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Never be caught without a sweet treat to share – easily freeze cookie dough with these tips and tricks!
Why Freeze Cookie Dough
Busy people know the freezer is their best friend. Freezer meals, storing leftovers, or having desserts on hand are great for unexpected company and busy days!
We love having cookie dough on hand for just such occasions or for when a craving strikes. Learn how to freeze cookie dough to ensure you are never short on sweets!
Why we love to have cookie dough on hand:
- For good and bad days. Bake batches of cookies as a quick after-school treat for kids to celebrate wins or lift spirits.
- That sweet tooth. It’s an easy late-night treat when the craving hits!
- Save time. Freeze your Christmas Cookies to make holiday baking a cinch.
- For sharing. They’re a quick gift for teachers, neighbors, friends, or unexpected company.
Supplies
- the cookie dough
- jelly roll pans lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat
- cookie scoop
- freezable storage container or Ziploc freezer bag
- plastic wrap and aluminum foil
- permanent marker
There are many different types of cookies and some freeze better than others. Different types will need to be frozen in slightly different ways.
Freeze Drop Cookie Dough – The Most Popular
Best Chocolate Chip Cookies are probably the most widely made “drop cookie” but other drop cookies include recipes like Easy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, our Best Peanut Butter Cookies, and cake mix cookies like Frosted Lemon Cookies.
- PREP. Roll the cookie dough into one-inch sized balls.
- Place cookie dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and flash freeze 30-60 minutes, or until firm.
- FREEZE. Place frozen cookie dough in a zip top bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 6 months.
If a recipe calls for rolling the cookie in sugar, wait to do that right before baking.
BakING Frozen COOKIE DOUGH
Let the cookie dough thaw or bake straight out of the freezer. When baking straight from the freezer, add 1-2 more minutes to the baking time.
Freeze Slice and Bake Cookies
These include cookies such as sandies, Easy Shortbread Cookies, or these fun St. Patrick’s Day Cookies.
- PREP. Roll the dough into a log.
- Wrap the cookie dough log tightly with plastic wrap and then again with foil.
- FREEZE. Label and freeze in a storage bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw the dough logs before slicing.
Freeze Cut Out Cookies
The most popular cut-out cookies would have to be Frosted Sugar Cookies, but other cookies like Gingerbread Cookies Recipe would also fall into this category.
- PREP. Divide the dough into 3 or 4 sections.
- Roll each section into a disc making sure it is as thick as the recipe states.
- Wrap each disc with plastic wrap and wrap together in aluminum foil.
- FREEZE. Label and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the frozen dough before rolling and using cookie cutters.
More Like This
- More how to articles: How to Measure Flour, How to Separate Egg Whites, How to Soften Butter Quickly
- Favorite cookie recipes: Best Chocolate Chip Cookies, Frosted Sugar Cookies, Snickerdoodle Cookies
More collections: Sugar Cookie Ideas, Easy Cookie Recipes
How to Freeze Cookie Dough
Equipment
- freezer bags
- the cookie dough
- jelly roll pans
- parchment paper
- freezable storage container
- plastic wrap
- aluminum foil
- permanent marker
Ingredients
- cookie dough
Instructions
Drop Cookie Dough (Most Popular)
- Roll the cookie dough into one-inch sized balls.
- Place cookie dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and flash freeze 30-60 minutes, or until firm.
- Place frozen cookie dough in a Ziploc bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 6 months.
Slice and Bake Cookies
- Roll the dough into a log.
- Wrap the cookie dough log tightly with plastic wrap and then again with foil.
- Label and freeze in a storage bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw the dough logs before slicing.
Cut Out Cookies
- Divide the dough into 3 or 4 sections.
- Roll each section into a disc making sure it is as thick as the recipe states.
- Wrap each disc with plastic wrap and wrap together in aluminum foil.
- Label and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the frozen dough before rolling and using cookie cutters.
Bake Cookies
- Let the cookie dough thaw or bake straight out of the freezer. When baking straight from the freezer, add 1-2 more minutes to the baking time.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
How do I avoid freezer burn?
- Ensure your dough is properly wrapped in an airtight container or freezer-friendly bag. Remove excess air to minimize moisture and potential ice crystals. Consider double-wrapping the dough using plastic wrap or aluminum foil for added protection.
- Label the container with the date and use it within a reasonable timeframe, typically 2-3 months.
Can I refrigerate cookie dough?
- Most types of cookie dough can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 days before baking it. Longer storage requires freezing.
What kind of cookie dough can NOT be frozen?
- Dough with high water content, (meringue-based or custard-based cookie dough) such as Chocolate Macarons, florentines, tuiles, and lace cookies do not freeze well. These types of dough tend to lose their texture and become soggy when thawed.
