cookies in advance?

[Anonymous]

Want to get started on our hoilday cookies (we hand out gift boxes the week/days before xmas), but am not sure which i can make ahead & freeze. butterscotch chip, cranberry/white chocolate chip are already done & frozen, but what abotu the:

- gingerbread men (to be decorated)
- sugar cookies (to be decorated)
- homemade twix bars (shortbread, caramel & chocolate)

[Anonymous]

I have just spent five hours making double batches of our favorites and putting them in freezer zip lock bags in the fridge. I will be taking out what I need and baking some of each to bag and give. The doughs for the gingerbread and sugar cookies should freeze fine. I just read a tip about rolling out dough and freezing it in sheets for easy/quick thawing and using for cutting out. If you have the time now, cut them, bake them and freeze them. You can just let them come to room temp for the decorating - and eating

When defrosting any of the cookies you described, I would separate them on a cooling sheet and let them come to room temp. Covering them may cause some extra moisture to be retained and would make them sticky. Good luck!