Tuesday Tip: Freezing Cookie Dough

How many times have you wanted a cookie fresh from the oven, but didn't actually want to go through the work of making them? How often do you find a recipe that makes three dozen more cookies than you actually need? How often do you make a batch of cookies and, after the few days it takes to eat them up, they taste a little... stale?

I've been there. You've been there, too.

Today, we're going to solve this problem. While freezing cookie dough isn't a new idea, I find it helpful to be reminded of this every so often. This is a surprisingly easy trick to forget. Here are few tips for freezing cookie dough with the best results.

Freezing Cookie Dough:

• Scoop cookie dough onto a cookie sheet and place in the freezer until cookie dough gets hard and no longer sticky. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Remove cookie sheet from freezer and place the frozen cookie scoops into an insulated freezer bag or Tupperware container, making sure the seal is airtight.
• Label bag or container with the date and type of cookie as well as the baking temperature and time (important information to remember!).
• Freeze cookie dough for up to 4-6 weeks.

When baking frozen cookie dough, you do not have to thaw the cookie dough. Simply place the frozen, pre-scooped cookie dough onto a baking sheet and bake for 2-3 minutes longer than the original recipe recommends. That's it!

This method will work for freezing and baking all drop cookies (chocolate chip, oatmeal, peanut butter, etc).

Comments

[argone]

Thanks for the tip .... it's always nice to have good cookies in a few minutes !

[Mel]

I just did this a few days ago...it's the only way I can keep myself from eating a dozen cookies every time I make them. (blush)

[Lucy]

I never remember to freeze cookie dough but it would be such a treat to be able to defrost some and have delicious cookies so quickly! Will definitely give it a go soon :)

[Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar]

Great idea!!

[Lisa]

Duh! (as I slap myself up the side of my head). Why have I never thought of this? My husband, who thought I was pretty fantastic before will be grinning like a kid in a cookie store the next time he goes on his nightly "I need something gooood" quest at midnight or later.
Thank You!!

[Penny Raynor]

I learned about this at the King Arthur Flour Blog and have been doing it for a couple of years. With only two of us in the family it's a really wonderful way to go! I almost always have a couple of kind of cookies in the freezer and ready to bake; if company comes by, we always have Fresh Cookies! Try it!

[Joan]

Good Tip!

[Andrea]

I love freezing cooking dough so you can have fresh cooked cookie when ever you want.

[Paula]

At home, it always happen what you tell. ¡¡Too many cookies in only one batch!!
I never dare to freeze the dough (I neither freeze the bread). I have fear of not doing it correctly, or that the result baking is not as good as with freshly made dough.
So, this post is great for me, really helpul! Thank you!!

[Alice]

OMG! I love your blog and could spend hours just simply looking at your pictures:) I wish you could just sprinkle a bit of your talent on me!!

[Emily]

I'm going to try this with spritz cookies. :)