How To Freeze Cookie Dough & Bake From Frozen

How To Freeze Cookie Dough – All the tips, tricks, and techniques you need to freeze cookie dough and how to bake frozen cookie dough when you need it. Now you can always have homemade cookies on hand!

Hi! It’s me. Popping in with another post in our Be A Better Baker Series to make your life a little bit easier, and today’s post is a good one: The Best Way To Freeze Cookie Dough!

When I think of freezing cookie dough, I instantly picture an old-school infomercial. Picture it:

“Are you or someone you know having a bad day?”

“Do you wish you could have cookies whenever you crave them?”

“Are you busy and want to make treats in advance?”

“Want to just bake ONE cookie when you have a craving?”

“Did you forget to make cookies for that thing you promised you’d make treats for?”

Now, you can always have freshly baked cookies in minutes, thanks to FROZEN COOKIE DOUGH™!

In all seriousness, freezing cookie dough is one of those simple baking tricks that makes life SO much easier! It might seem simple (and it is!), but today, we’re breaking down everything you need to know to freeze cookie dough + how to bake cookie dough straight from the freezer!

How To Freeze Cookie Dough (Drop Cookies)

Drop cookies are cookies you simply scoop or roll into balls and drop onto the baking sheet (no rolling out with a rolling pin or punching out shapes with cookie cutters). So which cookies are drop cookies? Drop cookies include things like classic chocolate chip cookies, drop sugar cookies, peanut butter cookies, sprinkle cookies, oatmeal cookies, etc.

Drop cookie dough is the easiest kind to freeze! Here’s how you do it, step by step:

1. Mix the dough as usual, including any chill time called for in the recipe’s instructions (i.e. “chill for 1 hour” or “chill overnight”).
2. Scoop the dough into balls, then place in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment.
3. Freeze 1 hour or so, or until no longer tacky (so they don’t all stick together), then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container. They should hold their shape well in the freezer if stored this way!
4. Drop cookie dough will stay fresh in the freezer up to about 6 weeks.

How To Freeze Cookie Dough You Roll In Sugar Or Toppings

Okay, now we know how to freeze regular drop cookie dough, but what about cookie dough you roll in sugar, like snickerdoodles rolled in cinnamon sugar or chocolate crinkle cookies you roll in powdered sugar, or peanut butter or sugar cookies you roll in sugar or sprinkles before baking? Here’s what you should know:

1. Follow the same instructions as the drop cookies—make the dough as usual (including any chill time).
2. Scoop or roll the dough into balls, but DON’T roll in the sugar.
3. Freeze the cookie dough without rolling it in sugar.
4. When you’re ready to bake, thaw the cookie dough in the refrigerator for at least an hour (up to overnight).
5. Right before baking, roll the cookie dough balls in sugar and bake as directed, as though you were making them fresh. (This can be easier to do if you thaw the dough in the refrigerator first)
6. Cookie dough will stay fresh in the freezer about 6 weeks.

How To Freeze Cut-Out Cookie Dough

If you’re hoping to freeze cookie dough for rolling out and making cut-out cookies (think cutout sugar cookies or gingerbread cookies), you’ll actually freeze the whole ball of dough, formed into a disc. You can divide the dough in half if it’s a big batch of cookies, otherwise, keeping it all together will be fine! Here’s what that looks like, step by step:

1. Mix up the dough as directed (including any chill time called for in the recipe).
2. Form the dough into a disc or ball (discs thaw faster and are easier to roll out). If your batch of cookies is large, you may want to divide the dough in half to make two discs or balls.
3. Then, wrap the dough ball or dough disc tightly with food wrap (plastic wrap or reusable beeswax wrap), and tuck it into a freezer safe bag.
4. Freeze until solid.
5. When you’re ready to bake the cookies, let the dough disc thaw in the refrigerator, then let it soften on the countertop for an additional 20-30 minutes or until it’s soft enough to roll out like usual.
6. Roll the dough out, cut into shapes, and bake as directed.
7. Cookie dough will stay fresh in the freezer 6 weeks.

How To Bake Frozen Cookie Dough

Now that you have a freezer full of yummy cookie dough, you might be wondering how to bake frozen cookie dough. Don’t worry, it’s easy! You have two main options:

1. Thaw Before Baking Method: Thaw the dough in the refrigerator for a few hours, or at room temperature about 1 hour before baking as directed in your cookie recipe. You don’t need to adjust the bake time or temperature for thawed cookie dough.
2. Baking Frozen Cookie Dough Straight From The Freezer. If you prefer to bake frozen cookie dough straight from the freezer, you’ll reduce the baking temperature by 20-25 degrees or so and add 2-3 minutes to the bake time. Reducing the oven temp allows the cookies to bake longer without burning the edges, which is crucial since the centers are much colder than usual and will need more time to heat and cook.

How To Freeze Baked Cookies

Just about any cookie that’s not glazed or frosted freezes like a dream! Add cookies in layers separated by parchment or waxed paper to a freezer-safe bag or container. (Add a single layer of cookies, then separate layers with parchment or waxed paper to prevent the cookies from sticking together.)

Glazed and frosted cookies can also be frozen, they just run the risk of getting a bit messy in the freezer or getting a bit frosty when they thaw. (I freeze our frosted Chocolate Cake Cookies every time I make them!) If you can, freeze them on a cookie sheet until they’re no longer tacky or sticky before transferring them to a freezer bag or container. (Remember to separate layers of cookies with parchment or waxed paper!)

Frozen baked cookies usually stay fresh 4-6 weeks in the freezer. You can thaw baked cookies in the refrigerator for best results, or warm them in a 300 degrees F. oven for 5-8 minutes or so. (Do not warm frosted or glazed cookies as the frosting or glaze will melt!)

How Long Does Cookie Dough Last In The Freezer?

When stored properly, homemade cookie dough will last about 6 weeks in the freezer. The less air in the container, and the more tightly the bag or container is sealed, the better the cookie dough will last!

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