There’s nothing better than a batch of warm, gooey cookies straight from the oven, but what happens when you can’t finish all of them? You don’t want these tasty treats to go to waste. So, can you freeze cookies to save for later? Yes, you can store cookies in the freezer to enjoy on another day.
Freezing cookies allows you to store them for months, preserving their freshness, taste, and texture. In this blog, we’ll cover the ins and outs of freezing cookies. Discover the best ways to freeze both baked cookies and raw cookie dough so you can enjoy homemade treats whenever you want.
- How to Freeze Homemade Cookies
- How to Freeze Cookie Dough
- What Types of Cookies Can You Freeze?
- Tips for Freezing Cookies
- How to Bake Frozen Cookies and Cookie Dough
- Enjoy Freshly Baked Cookies Anytime
How to Freeze Homemade Cookies
Can you freeze baked cookies? Yes, and we’re here to tell you how. Freezing homemade cookies is a practical way to enjoy your tasty treats long after they’ve been made. From red velvet cookies to classic chocolate chip, you can freeze your favorite recipes by following these simple steps:
1. Gather your supplies
Before you freeze your cookies, gather the necessary supplies to make the process a breeze. Here’s what you should have on hand to freeze cookies:
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Cooling rack: Leave your cookies on the rack to cool completely before freezing.
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Plastic wrap: Wrap cookies individually to help maintain freshness.
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Parchment paper: Layering cookies between parchment paper prevents them from sticking together.
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Airtight container or freezer-safe bags: Protect cookies from freezer burn and keep them fresh for longer by sealing the container or bag completely.
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Permanent marker: Label your containers or bags with the type of cookie and the freezing date to ensure optimal freshness.
2. Allow freshly baked cookies to cool completely
Before placing your freshly baked cookies in the freezer, let them cool completely. This step is crucial for preventing condensation when the cookies are stored in the freezer. Leaving them out on a cooling rack ensures your cookies taste as fresh as ever when you pull them out of the freezer. Skipping this step may compromise both the flavor and texture of your cookies.
3. Wrap cookies individually with plastic wrap
This next step is a surefire way to keep cookies fresh and prevent freezer burn. Wrap each individual cookie in plastic wrap, ensuring all edges are sealed to minimize exposure to air. This method helps preserve texture and flavor and stops cookies from sticking together. Wrapping them individually also makes it easy to grab a single cookie at a time.
4. Store cookies in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag
The best way to freeze cookies is by storing them in an airtight container or bag. After wrapping each cookie individually, place them in an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag. If you opt for a container, you can use parchment paper to layer cookies. If you use a bag, make sure to squeeze out as much air as possible to minimize freezer burn.
This step protects cookies from exposure to air and moisture, which can affect their freshness.
5. Freeze for up to 4 months
How long can you freeze cookies? While storing baked cookies in the freezer can extend their shelf life, all good things must come to an end. It’s recommended to store freezer cookies for up to four months. Don’t get us wrong, your cookies may still be safe to eat after four months, but their quality will begin to decline.
We suggest labeling your storage or freezer containers with the freezing date to track how long your cookies have been stored. Once you hit the four-month mark, it’s time to bake a new batch.
How to Freeze Cookie Dough
Now that you know you can freeze homemade cookies, you’re probably also wondering if you can freeze homemade cookie dough. Freezing cookie dough is a fantastic way to save time. By preparing and freezing the dough in advance, you can skip the mixing step and go straight to baking whenever you want a sweet treat.
Here's how to freeze cookie dough:
1. Shape the dough
Save yourself even more time by shaping the cookie dough before freezing. Here are helpful shaping methods depending on the type of cookie:
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Drop cookies: These are classic, scoopable cookies like chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin. Use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion the dough into individual balls.
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Slice-and-bake cookies: This style is common for shortbread or sugar cookies. Roll the dough into a log shape and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. When you're ready to bake, you can slice the log into even rounds and bake directly from frozen, adjusting the bake time slightly.
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Cut-out cookies: For cookies like gingerbread or sugar cookies meant for decorating, roll out the dough to your desired thickness and freeze it flat. Alternatively, cut out shapes first, place them on a lined baking sheet, and freeze until firm before transferring to a container.
2. Wrap and prepare for freezing
Keep your cookie dough fresh for longer by wrapping it before freezing. Unlike baked cookies, you may not want to wrap the cookie dough individually. For slice-and-bake cookies, form the dough into a log and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Alternatively, cut-out cookie dough is best when layering it with parchment paper and storing it flat in a container or bag.
3. Freeze for up to 3 months
Similar to baked cookies, frozen cookie dough has a “best-used-by” date. Store frozen cookie dough for up to three months to maintain quality and flavor. While there's nothing inherently wrong with storing it beyond this time frame, the dough could lose its freshness.
What Types of Cookies Can You Freeze?
Not all cookies freeze well. While most cookies can be frozen, understanding which types of cookies freeze well and which don’t will help you get the best results when thawing later. Let’s take a closer look at which cookies freeze well and those that don’t.
Cookies that freeze well
Some cookie recipes freeze exceptionally well, these include:
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Drop cookies: Classic recipes like chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin freeze very well because their dough is already portioned into individual balls, which freeze easily without losing shape or texture.
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Slice-and-bake cookies: Pinwheel cookies and shortbread freeze well as dough logs, allowing easy slicing and baking without a significant change in texture.
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Bar cookies: Okay, maybe these aren’t exactly cookies but bars such as brownies and lemon bars freeze well because they are typically dense and less delicate than other varieties, maintaining their structure and flavor after freezing.
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Sugar cookies: Freezing sugar cookie dough or cut-out shapes works well if wrapped or stored properly, preserving their crispness and shape.
Cookies that don’t freeze well
If you’re experimenting with unique cookie recipes or more intricate designs, you might think twice before freezing. Some cookies don’t freeze as well due to their delicate nature or the frosting and decorations involved. These include:
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Frosted or glazed cookies: Cookies with frosting or glaze may become soggy when thawed since the moisture from the icing doesn’t freeze well.
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Meringue-based cookies: Pavlova and meringue cookies are light and airy, and freezing them can cause them to lose their crisp texture and become chewy when thawed.
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Delicate cookies: Thin, delicate cookies are more prone to breaking or losing their texture after freezing. They tend to be too fragile to hold up well in the freezer.
Tips for Freezing Cookies
We’ve covered that you can freeze homemade cookies, but what other tips can help you freeze your cookies to perfection? Here are some additional tips for freezing cookies and cookie dough like a pro:
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Freeze cookie dough in portions. For example, if you want to bake smaller batches of cookies at a time, portion out the dough in sealed containers so you only have to open the container when you’re ready to bake the whole batch.
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Choose the right freezer-safe containers. These containers can prevent cracking or moisture buildup.
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Underbake your cookies. When freezing baked cookies, consider underbaking them slightly so they remain soft and chewy after freezing. This gives them a fresher taste and texture.
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Avoid freezing soft or moist cookies. This includes cookies like whoopie pies or filled cookies since they may not freeze as well. Instead, opt for firmer cookies like shortbread, biscotti, or drop cookies.
How to Bake Frozen Cookies and Cookie Dough
Baked cookies can be reheated by warming them in the oven at a low temperature of approximately 300°F for 5 to 10 minutes. You can even microwave frozen cookies for 15 to 30 seconds for a quick treat!
Baking frozen cookie dough is simple. Start by preheating your oven. Once ready, throw the dough in the oven straight from the freezer, adding 1 to 2 minutes to the usual bake time for thawing.
Enjoy Freshly Baked Cookies Anytime
The best way to freeze cookies is by following the steps outlined above. From gathering the right tools to allowing cookies to cool completely, you can freeze your favorite treats to enjoy any time of the week. Whether you’ve baked too many cookies or simply want to fill your freezer for future cookie emergencies, freezing saves time and keeps cookies tasting as fresh as the day they were baked.
The good news is you can freeze all sorts of cookies, not just homemade ones. Mrs. Fields® fresh-baked cookies are delivered straight to your door for immediate enjoyment. But don’t worry if you can’t finish the whole box—simply throw them in the freezer and enjoy them for weeks.