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How Long to Freeze Cookie Dough

How-Long-to-Freeze-Cookie-Dough

Whether you are a cookie lover or like munching on cookie dough, the most common concern is “how to store cookie dough for long?”

The best way to use cookie dough for a longer time is by refrigerating or freezing it. Now, the question arises, “How long to freeze cookie dough?” Or you might wonder, “How to freeze cookie dough?” We got you covered!

You can freeze all kinds of cookie dough, including chunky drop, slice and bake, and cut-out cookie dough for instant, yummy cookies.

We have mentioned everything in this article to help you store your cookie dough for as long as possible.

Why Freeze Cookie Dough?

Many people think cookie dough might not be as good after freezing, but it’s not so!

Frozen cookie dough is perfect for the holiday season and if you have guests at home often. It saves you the time of preparing it at the last moment when you want to bake a cookie. Freezing cookie dough before baking makes the process only three-step long:

Scoop cookie dough onto the baking tray 🡪 Bake 🡪 Enjoy

The cookie dough stays fine longer in the freezer than in the refrigerator and does not lose flavor – win-win!

How Long to Freeze Cookie Dough?

While cookie dough stays good in the refrigerator for two to three days only, you can freeze it for up to three months.

So, no prep is required to bake cookie dough for as long as three months. Just freeze it according to the type of dough and bake cookies as required.

woman storing cookies

How to Freeze Cookie Dough?

The process of freezing each type of cookie dough differs from the other to save time when baking. Thus, it is important to always store the dough correctly, whether you wish to bake sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, pinwheels, etc.

Freezing Cookie Dough for Drop Cookies

Cookies such as chocolate chip, peanut butter, and oatmeal cookies expand on baking and are placed on the baking tray as balls. You can freeze them the same way to bake them instantly when needed:

  • Prepare the cookie dough according to the recipe and make balls or scoop the dough onto a butter-paper-lined baking tray.
  • Place the tray into the freezer and freeze the cookie dough for two to four hours.
  • Next, remove the cookie dough balls from the parchment sheet and transfer them into a zip-lock bag or airtight container.

Place these balls on a baking tray and pop them into the freezer when you wish to enjoy a gooey, delicious cookie – no need to thaw them, AT ALL!

Freezing Cookie Dough for Slice-and-Bake Cookies

Slice-and-bake cookies can be stored in the form of logs, as you just have to slice them and place them onto the baking tray. Shortbread, checkerboard cookies, and pinwheels are all slice-and-bake cookies.

  • Prepare the cookie dough according to the recipe.
  • Shape the cookie dough in long logs according to the cookie type.
  • Cover the logs in plastic wrap and freeze them. Alternatively, put them in ziplock bags or airtight containers after wrapping.

After thawing them, we suggest coating the cookies with sugar, cinnamon, or anything you like. It is best to thaw them overnight in the refrigerator.

cookies-on-baking-tray

Freezing Cookie Dough for Cut-Out Cookies

Gingerbread and sugar cookies are cut-out cookies made from sheets of cookie dough after rolling them. You can freeze them as sheets or cut out cookie dough.

  • Prepare the cookie according to the instructions and flatten it with a rolling pin to desired thickness, ideally ¼ inch.
  • Place parchment paper between these rolled sheets on top of each other. Or, freeze them individually before stacking them with parchment paper in between.
  • Transfer the cookie dough sheets into a ziplock bag and put them in the freezer.
  • On the other hand, cut out cookies from the flattened cookie dough sheet and freeze them individually. Layer them in a ziplock bag or airtight container with parchment paper in between.
  • Take cookie dough sheets out of the freezer and leave for thirty minutes on the countertop before cutting cookies.
  • Conversely, already-shaped cookie dough requires only fifteen minutes for thawing.

Don’t forget: Always label the zip lock bags or containers with the date of preparation, type of cookie, and if anything needs to be added to them before baking.

How to Freeze Cookies?

Freezing cookie dough is perfect for holidays and guests, but what to do for your late-night cookie cravings? There’s nothing better than tossing a few frozen cookies into the microwave for instant snacking.

Baked cookies last for up to 4 weeks in the freezer (if you don’t eat them all in three days like us!)

  • Prepare the dough and bake the cookies according to the instructions.
  • When you have baked the delicious cookies, let them cool completely.
  • Once they are at room temperature, spread the cookies in one layer on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
  • Place the tray in the freezer until the cookies freeze, for two to three hours.
  • Now transfer the cookies to ziplock bags in single layers.
  • Stack the ziplock bags on each other in the freezer.
  • Take out and eat whenever you like. We suggest microwaving them for 10 – 15 seconds for warm cookies.

How to Freeze Decorative Cookies?

If you want your decorative cookies to look like they look before freezing, avoid storing them together like other cookies explained above.

  • Freeze the decorative cookies by spreading them on a baking tray.
  • Instead of putting them in large ziplock bags, wrap each cookie individually to maintain their décor.
  • Take them out of the freezer and thaw them on the countertop; do not microwave decorative cookies.

Keep in mind that freezing chocolate-coated cooking may result in a bloom (white-colored haze) on the cookies.

prepared-cookies

How to Bake Frozen Cookie Dough?

If you are making drop cookies, you can just directly put them into the oven without thawing. However, preheating your oven to a temperature 15 degrees Fahrenheit lower than the recipe asks for is better. Bake for the required time and check if done. Or, leave them for a few more minutes to ensure the cookie dough melts and expands properly.

Meanwhile, sugar cookies and slice-and-bake cookies require thawing before baking them. Give a minute or two extra when baking for even results.

The Bottom Line

You can freeze cookie dough for as long as three months in the freezer, while refrigerated cookie dough lasts only three to four days. Freezing cookie dough before baking does not change the taste. Instead, it allows you to bake the cookies instantly when needed. Meanwhile, you can also freeze-baked cookies for sudden cravings. Freeze them after baking and cooling; microwave for 10 seconds or more for warm cookies. Cookies stay good for up to four weeks in the freezer.

FAQs

Does freezing cookie dough make it better?

Freezing the cookies before baking allows them to maintain shape and obtain a gorgeous brown shade. Also, they bake chewier without spreading much on the baking tray.

Can you freeze cookie dough with eggs?

Yes, you can freeze cookie dough with eggs for three months in the freezer. However, it depends on the consistency of the dough and if the eggs are frozen or fresh. Freezing cookie dough with whipped egg whites, such as meringues, is not a good idea.

How long can you freeze chocolate chip cookie dough?

Chocolate chip cookie dough can be stored in the freezer for up to three months, but it tastes best for up to two months. Add the chocolate chips to the dough before freezing and bake them straight away frozen.

Is it better to freeze cookie dough or bake it?

You can freeze cookie dough and bake cookies according to your preference and need. Baked cookies do not taste as fresh when frozen but are perfect as a quick post-dinner dessert. In contrast, freezing cookie dough allows you to bake fresh cookies anytime.

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