Are cookies any good if they are left out overnight?

Whether cookies are good after being left out overnight depends on a few factors:

Factors that affect cookie freshness:

* Type of cookie: Some cookies, like those with a lot of butter or shortening, will stay soft and chewy for longer. Others, like crispy cookies, might become stale more quickly.

* Ingredients: Cookies with lots of moisture, like those with fruit or nuts, are more prone to getting soggy.

* Humidity: High humidity can make cookies go stale faster.

* Temperature: Room temperature can cause cookies to dry out and become stale.

Signs of stale cookies:

* Hard and dry: The texture will be noticeably drier and harder.

* Loss of flavor: The taste will be less intense and may even become bland.

* Soggy: If the cookies have a lot of moisture, they might become soft and soggy.

What you can do:

* Reheat: Reheating stale cookies in the oven or microwave can help restore some of their moisture and flavor.

* Use them in other recipes: Stale cookies can be used in things like cookie crumb crusts, ice cream toppings, or cookie dough balls.

In general, it's best to eat cookies within a few days of baking. If you do leave them out overnight, check for signs of staleness and decide if they're still palatable. If not, you can try reheating them or using them in other recipes.