I made some decorated sugar cookies and let them dry. I packaged them and heat selaed them, they looked fine. I was at the store (where they are being sold) today and the packaging is sticking to the icing! You can move it, it doesn't pull the icing off, but it almost looks like moisture got in there and is making the plastic stick to the cookie.

I'm trying to figure out what happened so I can avoid this with the rest of them. I used Toba's glaze, and they seemed dry enough to package. Instead of delivering them to the store itself, the owner was in my arrea making a delivery so we took care of it here. It was a very hot day and he put them in his very warm truck, but I don't know if this caused the problem.

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks,
Kathi

Hiya,

Even though they were heat sealed (meaning no more moisture could get in), the cookie and glaze will have moisture in them. I guess if it gets warm it will try and evaporate and as the bag is sealed tight it will have no where left to go. That's my guess. If you look up moisture migration on the web, it may help.

Sorry I can't offer any solution though

Well, I tried looking up moisture migration, but really didn't find anything helpful. So, does this mean you think it's because he had them in his hot truck?

Kathi

think about if you stick something in the microwave with a lid on it when you pull it out.....there is always a ton of moisture on the lid even though there was no water added to the food.......the moisture in the cookie and icing itself was trying to escape because of the cookies being heated up........you need to make sure the cookies are not exposed to heat after they're sealed!!

Hi Kathi - how long did you let the cookies dry before you packaged them? I use a glaze and I find that it really isn't completely dry for 2-3 days. Just because they're dry to the touch, doesn't mean the underneath layers are dry. Until they're completely dry, humidity can do terrible things to cookies. I suspect the cookies weren't completely dry and they sat in the truck (heat) too long. I'd be curious to see how they tasted. Did you try one? You know I sell in stores, too, so I am familiar with this issue and would love to stay in touch with you regarding this to share tips/experiences.

My guess is that you are right Tscookies. They seemed dry, but they only sat abou 24 -36 hours after the final icing was on. I have some from the same batch, that I heat sealed at the same time sitting here on my table. They look fine, but have been in an air-conditioned room the whole time.

I was just so disappointed with how they looked at the store. I don't know if I would have bought them! I wonder if they put them in the fridge for a while if that would help. Any thoughts on this?

I didn't taste them, it didn't occur to me. The interesting thing is that the ones with the fondant bees didn't have the problem at all. I am assuming this is because the bee kept the "poly" bag from touching the cookie's surface.

Thanks,
Kathi

P.S. Tscookies, I would love to keep in touch!