christmas bakers???

for those of you that bake cookies for the holidays- when do you start baking and how do you keep your cookies fresh for the holidays??

I just started this weekend - but I dont know how to keep these cookies fresh and do you think its to early??

the only thing I think that would keep them fresh is to freeze them...

some cookies (like choc chip) may hold up decent in a GOOD tuperware - wrapped wrapped and wrapped

Fm Michelle31 she is a good baker and may have some helpful tips

here are some tips I found on the net!!

Seven Tips For Freezing Cookies

1)Cool cookies before wrapping and freezing them. This prevents moisture from forming when a warm cookie is exposed to the cold air in the freezer.

2)Store cookies in a cold freezer, as close to 0 degrees as possible.

3) Wrap cookies well before freezing them. Wrap one or a pair of cookies in plastic wrap, then seal them in a plastic freezer bag, rigid plastic container or gift tin. Then label the containers with the date and contents.

4) Store cookies inside the freezer rather than the door shelves, which are warmer.

5) Leave cookies in the freezer no longer than three months.

6) Defrost cookies with their wrapping in place. The moisture that forms during defrosting forms on the wrapper, not the cookies.

7) After you bake and cool cookies, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and freeze them in gift tins. Wrapping them in plastic wrap looks attractive and keeps them fresh tasting. When it's time to distribute them, simply remove tins from the freezer as you need them

I will start baking this weekend- but that is because I have to make about 20 dozen or more cookies- takes me forever.

Also- I give these to my co-workers- but them in cookie boxes, wrap with ribbon & put my personalized sticker on it... :)

Typically layering them with wax paper and putting them in a good quality tupperware is fine for a week.

Lisa's tips pretty much sum it up. You should steer clear of freezing anything made largely of dairy, like something custard filled. I wouldn't freeze anything with jam either. When I make lintzer tarts I always freeze just the cookie part and add the jam after I defrost.

I wish I was home baking now.

MIL does A LOT of baking for different occassions. I believe she freezes all of her baked goods until ready to serve!