Can You Freeze Cookie Dough?
Learn how to freeze cookie dough and bake as many as you like, any day of the week!
Cookies are a truly wonderful treat. They fill your home with a delicious aroma and take almost no time in the oven. However, prepping ingredients, making the dough, and chilling it before baking requires some spare time.
We are all living busier lives, and sometimes there isn’t enough time to whip up a batch of cookies.
Here is where the magic of freezing dough comes in handy. When you are in a rush, fresh cookies can be baked in mere minutes and delight any guest. This is especially helpful when preparing lots of vegan Christmas cookies during the holidays.
Types Of Cookie Dough You Can Freeze
- Scoop or Drop cookies such as chocolate chip or oatmeal
- Cut-outs such as sugar cookies
- Slice-and-bake such as shortbread
- Bar cookies
- Frosted and glazed soft or chewy cookies
Types Of Cookie Dough You Can’t Freeze
- Crisp cookies with frosting, glaze, or drizzle because the moisture from the frosting can make them softer.
- Delicate cookies, such as brandy snaps or macarons, which are meant to be baked and eaten while fresh and crisp.
- Cookies that have wet batter, as this could result in a broken, dry dough.
- Cookies dipped in chocolate as freezing melted chocolate can change the texture and flavor. It may also create white spots on the chocolate that may look unappetizing but will still be safe to eat.
How To Freeze Cookie Dough
- For drop cookies, scoop, drop or form the cookie dough into balls of equal portions. For cut-outs or sliced cookies, follow the recipe up to the point where the cookies are ready to be baked.
If the cookie calls for a coating, then do this after the dough is thawed, as it can clump in the freezer or moisten while thawing.
Tip: To improve the flavor of drop cookies, cover and rest the cookie dough in the refrigerator overnight before freezing. This resting time allows the flour to absorb moisture and flavorings. The longer, the better.
- Arrange the cookie portions on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and put the tray into the freezer.
- When dough balls are frozen solid, place them in a zipper-top freezer bag. I used these durable silicone food storage bags. Be sure to label it with the date you made the dough. You can also add baking instructions.
- Store the cookie dough portions for up to two months.
To freeze the entire dough, place it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. You can also shape it into a flat disc for easier rolling or roll it into a log for slice-n-bake cookies. Add the label, then freeze for up to 2 months.
How To Bake Frozen Cookie Dough
Pre-shaped cookies can be baked as directed in the recipe while still frozen. Be sure to add two to three minutes to the baking time.
If the dough has not already been shaped, fully thaw the covered or wrapped dough to room temperature. Form the cookies and bake them as directed in the recipe. There is no extra baking time needed.
Generally, all cookie doughs can be safely frozen for up to two months, but others have successfully frozen cookies for up to a year, especially if they are vegan.
When correctly stored, frozen cookie dough will generally taste the same as unfrozen cookie dough after baking. However, if the cookie dough is not tightly wrapped or covered while being stored long-term in the freezer, it may absorb strong odors from the freezer or become freezer burned.
Be aware that if the cookie contains any delicate ingredients or fresh fruit, the texture may change once it has been frozen and then baked.
It is possible to freeze baked cookies and cookie dough, however, to maintain a soft texture and extra fresh taste, it is best to freeze the dough and bake it later.
Pre-baked cookies can lose moisture in the freezer, making them dry and crumbly.
To freeze baked cookies, let them cool completely, place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap—store for up to a month.
Made these, they’re great! I weighed each cookie out to 20g and ended up with 48! Thanks for the recipe will be trying more some time!
Thank so much for trying the snickerdoodles and the photo! Well done!