How To Make A Cookie Jar Airtight
There truly is nothing better than fresh-out-of-the-oven cookies. The warm and rich smell makes people flock to the kitchen.
However, what is even better than fresh baked cookies is a stash of cookies that lives on your kitchen counter that is up for grabs whenever your heart desires.
Sometimes though, those cookies that have been saved go hard or bad quickly because they are not stored properly in an airtight container. Without proper storage, those delectable cookies can become hard and crumbly.
So, how do you make a cookie jar airtight? The best way to make an airtight cookie jar is to place your cookies in a Ziplock bag then put them in a sealable jar that has an airtight lid with a silicone or rubber seal. If your pre-purchased jar does not have a seal, you can make one with a self-adhesive rubber strip or moldable glue.
Keep reading to learn about why airtight jars are so important for fresh cookies, best practices for storing your cookies, how to make an airtight cookie jar, as well as what cookie jars on the market are the best.
Why Is An Airtight Cookie Jar Important?
Having the correct container to store your cookies in ensures your soft cookies stay chewy and your crunchy cookies stay crisp. This means having an airtight container to avoid any outside forces.
The number one reason cookies get ruined is through moisture in the jar. Too much moisture can make those (supposed to be) hard cookies soft and moldy, while moisture also can make those chewy cookies hard as a rock.
Airtight cookie jars are the best way to fight off this moisture. Not only that, having the cookies in their own airtight container allows for the temperature and humidity inside the jar to be unaffected.
Because moisture is the biggest enemy in the cookie jar game, glass or metal containers are your best bet as they help with moisture control.
You want to stay away from plastic or ceramic cookie jars as they do not fight against moisture as well as glass or metal.
How To Make A Cookie Jar Airtight
Though you can buy some cookie jars that are advertised as airtight, you may be shocked at how poorly they keep cookies.
Or maybe you have a perfectly good jar that just needs some TLC and you want to use that to store your cookies. Thankfully, there are some ways to ensure your cookie jar is indeed airtight and can preserve the integrity of your cookies.
The first step to ensure airtight quality is to put your cookies in a sealed plastic bag. Make sure to take all the air out and seal it completely shut. You will then put this sealed bag into the cookie jar.
To ensure your cookie jar is equipped to properly store your cookies you can add 1 of 2 things to the lid: a self-adhesive rubber seal, otherwise known as a rubber strip, or a moldable glue.
Self-Adhesive Rubber Strip
Self-adhesive strips, or weatherstrips, are strips of rubber or foam that stick to a surface on their own. To ensure your cookie jar is in fact airtight, you want to stay away from foam and use a rubber seal.
The process of adding the rubber strip to your cookie jar lid is quite simple. First, make sure the lid is clean of any dust or residue and is completely dry.
Next, remove the back of the rubber strip to reveal the adhesive and slowly add it to your lid making sure it is sticking on nicely before finishing the entire lid.
Voila! You have yourself an airtight cookie jar. To ensure the highest quality, make sure to keep your cookies in a ziplock before transferring them to your new cookie jar.
Moldable Glue
Another option for making your own airtight cookie container is to use moldable glue.
Using moldable glue is a little bit trickier than using self-adhesive strips and takes a bit longer, but it is still a great option that tends to last a little longer without the need to be replaced.
To get started you must make sure the cookie jar lid is clean and completely dry.
The glue is extremely malleable and comes in what looks like a hot sauce pack, so you want to make sure to get it into a nice straight line before attempting to add it to the lid.
Thankfully, moldable glue has the ability to be shaped in any shape for up to 30 minutes, so you do not have to work too fast when using it.
Once you have it in a nice line, add the glue to the inside of the cookie jar’s lid. Make sure it fits nicely and is not too thick or thin.
Once the glue is secure and on the lid, take the lid and close the cookie jar to allow the moldable glue to fit nicely in between both the lid and the jar.
Let it dry for at least 12 hours, but up to 24, before separating the lid and the jar.
Material
Not only does a cookie jar’s airtight lid affect cookies, so does the material of the jar itself.
The best materials for cookie jars are metal or glass as they best keep out moisture.
Ceramic and plastic cookie jars tend to allow moisture to build inside, so if possible, stay away from these materials.
Tips For Storing Cookies
Though having an airtight container is the most important when storing cookies, there are a few other tips that will help ensure your cookies remain as yummy as possible:
Let Them Cool Completely
Before putting your cookies in a storage container, it is extremely important to allow them to completely cool.
Like we have mentioned, moisture is the cookies’ enemy and if there is any heat on the cookies when you store them, the condensation will build-up and ruin the texture of your cookies.
They should be at room temperature before being put into a container.
Keep Them In A Temperature-Controlled Area
The area in which you store the jar also can affect your cookies.
You want to make sure to keep the airtight cookie jar in a cool dark place or somewhere where the temperature does not fluctuate constantly.
The kitchen counter is fine as long as the jar does not get any sun, but the pantry also is a great location.
Store Different Types Of Cookies Separately
You want to make sure to store different types of cookies separately.
Not only will this help avoid flavors mixing and melding, but it will also keep the texture of your cookies intact.
Putting soft cookies with crunchy cookies will make each of them lose their desired texture quickly.
Layer The Cookies
Though this may be a bit tedious in a jar, layering cookies in between pieces of parchment paper also helps them keep their texture and flavor.
For looks, you probably do not want to do this with a glass jar, but with a metal or ceramic jar where you cannot see inside, this extra step may help keep your cookies a bit longer.
Bread
There is an odd trick that helps keep your chewy cookies extra chewy—putting a slice of bread in the ziplock bag with them before putting them in the jar.
The cookies pull in moisture from the slice of bread keeping them soft and chewy for days after you have baked them.
How Long Will Cookies Last In An Airtight Container?
While many factors affect this, like types of cookies, where they are stored, and how airtight your container is, the average length for cookies is 3 days.
Now, 3 days is just the timeframe for them being exactly as they were the first day they came out of the oven.
After 3 days the texture and flavor start to diminish, but they are edible out of an airtight container for up to 5 days.
The Best Airtight Containers To Buy
For the best glass container, the Klikel Glass Jar is an excellent airtight option.
It comes with 2 jars, is guaranteed airtight so you do not need to make your own airtight jar, and it is glass so the chance of condensation is low.
Additionally, it has a pretty look to it making it an excellent addition to your countertops.
For a metal cookie jar, go for the Outshine White Vintage Farmhouse Cookie Jar.
This metal cookie jar promises to be airtight so you do not need to purchase any other materials, it is large and can hold a lot of cookies, and the metal helps keep the integrity of the cookies.
The cookie jar is also quite cute and charming with the word “Cookies” across the front and would look great in any kitchen.
Related Questions
Now that we’ve gone over how to make your cookie containers airtight, let’s take a look at a few related questions on the subject!
How do you store cookies in the freezer?
The best way to store cookies in the freezer is either in a freezer ziplock bag or an airtight glass container.
Just like when storing on the counter or in the pantry, it is important that no matter which way you choose to store them in the freezer that they are completely sealed shut.
How long do cookies last in the freezer?
Cookies can last up to 6 months in the freezer.
Make sure to date the packaging before you put them in the freezer to avoid eating them past their expiration date.
What’s the best way to reheat a frozen cookie?
The best way to reheat a frozen cookie is in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F and place the frozen cookies on the baking sheet. Cook for about 5-7 minutes or until the cookie is warm.
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