Freezing Cookie Dough

This guide covers the best ways to freeze cookie dough so that you can knock out all of your holiday baking in advance or keep cookies on hand year-round. Some types of cookie dough freeze better than others, and some hold their shape even better after freezing.

I'll dive into these factors and more so you can freeze your favorite cookie dough and bake homemade cookies with perfect results every time.

❔ Why Freeze Cookie Dough

Freezing cookie dough offers flexibility, convenience, and honestly, stress relief. Here's why you should start freezing cookie dough:

• Time-Saving. Prep your dough in advance so you can bake fresh cookies whenever you want.
• Portion Control. Bake as many or as few cookies as you need without worrying about leftovers.
• Flavor Boost. Resting dough in the freezer can enhance flavors as ingredients have more time to meld together.

Whether you love to bake or you're a busy parent, freezing cookie dough is a simple way to make life a little easier.

🍪 Best Types of Cookie Dough To Freeze

Not all cookie dough freezes well. Doughs with a high-fat content (lots of butter, egg yolks, or oil) and a sturdy texture are the best candidates. Here are some great options for cookies with dough that freezes well:

• Drop Cookies: Chocolate chip, chocolate, peanut butter, oatmeal.
• Cut-Out Cookies: Sugar cookies, gingerbread, linzer, empire cookies.
• Slice-and-Bake Cookies: Shortbread, icebox cookies.
• Other Great Choices: Pinwheel cookies, snickerdoodles, thumbprint cookies.

Cookie Doughs That Don’t Freeze Well

Avoid freezing delicate batters or doughs with a high liquid content, such as:

• Florentines
• Madeleines
• Meringue-based cookies
• Pizzelles
• Tuiles
• Wafers (like stroopwafels)
• Lace cookies

Feel free to use any variation of these cookie dough types. Adding nuts, candy, fruit, sprinkles, and chocolate chips won't affect the cookie's ability to freeze or bake well, so have fun.

Share your experience with what does or doesn't freeze well in the comments.

👩🏻‍🍳 How To Freeze Cookie Dough: Step-by-Step Instructions

The specific steps for freezing cookie dough vary slightly depending on the type of dough you are using, so I broke them down by variety. No matter the type of dough, it is best to bake your frozen cookie dough within three months.

1. For Drop Cookies (e.g., Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter)

1. Scoop cookie dough into individual portions using a cookie scoop or spoon.
2. Place the portions on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they don’t touch.
3. Freeze until solid (1-2 hours).
4. Transfer frozen dough balls to an airtight freezer bag or container. Label with the date and freeze.

2. For Rolled and Cut-Out Cookies (e.g., Gingerbread, Sugar Cookies)

1. Shape the dough into a flat disc.
2. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container.
3. Label with the date and cookie type.

3. For Slice-and-Bake Cookies (e.g., Shortbread, Icebox Cookies)

1. Shape dough into a log.
2. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
3. Freeze and label as above.

4. For Delicate or Sticky Dough

If your dough is sticky, chill it in the fridge before following the steps above. This often makes shaping and handling much easier.

💭 Tips for Freezing Cookie Dough

1. Avoid Freezer Burn. Use high-quality freezer bags or containers, and squeeze out as much air as possible.
2. Label Everything. Write the type of cookie, date, and baking instructions on the bag.
3. Watch for Sprinkles. If your dough contains sprinkles, test them for color bleeding by freezing a sample first.

🎄Special Tips for Christmas Cookies

Christmas cookie and dessert baking sometimes involves intricate shapes, decorations, or festive add-ins. Here are some tips for perfect Christmas cookies from frozen dough:

1. Gingerbread and Sugar Cookies. Freeze the dough in discs, then roll out and cut shapes after thawing.
2. Decorating in Advance. You can also freeze already-cut cookie shapes by layering them between sheets of parchment paper in a container. This also works for cookies with thick or hardened icing.
3. Holiday Add-Ins. Mix-ins like sprinkles, candy pieces, or nuts freeze beautifully. Just make sure to test sprinkles for color bleeding as explained above.

❄️ Baking Cookies from Frozen Dough

Fortunately, you can bake most cookie dough straight from the freezer, except cut-out cookies because you need to roll and cut the dough. Here's how:

• Drop Cookies. Place frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and bake as usual, adding 1-2 extra minutes to the bake time.
• Slice-and-Bake Cookies. Slice directly from the frozen log and bake as directed.
• Cut-Out Cookies. Thaw the dough in the fridge overnight, then roll out, cut, and bake as usual. Note - you can cut your cookie dough into shapes before freezing, but you will need to freeze cookies between layers of parchment paper. Then, bake as directed from frozen adding 1-2 minutes.

🛠️ Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Dough Too Hard to Scoop. Let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping.
• Dry or Crumbly Dough After Freezing. This can happen if too much air gets into the packaging. Make sure to wrap and seal the dough tightly before freezing.
• Misshapen Cookies. If cookies spread too much, chill the dough in the fridge before freezing or reduce the butter slightly.

Freezing cookie dough is an easy way to prepare for holidays, unexpected guests, or everyday sweet tooth cravings. Whether you're freezing a batch of classic chocolate chip cookies or prepping festive Christmas favorites like gingerbread, you’ll be ready to bake at any time.

What cookie dough recipes are you excited to freeze for delectable cookies? Let me know in the comments!

📖 Recipe Card