What length of time are you comfortable NOT freezing a cookie and just storing at room temp in airtight container? I'm not sure if my question is clear......if you are making decorated sugar cookies and they need to be done on a certain day if you bake 3 days in advance would you still freeze? What about a week? What is your "cut off" for freezing vs not freezing? Also, does it matter if they are decorated or not?

i think i understand what you're asking... maybe not?

Once my cookies are baked i try to have them packaged no later than 3-4 days out. (I freeze my cookies before I bake, so not sure about freezing after they're baked, but i know people do it)

This gives me enough time to decorate (i use royal icing) and for it to dry. If I have multiple colors or layers sometimes they will sit out for 2-3 days. I have not had any problems with them going stale in this time as the cookie is pulling moisture form the royal icing. I find that they are actually softer after sitting out to let the royal icing dry. Then once packaged they are even better.

I try to get my out as soon as possible and many of my cookies get shipped, which adds time to when they are consumed. To help with freshness, I found that heat sealing my cello bag really helps. I personally don't freeze, but I do know that a lot of people on here do and are happy with the results.

Thanks for the replies. I guess it's pretty safe then to have cookies stored at room temp for a few days at least before consuming. Must they be in an airtight container during that time frame?

ya i worked for a well know cookie bouquet company that freezes the cookies after they are baked, and some after they were decorated... i WOULD NOT suggest doing that! they don't taste fresh, and dries them out. like everyone else said i would make them about 3 days before, depending on the time of year, if it's too hot it will take longer for example...