Can you freeze decorated sugar cookies? Yes, you absolutely can! You can freeze them un-iced or decorated. Let’s dive into all of the best methods for how to store royal icing cookies.
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How to dry cookies decorated with royal icing
First, let’s make sure our cookies are dried properly to begin with. Make sure your cookies are drying on a flat surface (like a baking sheet–NOT a cookie drying rack with expose holes underneath the cookie). As long as the cookie is iced and is on a flat surface, the only part of the cookie exposed to their air are the sides.
You MUST wait until your cookies are completely dried before you can store them in an airtight container. You CANNOT put royal icing cookies in an airtight container until the icing is hard to the touch. This takes about 8 hours.
Read this post for more information on how long it takes royal icing to dry and troubleshooting icing not drying correctly.
How to store royal icing cookies
Short-term storage
Once the cookies are completely dried they can be stored in an airtight container (either just stacked on top of each other or for a safer storage in between layers of PARCHMENT–not wax). Whether or not you need to put parchment paper in between depends on your cookie recipe (some stick together more than others–I’ve never had that issue with my recipe) and/or if they’re decorated (generally speaking I’d recommend there always be something separating the cookies if they’re decorated).
I will store cookies this way (either un-iced or decorated) for up to 1 week. If I know I’ll be using them after 1 week, then I’ll freeze them.
Long-term storage
If keeping the cookies for longer than 1 week, I recommend freezing. For freezing, I recommend layering the cookies in between PARCHMENT (not wax) paper in an airtight container (unless you heat seat them like I do, then you don’t need to do this!).
For larger quantities of cookies I have a larger container where I can store two layers of cookies upright. So many cookies!!
How to thaw/defrost:
When you’re ready to defrost, you MUST leave the cookies in the container on the counter (and/or still in their heat sealed bag) until they are fully defrosted. If you take them out too early when they’re iced the icing will melt/bleed as it defrosts. I usually give them at least 6 hours to defrost. Cookies can stay frozen for at least 6 months (but I’ve gone longer!)
How far in advance can you make the cookies?
If you want to make your cookies in advance… totally doable!
1 week before event: I start the process UP TO 1 week before the event and don’t do any freezing in this time period (either of the icing or cookies).
More than 1 week before event: I usually like to freeze baked un-iced cookies and prepped fresh batches of icing (I’m always paranoid iced cookies will not defrost correctly, even though that RARELY happens). You CAN completely decorate and freeze before the event though!
Check out this post for more detailed instructions on how to store royal icing.
How long do decorate sugar cookies last?
On the counter in an airtight container, I’d say up to 3-4 weeks. Personally, I prefer to eat them within 1 week or freeze them. Frozen properly, they can easily lats 3-6 months (or more!). You can even freeze dough before it’s baked (just makes sure it is VERY securely airtight!).
After your cookies are baked and iced with royal icing, they can be frozen. Once your iced cookies have completely dried, place them in an airtight container, like a plastic freezer bag or Tupperware, with sheets of waxed paper in between any layers, and pop them in your freezer.
After your cookies are baked and iced with royal icing, they can be frozen. Once your iced cookies have completely dried, place them in an airtight container, like a plastic freezer bag or Tupperware, with sheets of waxed paper in between any layers, and pop them in your freezer.
Baked and decorated cookies can be stored at room temperature in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks. Make sure that your icing has hardened completely before stacking the cookies, and adding a layer of parchment paper between cookie layers is always a good idea for some additional protection.
If you have enough of one color icing to warrant using a container, again make sure that you lay cling wrap over the surface of the icing and choose a container that can get an airtight seal. You can freeze small amounts of icing in sealed piping bags!
After baking, allow cookies to cool completely. Place them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet to freeze them, then store them in a freezer-safe zip-top storage bag labeled with the name and date. Squeeze out extra air and place flat in the freezer. To save space, you can flat-stack freezer bags.
Can you freeze edible cookie images on a cookie? You certainly can! This cookie was in the freezer for 6 weeks. The edible cookie image looked the same as when it came off the copier.
There's also a new technique going around when preventing craters in a second layer of icing: poke holes in the base flood (under the area you'll cover with a second layer of icing). You can even do this when the first layer flood has completely dried!
So, What Is the Best Way to Store Baked Cookies so They Stay Soft and Chewy? Freezing baked cookies is the best way to keep them tasting fresh. Layer them between parchment paper before storing them in a resealable container (or plastic bag). For this test, we baked and stored a chewy sugar cookie.
To prevent sticking when you store your cookies, arrange them in a single layer and add a piece of parchment paper or waxed paper between layers. (Here's why you should bake cookies on parchment paper, too!)
*Use my royal icing recipe. Icing will completely set in about 2 hours at room temperature. If you're layering royal icing onto cookies for specific designs and need it to set quickly, place cookies in the refrigerator to speed it up.
I prefer to pipe with fresh from the freezer outline/bead if I have to continue with them after flooding. Wrapped with saran and stored in plastic bags, the icing holds about 3 days in the fridge and a month in the freezer.
How to store cookies decorated with royal icing? To store cookies decorated with royal icing, keep them in a single layer in an airtight container. Add parchment paper between layers to prevent any potential smudging.
Remember to always use an airtight container, or even freezer bags. I almost never throw away my extra icing when done with a project, and freeze them straight away in the piping bags.
A: From Wilton site: The icing has a suggested freshness range of 24 months from the Julian Date Code stamped on the bottom. For example: 19114, the first two numbers are the year (2019), and the last three numbers (114) are the day of the year out of 365, which is April 24.
Yes! If you want to freeze this treat, first, cut the cookie into 12 pieces. Then set the frosted cookie cake onto a sheet pan and place it in the freezer for about an hour, or until solid. Be sure to label and date, and then store it in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.
Heat Sealing. Heat sealing is magic sauce when it comes to decorated sugar cookies. A heat sealed cookie that's completely protected from air can last anywhere from 4-6 weeks!
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