You want to save time by baking ahead. We get that. Sometimes our busy lives mean that we have to bake ahead. Below is a straightforward guide for storing sugar cookies and sugar cookie dough for later.
Sugar Cookie Dough
Yes, you can store sugar cookie dough in its raw form! See below for storage guidelines.
Room Temperature:
Sugar cookie dough should be used immediately if stored at room temperature.If you let it warm up, the butter may soften and your cookies may spread when baked. It also likely has raw eggs and other perishables in it that really shouldn't be left at room temperature for very long.
Refrigerator:
Most sugar cookie recipes require a 30 minute to 3 hour period of chilling in the refrigerator before baking. This helps to firm up the butter so that the cookies hold their shape and maintain a nice crumb when baked.
If storing the cookie dough, it can be refrigerated forup to 3 daysin an airtight container. Since it likely contains perishables, we really don't recommend storing for over 3 days.
Freezer:
Yes, you can freeze cookie dough! Sugar cookie dough can be frozen for up to6 weeks.To freeze, either roll your dough into discs or pre-cut out the shapes you want, separating layers with parchment paper. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and keep in an airtight container.
If your cookies are pre-cut, you can wait until they are pliable, but still cold to the touch, and just pop them into the oven.
If you froze a disc of dough, let it come up to room temperature for a few hours on the countertop. Do not remove from the airtight container when doing this, as the dough could dry out.
Baked Sugar Cookies
You can also pre-bake your cookies and store them for later! Below are our tips.
Room Temperature:
Decorate the cookies within48 hoursof being baked, as they will start to become stale if left at room temperature for too long. If you need to store them for longer, store the undecorated cookies in an airtight container.
Refrigerator:
We do not recommend storing baked cookies in the fridge.The fluctuating humidity levels and overall dryness of the fridge will dry your cookies out.
Freezer:
Baked, undecorated cookies can be wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in an airtight container for up to4 weeks.When you're ready to decorate, remove the cookies from the freezer and allow them to thaw until they are room temperature.
Baked & Decorated Sugar Cookies:
If you really want to get a head start, it is tempting to bake, decorate, and store your decorated sugar cookies. Below are the recommended ways for storing baked and decorated sugar cookies.
Room Temperature:
Baked and decorated cookies can be stored at room temperature in a sealed container for up to2 weeks.Make sure that your icing has hardened completely before stacking the cookies, and adding a layer of parchment paper between cookie layers is always a good idea for some additional protection.
Refrigerator:
Due to the humidity level of refrigerators, decorated cookiesdo not store well in the fridge.Avoid storing decorated cookies in the fridge, as it will affect the structure of the icing and taste of the cookie.
Freezer:
You can freeze decorated cookies for up to6 weeks in the freezer.Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container for the best results. Warm up to room temperature before serving.
There you have it! Proven storage methods from our test kitchen. Bake ahead!
Next, learn how to store royal icing.
FAQs
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.
What is the best way to store fresh sugar cookies? ›
If storing at room temperature, pack cookies in a glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid and, if possible, drop in a few marshmallows. The best method is to store baked cookies in the freezer.
Do sugar cookies need to be refrigerated? ›
Choose to store them at room temperature or in the freezer instead of the fridge. If you can store your cookies at room temperature or in the freezer - do it. The fridge should be your last resort because of the moisture that can make your cookies soggy. Store the cookies in an airtight container.
How far in advance can you make sugar cookies? ›
The baked sugar cookies will store up to a week at room temperature in an airtight container, so they can easily be made ahead.
How do you store homemade cookies to keep them fresh? ›
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.
How to keep sugar cookies soft overnight? ›
Storing Tips to Keep Cookies Soft
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.
Can you leave sugar cookies on the counter? ›
Room Temperature:
Baked and decorated cookies can be stored at room temperature in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks. Make sure that your icing has hardened completely before stacking the cookies, and adding a layer of parchment paper between cookie layers is always a good idea for some additional protection.
Do homemade cookies have to be refrigerated? ›
However, keep in mind that if you leave cookies out for too long, they will go stale, whether store-bought or homemade. Generally, it's best to refrigerate cookies if you're looking to store them for a long time or if they have a topping that will spoil if left out.
Why do normal sugar cookies need to be chilled? ›
Popping your dough in the fridge allows the fats to cool. As a result, the cookies will expand more slowly, holding onto their texture. If you skip the chilling step, you're more likely to wind up with flat, sad disks instead of lovely, chewy cookies. Cookies made from chilled dough are also much more flavorful.
How long do homemade sugar cookies last? ›
“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.
Place cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 7-10 minutes. Cookies will be very light colored and just set, when you take them out. They will harden as they cool, so don't over bake them.
Should sugar cookies be soft when they come out? ›
Watch for the cookies' edges to just start to turn a slightly darker color. The insides of the cookies should still be soft when they come out of the oven. They will firm up as they cool, resulting in that great soft texture that we're looking for. Overbaking the cookies will yield dry, hard or crunchy cookies.
Why poke holes in sugar cookies? ›
The holes trick
There's also a new technique going around when preventing craters in a second layer of icing: poke holes in the base flood (under the area you'll cover with a second layer of icing). You can even do this when the first layer flood has completely dried!
Should you refrigerate sugar cookies before baking? ›
Refrigerating the dough allows the flour to fully hydrate and helps to make the cookie dough firmer. Firm dough prevents the cookies from spreading too much, which is why chilling the dough is a crucial step for cut-out and rolled 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.
How do you package cookies so they stay fresh? ›
How to Package Cookies for Mailing. Use a durable, rigid box or empty tin as a mailing container. Place bubble wrap in the bottom of the container, then line the container with aluminum foil or plastic food wrap that is large enough to wrap over the cookies when the container is full.
Does freezing sugar cookies keep them fresh? ›
Frozen cookies can last for 3 to 6 months as long as you've wrapped them tightly in plastic and placed them into an airtight container.
