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One of the most popular Christmas cookies is sugar cookies. They are also one of the simplest to prepare. In this article, I’ll talk about how many days ahead of time you can prepare sugar cookies and still have them taste amazing and fresh.

Baked sugar cookies may be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months if properly preserved. Sugar cookies may be prepared up to 5 days ahead of time if properly preserved. The trick to baking sugar cookies that taste as delicious as they did when they were originally cooked is to properly preserve them.

When I have a large number of visitors, I try to make my sweets ahead of time to save time in the kitchen. As a consequence, it’s critical to understand how many days ahead of time you can create sugar cookies. Continue reading for more details!

When Is the Best Time to Prepare Sugar Cookie Dough?

Sugar cookie dough can keep in the fridge for approximately 5 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months. Place the cookie dough in an airtight container after wrapping it with plastic wrap. As a result, you may create your dough ahead of time and have it ready to go when you need it.

I bought a set of baking sheets for myself, and they work well! On Amazon, you can get this Nonstick Cookie Sheet Set! I just discovered the Ideal Nonstick Cookie Sheets *By the way, if you’re searching for some new cookie sheets for your kitchen,

Thus, if you want to bake in a few days, create your cookie dough 5 days ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. If you want to bake them later, create your dough ahead of time and freeze it.

For freezing sugar cookie dough, cover it securely in plastic wrap or keep it in an airtight container. This will assist to avoid freezer burn and keep the dough fresher for a longer period of time.

Continue reading to learn how to keep your cookies fresher for longer!

Is it possible to make sugar cookies ahead of time?

Sugar cookies may be made ahead of time in general. It is sometimes advised to bake them a few days ahead of time to let them to fully set and firm. This will help them keep their form when you attempt to decorate them later.

Sugar cookies may be kept at room temperature for up to a week in an airtight container. You may freeze them for up to three months to prolong their shelf life.

Before freezing, wrap them securely in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container.

*By the way, I just published an article on How to Repair and Preserve Your Burned Cookies. This article explains how to mend burned cookies so that they seem freshly made. This article may be found here!

The table below indicates how long sugar cookies may be kept fresh in an airtight container:

Storage at Room Temperature Storage in Refrigerator Storage in Freezer
For up to 5 days For up to 2 weeks For up to 3 months

When ready to eat, just defrost the sugar cookies at room temperature or reheat them in the oven for a few minutes to crisp them up again. In any case, they’ll taste as fresh and wonderful as the day you baked them.

Hence, if you want to save time over the holiday season, bake your sugar cookies ahead of time. As long as you keep them correctly, they will taste just as nice and fresh as if you cooked them the day before!

*Side Note: You may also be interested in learning How To Properly Store Cookies. I have published an article that discusses all you need to know about Storing Cookies To Make Them Last, which you can read here!

How Long Can You Keep Sugar Cookies Fresh?

Sugar cookies should be refrigerated in an airtight jar at room temperature for a week. If you want to prolong their shelf life, cover them in plastic wrap, store them in an airtight container, and keep them in the fridge.

It is also a good idea to individually wrap the cookies before putting them in the container. This will keep them from sticking together and forming a giant cookie glob.

You should avoid storing them in an airtight cookie jar that is regularly opened, since this can cause them to dry out and become hard.

Yet, there is a distinction between cookies with and without frosting. If you use frosting on your cookies, they will not last as long. Keep them out of direct sunshine and heat, which will cause the icing to melt or fade.

You should ideally consume them within three to five days after cooking them. It is preferable to freeze them if you wish to store them for a longer period of time.

Iced sugar cookies that are properly preserved will generally survive longer than sugar cookies that are not frosted. This is due to the frosting acting as a barrier, preventing the cookie from drying out.

*By the way, I just published an essay titled How Many Cookies Do You Need Per Person For Christmas. In this essay, I calculated how many cookies to prepare for each individual for Christmas. This is essential knowledge to have in order to always have enough cookies! This article may be found here!

How Do You Keep Sugar Cookie Dough Fresh?

Cover the bowl securely with plastic wrap or put it in an airtight container for keeping the dough in the fridge. If you’re storing the dough in an airtight container, cover it in plastic wrap to protect it from freezer burn and dehydration.

*By the way, I found the perfect 24 Piece Set of Cookie Cutters that come in a variety of shapes and sizes that are ideal for shaping your cookie dough the proper way. These cutters are available on Amazon!

To freeze cookie dough, first flatten it into a disk form. Cover the disk in plastic wrap securely, ensuring sure there are no air pockets.

The wrapped dough should then be placed in a freezer-safe bag. Eliminate as much air as possible from the bag before closing it.

If you don’t have freezer-safe bags, an airtight container that prevents moisture from entering or exiting will suffice.

How Long Do Royal Icing Sugar Cookies Keep Fresh?

In general, how sugar cookies with royal icing are preserved depends on how they are stored. When properly kept in the fridge, they may usually last up to a week. Storing in an airtight container helps keep the icing fresh and prevent it from drying out.

Store iced sugar cookies in sealed containers away from direct sunlight, as you would any iced sugar cookies. You may store them in the fridge or freezer to make them last longer.

If you wish to soften your cookies after they’ve been refrigerated, wrap them in a moist paper towel and microwave for 10 seconds, or until soft.

*Side Note: You may also be interested in learning How To Make Cookies Without A Cookie Sheet. I just published an article on What Can You Use To Make Cookies Without A Cookie Sheet, which you can read here!

Can I leave sugar cookies out to dry overnight?

Sugar cookies may be left out overnight to dry, but they must be carefully covered. It is best to leave frosted sugar cookies out overnight to allow the frosting to set properly. To keep them fresh, wrap them in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container.

It is common practice to leave sugar cookies out to dry. This contributes to the distinctive crisp texture of these delectable biscuits.

But, if you leave them out to dry, they may get entirely dry.

*By the way, I just published an essay titled Why Do Cookies Soften When Left Out. This article explains why cookies soften over time when left out. This article may be found here!

To keep them from drying out, store them in an airtight container or carefully wrap them in plastic wrap. This will assist in keeping them fresh and wet.

Can Sugar Cookie Dough Be Refrigerated Overnight?

In general, refrigerating sugar cookie dough overnight is OK. That is really advised since it helps to keep the cookies from spreading too much while baking. Typically, cookie dough should be refrigerated before baking. The dough will benefit from being refrigerated overnight.

While baking any kind of cookie, it is critical to cool the dough before placing it in the oven. This freezes the fats in the dough, preventing the cookies from melting and spreading all over the baking sheet.

They will keep their shape and consistency when baked if refrigerated in the fridge!

Refrigerating your cookie dough overnight ensures that it is sufficiently cooled for baking.

When placing the dough in the fridge, cover it securely in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container to keep it from drying out.

*By the way, I just published an essay titled Why Your Cookies Aren’t Spreading. This article discusses all of the reasons why your cookies will stay in a ball rather than spreading into a cookie form. This article may be found here!

Last Thoughts

Sugar cookies are a must-have item for every holiday or season. It’s crucial to know how to prepare cookies ahead of time to spare yourself a headache during the holiday season!