Can you freeze fruit cookies?
Baked cookies will keep in the freezer for up to 3 or 4 weeks
. After baking, allow cookies to cool completely. Place them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet to freeze them, then store them in a freezer-safe zip-top storage bag labeled with the name and date.
You can freeze filled cookies
, such as thumbprint cookies and cookies that are coated in powdered sugar, such as Mexican wedding cookies either after they are baked or freeze the cookie dough. If you’re freezing the baked cookies, wait to fill them or roll in powdered sugar until you’re ready to serve.
For cookies that are already baked, here’s how to freeze them successfully for up to two months
. Be sure the cookies are completely cooled before freezing. Place the cookies into an airtight container lined with aluminum foil or plastic food wrap. For best results, wrap the cookies individually in plastic food wrap.
the good news: most cookies and cookie doughs freeze well because there is little to no water content in them. Water expands when it freezes and then contracts again when it is thawed. That expanding and contracting can ruin the texture of frozen food, but
most cookie doughs will not have this problem
.
The Cookies You Shouldn’t Freeze
The basic rule is that
cookies with a liquidy batter
don’t hold up well in the freezer — these are usually thin, delicate cookies like tuiles, florentines and pizzelles. Very cakey “cookies” like madeleines also do not freeze well.
You can store cookies in glass jars, plastic containers or tins. Make sure any container you use has an airtight seal so the cookies stay fresh.
Refrigerate or freeze cookies for longer storage
. Place them in a plastic airtight container or sealed plastic bags.
Freezing any food will preserve it for a later date, especially baked goods.
Refrigerating cookies will dry them out
but freezing them will maintain their original glorious state if you store them correctly. Like a fridge, a freezer can also suck the moisture out of your food.
Freezing cookies is easy and
they taste great after you thaw them
.
To store cookies in the freezer, you have multiple options. The first is using a Ziploc bag.
Simply put the baked cookies in the bag, seal it, and put it in the freezer to be used at any time
. Another way to store the cookies is in a sealed container.
After baking, allow cookies to cool completely. Place them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet to freeze them, then store them in a freezer-safe zip-top storage bag labeled with the name and date. Squeeze out extra air and place flat in the freezer. To save space, you can flat-stack freezer bags.
To thaw frozen cookies,
take them out of the container in which they were stored and spread them out until they come to room temperature
. From there, you can decorate them as needed, serve them, or, if necessary, refresh them in a 325o oven for 5 to 10 minutes.
As a general rule of thumb,
‘drop cookies,’ which include oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies, and ‘cut-out cookies,’ such as gingerbread and sugar cookies
, are freezer-friendly.
With proper storage, most cookies can be kept in the freezer for
up to three months
.
Editor: Jen, we would probably vote for
cookie dough
, since nothing beats a truly fresh-baked cookie. But we would recommend scooping the dough and freezing it solid on cookie sheets, then sealing the frozen in lumps in bags for longer storage.
Baked Cookies
After baking, allow your cookies to cool completely.
Line them up in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet to freeze them
. Once they’re fully frozen, you can transfer them to a freezer-safe plastic bag (remember to squeeze out the air) or airtight container and keep them for up to three months.
Freezing is the best way we’ve found to keep your cookies fresh when you want to make them ahead of time
. Then just pull them out of the freezer a few hours before needed and serve. You can refreeze cookies, too, but keep in mind that any icing will begin to degrade if you do this over and over.
Do baked fruit desserts need to be refrigerated?
Fruit pies can be stored either at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to two days
(covering them with an overturned bowl is a handy way to keep them protected).
When it comes to storing and freezing cookies, keep these tips in mind: Make sure cookies are cooled completely before storing.
Metal tins keep cookies crisper and firmer than plastic containers
. Store soft cookies like macaroons in a separate container from hard cookies like biscotti.
How to store:
Place the raspberry thumbprint cookies in an airtight container and store them at room temperature for up to 5 days
.
Wait for the cookies to cool completely, then transfer them to a reusable freezer-safe bag or container lined with wax or parchment paper. I like to place them in a single layer to avoid any cookies breaking.
Cookies will keep well for up to 2 months
.
When you take them out to defrost, leave them in the container you froze them in. This way any condensation will form on the outside of the container, not on the cookie. This can take
1 – 3 hours
depending on your environment.
Bakery or homemade cookies can be stored
at room temperature two to three weeks or two months in the refrigerator
. Cookies retain their quality when stored in the freezer for eight to 12 months. Moist bars, such as cheesecake and lemon bars, can be refrigerated for seven days.
Make sure cookies cool completely before storing.
Store them at room temperature in an air-tight container, like Tupperware
. Store different flavors separately. Over time, strongly flavored cookies like molasses or mint will seep into other cookies, so if possible store each flavor in its own container.
If you’re rushed for time and/or only have one or two frosted cookies to freeze,
you can skip the flash freezing step
. Just pop each cookie into its own container or bag (freezer safe) and pop in the freezer. The frosting might squish a bit, but it’ll taste fine!
Can You Refreeze Cookies?
You can, but you need to consider whether it’s worth doing so
. When you refreeze thawed cookies, they will become drier when you defrost them for a second time which can make them taste almost stale – as if you’ve left them on the side for a little too long.
Put a frozen cookie ball into the microwave for 30 seconds
it emerges an ACTUAL cookie, micro-baked to perfectly soft and gooey with even a little crispiness around the edge. It doesn’t even matter what kind of cookie dough it is! Any type of frozen cookie dough, popped into the microwave makes a real cookie.
You’ll find that most of your favorite Christmas cookie recipes can be made ahead anywhere from
a month to six months before the 25th of December
. (Consult this handy how-to guide to the matter!) Generally, most recipes will be best if baked then frozen.
Make sure to transfer the cookies to an airtight container or plastic bag and seal well. The baked cookies will keep for up to 5 days at room temperature without jam and up to 3 days with jam. The raw dough should be kept stored
in the fridge or freezer at all times
, until it’s time to roll and shape.
Bake one sheet at a time until golden and very lightly browned and puffed, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely and then dust with confectioners’ sugar.
You can freeze these cookies in freezer bags for up to 3 months
.
How to store:
Place the raspberry thumbprint cookies in an airtight container and store them at room temperature for up to 5 days
.
