Learn to Properly Freeze Cookie Dough and Your Future Self Will Thank You (2024)

Freezing cookies is a great way to enjoy homemade cookies anytime. Simply prepare a big batch of your favorite cookie when you have time, then freeze the cookie dough or freeze the baked cookies to enjoy later.

Here's everything you need to know about freezing cookies for the best results every time.

What Kind of Cookies Freeze Best?

Most types of cookies freeze well -- drop cookies, shaped cookies, refrigerator or slice-and-bake cookies, bar cookies, etc. Meringue cookies and delicate cookies are an exception.

You can freeze filled cookies, such as thumbprint cookies and cookies that are coated in powdered sugar, such as Mexican wedding cookies either after they are baked or freeze the cookie dough. If you're freezing the baked cookies, wait to fill them or roll in powdered sugar until you're ready to serve.

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Should I Freeze Cookie Dough or Freeze Baked Cookies?

In most cases, I prefer to freeze cookie dough over freezing baked cookies. That way, you still get the nice homemade smell and softness of the cookies when they come out of the oven. But if you want to get the whole job done, you can certainly bake the cookies, then freeze them later.

Can I Freeze Sugar Cookies?

Sugar cookies, like most cookies, can be frozen, but if you are planning to decorate your sugar cookies with frosting, freeze before decorating.

As with most cookies, you can freeze sugar cookie dough or freeze baked sugar cookies. If you want to freeze the dough before baking, you can shape it into a disk (like pie dough) or log, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and put in an airtight container before freezing.

Or you can do the rolling and cutting before you freeze the dough, then place the unbaked sugar cookies on waxed paper-lined cookie sheets. Freeze until firm (about an hour), then transfer to an airtight container.

How Do You Freeze Cookie Dough?

For drop cookies, such as chocolate chip cookies and shaped cookies, such as peanut butter cookies, portion out the cookies with a tablespoon or whatever the recipe calls for, then put the dough on waxed paper-lined cookie sheets and freeze until firm. This will take about an hour. You can put the cookies close together because they won't spread as they would in an oven, but don't let them touch. Then transfer the cookie dough balls or shapes to an airtight container, such as a zipper-sealed storage bag, or use a vacuum sealer with freezer-safe bags.

For refrigerator cookies, sliced cookies or rolled cookies such as chocolate peppermint pinwheels, simply shape the cookie dough into a log, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then put in a plastic storage bag and freeze.

What's the Best Way to Freeze Baked Cookies

When freezing baked cookies, first make sure they are completely cooled. Now you can either wrap the cookies individually in plastic wrap, then put them in a sealed airtight container or plastic storage bag, or put the cookies in single layers, divided by waxed paper in an airtight container.

I like to lay a gallon-size plastic storage bag on the counter, put in 10-14 cookies or so in a single layer, then, still keeping the storage bag flat on the counter, put a sheet of waxed paper on top, and put another layer of cookies on top and repeat. You can normally get 3-4 layers of cookies per storage bag this way, and they are generally airtight.

What About Sandwich Cookies, Frosted Cookies, Drizzled Cookies and Decorated Cookies?

As with filled cookies or cookies coated with powdered sugar, it's best to freeze these kinds of cookies as dough, then bake and decorate as the recipe directs.

How Do I Bake Cookies After Freezing?

Drop cookies and any cookies you have already prepared into individual shapes can be baked right from a frozen state. Simply add a few minutes to the baking time.

For sliced cookies, let the dough log thaw, unwrapped, in the refrigerator for several hours, or on the counter for half an hour or so, just long enough so that you can cut through the dough with a sharp knife. Then cut the cookies, transfer to cookie sheets, and bake as the recipe directs, adding a few minutes to the baking time.

For rolled cookies, such as sugar cookies, let the dough thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature until cold, but not too soft, and roll and bake as the recipe directs.

How Long Can I Keep Frozen Cookies in the Freezer?

At least one month and up to three months. The key is to wrap the cookies tightly in plastic wrap, storage bags or an airtight container. And don't forget to label your dough!

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Learn to Properly Freeze Cookie Dough and Your Future Self Will Thank You (2024)

FAQs

Why is it important to freeze cookie dough? ›

As little as 30 minutes in your fridge or freezer can help your cookie brown better, spread less, and develop a richer chewy texture. There's a few reasons why, but one important part is it gives the butter in your dough a chance to firm up before baking.

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How long will homemade cookie dough last in the freezer? ›

For best quality, freeze for two months. Homemade cookie dough should be stored in small containers in the refrigerator for two to four days or freeze for two months. Alternatively, small quantities of dough can be frozen and thawed in the refrigerator as needed.

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Should frozen cookie dough be thawed before baking? ›

Frozen cookie dough balls do not need to be thawed out before baking unless you've been given specific instructions that say to do so. For many cookie doughs, for example, shortbread-style or slice-and-bake cookies, baking immediately from frozen will give you the best results.

How long to chill cookie dough before baking? ›

Scooping then chilling your cookie dough for at least. 2 hours before baking. As you can see, this primarily affects spread and height, both of which significantly contribute to texture.

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What cookies freeze well? ›

Drop cookies, like chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin, are the easiest to freeze. To do so, place portioned dough in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until firm, then you can transfer the dough to zipper-lock bags, says Schreiber.

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What happens if you don't chill cookie dough? ›

Popping your dough in the fridge allows the fats to cool. As a result, the cookies will expand more slowly, holding onto their texture. If you skip the chilling step, you're more likely to wind up with flat, sad disks instead of lovely, chewy cookies. Cookies made from chilled dough are also much more flavorful.

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Is it better to freeze raw cookie dough or baked cookies? ›

In most cases, I prefer to freeze cookie dough over freezing baked cookies. That way, you still get the nice homemade smell and softness of the cookies when they come out of the oven. But if you want to get the whole job done, you can certainly bake the cookies, then freeze them later.

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Does freezing cookie dough change the taste? ›

A cookie that has been frozen before baking often has a more complex flavor. It usually reaches a much more inviting color and texture too. Science says that this is mostly due to the temperature of the butter at the beginning of the baking process.

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How to tell if frozen cookie dough is bad? ›

The most obvious way to tell if your cookie dough has gone bad is to look at it. If it has grown any mold, then you can safely trash that dough and work on another batch. You will also notice that the edges start to discolor and turn darker as they go bad—they will likely be hard instead of doughy as well.

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Can you freeze cookies in Ziploc bags? ›

After baking, allow cookies to cool completely. Place them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet to freeze them, then store them in a freezer-safe zip-top storage bag labeled with the name and date. Squeeze out extra air and place flat in the freezer. To save space, you can flat-stack freezer bags.

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Should I freeze or refrigerate cookie dough overnight? ›

Most cookie dough can be refrigerated, well-wrapped, for 3-5 days before baking. If you want to make it farther in advance, freeze the dough. You can either freeze the entire brick of dough or divide it into portions for quick baking.

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What is the best container to freeze cookies in? ›

Place baked cookies in sealable plastic containers designed for the freezer. Freeze cookies for up to one year. Don't use themed tins (say, for Christmas cookies). Transfer cookies to such containers once you've removed them from the freezer.

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Can I freeze Pillsbury cookie dough? ›

And if you want to freeze cookie dough for later, both our cookie dough rolls and our Pillsbury™ Ready to Bake! ™ cookie dough can be frozen up to 2 months in advance. You'll need to defrost the rolls of cookie dough before slicing and baking, but our Ready to Bake! ™ cookies can be made straight from the freezer.

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What is the best way to freeze baked goods? ›

* The freezer temperature should be 0 degrees Fahrenheit or less. * Use moisture-proof, vapor-proof wraps or containers such as plastic containers with tight-fitting lids, heavy duty foil and freezer-weight plastic bags and wraps. * Cool baked goods completely before preparing for the freezer.

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How do you thaw frozen cookies? ›

Thawing Frozen Cookies

When you're ready to thaw your baked cookies, let them sit at room temperature or heat them up in the oven for a couple of minutes. When it comes to thawing dough, baking the cookies an extra few minutes should do the trick to ensure they're completely defrosted and ready to eat.

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