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- Cookie dough can be frozen in balls, a log, or disks.
- Properly wrapping and storing cookie dough will prevent freezer burn.
- Frozen cookie dough will last in the freezer for two months.
Pulling frozen cookie dough out of the freezer makes for quick and easy access to sweet treats when a craving strikes. And, freezing cookie dough is also a great way to eliminate food waste, allowing you to save prepared dough for use at another date. It can also help you prep ahead for special occasions when a lot of cookies are needed.
"You can have a selection of dough pre-made, frozen, and ready to bake as soon as an oven is pre-heated," says Kathryn Gordon, chef-instructor of pastry and baking arts at the Institute of Culinary Education.
But what's the best way to freeze cookie dough and bake it later? Find Gordon's tips below.
How to freeze cookie dough
You'll determine whether to freeze cookie dough into balls, logs, or disks depending on the recipe. Below you'll find the steps for each shape, along with what recipes are best suited for each method.
How to freeze cookie dough balls
Freezing cookie dough in pre-scooped balls is ideal for drop cookies such as chocolate chip, oatmeal, sugar, and peanut butter. If the dough is frozen in balls, you'll be able to pull out the number of cookie dough balls you want and bake them off.
- Scoop the dough. Use a cookie dough scoop to portion out the dough and roll it into balls. Place each formed ball on a baking sheet or plate lined with parchment paper.
- Flash-freeze the dough. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for one hour to allow the dough to freeze. This will prevent the dough balls from sticking together, as well as prevent them from being squished while stored in the freezer.
- Put the cookie dough in an airtight container. Transfer the dough balls to a storage container with a lid. Gordon suggests layering the balls with a piece of parchment or wax paper in between each layer. The dough can also be stored in an airtight freezer bag with layers of parchment or wax paper in between.
- Store the cookie dough. Label the container or bag with the date. Place the filled container or bag in the freezer.
How to freeze a cookie dough log
Freezing cookie dough in a log makes it simple to prep slice-and-bake cookies, like shortbread or butter cookies, at any time.
- Form the dough. On a countertop, form the prepared cookie dough into a log. Gordon suggests refrigerating the dough for 15 minutes to allow it to chill before forming the log. This will help to create a smooth, uniform shape.
- Wrap the dough. Place the log in the middle of a 15-inch by 15-inch piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap. Fold the bottom side of the paper or plastic up over the dough. Roll the dough until the paper or plastic is fully wrapped around it.
- Secure the wrapping. Twist or fold in the ends of the remaining paper or plastic wrap on either side of the log to make a seal.
- Store the dough. Place the wrapped dough in an airtight freezer bag or lidded storage container. Label the bag or container with the date before putting it in the freezer.
How to freeze cookie dough for cut-out cookies
The best method for freezing dough for cut-out cookies such as sugar or gingerbread is to store it in disk form, as cutting out the cookie shapes ahead of time can cause issues with each shape. The multiple cut-outs will also take up quite a bit of space in the freezer.
- Form the dough. Divide the dough in two and shape each piece into a disk, about four inches wide and one-inch thick. Smaller disks will store better in the freezer than one larger, flat disk. This will also make the process of rolling out the dough easier later on.
- Wrap the dough. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap or parchment paper, tucking in any ends.
- Store the dough. Place the disks in an airtight freezer bag or lidded storage container labeled with the date. Put the bag or container in the freezer.
Does freezing cookie dough ruin it?
According to Gordon, if cookie dough is properly wrapped and stored, it will freeze just fine. The key is to prevent freezer burn, no matter the method or type of cookie dough you're freezing. "Wrap it tightly to minimize the air gap, which can contribute to oxidation of the dough or freezer burn," she says.
Classic cookie dough choices such as chocolate chip, oatmeal, peanut butter, and sugar are great for freezing. For meringue-based cookies such as macarons, it's best to bake the cookies first, and then freeze them. Macaron batter is tricky to store, and freezing the mixture before the macarons are baked will result in incorrect texture and structure.
How long does cookie dough last in the freezer?
While freezing cookie dough certainly prolongs its use, it won't last in the freezer forever. According to Gordon, once cookie dough has been correctly wrapped and stored, it can last in the freezer for two months. It's important to toss frozen cookie dough if it has started to dry, has turned dark in color, or smells rancid.
How to bake frozen cookie dough
When you're ready to bake frozen cookie dough, be sure to follow the proper temperature and timing called for in the recipe. Some cookies are meant to be baked when chilled, while others are meant to be baked at room temperature for proper spreading.
Dough balls: Remove the number of cookies you want to bake. Place the dough on a lined or greased cookie sheet. Allow the dough to thaw while the oven preheats if the recipe calls for baking room temperature dough. Drop cookie dough is often chilled before baking, so there may not be any need to allow them to thaw. Bake the cookies according to the original recipe.
Cookie log: Remove the log from the freezer and let it thaw on the counter for 15 minutes. Unwrap the log and slice the cookies needed with a sharp chef's knife. Gordon suggests rotating the log 90 degrees between each slice to avoid compression from the knife. Bake the cookies according to the original recipe.
Cut-out cookies: Remove the cookie dough disk from the freezer. Allow the dough to thaw on the counter, or let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Roll out the dough while it's still cold, cut the shapes, and bake the cookies according to the original recipe.
Insider's takeaway
Freezing cookie dough eliminates waste from extra cookie dough and provides convenient access to cookie dough when a cookie craving strikes. Cookie dough can be frozen in balls, a log, or disks, depending on the type of cookies and the original recipe. No matter the type of cookie dough being frozen, it's important to properly wrap and store the dough to prevent freezer burn.
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