Place 1-2 cookies on a microwave-safe plate and loosely cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave for 5 seconds at a time until the cookies have softened.
Enjoy it as soon as it is safe to eat. Once it cools, the cookie will go back to being hard.
SOFTENING COOKIES WITH BREAD
Place a piece of soft bread in an air-tight container with hard cookies, and over 12-24 hours the cookies will soften up.
For best results, use fresh soft white bread or another neutral-flavored bread. Avoid things with garlic, cheese, herbs, rye, etc.
SOFTENING COOKIES WITH APPLES
Place a few slices of apple in an air-tight container with the cookies, and over 12-24 hours the cookies will soften up.
Pro tip: For a sustainable option, you can even use the core of an apple.
Notes
If using the microwave method, make sure the paper towel is damp and not wet. You want to introduce just a bit of moisture to the cookies without soaking them.
Cookies that are overbaked initially likely won’t soften up using any of the above methods. For cookies that were in the oven too long, your best bet is to enjoy them dunked in milk or cocoa.