Sugar cookies are a perfect dessert all year round, although most people usually make them around the holidays.
And why wouldn’t they? Not only are they delicious, but with the right cookie cutter, you can match them perfectly to the holiday you are celebrating.
Snowmen and Christmas trees for Christmas? No problem.
Bunnies and Easter eggs for Easter? Sure, why not.
Hearts for Valentine’s Day? Great.
The opportunities are endless.
However, we all know how our schedule looks around the holidays - there isn’t enough time in a day to do everything that needs to be done. Who wants to add making cookies to that list?
There’s a solution, though - and that is making sugar cookies earlier.
But how early can you prepare them, and how long will they last? You will find the answers to these questions below.
How Long Are Sugar Cookies Good For
The amount of time you will be able to store your sugar cookies for will depend on whether you already decorated them or not. There’s one thing, however, that you need no matter how your sugar cookies look, and that is an airtight container. After all, you need to place them somewhere.
However, we will elaborate on this later.
Undecorated Sugar Cookies
When left at room temperature, undecorated sugar cookies can last about a week. You can also decide to refrigerate them.
In this case, the cookies will last about two weeks. Keep in mind though that they can start going stale after about a week.
Finally, you can decide to freeze them. That’s the best option if you want your cookies to last you a while, because when stored properly, frozen sugar cookies can stay fresh for as long as 3 months.
Decorated Sugar Cookies
Now for decorated cookies. If you leave them on the counter, at room temperature, they should be good to go for about two weeks. If you decide to leave them in the fridge, they will last about a week, but keep in mind that it’s best to eat them within the first three days.
When it comes to the freezer, decorated sugar cookies can be kept there as long as undecorated ones, so about three months.
How to Store Sugar Cookies Properly
Just putting your cookies somewhere is not enough - you need to properly store them in order to make them last as long as possible. Here are a few tips that can help you make that happen:
- Always store your cookies only after they have cooled down completely. Otherwise, you will trap moisture which will make your sugar cookies soggy.
- If you’re storing cookies with frosting, remember not to stack them on each other. You will need more space to store them correctly, so if you can, store undecorated cookies and add frosting before serving.
- 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. No matter where you decide to store your sugar cookies, it’s important to place them in an airtight container so that no moisture makes its way into them. If you don’t have it, you can also use a ziplock bag. Ideally, you should also use a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper to separate the cookies, especially if you’re planning on stacking them up.
- Don’t leave the cookies under direct sunlight or heat. If you decide to store your cookies at room temperature, it’s important that you don’t expose them to direct sunlight or heat. Keep them somewhere dark and chilly - a cupboard that isn’t frequently used would be a perfect place for that.
- Store your cookies in smaller portions. If you made quite a bit of cookies, then you should divide them into a few batches and then store them - especially if you’re freezing them, as it will be easier to take out the number of cookies you need instead of all of them.
How to Freeze Your Sugar Cookies
You probably already know this, but in case you don’t, here are some tips on how you can freeze your cookies to make them last as long as possible:
- Make your cookies as usual.
- Leave them to cool down for a few hours.
- Pre-freeze your cookies by placing them on a cookie sheet and letting them sit in the freezer for about an hour or two.
- Once the time is up, place your cookies in the container you want to freeze them in.
- Place a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper if you do more than one layer of cookies.
- Put the date on the packaging so that you know exactly how long your cookies have been sitting in the freezer.
- Place the cookies in the freezer and leave them for as long as needed.
How Long Sugar Cookies Last - Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance can I make sugar cookies for Christmas?
Depending on how you decide to store them, you can make sugar cookies as early as October and put them in the freezer.
Is there a perfect room temperature to store your sugar cookies?
As far as we’re concerned, there’s no ideal room temperature for storing your cookies. That’s because it’s not really about the temperature but about the overall conditions of where your cookies are being stored. It’s important that the cookies are stored somewhere dry and dark.
As long as your home is not really, really hot, you’re good to go, no matter how many degrees you have in the room.
Can you freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, of course! If you want to start Christmas preparations earlier, you can make the dough even in October and put it in the freezer until you’re ready to transform them into delicious cookies.
If you’re wondering how to store your cookie dough, here are some tips:
- Make your cookie dough as usual. Shape it into disks.
- Wrap the disks of cookie dough in plastic wrap.
- Put the cookie dough in zip-top bags and put it in the freezer. Optionally, you can store it in the fridge for the night and move it to the freezer the next day.
Is it better to freeze the dough or the cookies?
It’s honestly better to freeze the dough and just bake the cookies when you need them.
No matter how well you store your cookies, there is a chance that they will become soggy and lose their texture. With just the cookie dough, there’s no risk of that. Not to mention that there’s nothing better than cookies straight out of the oven.
Keep in mind that when you’re using frozen cookie dough, you should keep your cookies in the oven for 3 to 5 minutes longer than the recipe states.
How can I defrost my sugar cookies?
If you have decided to freeze your cookies and it’s finally time for you to eat them, defrosting is very easy - just place the number of cookies you need on a plate and put it in the fridge for a few hours. You can also place them in the oven for a few minutes.
Can you refreeze your cookies?
Technically, you can. However, that’s not the best idea for several reasons, the most important one being that it can ruin the texture of your cookies. So, if you’re not sure how many cookies you will need, it’s best to first take out a smaller amount.
The Bottom Line
Sugar cookies are some of the best desserts you can make.
Not only is their flavor universal (unlike, for example, chocolate, since there are people who don’t like chocolate), but sugar cookies can be made into any shape you want, as long as you have the right cookie cutter.
For that and other reasons, they’re one of the most popular choices when it comes to holidays, especially big ones like Christmas or Easter. And since, as you now know, you can make them as early as two months earlier and just freeze them, they’re perfect for those who seem to never have enough time during the holidays. Just pop them in the oven, and voilà!
If you’re craving cookies, but your culinary abilities aren’t good enough to make some, or you simply don’t have the energy to bake them on your own, you can always order some from The Cravory. Our cookies are handmade, and you have plenty of flavors to choose from, with six new ones being introduced every month. What more could you ask for?
