The holidays tend to include lots of treats—from pumpkin, apple and pecan pies, to sugar cookies and snickerdoodle snaps. The desserts sweeten up any celebration, but they can also pose a dilemma: How do you get your perfectly baked pie or your beautifully decorated cookies to the party without ruining them? And what about all of the leftovers remaining after guests leave your own gathering? As long as you know how to store cookies and pie, you can keep them in-fact, fresh and delicious for days. Ahead, discover tips for doing just that.
How to Store Pecan Pie
If you’re taking your pie to a party, think ahead and cook it in a classic glass pie plate that comes with a lid. That way, you can keep the pie safe on the go, and you don’t have to worry about transferring it to a serving platter once you arrive. It’s as easy as, well, pie. As for storing leftovers, follow the same general rules as pumpkin pie: Refrigerate pecan pie once it’s been out for two hours, and finish any leftovers within four days for optimal freshness.
How to Store Cookies That are Soft or Crumbly
Storing cookies isn’t quite as obvious as it may seem, and the best method depends on the type of cookie and its texture. Sugar cookies, thumbprint cookies and spritz cookies are soft and chewy, while pecan sandies and snickerdoodles are light and crumbly—they just melt in your mouth.
For both types, your best bet is to use an airtight jar (big enough that you can easily get the cookies in and out, given they can break easily). Place the jar on the counter or in a cabinet at room temperature (rather than the fridge), and the cookies should stay fresh for two weeks.
How to Store Cookies That are Crispy and Firm
Crisp holiday cookies—like gingerbread, rugelach and biscotti—aren’t so delicate, so you can pack them in without as much worry about breakage. Opt for a lightweight, sealed plastic container that’s convenient for transporting the cookies as you head to a holiday party or potluck. If you’re dealing with decorated cookies, make sure you allow plenty of time for the icing to set before packing them up and transporting them. When the time comes, take extra precautions by arranging them flat in a cake pan or casserole dish with wax paper between each layer; keep the whole thing upright for the ride in an insulated carrier.
How to Store Pumpkin Pie
Before you pack up your leftover pumpkin pie, wait for it to cool on the countertop—but only for a maximum of two hours. Then, it’s time to put it in the fridge. Skip the flimsy plastic wrap in favor of a sturdy pie plate with a well-sealed lid. Not only will this more eco-friendly option help keep the pie fresh for up to four days, but it will also help keep it from getting smashed in a crowded fridge.
How to Store Fruit Pies
Fruit pies, like apple and cherry, are popular holiday desserts—but they’re also a tad labor intensive, so it’s understandable to want to bake in advance. The good news: Fruit pies can sit out on the counter for two days, if left untouched. Once you cut into the pie and grab a slice, though, don’t leave it out for longer than two hours; at that point, it should go in the fridge.
Make it easy by baking the pie in a glass dish that can go right in the fridge if you don’t feel like transferring the leftovers to a new container. If there’s not much pie to save, though, and you’re tight on space, pop what’s left into a smaller glass container with a resealable lid. Pro tip: You can get all of them as part of a set.
Now that you know your desserts are good to go, you can focus on the rest of the food with these tips on how to store leftovers from all sorts of meals.
