Is it too early to start cooking?

[tk1999]

I am making hampers for some of my family members this year... I have all my ingredients but am not sure if it is too early to start.

Most of the recipes say that if stored in an airtight container then they should be right for a week... some say two weeks... my question is do I really have to do this during the week or could I possibly start of some of the longer storing things from tomorrow?

Are these storage times a guide? or will the food spoil and be completely wasted?

I am making:
* Shortbread
* Spiced Cookies
* White Choc Fudge
* Butter Biscuits
* Choc Bites
* Palmiers
* Truffles
* White Christmas Fudge
* Hundreds & Thousands Biscuits
* Evil BB Fudge
* Fudgy Buttons

If you haven't noticed this is my first attempt at this hamper making deal... I am fairly confident I can make the items but my usual baking gets eaten same day so I am not too familiar with the storing side of things.

Thanks in advance

[Tinks]

Cool idea!!

I think it should be fine. Christmas is only 6 days away, better to be organised than rushing around on Christmas Eve.

[Hummingbird]

I personally would wait...if you're giving them on Christmas Day and they only last a week then the people only have a day to eat them when still good iykwim?

Everything you're making sounds amazing!

[tk1999]

Thank you for your posts ladies

I have decided to make the doughs for the cookies tonight and freeze them... at least that way all I have to do through the week is cook the cookies and then make the fudges... which I should be able to do whilst DD is sleeping

[Liviam]

Gee they sound delicious!! Hope everything comes out beautifully.

[JCE0810]

I have no idea T but my mouth is watering reading through your list..............i hope i'm getting some of what your making

[tk1999]

LOL Bonham - depends if you are on Santa's naughty or nice list

Thanks ladies - 4 cookie doughs are prepared and in the fridge to go into the freezer tomorrow... now to sort out the white marshmallows from the pink marshmallows - not sure if anyone realised but it seems shops have stopped selling bags of just white marshmallows - they are all mixed now

[Hummingbird]

Good thinking TK!

Oh well re the marshmellows...you'll just have to make loads of hot chocolate to use upthe pink ones! :P

[JCE0810]

TK: I'm always on the good list

I'm making white christmas, fudge & shortbread and might make rocky road as well if i can get to the shops to get what i need for it.

[tk1999]

LOL Bonham - you do realise that I know you... PMSL nah you are a very good girl

Well the doughs are made and set nicely... I haven't sorted the marshmallows yet but am loving the idea of a reason for hot chocs - mmm yum!

I have to get some more condensed milk because I forgot to write down the other quantities needed for the fudge but other than that I am all good to get cracking during the week. Am hoping to make some fudge tomorrow to give to a dear friend on Tuesday morning when we catch up during swimming lessons - she will tell me she doesn't need it after gorging on choccies last week but oh well it is Christmas!

[JCE0810]

TK, i know you too, so which list are you on this year?

I didnt write down quantities on my shopping list the other day either, i hope i've bought enough oh well will get more if i havent.

[tk1999]

Ok so the cookie dough logs are in the fridge - not yet in the freezer... I am going to be cooking some of them tomorrow night (they last for 2 weeks after they are cooked - and I need to decorate them etc) so - should I put the other ones into the freezer and can the one I will be cooking tomorrow stay in the fridge or should they all go into the freezer?

I don't want the dough to waste but am not sure if it is ok to stay in the fridge. They are currently hard as if they are frozen...

Also - if they are frozen (or just appear to be frozen) do I have to defrost them before I roll them out?

TIA