Coconut Cookie

For store-bought, unopened packages of coconut cookies, they have a pretty decent shelf life, usually around 2 to 3 months past the sell by date. As long as the package itself is not damaged, they're generally fine within this time frame. However, once the package has been opened, their freshness can diminish in as little as 1-2 weeks. Coconut cookies can also be frozen, extending their shelf life to about 6 months. To unfreeze, simply take them out a few hours before you plan to eat them.

The most prominent sign that coconut cookies have gone bad is a change in their texture. Fresh cookies should have a nice crunch to them, or soft and chewy if that's their original texture. If they have become hard, dry and crumbly, it likely means they have lost their freshness. In addition, any strange smell or flavor is also a sign they may have gone bad.

• Always store your coconut cookies in a cool and dry place away from direct sun or heat sources. Heat and light can speed up the staling process. • Use an airtight container to store your opened cookies. This helps to keep air and moisture out, which are the main contributors to them losing freshness. • If you've homemade coconut cookies, let them cool completely before packing them away. Placing hot cookies in a closed container can cause them to sweat which will make them soggy. • Freezing can significantly extend their shelf life. Simply wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a zipper freezer bag before popping them into the freezer. • Don't discard desiccant packets from the cookie package, they absorb moisture and help maintain cookie crunchiness.