9 Things Every Baker Needs to Know About Freezing Cookies (2024)

FAQs

9 Things Every Baker Needs to Know About Freezing Cookies? ›

To freeze cookies you've already baked, place the completely cooled treats in a single layer on a sheet pan or something else large and flat. Once the individual cookies are completely frozen, you can store them in a flat-bottomed airtight container with the layers separated by parchment paper or waxed paper.

Cakey cookies, like madeleines, also don't freeze well. "They begin to lose moisture no matter how tightly they're wrapped," Wenk says. It is possible to resuscitate them with a few minutes in the oven after thawing, but they won't taste the same.

In most cases, I prefer to freeze cookie dough over freezing baked cookies. That way, you still get the nice homemade smell and softness of the cookies when they come out of the oven. But if you want to get the whole job done, you can certainly bake the cookies, then freeze them later.

Alternatively, you can tightly wrap and freeze whole dough balls, then thaw them completely overnight in the fridge before rolling out, cutting and baking. Just like slice-and-bake dough, cutout dough cannot be refrozen once thawed.

How Long Do Frozen Cookies Last? The key to freezing cookies properly and making sure they last is to avoid air. Air in the freezer will cause the flavor and texture of the cookies to break down faster. Properly stored in an airtight container or bag, cookies can last in the freezer for up to six months.

Your best choices are airtight containers (plastic or glass) because they protect the cookies from breaking. Choose shallow, square or rectangular containers with flat bottoms. (Rounded bottoms cause cookies to bend.) Place waxed paper or parchment paper in between layers.

Most cookie dough freezes well, particularly these kinds: Chocolate Chip Cookie dough is the cookie dough that I most often have in my freezer - I always have some of my perfect chocolate chip cookie dough, along with my small batch cookie dough or my brown butter chocolate chip cookie dough. They all freeze well.

The key to keeping cookies fresh and soft is to seal them in an airtight container, like a resealable freezer bag. And here's a nifty little trick: add a piece of bread to the bag.

A: To prevent freezer burn on cookies, use airtight containers or freezer bags, remove excess air, separate layers with parchment paper, and consider flash freezing. In addition, label and date packages and maintain proper freezer temperature. These measures will help preserve the cookies' quality and taste.

Do cookies taste the same after freezing? ›

Freezing Baked Cookies

Cut outs, drop cookies and refrigerator cookies freeze well. Decorated, filled and cookies with a delicate texture such as meringues are more fragile. Although freezing won't change the flavor of decorated cookies, frosting may cause cookies to stick together.

Not all cookies freeze well

Cookies that are already decorated with frosting or coated in chocolate or powdered sugar are a no-go, as are delicate cookies like these peppermint meringues and these chocolate almond pizzelles. Just about anything else is a possibility!

In instances like these, it helps to remember that almost all baked goods, including cupcakes, muffins, banana bread and dinner rolls can be frozen for up to three months. Plus, cookie and pie dough, brownie batter, biscuits and scones can be mixed, shaped and frozen, so you can bake them off whenever you like.

After baking, allow cookies to cool completely. Place them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet to freeze them, then store them in a freezer-safe zip-top storage bag labeled with the name and date. Squeeze out extra air and place flat in the freezer. To save space, you can flat-stack freezer bags.

Wrapping and Freezing

In general, any cookie dough containing fat, like butter or shortening, tends to freeze well. But cookie doughs that rely on whipped egg whites for volume and texture will be tough to freeze. For example, meringues and macarons will not freeze well.

Freezing cookie dough gives the butter in the dough the chance to become firmer. Colder butter disperses through the cookie more slowly causing a more structured and complex cookie. Cold butter also causes the cookie to spread less creating a final product that is softer and meltier.

Baked cookies will stay fresh for three days in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. If you decide to freeze baked cookies, plan to defrost and serve them within three months. How do you like to store your cookies?

You can safely refreeze breads, cookies and similar bakery items. However, the end product is likely to be a drier, lower quality product.

Tips for Storing Cookies to Keep Them Soft

Avoid storing them in the fridge or freezer, as this can cause them to become hard and dry.