I have noticed that when I make decorated cookies, they go stale in a day or two. Besides individually wrapping in cello bags, what is the best way to store sugar cookies so they don't get stale? I'm doing decorated cookies for my son's class for Easter, and will have to decorate them the day before, and I can't figure out what I should put them in. I really don't want to individually bag them! Thanks!

I usually leave mine in a single layer (but covered, not open to the air) for at least 24 hours before bagging or wrapping them in any way so that the icing dries completely.

I use large jelly roll pans with at least 1 inch sides, so that I can cover the top with plastic wrap without it touching the tops of the cookies. I also made myself a "Rack cover" - I have a rack that holds 4 cookie sheets and got some clear vinyl at the fabric store and make a cover that fits over the whole unit.

I know that you store soft and crisp cookies very differently, so I looked it up. This is from Baking911.com ...

Always separate soft and crisp textured cookies before storing. If you mix the two, the soft cookies will make the crisp ones soft.

Soft cookies should be kept in tightly covered containers with a piece of fresh-cut apple to add moisture. To do, place an apple half skin side down on top of the cookies in the storage container. Remove the fruit and discard the fruit after a day or two.

Crisp cookies should be stored in a cookie jar or container with loose fitting lid in a dry climate so any excess moisture can escape. In humid climate, store crisp cookies in a tightly covered container to keep out the moisture. You can also "recrisp" cookies in a 300 degree F oven on an ungreased cookie sheet for 3 to 5 minutes.

Cookies with very moist fillings should be stored in a loose covered container. Refrigerate if desired. If fillings contain dairy products, they must be refrigerated. Cover with foil before doing so.

HTH - Martha

I make my sugar cookies with a softer cookie recipe and leave them out to cool on racks for maybe 12 hours or so. If I don't decorate within that period, I usually store them on jellyroll pans and cover with plastic wrap

The softer cookies never really seem to get a stale feel or taste to them...

I place my decorated cookies on a parchment or wax paper covered cookie sheet with sides. I then take another cookie sheet(exact same size) and turn it upside down on the other cookie sheet. The cookies stay fresh for at least 2 days. Just pray no one hits the cookie sheet!