If you want to keep your cookies for a long time, you should store them properly. We'll tell you what you should pay attention to so that they stay fresh for a long time.
Table of contents
- How do I store cookies correctly?
- How long do homemade cookies last?
- Always fresh cookies: Can I freeze cookies?
During the Christmas season, the ovens in many households are running at full speed - baking as much as they can! But you rarely eat the sweet pastries straight away. That's why the question arises: What to do with the cookies so that they taste fresh for a long time?
Cookies that are stored incorrectly lose their flavor or crumble. Juicy cookies become hard and crispy cookies become soft and mushy. So that this never happens to you again in the future, you can find out here how to store your cookies correctly.
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How do I store cookies correctly?
When storing cookies, it is particularly important that the pastry is completely cool. Decorations made from icing and chocolate should also be dry. This is the only way to prevent the cookies from becoming soft and sticking together when stored.
Besides, you shouldstore each type of cookie in a separate cookie jar,so that the cookies do not lose their respective aroma and consistency. Juicy cookies should not be put in the same container as dry ones and vice versa. Although all varieties require an airtight storage location, they require different treatments within the can. We'll tell you here which cookies are best stored in which container.
1. Store shortcrust pastry cookies: vanilla crescents, butter cookies, etc.
Shortcrust pastry cookies are actually quite easy to store. They belong in a classic biscuit tin, preferably made of tin. In plastic or plastic containers, the cookies can become soft after just a few days and also run the risk of molding.
Recipe tip:
In order for the cookies to stay crisp and fresh for as long as possible, they mustairtight and protected from lightbe packaged. The tin can should be tightly closed and stored at room temperature. Please do not put in the refrigerator, especially not cookies that have been decorated with chocolate. The chocolate turns gray in the refrigerator and no longer tastes good.
Our tip: The vast majority of cookie tins already have some kind of aluminum coating on the inside. If this is not the case, line your cookie tin with aluminum foil by hand. This ensures that the cookies stay dry and crisp for a long time.
2. Store gingerbread and cinnamon stars
Gingerbread and cinnamon stars should also be stored in an airtight container in a cookie jar. But in contrast to shortcrust pastry cookies, cinnamon stars and the like should remain soft and juicy.
In order for this to happen, you should first leave the gingerbread outside for a day after baking so that it can soak nicely and become juicy.
Then put the gingerbread and cinnamon stars (preferably separately) in a cookie tin. Lay these out with cling film beforehand. To keep the cookies juicy, add a few extraAdd apple slices.This ingenious trick ensures that enough moisture remains in the tin, the cookies do not dry out and retain their aroma.
Important:Everyone should have the apple slicesReplaced 2 to 3 daysto ensure that nothing gets moldy.
3. Store macaroons properly
Thanks to the high sugar content, macarons usually last quite a long time, around 2 to 3 weeks. Since they are juicy cookies, similar to cinnamon stars and gingerbread, you should keep them airtight. Here, too, you can line the cookie tin with cling film beforehand so that the macaroons retain their consistency for as long as possible. As soon as they harden, you can also store them with a few apple slices.
AlsoCookies filled with jamyou should put them in a cookie tin lined with cling film.
How long do homemade cookies last?
How long your homemade cookies last depends on what cookies they are and whether you store them correctly. Here is a rough list of the most popular types of cookies, including their shelf life.
Gingerbread and cinnamon stars:Last several months
Shortbread cookies:about 4 weeks
Butter cookies:about 4 weeks
Vanilla crescents:about 4 weeks
The coconut macaroon:3 weeks
Filled cookies:A few days
Also read:
Always fresh cookies: Can I freeze cookies?
To extend their shelf life, you can actually freeze most cookies. This applies, for example, to “dry” varieties such as butter cookies, shortbread cookies or vanilla crescents. But gingerbread and cinnamon stars can also be frozen without any problems. To do this, put the cookies in a freezer bag and place it sealed in your freezer.
Simply take the cookies out of the freezer and out of the bag 1-2 hours before eating and let them thaw at room temperature. If you're in a hurry, put the cookies on a plate in the microwave and turn on the defrost function. You can also bake frozen cookies in the oven. Bake at around 180 degrees for 5 minutes and they taste like fresh again!
Danger:However, all cookies with filling cannot be frozen. Meringue pastries and cookies decorated with icing, chocolate and sprinkles should also not be frozen.
