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Want to get prepared and make some cookie dough ahead of time to use later?
Or maybe you want to be able to portion out your cookies better for the waistline so you enjoy a couple at a time, rather than the whole batch.
Freezing cookie dough is absolutely the best way to go, but so many people didn’t even know that you can freeze cookie dough!
There’s nothing like being able to pull out some cookie dough from the freezer on demand instead of having to make it all that day, and frozen dough does bake perfectly well (with a few hints from us).
In this guide on how to freeze cookie dough, we’re going to show you exactly how to manage and freeze your dough so you can have fresh-baked cookies any time you want (and don’t miss our suggestion for a specific freezer storage container meant for cookie dough, as it’s one of the best backing hacks you’ll ever find!).
Make sure to follow our tips on freezing cookie dough to make sure your cookies don’t suffer from freezer burn or being stored incorrectly and ruining the dough or the ease at which you can bake it.
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Is it possible to freeze cookie dough?
Yes, it is possible to freeze cookie dough, and many bakers do it often.
Cookie dough usually lasts for up to 6 months in the freezer, which means you can even premake your holiday cookie dough in the summer if you want to!
4 easy methods on freezing cookie dough
There are three main methods for freezing cookie dough, each one having its pros and cons depending on the type of dough you’re using and how you plan on baking them.
1. Create a log with the dough and cover with saran wrap
If you want to keep it simple, or have cookies that are easily sliced rather than rolled into balls (think of something like butter cookies), you can actually roll the dough into a log for easy freezer storage.
For this method, you’ll need some saran wrap.
Roll the dough into a log, or a cylinder, trying to get it as smooth as possible on all sides.
Then, wrap the entire thing in saran wrap (and then again, to make sure you haven’t missed anything).
Using a freezer safe Ziploc bag, put the cookie dough log with saran wrap into the bag (you can also use an airtight container) and put into the freezer.
The beauty of these is that when it’s time to bake them, you can actually slice the frozen dough with a knife without waiting for them to thaw.
This also works for things like spiral cookies.
2. Use a cookie sheet to freeze individual balls of dough
If you don’t have any fancy tools, but you want to have individual balls of dough to use in the future, a simple cookie sheet hack can help you achieve these.
This is the best way to freeze what are known as “drop cookies”- the kinds of cookies like chocolate chip that are usually made by dropping a spoonful of dough onto a baking tray.
First, you’re going to form the dough into individual dough balls and put them on a baking sheet.
Put this baking sheet, with the dough balls, in your freezer for about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Then, use an airtight freezer container or a Ziploc bag and put the individually frozen balls inside.
Freeze the bag or container.
This way, because of the pre-freezing, the cookie dough shouldn’t stick to each other and when it’s time to bake, you can reach in and pull out as few or as many cookie balls as you want.
If you didn’t do the pre-freezing step, you may end up with balls that are completely frozen together and harder to work with.
If your freezer isn’t big enough to do this technique, you can keep it smaller, but putting the doughballs on a plate or in Tupperware (separate) to pre-freeze them before moving them to their final larger container or bag.
3. Freeze as one big chunk in saran wrap
If you have time to thaw out your cookie dough, freezing it in one giant chunk is a decent option.
This is the easiest because all you need to do it dump out your entire dough onto a piece of saran wrap and cover it completely.
You can then, for extra protection, coat it in foil or put it in an airtight container that can help prevent freezer burn.
It’s truly the easiest method when it comes to freezing, but harder when it comes to thawing.
Make sure you have time to thaw it out before baking, because it will be harder to get the individual balls that you need when you’re using it straight out of the freezer (if not impossible). It will need time to soften!
4. Use a dedicated cookie dough freezing container like this one
Yes, the best of all the freezing cookie dough hacks: a container specifically meant for freezing individual portions of cookie dough like this one.
It’s absolutely perfect for portioning out that dough and freezing it properly, and honestly, let’s be real: sometimes it’s just way more fun to have a fun kitchen gadget rather than tried and tested saran wrap!
Can you frost a cookie before freezing?
If you’re thinking about freezing a frosted cookie: think again.
It’s not the best idea to add any frosting before freezing, as the frosting will likely thaw out afterwards with a different texture and looking smushed.
Always freshly frost your cookies, so freeze the cookie dough, then bake them when ready, and then frost before you’re ready to either eat them that day or store them at room temperature.
Where in the freezer should I put cookie dough?
Cookie dough is generally very hearty in the freezer and can be smushed around a bit (you can always reshape it, for example), but it’s usually best to make sure that it is somewhere where it can remain thoroughly frozen, like the back of the freezer, instead of being exposed to the warm temperatures everytime the freezer is opened.
Hey! Want more expert cookie baking hacks? Check these out!
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- Oops! Burned cookies! Here are 9 ways to fix them
- Help! My cookie dough is crumbly!
- Why are my cookies burnt on the bottom?
- How long does cookie dough last?
- Tips on Making Your Cookies Chewier
- How to avoid cakey cookies
- The ultimate guide to chilling cookie dough and what not to do
- Help! Too much butter in cookies: what to do!
- Tips on Making your Cookies Super Moist
- Exactly how to bake your frozen cookies
- Can you use salted butter in cookies?
- Expert cookie storage tips
- Help! I’m out of butter – can I still make cookies without butter?
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