For already baked cookies, the following is how to successfully freeze for up to two months.
- Make sure the cookies are completely cool before freezing.
- Place cookies in an airtight container covered with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
- For best results, wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap.
After baking, allow the cookies to cool completely. Place them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, freeze, and store in a freezer-safe zipper storage bag labeled with the name and date. Remove excess air and place flat in the freezer. To save space, freezer bags can be stacked flat.
Freezing foods preserves them for later use, especially baked goods. Refrigerating cookies will dry them out, but if stored correctly, freezing them will keep them in their original great condition. Like refrigerators, freezers can suck the moisture out of foods.
How to freeze cookies without scorching the freezer
- Make sure the cookies are completely cool before placing them in the freezer.
- Freeze cookies in a well-sealed plastic container.
- Place a row of cookies in the bottom of the container.
- Place plastic wrap over the top of the container.
To thaw frozen cookies, remove them from the container in which you stored them and spread them out until they come to room temperature. From there, you can decorate them or serve them as desired or renew them in a 325º oven for 5 to 10 minutes if desired.
There are multiple options for storing cookies in the freezer. The first is to use Ziploc bags. Freshly baked cookies are sealed in the bag and placed in the freezer for use at any time. Another way to store cookies is in an airtight container.
A basic rule cookies that should not be frozen is that cookies with liquid batter do not hold up well in the freezer. These are usually thin, delicate cookies such as tiles, Florentines, and pizzelles. Very cakey “cookies” like madeleines also do not freeze well.
The good news: most cookies and cookie doughs freeze well because they have little or no moisture. Water expands when it freezes and contracts again when it thaws. That expansion and contracting can ruin the texture of frozen foods, but most cookie doughs do not have this problem.
Freezing cookies is easy and they taste wonderful after thawing.
Tip #1 After decorating the cookies, allow the icing to dry before freezing. Allow the icing to dry for 18 hours. Store decorated cookies in a cool oven overnight before filling and freezing.
For baked cookies, wait for cookies to cool completely before transferring to a reusable freezer-safe bag or wax or parchment lined container. I like to place them in a single layer so the cookies don’t break. Cookies will keep well for up to 2 months.
Editor: Jen, we would probably vote for cookie dough. Because nothing beats a truly fresh baked cookie. However, we recommend scooping the dough, freezing the solids on a cookie sheet, and sealing the frozen mass in a bag.
A tip for freezing freshly baked cookies: make sure the top layer is covered with wax paper, plastic wrap, or aluminum foil. Individually wrapped cookies will keep longer.
For cookies that are already baked, here are some tips on how to freeze successfully for up to two months. Make sure cookies are completely cooled before freezing. Place cookies in an airtight container lined with aluminum foil or plastic food wrap. For best results, wrap cookies individually in plastic food wrap.
Can I refreeze the cookies? Yes, but you need to consider whether it is worth it. Refreezing thawed cookies will dry them out if you defrost them again.
Bakery or homemade cookies can be stored at room temperature for 2-3 weeks or 2 months in the refrigerator. Cookies will retain their quality if stored in the freezer for 8 to 12 months.
As we mentioned, most cookie recipes last up to 3 months in a freezer bag or container when cookies are stored unfrozen.
As a general rule of thumb, “drop cookies,” which include oatmeal and “cut-out cookies” such as chocolate chip cookies, gingerbread and sugar cookies, are freezer friendly.
Normal homemade cookies last 4-5 days stored in an airtight container at room temperature and kept in a freezer for up to 9 months. However, this is a generalization and different types of cookies have different answers, so read more about how long cookies last.
When you take them out to defrost, place them in a container that has been frozen. This way condensation will form on the outside of the container, not on the cookies. This may take 1-3 hours depending on the environment.
With proper storage, most cookies can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months. As long as you follow the above test kitchen tips on freezing dough, you should be set to enjoy those delicious cookies whenever the craving strikes. It’s time to start planning your Christmas cookie lineup.
Yes, you can absolutely freeze chocolate chip cookies. The main problems that tend to occur when freezing chocolate chip cookies are hardening them or burning down the freezer, but with careful freezing in preparation of the cookies, these problems can be easily avoided.
Pfeffernusse: These should be made at least a few days in advance or up to two weeks before serving, depending on the recipe, and will keep for several weeks. Shortbread and Shortbread Cookies: these should be kept for at least one month. Springerles: these should be made two weeks before serving and kept for several months.
Like most cookies, sugar cookies can be frozen, but if you plan to decorate sugar cookies with frosting, freeze them before decorating. As with most cookies, you can freeze sugar cookie dough or freeze baked sugar cookies.
Place cooled cookies in an airtight container. Bottom with aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or wax paper. Separate each layer of cookies with aluminum foil or wax paper. Seal container and label with contents and date before freezing.
Keep cookies chilled; stored cookies will remain freshest in a cool, dry place, such as a pantry back shelf. Depending on the variety, this can last from a few days to several weeks. Cookies can also be frozen for up to six months.
Once your Sugar Cookie recipe is fully baked and decorated, store it properly “when cool”.
If you want your sugar cookies to be completely fresh, freezing them is your best bet. Undecorated sugar cookies can be frozen in air-sealed bags or containers for up to three months.
Decorated cookie storage can be stored in airtight containers with waxed paper between each layer or in single layer airtight bags once the cookies are completely dry. Can be stored at room temperature for up to one week.
Dry Cookies
- Ensure cookies are completely cooled before storing.
- Store at room temperature in an airtight container such as Tupperware.
- Store different flavors separately.
- If Tupperware containers are limited, place each flavor in its own freezer bag before placing those bags in the container.
Keep these tips in mind when storing and freezing cookies Make sure cookies are completely cooled before storing. Metal tins keep cookies crisper and firmer than plastic containers. Soft cookies, such as macaroons, should be stored in a separate container from hard cookies, such as Biscotti’s.
Cookies can last up to two weeks in the refrigerator, but are better eaten sooner. Store cookies in the refrigerator in a completely sealable plastic bag or plastic container.
Do not store cookies in the refrigerator unless storage temperature is specifically stated. Cold air can strip away moisture and flavor. Generally store cookies at room temperature or freeze as specified above.
Soft CookiesIf you plan to eat the cookies within a few days, place them in an airtight container or Ziploc bag. Slices of sandwich bread can also be placed inside the container. This will absorb excess moisture and keep the cookies soft.
At room temperature: leave sealed in an airtight container. They will be good for 2 weeks. In the freezer: place them in the freezer for up to 6 months. If you need to revive them and make them fresher, you should do it in a few minutes at 300ºF.
The key to keeping cookies fresh and soft is to seal them in an airtight container, like a resealable freezer bag. And here’s a nifty little trick: add the bread to the bag. You might think the bread trick works because the cookies absorb the moisture from the bread.
You’ll find that most of your favorite Christmas cookie recipes can be made anywhere from one to six months ahead of December 25. (See this handy how-to guide!) In general, most recipes work best when baked and then frozen.
Store them flat in Ziptop freezer bags with a layer of parchment paper between them. This allows them to be easily separated for serving with minimal breakage. It also makes for more organized storage in the freezer. Cookies should be thawed at room temperature outside the bag for 10-15 minutes.
To reheat the cookies this way, place on a sheet and bake at 300 degrees for about 5-10 minutes. For a more doughy texture or if the time is very short, warm the cookies in the microwave for 30 seconds and enjoy.
Cookies can be frozen in freezer bags or rigid containers. Rigid containers help prevent cookies from being crushed or damaged in the freezer. If a rigid plastic container is not available, place cookies first in a freezer bag and then inside a cookie tin or heavy cardboard box to help keep them safe.
Cookies can often retain their flavor and texture for up to six months. Carol defrosts cookies on a 325F baking sheet on a 325F baking sheet, depending on the size and texture of the cookies. For make-ahead cookie recipes, see Baking Frozen Cookies.
Place Oreo cookie packages inside Airtight, Freezer-Safe Containers, or re-imaginable freezer bags before placing in the freezer. This helps keep the cookies from absorbing freezer odors and prevents the freezer from burning up.
Can I freeze brownies?
Yes!!! Freezing brownies is simple, but some types are better than others. If a recipe calls for cream cheese swirls or jam filling, those dairy and liquid-based ingredients may sweat when they come to room temperature.