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How to: Freeze Cookie Dough (and bake it after freezing)

Did you know you can make them yourself? Because you can!

I’m going to cover exactly what to do, so the next time you feel like baking cookies, you don’t have to feel like you need to bake the entire batch, and then you can have cookies whenever you’re in the mood!

Do you buy those pre-made ready-to-bake cookie dough balls/discs? Did you know you can make them yourself? Because you can!

I’m going to cover exactly what to do, so the next time you feel like baking cookies, you don’t have to feel like you need to bake the entire batch, and then you can have cookies whenever you’re in the mood!

Best part? You can control the ingredients and what is in the cookies. So you always know what is in your treat!

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Who doesn’t love a good cookie? I would say the only “problem” I have is making an entire batch of cookies and then eating an entire batch of cookies. Am I right?

I started freezing cookies during the Christmas Holidays. Like so many of you, I reserve one day for the Traditional Cookie Bakin. In the past, we would make and bake ALL DAY LONG and then we would have containers of cookies. And honestly, we would be so sick of cookies before Christmas.

So a few years ago, I decided to make one batch at a time but freeze half. Then, when I wanted 1 or 3 cookies, I would just bake those and be done. And if you want to save some energy, use your toaster oven for this. Then you’re not heating the whole house just for 3 cookies.

OK. I’m going to show you 2 different methods to freeze cookies (pst… Method 2 is my preferred way)

Method #1 – The Roll, Freeze Then Cut

This method consists of taking your dough, scraping it out of the bowl onto freezer cling wrap rolling it into a log, and freezing the log.

Before we get started… there are a few things you need (and you probably have them in your kitchen.

What You Need

Ok, Now Let’s Get Started!

Step 1

Scrap the dough onto freezer cling wrap.

Step 2

Shape the dough with the freezer cling wrap into a log shape.

Step 3

Then wrap it tightly with the same freezer cling wrap and put it in the freezer until you’re ready to use.

When you’re ready to bake some cookies…

Step 1

Set your oven to the required temp (I’m showing you Chinese Almond Cookie Dough, so that’s 325℉).

Step 2

As the oven preheats, Cut your dough log to about a 1-inch width disc (see notes), and set it onto your lined baking sheet (see notes).

Step 3

When the oven is ready, place to cookies in the oven and bake according to the directions (see notes).

A few Notes:

  • Be VERY Careful Cutting cookie tubes that contain chocolate chunks/chips, fruits, or nuts. All of these items frozen are really hard and can be difficult to cut.
  • I have found, that with the logs you don’t need to add extra baking time. The cookies start to defrost as you cut them.
  • For the almond cookies, you can add the egg wash and almond slices (even though they are frozen) as per the recipe, or bake them like sugar cookies. Either way is amazing!
The results of the almond cookies in the tube after they are baked.

Pros to this method

  1. You do a little less work in the beginning because you just prep the dough for the freezer and freeze it until ready.

Cons to this method…

  1. I found this method kind of a pain at times.
    • First, putting the tube together is a little messy the first time you do it.
    • Second, you have to be careful cutting dough tubes that have things like Chocolate chunks/chips, nuts, or fruit, because it gets really hard and can be really difficult (and a little dangerous) to cut.

Method #2 (Preferred) – Individual Cookies in a Freezer Safe Bag

Before we get started… there are a few things you need (and you probably have them in your kitchen.

What You Need

Ok, Now Let’s Get Started!

Step 1

First, take your cookie dough, and with your 1.5 Tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop cookies onto a baking sheet lined with either parchment paper or a silicone baking mat (I just recently inherited some silicon mats from dad, and seriously, I don’t know how often I will be using parchment paper now., especially for things like this, it’s amazing). [See Notes]

Chinese Almond Cookie dough scooped and on a pan ready for freezing.
You don’t have to place them on the baking sheet like this if you’re freezing them, I just did this out of habit.
Me and 2 of my girls helping me smash down Chinese almond cookies for the freezer
My girls love helping with this part.

Step 2

Freeze for at least 2 hours (maybe a little longer depending on your freezer, but no longer than 24hrs).

Step 3

Then take the pan out of the freezer, remove the cookies from the pan, and place them into a freezer-safe bag or container.

Chinese Almond Cookies frozen and ready for the freezer friendly bag.

When you’re ready to bake some cookies…

Step 1

Set your oven to the required temp (I’m showing you Chinese Almond Cookie Dough, so that’s 325℉).

Step 2

When the oven is ready, take the cookies out of the freezer, place the cookies onto a prepped baking pan [See Notes], and then into the oven. Bake according to the directions. [See Notes]

A Few Notes:

  • If you are going to be freezing cookie dough you need to press down the dough before baking, like Chinese Almond Cookies or Peanut Butter Cookies, you will want to do that first, then continue with the next step.
  • You might have to bake the cookies longer because they are frozen. I found they need an extra 5 minutes.
  • For the almond cookies, you can add the egg wash and almond slices (even though they are frozen) as per the recipe, or bake them like sugar cookies. Either way is amazing!

Pros to this method

  1. It’s the easiest end result. You prep the cookies completely before freezing them. So all you do is take out and bake (no guesswork, everything is all portioned)!
  2. It’s the safest with cookies that contain items that will be incredibly hard frozen (like chocolate chips, nuts, or fruit

Cons to this method…

  1. The only con I found was that you do a little more work in the beginning. However, this is my preferred way to do it, because you don’t have to wait for the dough to thaw. You already took care of everything in the beginning!

No Matter Which Method You Choose

These will help you portion control your cookie intact and it gives you a chance to bake a surprise treat for your kids, family, or friends anytime! The best part of all is you know what you’re eating. You can control the ingredients, the size of the cookies, and even what cookies they are.

Did you try it, have questions?

Your feedback is highly appreciated. Kindly share your thoughts in the comments section and don’t forget to rate the recipe, it’s tremendously helpful.

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Always, Jenn Smith (Signature image)
How to Freeze Cookie Dough Pinterest Pin Image. Image is of cookie dough balls in the freezer

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