Follow these pro tips to keep your cookies, cakes, pies and breads fresher for longer.

The holiday season is upon us, which means you probably have plenty of parties to attend on your next social calendar. And with these events comes lots of baked goods, whether you bake them, trade them, or receive them as gifts. And those holiday baked goods are certainly tasty, so you should do your best to extend the life of those cookies, cakes, and all that fruit bread as long as possible. But how? We asked a few experts for advice on how to extend the life of all your delicious baked goods.

First of all, consider the type of baked goods

As Keiry Palmachef-teacher of Pastry and Bakery Arts in Culinary Education InstituteOn the New York campus, explains, it all depends on the type of baked goods. For cakes and cupcakes, Palma explained that for optimal flavor, these should be eaten within two to three days. However, “If your product is dairy-free, store cakes and cupcakes at room temperature in an airtight container to maintain their consistency.”

As for cookies, brownies and bars, they stay fresh a little longer, about two days to a week, according to Palma. (Although she recommends eating them within the first two days, and really, that seems about right.) And, as a pastry chef Adriano Zumbo » added: “If it’s a croissant or bread, they will change over the days, so it’s best to eat them fresh.

Related: How to Store Flour, Sugar, and Other Baking Ingredients So They Last

So, should you refrigerate pastries?

Palma noted that you should refrigerate cakes and cookies “to ensure food safety and optimal quality” if they contain dairy-based fillings or frostings. “This includes popular choices like whipped cream, buttercream, and cream cheese frosting. Storing these cakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator can significantly reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses caused by harmful bacteria. ” Although refrigeration may slightly change the texture of the cake, Palma said, it’s a necessary step “to prioritize safety and freshness, especially when dealing with perishable ingredients.” “.

Eunji Lee, one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs in 2023 and the founder of Pastry Lyséeechoed this statement, noting that it can actually also depend on what products you’re refrigerating and whether they contain things like ganache or whipped cream. But he added: “Dairy-based or not, in general it’s best not to refrigerate,” Lee said. “If you want to store it in the refrigerator for a longer shelf life, it might be better to enjoy it at room temperature.”

What if you froze pastries?

Again, this may depend on the type of baked goods. Or Amsalam, the founder of Lodge Breadshared that for bread in particular, “freezing is the best way to preserve freshness.” But you have to do it very precisely. “I recommend slicing the bread, placing it in a large zip-top bag and freezing it,” Amsterdam explained. “This way you can easily remove one slice at a time and reheat it as needed.”

Palma added that freezing is a good way to preserve baked goods for long-term storage, but also recommended wrapping each piece individually. “For longer storage, wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap or parchment paper, place them in an airtight container and freeze them for up to three months. Freezing is a great way to extend the shelf life of cookies. By wrapping baked goods tightly in plastic wrap or foil, followed by an airtight container or freezer bag, you can significantly extend their shelf life.

The only caveat here would be for cream pies, which Palma says “don’t freeze well.”

Related: Buying one will ensure your butter stays fresh for much longer, and they start at $12

So, should you always wrap baked goods?

“Baked products tend to deteriorate and go bad with direct contact with air and moisture, depending on the weather and conditions in your home. This can vary greatly for everyone, so keep Products packaged and in appropriate containers will help maintain texture and shelf life as little as possible for a little longer,” Zumbo said.

However, it is important to note that plastic wrap is not ideal for long-term storage. “The tight seal can trap moisture, leading to sweating and potential soggyness,” Palma explained. “When frozen, this excess moisture can contribute to freezer burn.” And while it may look cute, Palma also noted that she doesn’t recommend storing items in fabric, because the fibers can trap bacteria and moisture, “which creates ideal conditions for mold to grow and other harmful pathogens that can cause disease.”

How to bring pastries back to life?

If you want to bring cakes back to life to enjoy your next slice, Amsterdam says you should let them thaw at room temperature first, which keeps the texture and quality intact. “Once thawed, it can be sliced ​​or topped with frosting or buttercream as desired.” As for cookie dough, Amsterdam added, “you can make a large batch, bake what you need for the day, then refrigerate or freeze the rest in pre-formed portions. This makes it easy to make fresh cookies on demand “.

Palma added that it’s best to let all baked goods warm before serving. “Thaw baked goods gradually at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Rapid thawing can result in uneven texture and reduced quality,” she added. Then you can reheat them in the oven so they’re totally new.