How to Freeze Cookie Dough So It Lasts for Months
There are any number of reasons why you might want to stash some cookie dough in the freezer. Maybe you like having treats on hand in case company stops by. Maybe the first day of fall kickstarted your holiday baking gene. But we’re friends here, so let’s be honest: Frozen cookie dough in our freezer means warm, gooey, fresh-baked cookies any time we want one. Here are the best ways to freeze your favorite cookies for later.
How To Freeze Cookie Dough
For the purpose of freezing, let’s divide cookies into three main categories: chunky cookies, tender slice-and-bake cookies, and cut-out cookies.
How To Freeze Chunky Cookie Dough
Chunky cookies, like chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin, freeze best if you portion out the dough beforehand. Scoop out the dough just as if you were about to bake it, but then freeze it instead. Once frozen, the little balls of dough get sealed up inside a plastic freezer bag — when you need a cookie fix, just grab as many as you want to bake.
How To Freeze Slice-and-Bake Cookie Dough
By slice-and-bake cookies, I am referring to any fairly smooth, fairly tender cookie, like shortbread or sandies. These get pressed into logs, wrapped in wax paper, and frozen solid. They can be crumbly right out of the freezer, so when you’re ready to bake, let them warm for a few minutes before slicing. If you can plan ahead, letting the logs thaw in the fridge for a few hours is even better.
How To Freeze Cut-Out Cookie Dough
Last but not least, we have cut-out cookies, like sugar cookies and many holiday cookies. The dough for these cookies can be frozen in disks just like a flaky pie crust. When ready to bake, thaw until pliable and continue with the recipe. Freezing the dough for cut-out cookies is a little less of a time- and labor-saver than the other cookies, but it’s handy to break up the work of a big cookie-baking project or if you start a batch of cookies and get interrupted in the middle.
Most frozen cookies will need an extra minute or two in the oven. Otherwise, prepping and baking the cookies is exactly the same as in the recipe — you’re just giving them a freezer vacation in the middle.
Reasons to Freeze Cookie Dough:
- Instant cookies, any time of day
- Bake only a few cookies at a time, as needed
- Prep for a bake sale, upcoming holiday, or a busy time of year
- Cookies on hand when company stops by
- Gift for students, new parents, an elderly parent, or anyone you love. Cookies = love, as we all know.
How To Freeze Cookie Dough
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 1 batch cookie dough
Equipment
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper or silpats
- Wax paper
- Freezer bags or other freezer containers
Instructions
Freezing Chunky Cookies:
Portion out the dough: Line a baking sheet with parchment or a Silpat. Prepare the dough as usual, then portion out the cookies onto the baking sheet. Since we are freezing and not baking the cookies, you can crowd the cookies close together, but do not let them touch.
Freeze the cookies: Freeze the portioned cookies on the baking sheet until solid, at least 6 hours or overnight.
Package and freeze: Once solid, gather the portioned cookies in a plastic freezer bag or other container. Press out as much air as possible, label the bag, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Baking frozen chunky cookies: Line a baking sheet with parchment or a Silpat. Remove as many cookies as you'd like to bake and space them a few inches apart on the baking sheet. Bake as directed by the recipe, adding on an extra minute or two to the baking time.
Freezing Slice-and-Bake Cookies:
Shape the cookie dough into logs: Prepare the dough as usual. Turn the dough out onto your work surface and shape into one or two logs (whichever fits in your freezer bag or container).
Wrap the logs in wax paper: Wrap each of the logs in wax paper and tuck in the ends.
Package and freeze: Transfer the logs of dough to a plastic freezer bag or other container. Press out as much air as possible, label the bag, and store in the freezer for up to three months.
Baking slice-and-bake cookies: Line a baking sheet with parchment or a Silpat. Unwrap the log of cookie dough and let it warm on the counter for 10 to 15 minutes. It should still be cold to the touch and firm, but slightly pliable. Slice the cookies into thick disks with a very sharp chef's knife or a serrated bread knife. Space the cookies a few inches apart on the baking sheet. Bake as directed by the recipe, adding on an extra minute or two to the baking time.
Freezing Cut-Out Cookies:
Shape the dough into two disks: Prepare the dough as usual. Shape the dough into two disks roughly 1-inch thick.
Package and freeze: Wrap the disks in plastic or wax paper and transfer to a plastic freezer bag or other freezer container. Press out as much air as possible, label the bag, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Baking cut-out cookies: Remove one of the disks from the freezer and let it warm up at room temperature on the counter. When pliable, roll into a 1/8-inch-thick disk, cut out the cookies, and bake as directed.