Freezing cookie dough is a convenient and practical way to enjoy freshly baked cookies anytime. You can pull a couple of frozen dough balls out of the freezer and bake them, and if you need a last-minute treat, you will have a secret stash of your favorite dough just waiting to be baked.

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Unlock Convenience and Deliciousness By Freezing Cookie Dough
- Freezing cookie dough before a party or for holiday baking is a total lifesaver. You can make the dough ahead of time and store it in the freezer, so you're all set whenever the craving strikes.
- No more last-minute scrambling to bake cookies from scratch! It's like having your own personal stash of homemade treats, ready to go.
- So go ahead, plan ahead and enjoy freshly baked cookies whenever you feel like it.
- With pre-made frozen cookie dough at your fingertips, you'll always be ready to satisfy your sweet tooth or surprise your guests with warm, delicious cookies without the stress of last-minute baking.
When making cookie dough, consider doubling the recipe and baking half immediately while freezing the other half. Alternatively, you can prepare a standard batch of cookies and freeze half of the dough. This time-saving approach guarantees a constant supply of freshly baked homemade cookies. It's also handy to have a cookie scoop on hand for easy portioning.
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What Cookie Dough Freezes The Best?
Cookie dough generally freezes well, especially when it includes a fat such as shortening or butter.
- Chocolate Chip
- Oatmeal
- Sugar Cookies
- Gingerbread
- Peanut Butter
- Snickerdoodles
- Shortbread
- Biscotti
I freeze cookie dough since I can’t eat a whole batch alone as an empty nester. But I prefer not to make a half batch. Plus, I like having cookie options in the freezer for unexpected gatherings. It’s important to double-wrap the dough balls and place them in a freezer-safe container.”
— Jennifer Osborn, Kitchen Serf
What Is The Best Way To Freeze Cookie Dough?
There are several options for freezing cookie dough; each is easy to do and results in tasty cookies.
How To Freeze A Whole Ball Of Cookie Dough?
This method works great when you want to bake a whole batch of cookies.
- Prepare the cookie dough.
- Shape the dough into one large ball.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, then place it in an airtight container or freezer bag.
- Store the dough in the freezer.
When you are ready to bake, defrost the dough in the refrigerator, scoop it out, and bake according to the original recipe.
How To Freeze Proportioned Cookie Dough Balls
This method works great when you want to get a jump start on baking cookies for later or if you want to bake a few cookies. Use this method for drop cookies.
- Prepare the cookie dough according to your recipe.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Using a cookie scoop or a spoon, scoop out equal portions of cookie dough and place on the baking sheet. Make sure the dough balls are not touching to keep them from sticking together.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze the dough balls for 1 to 2 hours until firm.
- Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to a freezer container or a freezer bag.
- I find it helpful to write the baking instructions on the bag.
- When you are ready to bake the cookies, take the dough balls out of the freezer and place them on a baking sheet. Allow them to thaw for about an hour. Heat the oven as directed on the recipe and bake the cookies according to the recipe. With this method, you can bake just one cookie in your toaster oven, or the whole batch in the big oven.
🍪These drop cookies freeze well and are easy to make: Chewy Lemon Cookies, Triple Ginger Cookies and Dark Chocolate Cookies.
How To Freeze, Slice And Bake Cookie Dough?
Slice-and-bake cookies are easy to make and bake; freezing these dough logs takes just minutes.
- Prepare the cookie dough according to your recipe.
- Roll the cookie dough into a log according to the recipe directions for size. Make sure the dough is evenly shaped and well-rounded.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, then wrap again in aluminum foil.
- To freeze, place the cookie dough log in the freezer on a flat surface.
When you are ready to bake the cookies, remove the dough from the freezer, unwrap it, and let it thaw for about an hour. Heat the oven according to the recipe. Place the cookie dough on a cutting board, cut it into slices and place it on a baking sheet. Bake according to the recipe.
🍪These are my favorite slice-and-bake cookies. I love keeping a log of frozen dough in the freezer, and they are perfect for gifting. Try these Chocolate Shortbreads covered in pretty sprinkles and these Lemon Shortbreads.
How To Freeze Cutout Cookie Dough?
Get a jump start to your holiday baking and freeze your cutout cookies ahead of time.
- Prepare the cookie dough according to your recipe.
- Roll the dough according to the directions and cut out the dough shapes.
- Place the cutouts on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the freezer for an hour until they are firm.
- Layer the frozen cutouts in a large container with parchment paper separating each layer.
When ready to bake the cookies, transfer them from the freezer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Heat the oven to the desired temperature and bake them according to the recipe. Because they are so thin, you should not have to add additional baking time.
🍪Make these cutout cookies before the holidays so they are ready to bake fresh. Make these cutout Chocolate Chip Cookies for Valentine's Day, Maple Cutout Cookies, perfect for fall, and Spiced Christmas Tree Cookies that have colorful icing dots.
“Living full-time in our RV, my husband and I like the convenience of preparing and freezing cookie dough in advance. During our travels, when we have a power connection, I whip up batches of ready-to-bake cookie dough balls. Then, in remote spots, I can effortlessly grab a few from the freezer and indulge in freshly baked cookies without any hassle or cleanup – just warm cookies, straight from our oven.”
— Rebecca Blackwell, Of Batter and Dough
Freeze Your Cookie Dough Like A Pro?
- Label and date the dough so you know what type of cookies they are and when they were made.
- You can freeze cookies for up to a year.
- You can bake the cookies directly from the freezer; add an extra 1 to 2 minutes of baking time. Also, the cookies will spread less than a defrosted cookie.
By freezing the cookie dough, you can enjoy delicious, freshly baked cookies that are just as tasty as the day they were made. This process saves time and guarantees you can savor warm, homemade cookies whenever you have a cookie craving or unexpected visitors arrive.
Read this article on How To Freeze Raw Eggs to further add to your food prep.
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Jere Cassidy is the writer and recipe developer behind the blog One Hot Oven. A passion for all things food-related led her to culinary school to expand on her baking skills and now to sharing easy recipes for all home cooks and bakers of all skill levels. When not in the kitchen, Jere’ likes to travel far and wide to find delicious food.
This article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.
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