Buzz
Is Freezing Cookie Dough Possible?
In short, yes, you can freeze cookie dough. Most firm, durable cookie doughs will hold up in the freezer for several months without losing their texture or flavor.
Popular cookie doughs like chocolate chip, gingersnaps, peanut butter, and sugar cookies are all excellent candidates for freezing with great results.
Arina Habich/Getty ImagesCookie Dough Recipes Perfect for Freezing
Consider freezing these cookie doughs for future baking sessions:
- Sugar cookie dough (ideal for freezing as a log or in pre-shaped pieces)
- Peanut butter cookies
- Chocolate peppermint shortbread (freeze the dough, then decorate after baking)
- Gingerbread cookies (shape these before freezing for quicker gingerbread goodness)
- Gingersnaps
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Salted oatmeal cookies with dark chocolate
- Jam sandwich cookies (freeze the dough, bake, then add jam when ready to serve)
- Chewy spice cookies
The Best Way to Freeze Cookie Dough
There are two great ways to freeze cookie dough—one works best if you want to bake the entire batch in one go, and the other is perfect when you only need a few cookies at a time for a quick fresh treat.
How to Freeze Cookie Dough for an Entire Batch
To prepare for baking a full batch later, rolling the dough into a log shape and freezing it is the simplest and quickest method. Just roll the dough, wrap it in wax paper or plastic wrap, place it in a freezer-safe container, and freeze.
When you're ready to bake, simply thaw the dough. You can then slice it for even cookie portions or roll it out and use cookie cutters for fun shapes.
How to Freeze Cookie Dough for Baking Just a Few Cookies at a Time
If you want the luxury of fresh cookies whenever you crave them (and who wouldn't?), take the time to prep the dough, then freeze it. Scoop out individual cookie portions (or roll and shape the dough), then freeze them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer to an airtight bag or container for storage.
Which Cookie Doughs Don’t Freeze Well?
Some cookie doughs just don’t hold up well in the freezer. In these cases, you can bake them right away and freeze the baked cookies for later. Here are a few types of dough that you should avoid freezing:
Meringue-Based Cookies, Like Macarons
Meringue can be tricky to work with, as it's delicate and easily ruined. The best strategy is to bake your meringue or macarons first, then freeze the baked cookies with parchment paper between layers. Make sure the container is crush-proof, or place the meringues on top of sturdy items in the freezer to avoid damage from other frozen goods.
Condensation can ruin the crispiness of meringues, as moisture collects in a sealed container when they thaw. To preserve their texture, remove them from the container once you're ready to use them.
Thin and Liquid Batters, Like Tuiles or Pizzelles
Liquid-based batters, like those for lace cookies, tuiles, florentines, or pizzelles, don't freeze well. Since these cookies are often fragile, especially tuiles, they’re best enjoyed fresh, rather than frozen.
Cake-Like Cookies, Such as Madeleines or Whoopie Pies
The freezer's dry air can strip moisture from the dough, which is essential for the soft, tender texture of these cookies. Avoid freezing cake-style cookies to maintain their quality.
Jam-Filled Cookies
You can freeze the dough, but avoid adding the jam until you're ready to bake. Freezing with jam can alter its consistency, which is definitely not ideal!
Should You Thaw Cookie Dough Before Baking?
If your dough needs some work before baking—such as a log that needs to be rolled and cut—let it thaw in the fridge for a few hours or overnight before you proceed.
For cookie dough that’s individually wrapped, just let it sit on a cookie sheet for about 15 minutes before baking—just enough time for your oven to preheat.
