How To Freeze Cookies: Now is a great time to get your holiday cookie-baking on. So make sure to take advantage of your freezer and make those goodies ahead of time, so you can stash them away for those upcoming parties as they arrive.
Even though the process seems straightforward enough, there are a number of considerations that will ensure your cookies are successful and every last one of them is delicious.
Cookies that Shouldn’t Be Frozen
Cookies decorated with coloured sugars, sprinkles, or fondant should not be frozen because they may bleed color if frozen. If this happens, you can still eat the cookies, but the appearance will be less appealing.
It is advisable to experiment with frozen cookies using bright or strong colors, as they may bleed. As a result, it is a good idea to freeze cookies without icing first.
Freezing Cookies
Cookies should be placed on a baking sheet in a single layer without overlap. Once baked, cookies should be allowed to cool completely. Afterwards, place the cookies on a cooling rack to cool. Freeze the cookies individually before baking.
Then add another layer or two of wax paper, or use parchment paper if needed. Place in the freezer for an hour or two until the cookie is frozen. It should take only about an hour depending on the cookie. You don’t want to forget about leaving them uncovered and in the freezer too long, as this will lead to freezer burn.
During the freezing process, prepare an airtight container. Layer the cookies in an airtight container after they’re frozen solid.You can layer them in a plastic container with a lid after they have been frozen solid. I layer the cookies in one layer on wax paper.
It’s best to use containers that are shallow and only stack three to four layers of cookies. You can use a zippered bag in the freezer too, but I generally find there’s more breakage when they’re allowed to move around.
Whether you have to freeze bar cookies or cookie slabs, do so laying them flat in the freezer. If you are using a freezer bag, place the cookies flat in the freezer.
How to Defrost Frozen Cookies
It may take 1 – 3 hours depending on your environment for them to defrost in the container they were frozen in. Defrosting can cause liquid to build upon your equipment. Let your equipment completely dry before you begin working. This will prevent condensation from forming on the cookies themselves.
How Long Will Frozen Cookies Last?
Keeping cookies frozen properly can help them stay good (and tasty) for between a month and 45 days.
How to Freeze Cookie Dough
Remember to label the package with the date, type of cookie, and instructions for baking. In most cases, cookie dough can be frozen for up to three or four months.
Drop Cookies: Bake the cookie dough into balls as you normally would. Place the, thoroughly cooled balls on a silicone- or parchment-lined tray, allow to freeze for 1 hour (or until solid), then zip-top the bag to seal. Place in a freezer storage container, then freeze.
Slice-and-Bake Cookies: Several logs of dough can be formed by double-wrapping with plastic, freezing, and preventing freezer burn and flavors absorbing.
Cut-Out Cookies: Wrap in plastic and freeze in the flat shape after forming one or two disks.
How to Bake Frozen Cookie Dough
Drop Cookies:
Bake frozen cookie dough balls, as directed by the recipe, following the guidelines provided on a lined baking sheet. In addition to storing frozen cookie dough in the refrigerator, you can also place it on a lined baking sheet. Just plan ahead.
Make up the time the cookies lost from being frozen by baking them an extra couple of minutes.
Slice-and Bake Cookies:
When frozen cookie logs have defrosted for a few minutes, they’re harder to cut. Prepare the sheets according to the recipe instructions, and bake the cookies as directed. When the cookies are done, take them out of the oven a couple of minutes early, if necessary.
Cut-Out Cookies:
Bake the dough as usual after it has been frozen in the fridge. Roll out the dough, cut out shapes, and bake as usual.
Mistakes to Avoid When Freezing Cookie Dough and Cookies
1. Freezing the wrong kind of doughs
Some cookie doughs freeze well in particular. Tuiles, florentines, lace, and pizzelles are thin, delicate cookies usually made with liquid batters that don’t freeze well once cooked. As a result, they are best baked fresh.
Drop cookies such as chocolate chip or oatmeal, shortbread, or sugar cookies are best for cookie dough, but you can also make them cut-outs like gingerbread and sugar cookies.
2. Not using the right method to freeze a particular dough.
If you are freezing drop cookie dough, roll it into balls on the baking sheet until firm, then transfer to an airtight freezer bag or container. If you are freezing a brownie dough, roll it into balls on the baking sheet until firm.
The slices perforated into logs should be frozen completely in the fridge. The discs formed by the cutouts should be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, frozen, then transferred to an airtight container.
3. Not remembering to add a few minutes to the baking time.
Keep an eye on the cookies during the baking process to make sure that they have not over-cooked. If necessary, add up to two minutes more baking time to the suggested time written on the recipe.
4. Freezing them already rolled in granulated or powdered sugar.
Before you bake your cookies, you need to roll them in sugar, which is one of the things you need to save for last.
Often, the powdered sugar on your cookies is clumped together and forms an unappealing coating instead of baking up as it should, like when rolling your crinkle cookies right before you bake them. Instead, roll them the day before you bake them.
The final step you must take to make your make-ahead cookie smell and taste the best is to roll it in powdered or granulated sugar right before you bake it. This final step is essential to increasing the freshness of your baked cookies.
FAQs
1. What is the best container to freeze cookies in?
Cookies should be placed in a tightly sealed plastic container before freezing. Cookies will not only be protected from air but will also be prevented from breaking. The bottom of the container should be filled with cookies. You can cover them with wax paper.
2. Can you freeze cookies in Ziploc bags?
Make sure your cookies are cool after baking. Then, store them in a freezer-safe zippered storage bag, labelled with the date and name, on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place in the freezer flat and squeeze out extra air. Flat-stacking freezer bags can help you save space.
3. Does freezing cookies keep them fresh?
Keeping cookies for a long time is best done by freezing them. The fresh flavour and texture of freshly baked cookies can be frozen so that you can enjoy them anytime. The best results will come from letting your cookies cool completely, and freezing them as soon as possible.