This Is How Long Homemade Sugar Cookies Last, According to an Expert
What to do with the pile of holiday cookies on your kitchen counter.
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I love homemade sugar cookies, especially when someone else takes the time to bake them for me as a holiday gift. Right now, there are loads of holiday cookies sitting on my kitchen counter. Since there are only two of us in the house, we can rarely enjoy them all. As the holidays come and go, I've always wondered how long I can leave them out and what the best way is to store them.
We better start snacking, suggests registered dietitian nutritionist Jamie Mok, a national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
“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.
You might buy (or lose) a few days of freshness depending on what’s in or on top of the cookies. “Royal icing may lengthen shelf life due to its hard, protective coating compared to buttercream which can attract moisture and shorten shelf life,” says Mok. “Cookies that contain nuts or dried fruit can shorten shelf life as nuts can go rancid and dried fruit can absorb moisture and soften the cookies.”
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How To Store Homemade Sugar Cookies
The right storage is the key to the freshest, tastiest homemade treats. If you know you’re going to eat them relatively quickly, store cookies in an air-tight container, ideally away from direct sunlight and in a cool, dry place like the pantry, Mok says. She suggests putting the cookies between layers of parchment paper or waxed paper to prevent them from sticking to each other.
Refrigerating is an option, but not always the best one. If you refrigerate undecorated sugar cookies, they might last longer, but they can also get dry and crumbly. If you refrigerate decorated cookies, the frosting will likely soften. If you choose to use the fridge, be sure to store cookies in air-tight containers so they don’t absorb any flavors from other foods.
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Long-Term Storage Option: The Freezer
When you know there’s no way you can possibly eat all those cookies, the freezer is a great plan for long-term storage, says Mok.
“Be sure to tightly wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil in an air-tight freezer-safe container,” she says. Frozen cookies can last up to three months.
Make Your Gift Last
If you’re giving homemade sugar cookies as gifts, there are a few things you can do for the best taste and longevity:
Allow cookies to cool completely, then store them in air-tight containers
Hold off on decorating cookies until you’re ready to gift them
Give them soon after baking and decorating them
Consider individually wrapping them in plastic wrap or gift bags
“It’s considerate to add a label indicating the date the cookies were baked and ingredient information including food allergens and special dietary restrictions,” says Mok.
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