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 seal them like I do, then you don’t need to do this!). Check out this blog post on heat sealing.
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 decorated 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!).
Should you store royal icing cookies in the refrigerator?
The short answer is… never! Unlike other kinds of cookies or baked goods that might stay fresher stored in the fridge, royal icing cookies will actually be ruined in the fridge! The moisture in the air from the fridge can cause the icing to bleed, soften or dissolve.
I’ve had many students assume you should put them in the fridge right after decorating while the icing is drying. This is also a big no no! The icing will never fully dry if you put the wet cookies in the fridge right after decorating (the icing has to be exposed to the air to fully dry properly).
Want to try cookie decorating?
Try out one of my online cookie decorating classes!
I can 100% vouch for this freezing method! Cookies are my side gig so I have to find time where I can to complete orders. That often means completing the cookies anywhere from a week to a month in advance and then I heat seat and freeze them. I always make an extra to taste test and make sure the flavor wasn’t compromised. My designs always stay intact and flavor has never faltered. I would say it might add just a touch of softness to the cookies when you freeze them, but I would argue that makes them better! I even use the exact tupperwares you have. 🙂
OMG yes!!! I would agree I think that freezing them makes them even softer! So glad you've found so much success with freezing!!
@thegracefulbaker, how do you thaw them?
Hi! That's answered in the post. I added a title "how to thaw/defrost" so it's easier to find 🙂
Always love your detailed instructions, Grace! The freezer is my best friend in the kitchen.
Yes gotta love that freezer!!!
You mentioned heat sealed bags that you can store the cookies in? Where can I find such things and how do they seal?
Yes! Just added that link: https://borderlandsbakery.com/products/cello-heat-seal-bags-assorted-sizes-100-pcs?sca_ref=2111046.DqfiPILUrX
You can also find the heat sealer linked here: https://thegracefulbaker.com/cookie-decorating-supplies/
@thegracefulbaker, it’s my first time storing decorated cookies in the freezer. I put them in freezer zip lock bags, but that’s it. They are not in sealed bags. So do I just leave on counter to defrost on the table? I didn’t stack the cookies either. Thanks
hello! ziplock bags is ok! they just need to be in something air tight and yes just place them on the counter in the bags until they are defrosted!
Have you had any issues with sprinkles/sugar sprinkles?
Oh! Good question! Not white sanding sugar or PME black pearls, but if I recall a long time ago I had bleeding issues with color jimmies/sprinkles bleeding. If I need to freeze cookies for something important like an order or event (which I haven't done in ages), I will always test the sprinkles on some icing and freeze that to see what happens
MY ICING TURNS DULL WHITE. IS THERE A CLEAR GLAZE YOUPUT OVER THE DECORATED COOKIE
THANK FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION
Nope! The icing is, indeed, going to dry more dull. You can help it dry with slightly a more sheen if you dry in front of a fan or dehydrator, and/or you can add some corn syrup to the icing (I've never done this though so can't offer specific advice). Hope that helps!
Hi there! You mention “heat seat” in your method but I can’t find information on that? What exactly is it? Thank you so much! Cookies are my nemesis and I’m trying to get better!
Oh my, that's a typo! Should say "heat seal". I actually have a whole post on it: https://thegracefulbaker.com/heat-sealing-cookies/
Can you freeze them with transfers on them? It looks like the picture at the top might have some transfers on it so I wasn’t sure. I’m still a super newbie, but I’m interested in trying transfers. Thank you!!
yes, absolutely! the cookies don't have transfers on them in that picture, but there's no issue with that 🙂 just makes sure they are flush to the cookie/pack them in such a way that the transfers won't break!
I use self sealing bags which are not air tight. My question is can I still freeze them by stacking in containers after they have been iced, dried and put in self sealed bags? I have read not to open the container until they are completely thawed. So don't they get messed up if they are stacked in the container?
yes all of that works!! indeed do not open the container until the cookies are completely thawed... I'd leave them on the counter overnight to be safe 🙂
Have you ever re-froze the cookies?
I pre baked 2 different orders and put them in the same Tupperware cause they were for around the same time. But one of the orders got pushed up a bit. Could I take some of the cookies out and just thaw those? Or have to thaw all at the same time??
I take out only what I needed from frozen cookies all the time! Sounds like what you're asking, right? Doesn't sound like you actually need to re-freeze them... you just want to take some out of the container and leave the rest in the freezer? It's ok to have the container open for a minute or two (whether they're naked or iced cookies) and that won't cause the cookies to thaw incorrectly/have color bleed on the icing 🙂
@thegracefulbaker, following up on this: If I freeze a large batch, then thaw to decorate, then freeze till the date, that wouldn't work, right? Or Icing the same way (make a batch, freeze, thaw to decorate, freeze decorated cookie till date)?
hi! I wouldn't ever freeze a cookie twice... only freeze/defrost once!
Just to check, are decorated cookies okay to be stored in the freezer vertically, or is that just for the naked cookies?
yes vertically is better for decorated cookies so they're not smooshing each other!
If I baked my cookies today for an event next Saturday and I plan to ice over the weekend do I need to frost or can i just store them in the fridge once I'm done decorating?
ehhhh that's on the fence of whether or not it's really necessary to freeze. I'd say if you're comfortable with freezing, then do it. but otherwise I think it's fine. also, never ever store your royal icing cookies in the fridge! always in an airtight container and either on the counter/room temperature or in the freezer!
Hi!
I was wondering…. Have you ever frozen baked cookies, thawed them, decorated them, and then put them back into freezer?
I am a teacher and I am trying to manage my time well while baking!
hi! I think it's ok if you do that process just once... freeze them naked, defrost, then freeze again once iced. I wouldn't do anymore freezing though!