Cookies are a treat to make, but you might not always have the time to bake fresh ones. At the same time, when you bake a huge recipe, it can be difficult to eat them all in time. As a result, you end up watching your cookies dry out on the counter, and your hard work goes to waste. In contrast, while you can freeze cookie dough, you still have to go through the process of baking the cookies.
One solution to this dilemma is to bake a large batch of cookies but freeze your extras. Freezing cookies preserves their freshness and ensures you have delicious cookies ready to eat anytime. However, it’s essential to know how to properly freeze your freshly baked cookies to ensure that they taste as good as the day you baked them.
Keep reading to learn why you should consider freezing cookies and how to do so. You may be surprised at how long they could last!
Why Freeze Cookies?
You can freeze almost any cookie recipe, from chocolate chip cookies to peanut butter cookies to cut-out cookies. There are many reasons why freezing homemade cookies is the way to go.
The obvious reason for freezing fresh baked cookies is that it makes them last longer. In fact, when frozen properly, your cookies can last for three months in the freezer. So don’t be afraid of baking your three-month supply of cookies.
Freezing cookies not only lengthens their shelf life but also preserves their freshness, especially if you freeze them the same day you bake them. Once thawed, they can potentially taste as good as the day you baked them!
You might also want to freeze cookies if you plan on shipping them to your loved ones. If packaged properly, the freshly baked cookies will be less likely to crumble through transport when frozen. Moreover, they slowly thaw in the packaging and reach their destination ready to be eaten.
Now that you know why you should be freezing cookies, let’s explain how exactly to go about freezing them.
How to Freeze Cookies
While freezing cookies is a convenient option to save you time in the future, it takes a little more thought than just throwing them in a plastic Ziploc freezer bag and putting them in the back of your freezer. That said, freezing cookies is still a simple process.
Here are the steps to freezing cookies and preserving their freshness to guide you.
1. Let Your Cookies Cool
You mustn’t transfer your cookies directly from the cookie sheet to the freezer. If your cookies are put in the freezer too warm, they may freeze with too much moisture, which creates freezer burn.
Make sure that your freshly baked cookies are cooled completely before freezing. Leave them on a cooling rack for a few hours to be safe.
2. Transfer the Cookies
Once your cookies are cool, you want to transfer them to either a freezer-safe reusable Ziploc freezer bag or an airtight container.
If you have more than one layer of cookies, use parchment or wax paper in between the layers to keep the cookies from sticking, especially with decorated cookies. To protect the cookies, you should also line the entire container or bag with waxed paper, not plastic wrap.
Once you package your cookies, you can put them in your freezer. If they are in a bag, be careful not to place anything on top of them to avoid breaking or crumbling.
3. How to Thaw Frozen Cookies
When you’re ready to eat your cookies, you must thaw them at room temperature. To prevent your cookies from getting soggy, thaw them on a rack or a paper towel.
Enjoy!
More Tips for Freezing Cookies
Here are a few additional tips for freezing cookies.
- If you’re short on freezer space, you may be happy to know that flat, baked cookies take up less space than prepared frozen cookie dough or cookie dough balls.
- Although you can freeze a frosted cookie batch, it’s recommended to freeze your cookies without icing for optimal freshness. Once your frozen cookie batch thaws to room temperature, you can decorate them as you wish.
- Frosting or a sprinkle of powdered sugar is also a good option if you find that your cookies need bringing back to life a little.
- If you prefer warm cookies, pop them in the oven for a minute to have them taste even fresher!
- While you can freeze cookies any time, it’s best to put your cookies in the freezer the same day that you bake them. This ensures that your cookies go in as fresh as possible and stay in that state until they’re ready to be eaten.
- Make sure to label your cookies to keep track of them — including the type of cookies and the date you put them in the freezer.
Conclusion: Freezing Cookies the Right Way
Freezing baked cookies is an excellent solution to a busy schedule and if you live in a house where cookies are always in demand. When stored properly, your favorite sugar cookie or peanut butter cookie recipe tastes just as good as the day you baked them!
Here’s a pro tip: As the holidays approach, if you know that you don’t have time to bake fresh cookies for your loved ones, start baking them now and put them in the freezer. That takes one thing off your plate for December!
