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The Spruce Eats / Sabrina Jiang
Cookie jars are a staple in any baker’s or dessert lover’s kitchen. They can serve as storage and décor all while keeping cookies fresher for longer. Whether you’ve just baked a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies or are looking for an aesthetically pleasing and easy-access option for housing Oreos, a good cookie jar is a must-have item.
Best Overall
Oxo Good Grips 3-Quart Pop Medium Cookie Jar
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Oxo
Airtight seal
Angled opening for easy access
Multiple sizes available
Must wash by hand
Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could get a cookie with the press of a button? This 3-quart option from Oxo makes that dream come true—the airtight lid opens with ease once you press the center button. The pop lid isn’t the only convenient feature, though. There are anti-slip grips on the bottom of the jar, so it won’t slide around. Additionally, the back and sides of the jar are flattened, so you can save counter space. Oxo offers this jar in a large 5-quart size, as well. No matter what you put inside, it will stay fresh and easy to access.
Price at time of publish: $21
Material: Plastic, silicone | Capacity: 3 quarts | Weight: 15 ounces
Best Budget
Style Setter Chalkboard Glass Canister Set
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Amazon
Chalkboard labels
Airtight seals
Beautiful, embossed glass
Must wash by hand
Chalk is difficult to fully erase
We all love a good deal, and this glass canister set offers just that. For an affordable price, you get three glass jars—each a different size—complete with airtight lids and chalkboard labels. The glass itself has a vintage, embossed look and will fit in with most kitchen decors. You could fill one with cookies, one with candy, and another with cereal or nuts. Whatever you put inside, you can clearly mark it with a bit of chalk.
Price at time of publish: $22
Material: Glass | Capacity: 33, 44, 60 ounces | Weight: 5.35 pounds total
Best Stoneware
West Elm Utility Stoneware Cookie Jar
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West Elm
Minimalist aesthetic
Airtight seal
Matching storage set available
Must wash by hand
If you prefer a minimalist touch to your kitchen, this white stoneware cookie jar may interest you. Its tall cylindrical shape can save you counter space while holding tasty cookies, and the rubber ring helps seal the jar to keep your treats fresh for longer. You can buy any of the pieces in this West Elm set individually or as a six-piece collection. Each jar is clearly labeled and makes for a pleasing organizational addition to any kitchen.
Price at time of publish: $50
Material: Stoneware | Capacity: 170 ounces | Dimensions: 6.9 x 10.6 inches
Best Glass
Anchor Hocking 1-Gallon Heritage Hill Jar
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Walmart
Large capacity
Wide mouth
Dishwasher safe
Heavy
No seal
Glass is a very popular material for storing cookies. Not only does it look classic, but it’s also easy to see the treats inside. Anchor Hocking has a large-capacity, 1-gallon glass jar that can hold enough cookies for a whole family. The big knob on top of the lid makes it easy to lift and keep a good grip on it, while the wide mouth offers easy cookie-grabbing access. If you want to store dry ingredients, like flour or sugar, there’s plenty of space to scoop.
Price at time of publish: $21
Material: Glass | Capacity: 1 gallon | Dimensions: 9.54 x 7 inches
Best Vintage-Style
The Pioneer Woman Adeline Cookie Jar
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Walmart
Beautiful appearance
Silicone seal
Hard to see through opaque glass
Must wash by hand
The term “cookie jar” often evokes fond memories of the past. If you’re someone who loves a vintage aesthetic, this cookie jar from Pioneer Woman would make a perfect addition to your home. It’s beautifully decorated with a ribbed pattern and round flowers. There are two color options available: clear glass and a gorgeous turquoise. Not only will this cookie jar hold your treats, but it can also serve as a stunning centerpiece.
Price at time of publish: $19
Material: Pressed glass | Dimensions: 9.45 x 12.60 x 9.50 inches
Best Animal-Shaped
At Home Ceramic Owl Cookie Jar
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At Home
Adorable
White ceramic will match most decor
A bit heavy
This ceramic owl cookie jar certainly puts a spin on the classic children’s song, “Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?” The beautiful jar has a number of owlish details from the feathers to the wide eyes to the stabilizing feet. It has a clean white ceramic finish with a few vintage-style touches along the edges. This jar is a great way to add a subtle, yet adorable decoration to your kitchen.
Price at time of publish: $25
Material: Ceramic | Weight: 3.1 pounds | Dimensions: 7.4 x 10.5 x 6.8 inches
Best Personalized
Personalization Mall Laurel Wreath Personalized Cookie Jar
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Personalization Mall
Custom lettering and colors
Airtight lid
Dishwasher safe
Pricey
Cookie jars bring back a lot of memories, such as sneaking sweets as a kid or baking in the kitchen with grandma. A good cookie jar can hold a special place in our hearts, and this one allows you to customize your own with names, initials, and even short phrases. Choose from nine different colors, submit your custom lettering, and soon you’ll have a one-of-a-kind stoneware cookie jar.
Price at time of publish: $53
Material: Ceramic | Dimensions: 10.5 x 6.5 inches
Best Character
Underground Toys Star Wars R2-D2 Talking Cookie Jar
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Amazon
Iconic R2-D2 sounds
Batteries included
Officially licensed
A bit small
Tricky to clean
This is the droid you’re looking for. Any fan of “Star Wars” would love this adorable cookie jar. Not only does it look just like everyone’s favorite astromech droid, but the jar also makes classic R2-D2 sounds when opened. R2 will guard any treats you store inside him as fiercely as he protected the Death Star plans for the rebels. There are countless character-themed cookie jars out there, but this one goes above and beyond in its loyal recreation and the memorable sound effects. Grab a glass of Aunt Beru’s blue milk and enjoy some cookies.
Price at time of publish: $66
Material: Plastic | Weight: 1.43 pounds | Dimensions: 9.06 x 8.27 x 9.06 inches
Best Novelty
Suck UK UFO Glass Cookie Jar
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Amazon
Unique design
Airtight lid
Narrow mouth
Traditional cookie jars are all well and good, but if you’re looking for something out of this world, this novelty jar looks like an alien UFO sucking up cookies with a tractor beam. The UFO-shaped lid is made of cork and forms a tight seal around the mouth of the glass jar. As for the container itself, it’s made of soda lime glass, which gives it an otherworldly green tint. It’s a simple, but effective design that can serve as a conversation starter. Just watch out for little green men trying to steal your treats.
Price at time of publish: $39
Material: Glass, cork | Weight: 15 ounces | Dimensions: 5.7 x 7.5 x 5.7 inches
Best for Kids
PTC Ceramic Dragon Cookie Jar
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Courtesy by Amazon
Detailed design
Painted by hand
No airtight seal
Pricey
Cookie jars don’t have to be boring. If you’re looking for a colorful and fun design to entice kids, this dragon-shaped cookie jar is vibrant, detailed, and certainly eye-catching. Everything from the tiny scales to the reptilian eyes is hand-painted, making the jar look like it’s about to come to life. It’s made of sturdy ceramic, but should still be handled gently to prevent chipping. This fire-breathing creature will guard your cookies like a precious treasure hoard.
Price at time of publish: $50
Material: Ceramic | Weight: 2.3 pounds | Dimensions: 9.5 x 7 x 6.25 inches
Best Metal
Home Basics Large Tin Cookie Jar
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Courtesy of Amazon
Rustic retro design
Large capacity
Airtight seal
Only says "cookies" on one side
If you want to store your cookies out on the countertop, the jar needs to look great. This tin cookie jar has some retro flair to it, with a ribbed can and typeface print that says "Cookies." Of course, the clean appearance and bright turquoise coloring gives it a nice modern touch.
Fitted with a rubber gasket, the metal cookie jar is airtight, so cookies will remain fresher for longer. A sturdy metal handle connected to the lid makes it easy to get into the jar and enjoy your goodies. Though not dishwasher-safe, it's easy to wipe down with a warm cloth to get rid of any crumbs.
Price at time of publish: $28
Material: Tin | Weight: 1 pound | Dimensions: 7.25 x 7.25 x 8.37
Best With Cookies
1-800 Baskets Enjoy! Chocolate Chip Cookie Jar
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Resealable lid
Large or medium sizes available
Eye-catching gold ribbon
Some may not prefer plastic jar
Want some cookies with your new jar? This one is pre-packed with miniature chocolate chip cookies. The plastic jar can be reused again and again, thanks to the resealable screw-top lid. There are two sizes to pick from: a half-gallon or quart. This particular gift bundle includes a shiny gold ribbon and an eye-catching sticker that says "Enjoy!" It's perfect for any occasion, though if you have something particular in mind, 1-800 Baskets also has a Happy Birthday or Thank You jar available.
Price at time of publish: $27 for medium, $40 for large
Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 3.75 x 3.75 x 6.5 (medium) or 5.5 x 5.5 x 6.75 (large)
Best Holiday
Lenox Balsam Lane Cookie Jar
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Festive winter scene with matching collection
Made with Lenox fine porcelain
Rubber seal to maximize cookie freshness
Must wash by hand
Part of Lenox’s wintery Balsam Lane collection, this cabin-shaped cookie jar can stand alone as a festive centerpiece or complement a set of matching plates, bowls, and mugs perfect for entertaining. Its charming holiday motif features small details like a cardinal, a Christmas tree, and a textured roof with gold accents in a subtle-yet-timeless design. A rubber seal helps keep cookies and other treats fresh, while the jar’s capacity ensures that even larger batches will fit comfortably inside. Even better, the high quality Lenox porcelain means that this piece will stick around for years to come.
Price at time of publish: $50
Material: Porcelain | Dimensions: Height: 10 x 8.5 inches
We give the top spot to Oxo’s Good Grips 3-Quart Pop Medium Cookie Jar for its space-saving design and pop-button airtight lid. A good budget choice is Style Setter’s Chalkboard Glass Canister Set. It comes with three different sizes of glass jars, each with chalkboard labels.
What to Look for in a Cookie Jar
Style
There are countless styles and designs for cookie jars. Some are round and squat, while others are tall cylinders. Some are centerpieces with eye-catching designs, while others are more utilitarian and built to save space. Additionally, there are colorful and uniquely shaped jars. Find a style, color, or shape that appeals to you or matches the rest of your kitchen décor. There’s a cookie jar out there for everyone.
Capacity
Since cookie jars are designed to hold treats, it’s important to know just how much capacity a jar has. Unfortunately, many manufacturers use different units of measurement to signify capacity. Some might use ounces, while others use liters. To get a better understanding of size, be sure to look up the dimensions and read up on reviewer feedback-–many will comment on if a jar was too small or how many cookies they were able to fit into it.
Lid Type
There are many different types of cookie jar lids, including metal screw-tops and simple glass toppers. Many jars nowadays have rubber or silicone rings to make an airtight seal. Metal, glass, ceramic, stoneware, plastic, and cork are the most common materials for cookie jar lids. Ultimately, it comes down to preference as to which lid type is best.
Ease of Access
A cookie jar that’s difficult to reach into or open defeats its purpose. It’s supposed to hold your cookies, not hold them hostage. Look for cookie jars with wide mouths and easy-to-open lids.
FAQs
Do cookie jars keep cookies fresh?
The key to keeping cookies fresh is an airtight seal. Many (if not most) cookie jars will come with a rubber ring that keeps air from getting into the jar. Cookie jars without airtight seals may not protect cookies from getting stale at a normal rate, but they do still function as an eye-pleasing container.
How long do cookies stay fresh in a cookie jar?
If the cookie jar has an airtight seal, cookies can stay fresher for longer. However, how long it remains fresh depends on the type of cookie and whether or not it was freshly baked. For example, cookies with frosting or filling may get stale quicker than your average chocolate chip—even inside a cookie jar. It’s recommended to eat a fresh batch of cookies within the first few days for peak freshness. If you want cookies to last beyond a week, we recommend freezing them instead of storing them in a jar.
What material is best for a cookie jar?
Glass, ceramic, and plastic are the three most common materials for cookie jars, and each has pros and cons. Glass is aesthetically pleasing, readily available, and transparent, so you can see the treats inside. However, it can get heavy and risk shattering if you drop it. Ceramic is another classic choice and can come in a variety of colors and designs. Ceramic is prone to chipping, however, and some ceramic jars don’t come with a rubber airtight seal. Plastic is an affordable option and is often built to save space or stack, but some people feel it looks a little cheap.
Why Trust the Spruce Eats?
Allison Wignall was definitely guilty of stealing cookies from many cookie jars in her childhood—especially from her grandpa’s stash of gingersnaps. She practically grew up in the kitchen making all kinds of cookies with her mother. Mexican wedding cake cookies are her absolute favorite. Allison’s work has been featured in publications such as Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, and Southern Living.
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