"Can I freeze my homemade cookies/cookie dough?" is a question that gets asked a lot. Most cookies and cookie dough can be successfully frozen. However, there are a few exceptions.
Don't freeze cream filled cookies, meringues or cookie dough that contains whipped egg whites. The egg whites will break down in the freezer and compromise the cookies.
Cookie Bake
Most other cookies and cookie dough freeze well. I like to wrap baked cookies two at a time back-to-back, in plastic wrap and then place these little packages in a freezer safe bag. Alternatively you can layer your cookies in a a sturdy freezer safe container, separating the layers with wax paper or plastic wrap.
Most of the time I freeze the dough instead of baked cookies, since I prefer the taste and aroma of freshly baked cookies. For convenience instead of freezing the dough as it is, I shape it into logs that can be sliced and baked or into individual balls of cookie dough.
For logs, place spoonfuls of dough onto wax or parchment paper. Form into a log shape that is about 10 inches long and 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter, wrap it tightly, twisting the ends as you would a hard candy wrapper. Then place it in a plastic freezer bag and transfer it to the freezer. To insure the log maintains it's shape and doesn't flatten out on one side, you can remove it from the freezer after it has been in there for about a 30 minutes and re-roll it on the counter, smoothing out the flat side that may have developed and then return it to the freezer.
For individual cookies, form the dough into desired size balls and freeze until solid. Once frozen, drop them into a freezer safe bag and place in the freezer or double wrap them for added protection.
Remember to label your freezer bags/containers with the kind of cookies/dough and date. Cookies and cookie dough will lose their freshness over time so it's best to use them within 3 months.
When you are ready to bake cookies, remove your dough from the freezer. The balls of dough can be baked from their frozen state but may need an extra minute or two in the oven. Logs should be defrosted until they are soft enough to slice and then baked. Frozen cookies can be defrosted on the counter or in the microwave if you're in a hurry.
It's great being prepared with cookies or cookie dough in the freezer when a craving for homemade cookies strikes.
How to Freeze Cookies and Cookie Dough
Martha McKinnon is an avid home cook and cooking instructor who loves sharing everything she has learned through her years in the kitchen with all who are interested.
Her website, http://www.best-ever-cookie-collection.com is dedicated to publishing the best cookie recipes
and her blog, http://www.simple-nourished-living.com explores easy recipes, tips, and hints.
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