How to Keep Cookies Fresh for Longer, According to a Baking Expert

Cookies are best when they’re just out of the oven—chewy centers, crisp edges, and all the flavor baked in. But once they cool, what's the best way to keep your homemade cookies fresh? Should you refrigerate them? Store them with a slice of bread? Freeze the dough or the finished cookies?

We asked Erin Clarkson, the baker and recipe developer behind Cloudy Kitchen, for her expert advice. She's known for her meticulously tested recipes, and her strategies for cookie storage are just as smart. From clever tips to tricks for shipping cookies without turning them into crumbs, here’s how she keeps her cookies tasting fresh, whether they’re being served at a party or mailed across the country.

Let Them Cool—and Seal Them Tight

The first step to freshness is patience. Let them cool completely before storing. "If they’re even a little warm, the residual steam can make them soggy," says Clarkson. Then, she recommends storing the cooled cookies in an airtight container with a really well-fitting lid.

Clarkson's preferred approach, though, starts before the cookies are even baked: “I like to make the dough ahead of time and freeze it. Then I bake the cookies close to when I need them so they’re as fresh as possible.”

Should You Store Cookies with White Bread?

It works—but only in certain cases. “It provides moisture to help make the cookies soft,” explains Clarkson, but she goes on to say she wouldn't use it for a crispy cookie recipe. The trick is best reserved for chewy cookies you want to stay tender.

Don't Mix Crisp and Soft Cookies

Some cookies are meant to stay crisp; others are soft by design. Store them together, and neither will turn out quite right. “The soft ones will make the crispy ones soggy,” Erin warns. Her solution: “I usually store each cookie separately.”

Where You Store Them Matters

Room temperature, about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, is usually your best bet for maintaining flavor and texture. "I like to store them at room temperature as it makes them more enjoyable to eat," Erin says.

The refrigerator: Though it's not Clarkson's go-to, the refrigerator is an option. "If you chill them, make sure it’s in a super airtight container so they don’t take on the flavor of whatever's in the fridge."

The freezer: Freezing works well for longer-term storage. But Erin prefers freezing dough over baked cookies: “It gives you the best of both worlds—prep ahead of time, but serve freshly baked.”

The Right Containers Make a Difference

We love a pretty cookie jar, but the truth is that most aren't great at keeping cookies fresh. Clarkson's pick is a plastic or glass container, with the most important feature being a tightly fitting lid. She says she uses plastic containers most often, but also has some glass ones she uses with a vacuum sealer for extra freshness. For delicate cookies or to prevent sticking, she layers parchment paper between them.

Refreshing Stale Cookies

If your cookies have started to lose their spark, don’t write them off. “You can give them a little flash refresh in the oven to warm them slightly,” says Clarkson. It won’t work miracles, but it can revive their flavor and texture enough to make them worth enjoying again.

Shipping Tips That Work

Want your cookies to arrive as fresh and intact as when they left your kitchen? Choose your recipe carefully. Don’t go for something that’s already crumbly, as it will turn to dust in shipping, says Clarkson. "Go for a more sturdy cookie, and package it well in an airtight container."