To throw them out or not to throw them out- that is the question! Whether your event was postponed or you have a few cookies left over from your big day, you may find yourself wondering what to do with the cookies to make them have the longest shelf life. I’m here to tell you how you can freeze your decorated sugar cookies which can make them last for months and months after you’ve received them. So no- don’t throw them out or feel like you have to eat them all in a day! Freezing cookies is a great way to make your cookies last longer and give you that sweet tooth fix you know you’ll have in the future.
How long do cookies stay fresh in their heat-sealed bags?
The good part to know is that royal icing sugar cookies can stay fresh in their heat-sealed bags for upwards of 2 weeks so if your event is postponed for a few days, you may not even have to worry about freezing them at all! If your event is a week or so out, I’d suggest freezing the cookies to lock in the freshness and make them taste like the day they were baked. Here are a few tips to follow if you are looking at freezing your cookies.
Things you’ll need to freeze your sugar cookies.
First and foremost, the cookies need to be in their heat-sealed bags for this to work. Already cut the cookies out of the bags they came in? You can purchase self-seal cellophane bags from Amazon or Michaels and they will work just as well as the heat-sealed ones. Just search “self-sealing cellophane bags” on Amazon and a ton of options will pop up and they all work for this. Once the cookies are bagged in their bags, you’ll want to get an airtight container to place the cookies in. Make sure the container is big enough to store the cookies without crushing the bottom layer but small enough to fit upright in your freezer. To play it even safer, get a container big enough to store the cookies so they can stand up on their sides versus laying flat. This will make sure the details aren’t squished and they are just as pretty as the day you got them!
How to freeze your cookies.
Once the cookies and their bags have been placed into the container, double-check that the lid is on securely and place the entire container into the freezer. If the lid is loose, you run the risk of condensation or ice forming inside the container which can lead to it forming inside the bags which can eat away at the icing. Decorated cookies can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months before you’ll want to consider tossing them.
How to thaw your sugar cookies.
If you are finally ready for a little snack or your event has arrived, follow these next few steps to the “T” to ensure your cookies look as good as the day you froze them.
The first step you’ll want to do is take the container out of the freezer the night before you need the cookies and, without removing the lid, let them set on the counter at room temperature overnight so that the container and the cookies come to room temperature together. The most important part is leaving the lid on the container so that the condensation forms on the outside of the container vs inside of the cookie bags. Once the container has come to room temperature completely, you are safe to open up the container and remove the cookies! Feel free to cut the cookies out of their bags or leave them in the bag to guarantee they stay fresh for days.
It’s as easy as that! You’ll not even notice a difference in taste from freshly baked and frozen sugar cookies because all the freezer does is lock in the freshness so the cookies don’t dry out. It’s suggested to only freeze and thaw cookies once to be on the safe side or you run the risk of changes in temperature, moisture content and quality.