Cookies are at their best when fresh from the oven, but sometimes they need to be kept for a few days. If you've resisted the urge to eat them right away, you can keep them in an airtight container along with a piece of bread, which will keep them fresh longer. If you want to keep them for a long time, put them in a zip-lock bag and then freeze them.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Store Cookies in a Container
Step 1. Let the cookies cool completely after taking them out of the oven
When they are hot they release moisture into the air, therefore, closing them immediately inside a container, would make the other biscuits become mushy. Nobody wants to eat soft cookies, so it's important to let them cool on a large flat surface, spaced from each other, before transferring them to the container.
The ideal solution is to put them to cool on a rack, but alternatively a baking tray, tray or plates can also work
Step 2. Transfer the cookies to an airtight container
Indoors they will be protected from moisture and will not become mushy or excessively crumbly. You can use a plastic container with a lid or a food bag with a zip closure, two practical and inexpensive solutions. It is better that they are the right size to limit the amount of air and keep the cookies fresh longer.
- If you have prepared different types of cookies, keep them in separate containers otherwise you risk that the softer ones will make the harder ones less crunchy, while the soft ones will harden because they will lose moisture.
- If you want to use a plastic container, make sure it is suitable for storing food.
- For cookies that are naturally crunchy and hard it is best to use a small container, such as a glass jar, that contains as little air as possible.
Step 3. Separate the cookie layers with parchment paper
If there are a lot of them and you need to stack them in the container, place pieces of parchment paper between the layers to prevent them from sticking together.
- If you don't have parchment paper, you can use foil.
- Iced or very soft biscuits should be stored in a single layer, without overlapping them, to prevent them from spoiling.
Step 4. Place a piece of white bread in the container to keep the cookies fresh
It will absorb moisture thus allowing the cookies to stay fresh and crunchy for longer. Add the piece of bread as the last item inside the container or bag.
If you don't have bread at home, you can temporarily use bread sticks, crackers or something similar
Step 5. Store the cookies at room temperature
Homemade ones that have a soft texture will keep fresh for 3 days, while hard (or packaged) ones will last up to 2 weeks… but if they are good they will probably finish much sooner! Keep the container out of direct sunlight.
Method 2 of 2: Freeze the Cookies
Step 1. Let the cookies cool before transferring them to freezer bags
Wait until they are cool to the touch, otherwise the moisture they release as they cool will get trapped inside the bag making the cookies soggy. Use zip lock bags; they must be large enough to allow you to arrange them in a single layer.
- The bags must be sealed, otherwise the cookies could absorb the odors of other foods in the freezer.
- If the recipe calls for the cookies to be frosted, freeze them without the frosting and then add it once thawed. Both the look and the taste will benefit.
Step 2. If necessary, use more than one bag to arrange the cookies in a single layer
Use several sealable bags to avoid having to overlap them; in this way you will have the certainty that they do not stick to each other.
Step 3. Store the cookies in the freezer
They can last for several months, but will lose flavor over time. It is best to eat them within 5 months at the latest to be able to enjoy them at their best. Note the packaging date on the bags using a permanent marker to know for sure how long you have kept them in the freezer.
Step 4. Let the cookies thaw at room temperature for 15 minutes
Take them out of the plastic bag and place them on a tray or plate to cool them down. When they are completely thawed, it's time to devour them.
- If you are concerned that insects may be placed on the cookies while they are defrosting, cover them with a light cloth.
- If you want to heat them, you can put them in the microwave for about ten seconds.
Step 5. Store thawed cookies in an airtight container and eat them within a week
If you have decided to defrost them, chances are you are ready to eat them quickly, but if they are left over, transfer them to a closed container to preserve their consistency and freshness longer.
