastic wrappers, tin containers, cardboard boxes, and glass jars. Flexible barrier bags, with their multi-layered construction, are specifically designed to create a strong barrier against external elements, ensuring optimal freshness.
Introduction: My name is Terence Hammes MD, I am a inexpensive, energetic, jolly, faithful, cheerful, proud, rich person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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