How long do homemade cookies stay fresh in a gift box?
Crisp and iced cookies keep best, often around a week when sealed well. Soft, chewy cookies are best eaten within a few days.
It depends on the cookie. Dry, crisp and iced cookies keep well, often around a week when sealed. Soft, chewy and filled cookies are best within a few days. Always use your own judgement on freshness.
Roughly, by type
- Shortbread and gingerbread: among the longest keepers.
- Royal-iced sugar cookies: keep well once the icing is fully dry and each one is sealed.
- Chewy chocolate chip: softest in the first couple of days.
- Jam or cream filled: eat soon, and keep cream fillings chilled.
Keeping them at their best
Cool completely before packing, or steam will soften everything. Heat-seal or bag iced cookies individually. Keep soft and crisp cookies apart, since moisture moves from one to the other. Store boxes somewhere cool and dry, away from sunlight.
Baking ahead
Most cookie doughs freeze well. Bake from frozen a day or two before giving for the freshest box.
Learn to pack a gift box, or keep cut-outs from spreading.