Last Updated on March 13, 2023
How long do sugar cookies last? Generally, sugar cookies are soft, buttery, and delicious treats great for birthdays, weddings, and Christmas.
Typically, sugar cookie recipes make big batches of cookies, and as fast as they run out, people want to make them in advance to share and eat them with others.
So that leads us back to the main question: how long do decorated sugar cookies last? For the most part, you have to consider that the period they stay fresh depends on how well you store your cookies.
However, storing your decorated sugar cookies can be tricky because they need to lay them out flat. In addition to that, stacking your decorated cookies can smudge and crack your icing. To prevent these things from happening, you have to ensure that you wait for your sugar cookies to be set entirely before packaging them.
Besides, secured and decorated sugar cookies can last up to two weeks at room temperature. And your decorated sugar cookies will last up to a week inside the refrigerator. Furthermore, it is necessary to seal your decorated sugar cookie to avoid the absorption of moisture and smell from other items inside the fridge.
Nevertheless, sugar cookies can last three months when you store decorated sugar cookies inside the freezer.
How Long Do Sugar Cookies Last?
Do you want to know how to store decorated sugar cookies? If you do, always remember that you must adequately keep them inside a tin or an airtight container once you finish baking your sugar cookies and decorating them.
Besides, once your cookies are set, keep them fresh. It is also advisable to separate the cookie rows with wax paper to ensure that the cookies will not stick to each other.
Additionally, you can utilize parchment paper instead of wax paper if desired. It is also essential for bakers not to be overly eager when storing sugar cookies. Regardless of what cookies you are baking, ensure that they cool completely before wrapping them individually in cookie bags.
Consequently, wrapping warm cookies will trap the steam inside the package, which will create soggy cookies that stick together.
Also, another thing to consider is storing the same type of cookies, meaning storing crisp cookies like chocolate chip and tuile cookies together and storing soft cookies together.
Please note that a soft cookie’s moisture can soften a big batch of crisp cookies if stored together in a container. In addition to that, the kind of storage container matters too. It would help if you considered that cookies kept inside plastic containers could get soft more quickly than cookies kept in glass containers that stay crisp longer.
Furthermore, only store sugar cookies at room temperature unless a recipe tells you otherwise. Ensure to keep your sugar cookies in a cool and dry area; remember that additional humidity can change the texture, especially concerning your decorated sugar cookies.
Things To Consider When Storing Sugar Cookies: How Long Do Sugar Cookies Last?
There is no better feeling than a taste of a sugary and sweet treat like sugar cookies; biting into a delicious sugar cookie is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Whether sugar cookies are plain or decorated, people enjoy them all year round.
However, baking them can be a challenge because you need them to have the right softness and crunch, not to mention sugar cookies are not just tasty but beautiful, like art when decorated.
And there are times that you need to make them before the holidays and wonder if they can still be fresh. After all the trouble and time you put into your sugar cookies, the last thing you desire is to waste them, which brings us to the question, how long do sugar cookies stay fresh?
For the most part, it is best to expect your sugar cookies to stay fresh for up to two weeks inside an airtight container when stored in the pantry or on your kitchen counter.
There are three ways you can store your sugar cookies:
- Room temperature (preferred method)
- Fridge
- Freezer (ideal if you are making your sugar cookies ahead of time)
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But, if you want your sugar cookies to last longer, you can store your cookies inside the freezer, which will last up to six months.
Additionally, it is best to eat decorated sugar cookies after baking and decorating. You can also store your cookies in an airtight container and place them inside the refrigerator, but consuming your sugar cookies within three days is recommended for the best taste.
Storing sugar cookies in the refrigerator: How Long Do Sugar Cookies Last?
In essence, how long are sugar cookies good for in the fridge? Remember, placing or storing your sugar cookies inside the refrigerator is not recommended as it tends to become dry. However, if there is a necessity to do so, ensure to seal your sugar cookies as tightly as possible or observe the proper storing methods.
Moreover, when storing sugar cookies, unfrosted or undecorated is preferred. Because it will lessen the risk of smudging and ruining the designs you have done on your sugar cookies, you can also stack your sugar cookies in between wax paper to save storage space.
If possible, avoid decorating your sugar cookies before storing them to have the best results. Because of that, you will save space inside the refrigerator because you cannot stack frosted cookies; the result will look neater if you frost them after chilling.
Again, how long are sugar cookies good for in the fridge? Most of the time, adequately stored unfrosted sugar cookies will last up to two weeks inside the refrigerator. However, they may go stale after about a week when stored inside the fridge.
While decorated or frosted, sugar cookies can last up to a week but are best consumed three days after being placed inside the fridge, as the icing will begin to bleed the longer you store it inside.
How Long Do Royal Icing Cookies Last?
Royal icing is a popular topping for sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies. It allows you to create beautiful designs on your cookies and is delicious as well.
Cookies decorated with royal icing can typically last for up to one to two weeks at room temperature. You should store your cookies decorated with royal icing in an airtight container at room temperature.
Be sure to store them in a cool, dry location away from sunlight such as a pantry. Sunlight and humidity can cause your royal icing to melt and can mess up the consistency, so be sure to keep it away from hot and humid areas in your home.
Royal icing does not freeze well, so it is best to avoid freezing your cookies decorated with royal icing. You can freeze undecorated cookies and then decorate them once they are defrosted. Only keep your cookies with royal icing in the fridge if you are in a hot or humid environment.
How Long Do Sugar Cookies Last in Sealed Bags?
Sugar cookies can last in heat-sealed bags for up to three to four weeks and one to two weeks in Ziploc bags. You can use a heat sealer and shrink-wrap bags to store your cookies. Since they are airtight, your cookies will be able to last longer than they would in a Ziploc bag.
You can store plain cookies or cookies decorated with royal icing in sealed bags. While you can store cookies frosted with buttercream in sealed bags, they will only stay fresh at room temperature before they should be stored in the fridge, where they can last for up to one week.
How Long are Homemade Sugar Cookies Good For?
Homemade sugar cookies can last for one to two weeks at room temperature as long as you properly store them. You should store homemade sugar cookies at room temperature in an airtight container away from direct sunlight and humidity. You can also store your sugar cookies in the fridge for up to two to three weeks but that normally isn’t necessary.
Sugar cookies can also be frozen as well. Once cooled, place your sugar cookies in a Ziploc bag or airtight container. Then transfer the container or bag to the freezer and store your cookies for up to three to six months.
When ready to eat, thaw your cookies overnight in the fridge or at room temperature. Store cookies decorated with buttercream frosting at room temperature in an airtight container for two to three days or the fridge for up to one week. You can also freeze cookies decorated with buttercream frosting as well.
How Long Do Store-Bought Sugar Cookies Last?
Storebought sugar cookies can typically last for up to two to four weeks. They typically have a longer shelf life than homemade cookies as they often contain preservatives to prolong their freshness.
Storebought sugar cookies with frosting will typically only last for one week at room temperature. However, store-bought sugar cookies with royal icing can generally last for two to four weeks.
Tips And Tricks: How Long Do Sugar Cookies Last?
How do you keep sugar cookies from drying out? Sugar cookies are usually stored at room temperature to ensure that they taste good longer and fresh.
So with that, it is best to keep your sugar cookies inside an airtight container in a cool and dry area. Remember, additional humidity can affect the texture of your sugar cookies.
Also, please avoid putting your sugar cookies in a container with a loose lid, and avoid placing your sugar cookies inside the refrigerator directly. You must consider that the fridge can remove the moisture from the air as it cools, sucking the water out of your sugar cookies. Because of that, three days is the maximum time you can keep your cookies unless you freeze them, lasting up to six weeks.
However, if you need to refrigerate your decorated sugar cookies, let them be cooled and set completely before wrapping them individually in a cookie bag and placing them inside an airtight or sealed container.
Afterward, wrap the container with plastic cling wrap and cover the container with foil before putting your sugar cookies inside the refrigerator. Also, this method will ensure that the refrigerator’s air will go through your sugar cookies, preventing your sugar cookies from drying out.
If you have any questions about how long sugar cookies last, please ask them in the comment section below.
FAQs
How To Store Decorated Sugar Cookies?
It would be best to store your decorated sugar cookies inside a tin or an airtight container; do this once you finish baking them. Also, please separate your cookie rows with wax paper; it will guarantee that your cookies will not stick to each other.
How Long Are Sugar Cookies Good For In The Fridge?
Unfrosted sugar cookies tend to last two weeks inside the fridge. On the other hand, frosted or decorated sugar cookies typically last up to a week.
How Long Do Sugar Cookies Stay Fresh?
Usually, your sugar cookies can stay fresh for about two weeks inside a sealed container, especially when stored in the kitchen pantry or on the kitchen counter. Not only that, but also you may keep them inside the freezer. And as a result, it will last for approximately six months.
How Do You Keep Sugar Cookies From Drying Out?
Please store your sugar cookies at room temperature; doing so will make them taste good longer and prevent them from drying out. And if possible, do not store them in the fridge.
Zarah is an experienced pastry chef whose creations have delighted countless customers. With a passion for baking, Zarah has developed a unique style that combines classic techniques with modern flavors. Her desserts are consistently crafted with the finest ingredients, and her attention to detail is evident in the stunning and delectable results. Zarah has a wealth of experience in the pastry kitchen, and loves to share her knowledge with others. Whether it is teaching a class or creating a custom cake for a special occasion, Zarah is committed to making sure every customer is satisfied.
