Baking question?!
Answers: i wanted to make cookies for christmas how many weeks in advance can i make the cookies and they stay fresh. also what is the best method to keeping them fresh longer
For complete information see The Complete Cookie Storage Guide here -
http://www.baking911.com/cookies/storage...
You will find some cookies are better suited to making in advance than others. I have been very successful in mixing up cookie dough, pre-forming and freezing it and then baking the cookies later. Here is one example for a Checkerboard Cookie - http://www.joyofbaking.com/CheckerboardC...
Some cookies must be made at least 2 weeks in advance for them to be at their best, for example:
Pfeffernusse
These peppery, spicy morsels are Christmas favorites. Age these cookies at least 2 weeks before serving to mellow their flanor. For traditionally hard cookies, store in airtight container. For softer cookies, store with an apple or orange slice in airtight container, replacing fruit slice frequently.
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup light molasses
1 tablespoon hot water
1 egg
1 tsp Anise Extract
3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon Pumpin Pie Spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Heat oven to 350o. Mix brown sugar, shortening, molasses, water, egg and anise oil in large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients. Knead dough until stiff enough to mold. Shape dough into 3/4-inch balls. Place about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake about 12 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack.
Most cookies can be baked and then frozen. I would wait until the first week of December.
Go to a christmas cookie site that can answer every single question you might have. I could answer your question, but there is so much more here.
Make them and freeze them. If a cookie cannot be frozen, the recipe will tell you. They will stay nice for 6 months to a year in the freezer IF you put them in FREEZER bags, not storage bags.
The best way to have fresh cookies is to make them shortly before consumption...however....I always make my dough and freeze it up to 2 weeks before use....it hasn't failed me yet...good luck