How to Freeze Cookie Dough: A Step-by-Step Guide
Freezing cookie dough is an ideal strategy for busy bakers. It not only eliminates the time it takes to measure, scoop, and portion freshly made dough, but also helps to create perfectly shaped cookies and even longer shelf life. Although it is not difficult to freeze cookie dough, if done wrong it can quickly result in dry dough and cracked or misshapen cookies that don't taste as good. With the right equipment and technique, you can enjoy delicious cookies straight from the freezer, anytime.
Gather the Necessary Supplies
First and foremost, you will need cookie dough to freeze. While this guide focuses on freezing homemade cookie dough, commercially purchased refrigerated cookie dough can also be frozen. If you are making your own cookie dough, make sure to use a reliable recipe and the freshest ingredients possible. You will also need a large sheet pan, parchment paper, a ruler, 1 tablespoon cookie scoop, plastic wrap, and a labeled freezer bag.
When selecting ingredients for your cookie dough, opt for high-quality butter and sugar. If you are using chocolate chips, make sure to select a brand that you know and trust. Additionally, if you are using nuts or other mix-ins, make sure to chop them into small pieces so that they are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
Preparing the Dough for Freezing
Before you start scooping and portioning the cookie dough, it is important to prepare it for freezing. Place the cookie dough on the sheet pan lined with parchment paper. To make it easier to measure, use a ruler to divide the dough into 1/4-inch thickness. This step helps to ensure uniform cookies with consistent baking times. If you want smaller or larger cookies, you can adjust the measurements to suit your preference.
Once the dough is portioned, place the sheet pan in the freezer for about an hour. This will help the dough to firm up and make it easier to scoop and portion. After an hour, remove the sheet pan from the freezer and use a cookie scoop to portion the dough. Place the portions on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for another hour. This will help the cookie dough to keep its shape when baking.
Scoop and Portion the Dough
Using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop can help to accurately portion the cookie dough. Place the scoops of cookie dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet with about 1 inch of space between each one. To ensure even baking and more consistent sizes for cookies that look perfect when stacked together, gently roll each ball of cookie dough into a smooth and round shape.
If you don't have a cookie scoop, you can use a spoon to measure out the dough. Make sure to use the same spoon for each cookie to ensure that all of the cookies are the same size. You can also use a small ice cream scoop to portion out the dough. This will help to make sure that all of the cookies are the same size and shape.
Freeze in Small Batches
You can freeze the cookie dough as they are, or place them in a single layer and cover them with plastic wrap. Make sure the plastic wrap is fitted tightly against each cookie ball to avoid air pockets, which can cause them to dry out or even burn when baked. Once you are done shaping the cookie dough balls, transfer them to the freezer. Freeze them in small batches to prevent them from sticking together.
Storing Frozen Cookie Dough
Once the cookie dough balls are completely frozen, transfer them to a labeled freezer bag. Make sure to write the type of cookie and freezing date on the bag so that you can use it within a few months. Frozen cookie dough can last for up to three months in the freezer.
When you are ready to bake the cookies, take the frozen cookie dough balls out of the freezer and let them thaw for about 10 minutes. This will make them easier to work with and will help them bake evenly. Once the cookie dough has thawed, you can roll it out and cut it into shapes, or just place the balls on a baking sheet and bake them as is.
Benefits of Freezing Cookie Dough
For busy bakers, freezing cookie dough is an incredibly efficient way to prepare ahead of time so that you can enjoy freshly baked cookies any time. It also greatly reduces the amount of time you need to shape individual portions of dough. Stored in an airtight container or freezer bag, cookie dough will stay safe in the freezer for much longer than it would in a refrigerator.
Freezing cookie dough also allows you to bake only the amount of cookies you need, so you don't have to worry about wasting any dough. You can also freeze cookie dough in pre-portioned sizes, so you can bake just one or two cookies at a time. This is especially helpful if you're baking for a small family or if you're trying to limit your sugar intake.
Tips for Getting Perfectly Baked Cookies from Frozen Dough
When baking frozen cookie dough, don't forget to adjust the oven temperature and baking time according to the recipe. While exact times may vary depending on the type of cookie and altitude, in general start with a slightly higher oven temperature and bake the cookies 1-2 minutes less than usual. The resulting cookies should have an evenly baked surface with crispy edges and soft centers.
To ensure even baking, it is important to rotate the baking sheet halfway through the baking time. This will help the cookies bake evenly and prevent them from burning. Additionally, it is important to let the cookies cool completely before serving. This will help them set and give them a delicious, chewy texture.
