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Freezing Cookies and Cookie Dough

By: Allrecipes Staff

Too many cookies on your hands? It's cookie-freezing time!

Freezing Cookie Dough

Most cookie doughs freeze extremely well and can be kept frozen for up to 4 or 6 weeks. Use these tips for freezing:

Double-wrap dough in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn and absorption of odors from your freezer
Write the type of cookie dough and the date it was frozen on the outside of the package.
When you are ready to bake, simply let the dough defrost in the refrigerator. This will take several hours, so plan ahead.

The cookie doughs that freeze best are:

shortbreads
chocolate chip
peanut butter
refrigerator
sugar
brownies

(Avoid freezing cake-like cookies and cookies that have a very liquidy batter, such as madeleines and tuiles.)

Freezing Baked Cookies

Freezing baked cookies is a great way to preserve their freshness.

Baked cookies will keep in the freezer for up to 3 or 4 weeks.
As with freezing cookie dough, double-wrap the cookies securely and write the date and the type of cookie on the outside of the package.
When you are ready to eat your frozen cookies, just let them come to room temperature, or, for you impatient types, pop them in the microwave on high for about 30 seconds. (Times will differ depending on the size of cookie you're defrosting.)

We still haven't come across a baked cookie that doesn't freeze well. So feel free to freeze loads of assorted cookies to keep yourself supplied with yummy goodies, any time.

Comments

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Lidia

Jun. 20, 2009 10:04 am

Thanks for the tips! I froze the infamous Neiman Marcus cookies...for a day or so... they didn't last long - meaning, we all wanted more!

Pam DuBry

Jul. 12, 2009 7:56 pm

Is it possible to send frozen cookies if they are well wrapped to troops overseas? It seems they would be fresher. Any thoughts? Thanks

Nancy

Jul. 19, 2009 3:22 pm

During the Vietnam war I use to send frozen treats to a number of family members and friends. It works very well. It helps if you put your frozen treats into a tin of some sort before packing them in a box. Leave them in the original wrapping, just put it all in a tin. God bless you for thinking of those who are thinking of us.

Jul. 24, 2009 6:09 am

Would you freeze sugar cookies before icing them and then do the icing when you thaw them later? Or will they freeze just as well if they're already iced?

SHARONA44

Jul. 28, 2009 2:00 pm

tj - I think you can do either. I personally have never frozen un-iced sugar cookies. But a friend of mine decorated sugar cookies for my daughter's b-day, I froze for about two weeks and they turned out fine. So I'm sure you can freeze them before icing them, too. Hope that helps!

sandra

Sep. 4, 2009 12:55 am

Cookies, brownies, cupcakes, tea breads, and cakes can be cooked, cooled, iced, and allowed to cool, dry, or harden. The spices and flavors tend to intensify and marinate. It saves enormous amounts of time, energy, and cleanup and you have a ready supply of healthy food. An extra freezer is well worth the investment. The only problem is that the kids learn to eat frozen cookies and your supply might not be constant.

mands

Oct. 7, 2009 12:01 pm

Thanks for the tips! I'm pregnant right now and due the beginning of December and wanted to make sure we could have homemade sugar cookies despite having a newborn in the house! I'll definitely be making some dough and freezing it in November!

giggles

Oct. 11, 2009 8:04 am

I just absolutely LOVEEEE allrecipes website and everyone sharing their recipes here. I was looking for recipes on cooks thinking I could freeze them. But not sure if I could. Well, I found my answer and now my daughter and I can start making some holiday memories together. Love the Tips too!

giggles

Oct. 11, 2009 8:06 am

Oops! I was looking for was cookie recipes that I could freeze.

Carol in OH

Oct. 15, 2009 2:10 pm

Can you freeze baked brownies or the no bake "Peanut butter balls" ? I need to make some things sunday for an upcoming party the following saturday. Hoping someone replies fairly quick...Thank you

rcf

Oct. 16, 2009 5:42 pm

I freeze my cookies in ice cream buckets with wax paper between the layers. They taste the same & my family enjoys them.

mnd1843

Oct. 18, 2009 11:46 pm

what the heck is freezer burn

AngelaTannehill

Oct. 27, 2009 1:11 pm

How long can you freeze them for? If I make cookies in November to ship to family members at the beginning of December will they still be good?

AngelaTannehill

Oct. 27, 2009 1:12 pm

Nevermind! Sorry, I see the answer.

KARENLOUSCOTT

Nov. 3, 2009 1:06 pm

When I was in Iraq, several people had sent in cookies to the troops in repurposed Pringles cans. These worked great for cookies that were close in diameter to that of the can. Just thought it would help anyone wanting to send cookies to our troops. And, they do really appreciate all the love and generosity of those cookies!

LafayetteEMT

Nov. 4, 2009 5:54 pm

now does the same rules apply to freezing cookie dough? just take them out thaw them completely and bake them as normal? thanks in advance for the help.

Anne

Nov. 8, 2009 1:43 pm

I have very good luck with freezing cookie dough that I have made into balls. I don't even thaw them before baking and haven't had any negative issues. Very quick and easy.

Ash

Nov. 10, 2009 7:58 pm

Pam DuBry, I sent my husband cookies in Iraq and all I did was put them in Tupperware and separate the layers with wax paper. I then put a piece of bread or two in the box on top this keeps them soft and also help so that the cookies don’t move around when being shipped. Then I put the lid on and wrapped the whole container in plastic wrap and bubble wrap. He said they came perfect. I don't think that i would freaze them due to condinsation

stalz61

Nov. 19, 2009 6:48 am

I want to make some chocolate rum balls,,can i freeze that too?

dr-franimal

Dec. 1, 2009 6:37 am

I would like to make a cookie recipe a day and mail to the troops. Does anyone know of a reduced shipping rate or special shipping for the holidays? thanks!

Lea & Frankie

Dec. 2, 2009 8:56 am

I know the PO has boxes for free that you can use but I would suggest you go with the flat rate shipping boxes b/c you can fill them up with as many cookies and ship them for one price, rather than pay by weight.

KerrigansCookieShoppe

Dec. 4, 2009 8:43 pm

this site is great! I am so glad I came across this section! Thanks for all the great ideas and input :)!

Michelle Nelson

Dec. 5, 2009 3:40 pm

Where does one even mail them, to the troops? Where could I find an address? Any help would be great, I would love to mail the troops cookies as well! Thanks.

Samantiks

Dec. 6, 2009 1:10 am

In regards to shipping to the troops, the USPS Priority Mail flat rate is discounted from the normal rates when they are sent to an APO or FPO (military base) address - the large flat rate box is $11.95 (vs. the domestic $13.95 rate). Discounted to $11.50 if you print your postage online through 'Click N Ship'. Also, "The Department of Defense cancelled the 'Any Service Member' program so mail must be addressed to someone specific." - hope this helps! = )

Suzy

Dec. 9, 2009 1:16 pm

Would someone help with this...I made the cookie dough but is okay to freeze the whole thing or make balls and freeze those? Thanks so much for any help.

DSHIP2

Dec. 10, 2009 2:15 pm

Suzy - you'll probably be happier is you form the dough into balls before freezing. They will thaw more quickly or can just be put staight into the oven and baked for a little extra time. A mound of dough is going to take a while to thaw out fully before you can do anything with it.

sashi

Dec. 10, 2009 7:58 pm

Any tips on the best way to freeze cookie dough in ball form to prevent them from sticking together? Thanks!

armywifey

Dec. 11, 2009 2:30 pm

Ash.... with your bread idea does that work if the cookies are iced? my hubby is in Iraq and i promised him homemade gingerbread and sugar cookies for christmas so im wanting to mail the package in the next day or two and i need ways that itll get over there ok!! Thanks!

becki-sue

Dec. 12, 2009 6:44 am

I'm new on this site but I'm so happy to have found it. As a mom of 2 soldiers who served in Iraq(just got back)I want to say Thank You for those who still think of guys,it really does mean so much to them over there..(Especially during the Holiday Season) God Bless You All!

02169

Dec. 12, 2009 7:47 pm

So I want to freee cookies what should I put them in? Tin, Plastic bag?

D ~

Dec. 13, 2009 2:27 pm

I just discovered this site and it's fantastic. It has helped answer questions that I needed a quick answer to. Not only that, it has made my life easier/stress free for the holiday baking. Example: freezing cookie dough. I've frozen cookies in the past when I have baked them in advance but was hoping to freeze cookie dough this time around as I do not have time for baking right now. Thanks!

cmclay

Dec. 14, 2009 1:25 pm

Will freezing chewy cookies make them crunchy? I want to make sure my cookies stay chewy and am afraid to bake them. Thanks!

Becca

Dec. 15, 2009 10:25 am

Freezing cookie dough doesn't change in consistency. Just make sure you defrost it in the fridge a day before baking. It's the defrosting that does the changing. It can get too much liquid from the defrosting and cause it to spread too much. Lots of luck

Becca

Dec. 15, 2009 10:26 am

They will still remain chewy.

Cheryl

Dec. 15, 2009 5:15 pm

I am so happy to have found this site. I lost my mom this year and asking questions like can I freeze cookie dough is good advice. I just wish I had read the part about rolling the balls before I froze them. The part that I can freeze dough will help me since I am short on time. Thank you and Happy Holidays and to all the moms's out there and daughter's make sure you tell each other love you every day you never know when you will be without one or the other in a blink of an eye.

Cooksalot

Dec. 16, 2009 4:49 pm

I bake cookies right from the freezer without ill effects. I've done chocolate chip, chocolate brownie cookies, oatmeal, and others without issue. When I make tassie type cookies, I make the base dough, form it into balls to later press into the mini-muffin tins, and then freeze the balls. I let them defrost, then press into mini-cups and bake. I freeze all cookies on parchment paper, then slide them, paper and all, into freezer bags. Use a straw to suck out the excess air in the bag to help keep them even fresher. Mine have lasted 6 weeks without issue. Happy baking everyone!

daisy

Dec. 16, 2009 9:34 pm

Esther Can you freeze cookies that are thumbprint cookies with the jam? Also how would you stack them without all getting into one large clump:

dltallman

Dec. 18, 2009 9:53 am

This site is wonderful. Have a Very Merry Christmas and God Bless you and your families.

PURPLEROSE53140

Dec. 24, 2009 2:12 am

Love this site. In reading if anyone has an address to someone in Iraq or Afganistan that we could send stuff to so they can share it would be greatly appreciated. We hav a group of ladys wanting to help the troops but we have no names or addresses. Thank you

sharonh

Dec. 25, 2009 11:16 am

this is a message for Sashi who asked about ways to freeze dough in ball form so they didn't stick together. I haven't tried this with cookie dough but I make sausage balls that are similar in consistency to cookie dough. To freeze them I place them on cookie sheets and freeze them until hard--then I put the frozen balls in a plastic bag and freeze again until ready to bake. I think it should work with cookie dough too.

lhatchko

Jan. 1, 2010 8:25 pm

my husband is over in Afghanistan on a NATO base in Kabul. I can ask him if I can give his address if you all would like he can put the cookies and things in the common room on the base they sometimes have things that people send that they put out for the guys there that they can have for free and don't have to go buy. Things are expensive to buy and the food is just ok so sometimes they are still hungry for something good even after they go for dinner. I have sent several packages including homemade mounds bars which made it just fine without freezing. Thanks to all thinking of the men and women there! The only problem I have found is that the last time i sent 2 boxes before Christmas and I had pay the reg flat rate price because of an update in the post office system it wouldn't give APO price for his zip.

meshu

Jan. 9, 2010 11:26 am

Can you freeze cookies that are thumbprint cookies with jam? Anyone have the answer to this ?? please please .

Lucy

Jan. 17, 2010 5:02 pm

yes you can my grandma did it all the time it was the only way they lasted :)

emalen

Jan. 21, 2010 1:58 pm

I have over 300 sugar cookies to make for a local function in April. Any advice on how to freeze the cookies so they maintain their shape and flavor? Also, will the sugar cookies become soggy when defrosting them to room temperature and have there been issues with pulling the cookies apart? Thanks for your help!

baba

Jan. 31, 2010 4:55 am

Can I freeze baked sugar cookies with buttercream icing?

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