How to Freeze Cookie Dough

Freezing cookie dough is a fantastic way to have fresh-baked cookies on hand anytime. Whether you’re planning ahead for the holidays or simply want to enjoy a sweet treat without the hassle of making dough from scratch, it’s a lifesaver.

Although I am pretty minimalistic about what I stuff in the freezer, I’ve found that having a stash of frozen cookie dough has saved me during the holidays when I am busy with so many other things. It’s a game-changer for anyone who loves freshly baked cookies but doesn’t always have the time to make them from scratch–and lets face it, that is all of us.

Why Freeze Cookie Dough?

• Save time: Prep the dough in advance and bake whenever you want.
• Reduce waste: Freeze leftover dough instead of throwing it away.
• Enjoy fresh cookies: Have warm, freshly baked cookies any time with minimal effort. That’s really the best reason.

Best Practices for Freezing Cookie Dough

Preparing the Dough

Portion the Dough: Scoop the dough into individual portions using a cookie scoop or spoon. This ensures even baking and makes it easy to bake just a few cookies at a time.

Flatten Before Freezing: If you’re freezing drop cookies like chocolate chip or sugar cookies, slightly flatten each portion with the palm of your hand. This helps them bake evenly straight from the freezer.

Freezing Cookie Dough

Freeze: Arrange the cookie dough portions on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they aren’t touching. Freeze them for about an hour or until they’re solid. This prevents the dough from sticking together when stored.

Transfer to Storage: Once the dough portions are frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or a Ziplock freezer bag. Label the container (just use a piece of masking tape) or bag with the date and type of cookie dough.

Baking Cookies from Frozen Dough

No Thawing Needed: You don’t need to thaw the dough before baking. Simply add a couple of minutes to the baking time and bake as directed in the recipe.

Even Spacing: Arrange the frozen dough portions on a baking sheet, ensuring they have enough space to spread during baking.

What kind of cookie dough can be frozen?

Chocolate Chip vs. Sugar Cookie Dough

• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough freezes exceptionally well. It can be portioned and flash-frozen as described above. Bake directly from frozen for the best results.

• Sugar Cookie Dough: This dough also freezes well but tends to be a bit more delicate. If you plan to roll out the dough for cut-out cookies, freeze it in a flat disk. When ready to use, thaw it in the refrigerator until it’s soft enough to roll out.
• Not all cookie dough should be frozen. Anything made with egg whites, like Tuile or Merengie, typically shouldn’t. If it’s a delicate cookie, it should all be made fresh.

Personal Tips and Tricks

I’ve been freezing cookie dough for a little bit now, and here are a few tips that I’ve found helpful in my own kitchen:

• Use Parchment Paper: Layering parchment paper between dough balls can help prevent sticking if you’re stacking them in a container. I am a big fan of parchment paper, especially if my cookies have shapes.
• Mark Baking Times: On your storage container, write down the baking time and temperature. This way, you won’t have to dig out the recipe every time. This is super helpful, especially if your kids want to bake.

A Quick Reference Chart

Key Takeaways

• Portion and flatten cookie dough before freezing for easy baking.
• Flash freeze dough portions on a baking sheet before transferring to a container.
• Label and date your storage containers to keep track of what you have.
• Bake from frozen with just a slight increase in baking time.

Freezing cookie dough is simple and convenient. It ensures that you’re always just minutes away from delicious, warm cookies. Happy baking!