If you’re interested in learning how to freeze chocolate chip cookies, you have come to the right place. In this article, you’ll find recipes for ready-to-bake cookie dough, storage options, and freezer burn prevention. You’ll also find out how to bake frozen cookie dough right from the freezer.
Allow cookies to thoroughly cool after baking. Freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment, then put them in a zip-top storage bag that is freezer-safe and marked with the name and date. Place flat in the freezer after pressing out extra air. To save space, you can flat-stack freezer bags.
How to Freeze Chocolate Chip Cookies?
It’s crucial to freeze chocolate chip cookies as soon as possible for the finest results. For optimal freshness, they should be frozen the same day they are made.
- Let the cookies cool after baking them by the recipe.
- The cooked chocolate chip cookies will taste better and keep more of their natural texture if they are individually wrapped before putting them into freezer bags and sealing them.
- Each chocolate chip cookie should be carefully wrapped in plastic. Make sure that the entire cookie is sealed off from the atmosphere.
- Seal the freezer bag after adding the wrapped cookies inside.
- Place the cookies in stacks of four or five, double-wrap the stack in plastic wrap, and place the stack in the freezer to save space.
- The cookies will crumble if you put anything heavy on top of them while they are in the freezer.
Storage Options for Frozen Cookie Dough
If you want to save money and prevent food waste, you can use a freezer-safe container. You can choose one that is airtight to keep out moisture and contaminants. Also, the smaller the container, the less air it contains. This helps you store the cookie dough for longer periods.
You can also freeze the dough in resealable bags. These bags can keep the dough fresh for at least three days. When not in use, you can place it in the refrigerator or freezer for up to six months. It is important to store cookie dough in an airtight container as it will be less likely to stick to the sides.
If you plan on using the frozen chocolate chip cookie dough in multiple shapes, you can freeze the dough in disk form. However, you should make sure that you store it in airtight containers with the smallest size you need. Another option is to store the cookie dough in plastic bags.
Baking Cookies from Frozen Cookie Dough
It can be very challenging to bake chocolate chip cookies from frozen cookie dough. Before baking, the cookie dough must be completely frozen, for at least 4 hours or overnight. Once frozen, you can store the cookie dough in a freezer bag or airtight container. It will keep for up to 4 months, or even longer.
After defrosting, the dough can be placed on a baking sheet. To prevent sticking, you can spray the baking sheet with cooking spray. You can also place frozen dough balls in ice cube trays, which will keep the cookies soft and moist. To avoid contamination, be sure to label the trays and the date the dough was stored.
Another option for baking frozen cookies is to use an air fryer. Although the cookies will not be as soft as those made with room temperature dough, the air fryer will help the cookies retain their shape better. However, if you plan to cook frozen cookie dough in an air fryer, make sure to cook them in a small pan so that the cookie dough doesn’t melt onto the wires of the air fryer.
How to Keep Chocolate Chip Cookies for Longer?
A vacuum sealer can be used to preserve the flavor of chocolate chip cookies in the freezer for a longer period. These devices function by removing all of the air from the freezer bags or containers and precisely sealing them to prevent any additional air from entering.
You can choose from a variety of vacuum sealers, but the FoodSaver V4840 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer Machine is our top pick. This one allows you to keep both smaller portions and larger dishes because it works with both freezer bags and containers of different sizes.
How to Thaw Chocolate Chip Cookies?
Are you prepared to enjoy some more of your freezer’s supply of chocolate chip cookies? Here is what you need to do:
- Take the desired quantity of frozen chocolate chip cookies out of the freezer to thaw.
- Place frozen items on the counter or in the refrigerator to thaw.
Frozen chocolate chip cookies can also be thawed in the microwave.
- Place the unwrapped cookies on a tray that can be heated in the microwave for about 30 seconds to defrost them.
- For maximum results, chocolate chip cookies from frozen should be consumed within two days.
- They are best consumed within three to four weeks, although they can be refrigerated for up to two months. Refreezing already frozen chocolate chip cookies is not recommended.
Why do Cookies Spread & Flatten?
We have discovered from experience that there are a few key causes for this:
1) Leaveners that have gone bad. Your chocolate chip cookies will probably flatten and spread if your baking soda or baking powder is beyond their prime. It might not be good even if the date on the container checks out. I would start there at the beginning.
Combine 1/2 cup boiling water, 1/4 teaspoon vinegar, and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda to see if your baking soda is still active. A response should happen right away once you add the baking soda. If not, fresh baking soda is required.
How to determine whether your baking powder is functional: 12 cups of hot water and 1/2 tsp of baking powder are combined. It needs to bubble right away. There should be a response right away. If not, new baking powder is required.
2) Over-blending This greatest chocolate chip cookie recipe may provide flat cookies if the ingredients are over-mixed.
3) The food is excessively heated. Overmixing might occasionally cause your ingredients to get too heated. To bring the batter back to room temperature, you can chill the dough before baking if you detect this happening.
4) The oven’s temperature is off. I advise using an electric convection oven for baking. Buy a cheap oven thermometer and use it to monitor the temperature if your cookies and other baked products aren’t turning out properly. The cookies won’t bake properly if your oven is either too hot or too cold.
How Long do Store-Bought Chocolate Chip Cookies Last at Room Temperature?
An unopened package of store-bought cookies can remain on your shelf for at least 6 to 9 months if they are properly stored. The best-before date will be displayed on the back of each cookie box.
However, this is not the window of time within which the product is safe.
It is the creator’s best guess as to how long they will remain in peak condition.
How to Keep Cookies Fresh for a Long Time in a Container?
In an airtight container, homemade chocolate chip cookies without preservatives can keep for up to 1-2 weeks.
They will taste delicious and fresh and be great for your health if you eat them within a few weeks.
However, if you keep them in storage for a long time, they’ll start to taste stale and be unhealthy for you.
You should keep them in the refrigerator in an airtight container to extend their shelf life. They will endure for a few months in this manner.
Although they won’t taste as nice as freshly baked cookies, they will still be enjoyable.
How to Soften Hard Cookies?
No matter how careful we are, it still happens: someone forgot to put the lid on the cookie jar. A terra-cotta disc or the microwave are your two options.
A cookie can be revived in the microwave since warm cookies are soft cookies. A few cookies should be wrapped in a damp paper towel and heated in the microwave for 10 seconds at 50% power. Repeat as required, being cautious not to get the paper towel too wet.
A chunk of unglazed clay that can absorb water and then release it is known as terracotta. They are offered as brown sugar savers, but they can also gradually release water into your cookie jar. Make sure it’s dry before placing it in the container with the cookies after soaking it for 15 minutes. You’ll have softer cookies after an hour or two.
Reference: Effect of Oven Types on the Characteristics of Biscuits Made from Refrigerated and Frozen Doughs
Why Aren’t My Cookies Spreading?
You may have used too much flour or the cookie dough may not have completely frozen if your cookies are thick and not spreading out. It’s simple to add too much flour if you don’t weigh it out on a kitchen scale. Thick cookies that don’t spread will also result from baking frozen cookie dough that hasn’t thawed.
How to Freeze Decorated Cookies?
- I’ve had success freezing cookies with royal icing decorations, but I haven’t tried it with buttercream.
- After decorating and letting the royal icing completely dry, freeze the cookies.
- Place each cookie in a plastic bag or individually wrap each one. Put them in a freezer-safe, airtight container in layers.
- Cookies should be defrosted at room temperature, NOT in the refrigerator, to avoid condensation.
- Note: I advise waiting to decorate cookies with chocolate coating, sprinkles, or powdered sugar until they have been thawed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, chocolate chip cookies are undoubtedly among life’s greatest pleasures. You can worry-free take pleasure in their delightfulness for days or even months if you store them properly.
We hope our post on “how long does homemade chocolate chip cookies last” was helpful to you. If so, kindly spread the word to other cookie lovers as well.
