How far ahead can baked goods be made?

[Anonymous]

I am baking cookies and fudge for several people this week but will see them different days, from today through Thursday. I know the cookies and fudge won't go bad by Thursday but I myself and pretty particular about eating things that are fresh so am worried they won't be as good by Thursday. Am I being neurotic?

[Anonymous]

In an airtight container, cookies will be good for anywhere from 3 days to a week, depending on the cookie. Leave them on the counter and they will go stale within a couple of days.

But they last much longer in the fridge, especially if they are relatively moist. So just store them in there.

Fudge I don't know about.

[Anonymous]

It depends heavy on moisture content. A dryer cookie like a gingersnap or chocolate chip lasts just fine. Something more moist like a pumpkin cookie diminishes quite quickly. And then avoiding moisture in storage is important too.

[Anonymous]

Freeze them

[Anonymous]

To keep cookies soft, put a slice of bread in the container. It really works. It kept my cookies soft for a few days. I also like to give cookies fresh. I will bake Wednesday and deliver them the next day.

[Anonymous]

Most cookies can be frozen. If you’re gifting within a few days, refrigerate them. Will easily take you through Thursday.

[Anonymous]

I try not to freeze baked goods I am giving to someone else so they can freeze them if desired. They may be traveling and not be able to enjoy them right away.

[Anonymous]

They will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Fudge lasts forever. The cookies won’t be as good, but they’ll be good enough.

If you’ve got a bit of time, you could also refrigerate the cookie dough in balls and just bake them fresh the day you’re going to give them away.

[Anonymous]

Package the cookies in the box or bag or whatever you’re giving them in, then wrap that well with plastic and put it in the freezer. Take it and leave it wrapped for at least a few hours or overnight before you take off the plastic and gift it.

[Anonymous]

Can’t you just bake separately in batches? If you’re particular about fresh cookies seems rude to give almost stale cookies. Especially if you want them to last for your recipients.

[Anonymous]

Yes, you are being neurotic. Everything will be fine in air tight containers

[Anonymous]

Will it be as good as the day you made it? No. But it will be fine and enjoyable still. Especially if they have kids. Mine would happily eat day old or week old or two week old cookies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fudge lasts forever. The cookies won’t be as good, but they’ll be good enough.

If you’ve got a bit of time, you could also refrigerate the cookie dough in balls and just bake them fresh the day you’re going to give them away.

Or make cookies where you can refrigerate the dough in a tube or block. Those black and white checker or stripe cookies (with the chocolate and vanilla dough) are good for this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I try not to freeze baked goods I am giving to someone else so they can freeze them if desired. They may be traveling and not be able to enjoy them right away.

There are definitely foods that aren’t safe to consume if they’ve been frozen and thawed multiple times, but I don’t think cookies are among those.