How Long Do Cookies Last?

If you’re an ambitious gift-giver and a proud home baker, you probably plan to do a lot of cookie baking for Christmas. And if you’re a seasoned home baker, you know that making the recipes ahead of time is a great way to stay on track and cut chaos in the kitchen. But some types of cookies last longer than others, making them better suited as Christmas cookie exchange ideas.

So, how long do cookies last? In general, baked cookies will be fine at room temperature for about five days, and most cookies can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature or stashed in the freezer. Of course, some cookies require special storage. Your biscotti won’t hold well if you store them like frosted peppermint meltaways, and your delicate pizzelles can’t be made as far in advance as something like slice-and-bake cookies.

We dispel the mystery behind proper Christmas cookie storage, covering the shelf life of each type of cookie and tips on the best way to prepare cookie dough in advance. An organized kitchen with proper cookie storage is one of the secrets to creating the best cookie platter.

How to Store Drop Cookies

Drop cookies are an easy cookie style to make. Cookies like chocolate chip cookies, chewy oatmeal cookies and cowboy cookies are all fairly sturdy. They can be stacked without fear of crushing or ruining any sort of decoration.

• At room temperature: Stored in an airtight container on the counter, baked drop cookies should last about a week. If they get a little too crunchy for your liking, you can soften cookies with a slice of bread.
• In the freezer: Baked drop cookies will keep in the freezer for up to six months. Freeze cookies in a single layer, then store them in a freezer-safe container.
• Cookie dough: You can store drop cookie dough in the freezer for up to six months. To make things easy, portion the dough with a cookie scoop and freeze it. Once fully frozen, pop the dough balls into an airtight container or a zip-top bag for long-term freezer storage.

How to Store Cutout Cookies

Cutout cookies—whether they’re frosting-decorated sugar cookies or gingerbread men—are musts around the holidays. They’re also excellent candidates for freezing.

• At room temperature: Cutout cookies should be stored in an airtight container and eaten within a week of baking.
• In the freezer: Baked cutouts can be stored in the freezer for up to six months. Be sure to freeze them undecorated because frostings and glazes don’t hold up well in the freezer.
• Cookie dough: You can stash cutout cookie dough in the refrigerator for up to three days, since it often needs to be chilled anyway. Or, keep the dough in the freezer for up to six months.

How to Store Icebox Cookies

Slice-and-bake cookies like icebox cookies are almost as sturdy as drop cookies, so they stack easily. As a bonus, this kind of cookie dough is specifically designed to be made in advance and stashed in the fridge or freezer.

• At room temperature: Baked icebox cookies can be kept stacked in an airtight container or a zip-top bag. Eat them within five days so they taste their best.
• In the freezer: As the name indicates, icebox cookies freeze well. Just plan on enjoying them within six months.
• Cookie dough: You can keep logs of icebox cookie dough in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer for six months. Be sure to wrap the logs tightly with storage wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag.

How to Store Shortbread and Spritz Cookies

Shortbread (like Scottish shortbread) and spritz cookies are great choices if you want cookies that will last a while.

• At room temperature: Like most cookies, shortbread and spritz are best stored in an airtight container. They will last for up to two weeks.
• In the freezer: Shortbread and spritz cookies can be kept in the freezer for up to six months.
• Cookie dough: You can make shortbread and spritz cookie dough in advance. (Chilling is generally recommended for shortbread anyway!) Prep the dough ahead of time and stash it in the fridge for up to three days. You can also freeze disks of dough for about three months.

How to Store Twice-Baked Cookies

Twice-baked cookies, like biscotti and mandel bread, have a longer shelf life than most homemade cookies. We like to start our holiday baking with these options because they’ll stay fresh while we finish making the rest of the treats for our cookie tray.

• At room temperature: Twice-baked cookies will be good for up to two weeks when stored in an airtight container.
• In the freezer: These cookies can be frozen for up to six months. After thawing on the counter, revive the cookies by crisping them up in a 300°F oven. A few minutes should do the trick.
• Cookie dough: It’s best to bake biscotti and other twice-baked cookies right away. Don’t make this dough in advance.

How to Store Delicate Cookies

Everyone loves a dainty cookie now and again! Sweets like lace cookies, pizzelles or lacy brandy snaps feel like a real treat. However, these bakes require extra storage considerations, and they have a short shelf life. So, you might want to bake them last when preparing a holiday cookie tray.

• At room temperature: Most delicate cookies don’t store well, so eat them as quickly as possible—within three days is best. Store them in a single layer so they keep their gorgeous form. And wait to fill your brandy snaps with whipped cream until just before serving, otherwise you’ll have to store them in the fridge (and they’ll get a little soggy).
• In the freezer: Delicate cookies do not store well in the freezer.
• Cookie dough: Most delicate cookies rely on batters that should be prepped and used immediately. Don’t make the batter in advance.

How to Store Frosted Cookies

Frosted cookies require special care when storing. Store decorated cookies in a single layer in an airtight container, as stacking can mess up your beautiful designs.

• In the refrigerator: Any cookies topped with dairy ingredients, like cream cheese frosting or whipped cream, should be stored in the fridge. Enjoy them within three days.
• At room temperature: Cookies that have frostings like royal icing can be stored at room temperature. These frosted cookies also last up to three days.
• In the freezer: Frosting and decorations don’t hold up in the freezer. If you need to freeze these cookies, do so before they’re decorated.

Tips to Keep Cookies Fresh

To ensure that your cookies last as long as possible, it’s important to store cookies according to the directions for each type. Regardless of the type of cookie, airtight containers are your friend here. Stay away from flimsy cookie tins! For freezer storage, two layers of wrapping are a good idea to prevent freezer burn.

Here are a few more tips to make your handiwork last:

• Let the cookies cool after baking: Always allow cookies to cool completely to room temperature on a wire rack. If the cookies are still warm when they hit the storage containers, the trapped heat will make them soggy.
• Store different types of cookies separately: Soft cookies could make crisp cookies limp, and vice versa, so avoid combining various types of cookies in the same airtight container. There’s also a risk of the flavors melding together. That might not be so bad for a batch of peppermint cookies and a batch of chocolate cookies, but blending flavors like peppermint and lemon might not have such a pleasant effect.
• Keep delicate cookies in a single layer: Drop cookies and twice-baked cookies are sturdy enough to be stacked between sheets of parchment or wax paper. But the same can’t be said for delicate cookies or frosted cookies. Those are best stored in a single layer. You might have to get creative with Christmas cookie packaging ideas if you’re combining multiple types of cookies.
• Plan ahead when shipping cookies: Due to their longer shelf life, twice-baked cookies and cookie-press cookies are your best bets for shipping to a faraway friend. They’re usually hearty enough to survive the journey and still taste relatively fresh once received.