There is nothing quite as delicious as a freshly baked cookie. We wish we could capture that taste forever! Luckily, we have 12 kitchen hacks to help your cookies stay fresh for longer. Take a look at these tricks and make sure to use them all so your delicious homemade cookies last for days and days.
1. Store Cookies With Bread
Go to the recipe: Biscoff Butter Cookies
It's so simple to make hard cookies soft again with bread. All you need is a container or jar with a tight-fitting lid and a fresh slice of white bread. It’s important to use white bread so that the cookies don’t absorb other flavors.
Place the bread on the bottom of the jar. Then put the cookies on top and tightly close the jar. Now, keep the jar closed for at least 24 hours so that the cookies have time to absorb moisture from the bread. If after 24 hours the cookies are still hard, replace the bread with fresh bread, and then put the lid back on for another 6 hours.
2. Use The Microwave
Go to the recipe: Raspberry Cheesecake Cookies
Next, let’s learn how to soften hard cookies in the microwave! This method works wonderfully well if you want to know how to make cookies soft again fast and plan to eat them right away. Just keep in mind once they cool off the cookies become even harder.
Just wrap a cookie or two in a damp paper towel and then put it in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds. The moisture from the paper towel should soften the cookies right up. So if you wonder how to soften hard cookies quickly? Microwave is the way!
3. Store Cookies with Sugar Cubes
Go to the recipe: Brownie Cookies
For this next method, I’m going to show you how to soften hard cookies without a microwave, but instead using sugar cubes! Sugar cubes will just add some moisture back into them similar to how the white bread method works.
All you have to do is put some sugar cubes in the bottom of an airtight container and then place the cookies on top. Just make sure to secure the lid tightly. Then leave the cookies in the container with the sugar for 12 hours
4. Add Apple Slices to the Jar
Go to the recipe: Oatmeal Craisin Cookies
This tutorial even covers how to soften hard cookies with apple, which is also a great way to learn how to soften stale cookies as well! Yet, your cookies may take on a bit of apple flavor, which could make them even tastier if you’re trying to soften my Oatmeal Craisin Cookies.
First, put some sliced apple in the bottom of an airtight container or jar. Then put the cookies on top and close the container. Now, leave the cookies in the container for about 24 hours.
5. Wrap Your Cookies in Plastic Wrap
Go to the recipe: Chocolate chip walnut cookies
This method is perfect for when the cookies first come out of the oven and you realize that you’ve baked them for too long.
Just wrap each individual cookie in plastic wrap while they are still warm and the moisture created should soften them back up. You could also try putting all the cookies into a container to lock the heat in and steam them a bit. These are both super easy ways to soften hard cookies quickly by using steam.
6. Always Chill Your Dough
Go to the recipe: Tiramisu Cookies
Most cookie recipes require chilling time before baking for butter to solidify which helps to avoid flat cookies. However, some less reliable recipes simply use a higher proportion of flour that makes the cookie dough already solid enough to bake immediately, claiming it is a "no chill cookie" recipe.
This extra flour, in fact, make the dough less soft, however, also results in dry and hard cookies, simply because the dry ingredients (flour) are off compared to the fat (butter). Do not trust cookie recipes that claim that they are "no chill" as they almost always result in overly dry and hard cookies.
7. Cool the Cookies Completely
Go to the recipe: Danish Butter Cookies
Before you put your cookies into an airtight container or zippered bag, make sure they are no longer hot. Warm cookies will create a lot of moisture when placed in a container, causing the cookies to get wet and soggy. Make sure your cookies are at room temperature or colder before storing them.
8. Store Cookies in Layers
Go to the recipe: Lemon Ricotta Cookies
Store your cookies in an airtight container with layers of parchment between the cookies rather than piling them on top of each other. This not only prevents the cookies from sticking together when stacked, but it will also help keep them fresh. The parchment paper adds an extra layer of protection from the drying air.
9. Skip The Frosting
Go to the recipe: Greek Yogurt Cookies
If you made perfect cookies that are topped with frosting or icing, it is best to keep the frosting off of the cookies until you are ready to serve them. Frostings tend to make the cookies turn soft and mushy after a few days. Frosting will also get hard and crunchy, quickly losing its light and fluffy texture. Keep the frosting on the side and add it to your cookies right before you are ready to eat!
10. Freeze The Dough
Go to the recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookies Without Butter
Rather than baking all of your cookie dough right after you make it, portion the dough and freeze it in a zippered freezer bag. Anytime you want a fresh cookie, just preheat your oven, put the frozen cookie dough on a baking tray then bake! Frozen cookie dough usually only takes one or two minutes longer to bake and will give you fresh, warm cookies anytime you want. This is the absolute best way to have a fresh cookie on demand.
11. Use Zippered Storage Bags
Go to the recipe: Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies
To make sure your cookies are completely sealed and stored in an airtight container, use zippered plastic bags. Place your cookies inside a bag then seal it shut. You can rest assured that no drying air will get to your cookies thanks to the air-tight seal! Plus, we all have those zippered food bags already in our pantry. They are fantastic for storing cookies for days and days.
12. Freeze Baked Cookies
Go to the recipe: Coconut Cookies
If you have extra cookies, wrap them up and freeze them. Anytime you crave a homemade cookie, just pull one out of the freezer and microwave it for about thirty seconds. You will have a warm cookie in minutes! Plus, most baked cookies will keep in the freezer for up to three months making your batch of cookies last a very, very long time.
More From Spatula Desserts
The best classic American desserts to make at home! You might be familiar with some of these traditional American desserts, but I'll bet there are a few you've never heard of.
Go to the recipes: American Desserts
Best Birthday Cake Ideas
This list of birthday cake ideas covers everything you need, from showstopping centerpieces to simple sheet cakes. Find your favorite, and surely thank me later. Because if you can't bake for a birthday, what's your excuse?
Go to the recipes: Birthday Cake Ideas
Best Fancy Desserts
If you are looking for the best fancy desserts to impress your friends, you have come to the right place! A delicious, sweet dessert is a delightful way to complete a delicious meal. However, while there are hundreds of desserts to choose from, sometimes you want to give them an extra fancy touch for a special occasion.
Go to the recipes: Fancy Desserts
This article was originally published as How to Soften Hard Cookies at Spatula Desserts.
Leave a Reply