How Long Do Chocolate Chip Cookies Last?
Whether you made them for a holiday or on a lazy afternoon, it is not a bad time to enjoy chocolate chip cookies. But making them, again and again, seems like a hassle. So, how long do chocolate chip cookies last?
Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies can last up to 2-3 weeks at room temperature, provided you store them properly. Alternatively, you can store them for longer in the fridge, up to 2-3 months. If you want to preserve them for even longer, you can keep them in the freezer, lasting 8-12 months.
There are a few different ways to store chocolate chip cookies, each giving you different results. And the condition of the cookies will also depend on how you store them and not just where you store them. So, in this article, we will go over the lifespan of chocolate chip cookies under different circumstances. We will do this for freshly baked cookies (homemade or bakery-made) and store-bought ones.
How Long Do Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies Last?
At the very beginning let me show you a cheat sheet.
| Method of storage | Homemade cookies | Store-bought cookies |
|---|---|---|
| At room temperature | 2 to 3 weeks | 6 to 9 months (if unopened) |
| In the fridge | 2 to 3 months | 6 to 9 months |
| In the freezer | 8 to 12 months | Over a year; possibly longer |
At Room Temperature
According to the USDA, you can store fresh cookies at room temperature for up to 2 to 3 weeks. The key here is that you keep them in an airtight container. Otherwise, moisture will get into the cookies and turn them stale. Keeping them in a tight container like Tupperware will keep them crunchy and firm. [1]
In the Fridge
Another viable method for preserving cookies is to keep them in the fridge. This will give you a shelf-life of almost 2 to 3 months. Once again, you must keep them in an airtight container, or else the cookies will turn soft and mushy.
In the Freezer
The freezer can maintain your cookies for 8 to 12 months. To work, you should wrap the cookies in plastic foil tightly. This will ensure that no amount of air or moisture will get inside the cookies during that long period. You can also double seal them for extra protection.
- RELATED: Can Chocolate Chips Expire?
How Long Are Chocolate Chip Cookies Good For?
Store-bought cookies can come in two forms – packaged cookies and ready-made cookie dough. The cookies you make from boxed cookie mixes have a shelf-life much like homemade ones. They do not have extra preservatives to increase their longevity as cookie dough can last for a long time without one as long as the box is unopened.
In the Fridge
While you can store ready-made cookies in your fridge, it is unnecessary. As long as the package remains unopened, the cookies will remain safe for consumption for a long time. But if you have opened it, then you are on a shorter timer. Keeping opened cookies in the fridge can last a few months, provided that you store them tightly in a container.
In the Freezer
If you store them in a freezer, store-bought cookies will remain at peak quality for over a year. But even after that time passes, you can still eat the cookies without fearing food poisoning. Of course, you must ensure that the package or container is not damaged or contaminated.
At Room Temperature
If you store it properly, an unopened pack of ready-made cookies will last for up to 6 to 9 months in your pantry or shelf. Each box of cookies will have a “best by” date printed on the back of the box. But this is not a time limit for the safety of the product. Rather it is the manufacturer’s estimation of how long these cookies will remain at peak quality.
How to Keep Chocolate Chip Cookies Fresh?
When we talk about keeping cookies fresh, we ask ourselves5 how long do chocolate chip cookies last. And there are a couple of ways to ensure that your cookies retain their freshness for a longer period.
- Always allow your cookies to cool down to room temperature before storing them. If you store them while hot, the steam inside the cookies will get trapped within the container, making for a humid condition. This will turn the cookies soggy very fast.
- Place the cookies in an airtight container to keep the moisture out. The more moisture gets into the cookies, the more they will become soggy and unappetizing.
- If you do not have an airtight container that is big enough, you can tightly wrap the cookies in plastic foil and then store them. Again, make sure that no air can circulate inside the wrap.
- Keep the cookies in a cool and dry place. Your pantry is probably the best place to do so.
- Do not mix the chocolate chip cookies with other varieties and store them in one container. This can result in the flavors mixing and ruining their firm texture.
- Once you store the cookies in the freezer, it is best not to open the container repeatedly. If you plan on eating small portions at a time, divide them into separate containers and store them. Opening the package multiple times will allow air and moisture to get in.
What Is the Best Way to Store Chocolate Chip Cookies?
Chocolate chip cookies, similar to most other dry cookies, are best stored at room temperature, inside an airtight container, and in a dry and cool place. This will give you a decent shelf-life of 2-3 weeks and keep them fresh and crispy. And you do not have to go through the trouble of thawing them each time you take a piece.
Should You Refrigerate Chocolate Chip Cookies After Baking?
You should not refrigerate chocolate chip cookies immediately after baking. These cookies are more than capable of lasting at room temperature. If you have to freeze it, do it only after they have cooled down.
If you put the hot cookies in a container and place it in the fridge, the subsequent heat will create a soggy condition. This will invariably result in mushy, soft cookies that very few people will still find enjoyable.
Of course, it is best not to refrigerate them at all. Rather keeping them in a safe container at room temperature is the ideal choice. If you keep them in the fridge, they will lose their freshness a lot sooner than if you had kept them in the open.
Which Cookies Stay Fresh for a Long Time?
Knowing how long a certain type of cookie will last can give you a good idea about whether or not you can make them in advance. So, with that in mind, let’s look at some examples of popular types of cookies and see how long they can last:
- Biscotti – These dry and crunchy biscuits can last for a couple of weeks.
- Butter cookies – These buttery cookies can last you for a month.
- Moravian spice cookies – These can last for a month to several months.
- Shortbread cookies – These delicious cookies can easily last for a month or two.
- Springerles – These German cookies can comfortably last for several months.
So, from the list mentioned above, you can see that shortbreads and springerles stay fresh for a long time. Cookies such as biscotti, butter cookies, etc., only get better a couple of days after baking them.
How Long Do Betty Crocker Chocolate Chip Cookies Last?
According to their official website, Betty Crocker chocolate chip cookies can stay fresh for up to 3 days in a proper container at room temperature. If the cookie has any sort of frosting on it, then you should store them in the fridge or freezer. Now, the cookies will not become inedible after that period. Rather they will lose their fresh texture and become stale.
How Long Do Costco Chocolate Chip Cookies Last?
Costco has a line of baked cookies you can buy at their stores. These cookies generally have a label that says the best-before date is less than a week from production. But if you place them inside an airtight container, you can extend their shelf life up to a week. Any longer than that, and the cookies may become stale and dry.
How Long Do Nestle Chocolate Chip Cookies Last?
Nestle has a line of chocolate cookies and bars under the Toll House trademark. If you place these cookies in a resealable package or an airtight container, they will last for 3 to 4 months. Make sure you allow the cookies to cool down before storing them completely.
To conclude chocolate chip cookies are truly one of life’s greatest delights. And if you can store them properly, you can enjoy their deliciousness for days without worry.
