Best Cookies to Freeze (2024)

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By Pillsbury Kitchens

Updated November 5, 2021

Best Cookies to Freeze (1)

With the holidays in sight, 'tis officially the season for baking cookies! We're so excited we can practically smell the warm aroma of vanilla and cookie dough filling the house. Perhaps the only thing better than baking said cookies is enjoying them with loved ones and a cold glass of milk. But then what? Preserve that irresistible, just-baked taste with these easy tips and tricks for freezing baked cookies! Plus, learn precisely how to store them and discover Christmas cookie inspiration to add to your baking day lineup!

How to Freeze Cookies

Freezing cookies surely sounds like a simple task, but knowing how to do it right truly offers up a trick. 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. Frosted and unfrosted cookies also fall in this category, although we always recommend freezing cookies unfrosted and waiting until ready to serve to frost, if possible. If you're making a more delicate cookie, such as wafers or meringues, you'll want to eat those fresh and avoid the freezer altogether.

Want to know the best way to freeze cookies? Here are our three easy, foolproof steps:

Step 1: Freeze Cookies Individually

Best Cookies to Freeze (2)

All cookies should be frozen individually to ensure they don’t stick together when stored. To do so, place baked, completely cooled cookies onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet (so they have a little bit of friction for easy removal) being sure to arrange the cookies in a single layer. Then pop the cookie sheet in the freezer for about an hour.

Step 2: Store Cookies in Layers

Best Cookies to Freeze (3)

Once they’ve been individually frozen, place the cookies into an airtight container. Stack your cookies in single layers with wax paper between each layer.

Step 3: Keep Cookies Separate

Best Cookies to Freeze (4)

Be sure to separate types of cookies into individual containers to avoid flavors mingling. No one likes a minty gingerbread cookie! Label all containers with the date you froze them and be sure to add a note with the appropriate cookie name so you can easily keep track of all your baked goods.

How Long Can You Freeze Cookies?

If properly frozen, you can freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 12 months. If cookies are frosted, they can be stored frozen for up to three months.

How to Freeze Cookie Dough

Want to stock up on Pillsbury™ refrigerated cookie dough before the holiday rush? We don’t blame you. The good news: You can freeze cookie dough rolls and Ready to Bake!™ cookies up to two months in advance! Take our place-and-bake cookies straight from the freezer to the oven and simply give them two to three minutes of additional cook time. For our cookie dough rolls, we recommend thawing in the refrigerator before using for recipes.

How to Thaw Frozen Cookies

Now that you know how to freeze cookies, here’s how to defrost them when it’s time to serve! Most cookies can be thawed, covered in their container at room temperature for one to two hours. For crisp cookies, it’s best to remove them from their container to thaw.

Cookies to Freeze Up to 12 Months

Here are some of our favorite cookies to make and freeze up to a year in advance!

Cookies to Freeze Up to 3 Months

Here are some of our most-loved cookie recipes that can be frozen up to three months ahead:

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Best Cookies to Freeze (2024)

FAQs

What types of cookies freeze well? ›

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.

How do you freeze cookies so they stay fresh? ›

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. Once ready to eat, simply thaw out at room temperature and enjoy.

Do cookies taste good after freezing? ›

The key to freezing cookies properly and making sure they last is to avoid air. Air in the freezer will cause the flavor and texture of the cookies to break down faster. Properly stored in an airtight container or bag, cookies can last in the freezer for up to six months.

What cookies stay fresh the longest? ›

Shortbread and shortbread cookies: These keep for at least 1 month. Springerles: These should be made 2 weeks before serving and they keep for several months.

Are there any cookies that Cannot be frozen? ›

Cakey cookies, like madeleines, also don't freeze well. "They begin to lose moisture no matter how tightly they're wrapped," Wenk says. It is possible to resuscitate them with a few minutes in the oven after thawing, but they won't taste the same.

Can you freeze cookies in Ziploc bags? ›

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.

What is the best container to freeze cookies in? ›

Place baked cookies in sealable plastic containers designed for the freezer. Freeze cookies for up to one year. Don't use themed tins (say, for Christmas cookies). Transfer cookies to such containers once you've removed them from the freezer.

How to keep cookies fresh for 2 weeks? ›

Test Kitchen Tip: If you can't keep your cookie bars in their original pan, slice them (here's how to cut dessert bars) and place them in an airtight container. Store the container in the fridge—the cookie bars will stay fresh there for up to two weeks.

Is it better to freeze cookies with or without frosting? ›

While you can freeze baked cookies already decorated with icing or filling with jam or ganache, those ingredients don't freeze incredibly well; you'll get better overall results if you add them after you've thawed the baked cookies.

Do Snickerdoodles freeze? ›

Snickerdoodles can be stored at room temp for up to five days, but it's best to keep them in a cool, dry place like your fridge. You can also freeze them for up to two weeks—and then just thaw and serve.

How do you thaw frozen cookies? ›

Thawing Frozen Cookies

When you're ready to thaw your baked cookies, let them sit at room temperature or heat them up in the oven for a couple of minutes. When it comes to thawing dough, baking the cookies an extra few minutes should do the trick to ensure they're completely defrosted and ready to eat.

How do bakeries keep cookies fresh? ›

To extend the shelf life of products, many bakers use specially formulated enzymes for preservation. These naturally occurring protein compounds can keep baked goods soft while preventing crumbling and staling.

Can I freeze Costco cookies? ›

Can I freeze Costco's Cookies? Yes! Freeze the cookies in a single layer on a cookie sheet for 1 hour. At that point you can gather and stack your frozen cookies and place them into an airtight container and freeze them for up to 3 months.

How long do cookies last in the freezer? ›

These are how long some of the most common cookies will last in the freezer if stored properly: Chocolate Chip Cookies – 3 to 4 months. Sugar Cookies – 3 to 4 months. Oatmeal Cookies – 4 to 6 months.

Which Girl Scout cookies freeze well? ›

In my opinion, any other Girl Scout cookie that has a chocolate coating, including Samoas, Tagalongs, Thanks-A-Lot and Girl Scout S'mores, deserves space in your freezer.

What baked goods are good for freezing? ›

Like cakes and quick breads, muffins, cupcakes, and scones freeze beautifully. Bake them, cool them, wrap individually in plastic wrap or Press & Seal, then place in a large zipped-top bag or freezer container. No need to wrap twice—just 1 layer of wrap for these small items is fine.

What kind of cookie dough can you freeze? ›

Yes! Most cookie dough freezes well, particularly these kinds: Chocolate Chip Cookie dough is the cookie dough that I most often have in my freezer - I always have some of my perfect chocolate chip cookie dough, along with my small batch cookie dough or my brown butter chocolate chip cookie dough. They all freeze well.

Do decorated sugar cookies freeze well? ›

How long do decorate sugar cookies last? On the counter in an airtight container, I'd say up to 3-4 weeks. Personally, I prefer to eat them within 1 week or freeze them. Frozen properly, they can easily lats 3-6 months (or more!).

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