Christmas Cookies - Freezing?

[Minnie824]

I read in a magazine along with some recipes it states that the cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months or just left out for 3 days. In the past when I made Christmas cookies ahead of time, they were just put in the airtight bins and kept for a couple weeks, but after awhile they didn't taste as good. So, my question is, can you freeze basically most cookies? I'd like to make some cookies ahead of time (although not quite yet) so I don't have to do everything that week before Christmas. Has anyone done this, and do they taste as good once they've been frozen? And how long do they need to sit out to thaw? Thanks!

 

[piratesmate]

So, my question is, can you freeze basically most cookies?

I don't know about being able to freeze most cookies, but my grandmother used to freeze chocolate chip, & other "plain" cookies. I know she did NOT freeze her filled cookies, which were like 2 soft sugar cookies with a raisin/date/nut mixture between them. I also don't think she froze the ones that had anything on the outside - like Crescent cookies with 10x sugar or snickerdoodles. You'd run the risk of the condensation melting the coating.

They always tasted fine - but so did the ones we'd eat at her house in February. You know, the ones that got forgotten in the pantry? She tended to freeze some immediately after making them, but then take them all out at C'mas & leave them out.

I think the choc chip only took about a minute to defrost - meaning a few at a time.

She always froze them right in the same tins that she would have used to keep them on the shelf. One tip to prevent that odd taste after a couple weeks - wash the tin really well to remove all crumbs & then store the tin with the cover OFF!

Deb

 

[Meriweather]

This was discussed alittle on the CB. ....so I will post my tips here also.
'Tis the season


Freezing Cookie Dough and Cookies

By :Better Homes and Gardens


Having freshly baked holiday cookies ready in a jiffy is a simple task when you've got a batch of homemade cookie dough in deep freeze. Consider these tips to avoid last-minute cookie-making chaos.
* Most cookie doughs can be frozen for up to 6 months. (Bar cookies batters, meringues and macaroons don't freeze well.)
* For cookie cutouts, roll out and cut the dough into the shapes; freeze in a single layer. It's important that the cookies be frozen in a single layer before placing in the container or bag to prevent cookies from sticking together. Once frozen, the cutouts can be carefully stacked with waxed paper between each layer, and placed in a sealed container. Do not thaw dough before baking, although you may need to add a minute or two baking time to recipe instructions.
* For pinwheels or other refrigerator cookies that are sliced from rolls, make the dough, shape into rolls as directed in your recipe, wrap tightly in foil, and freeze. Slice and bake as needed. The "Better Homes and Gardens" Test Kitchen has discovered these cookies are easier to slice when frozen. So don't bother to thaw before you slice and bake.
* For drop cookies, freeze dough in cookie-size mounds to save work later. Place frozen mounds in a sealed container or freezer bag. When ready to bake, place cookies on baking sheet, thaw in refrigerator, then pop in the oven as directed in your recipe. Bake as few or as many cookies as you want.
* Most drop, slice, bar and shaped cookies also freeze well after they are baked. Be sure to place them in a sealed container or freezer bag.
* For bar cookies, line a baking pan with foil, leaving extra 2" of foil at each end. Add batter and bake as directed. Cool in pan. Lift foil to remove entire batch in one piece. Wrap tightly in foil; freeze. Frost and cut bar cookies after thawing.



Freezing Cookies

By illsbury

Baking multiple batches of cookies on a day when you have time, or are looking for a fun group project, is a great idea when combined with artful storage techniques. Here's the drill:

Cool cookies thoroughly before storing.

Store each kind of cookie separately to keep flavors from mixing.

Before freezing, make sure your freezer is at 0 F. or colder.

Most cookies and bars freeze well for up to six months; frosted cookies can be stored for up to 2 months.

Place cookies in plastic bags, metal tins, or plastic freezer containers.

If you're planning to frost and decorate cookies, freeze cookies unfrosted and then frost and decorate them just before serving.

Label the container with the name of the cookies and the date they were frozen.

 

[linny172]

I have never frozen the cookies but I do make up a lot of different kinds and freeze the dough, I also have made them up a couple weeks ahead of time and stored them in air tight containers and keep them in my spare rook I turn of the hear registers in there so it stays cool and they have been fine. I make anywhere from 30 to 35 different kinds of cookies and candies for christmas gift boxes so I try to do as much as possible before hand.

 

[Coll0610]

I have frozen chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies for several weeks. I usually bake those first, right after Thanksgiving. I thought it would help keep me from eating them, but that doesn't work since I realized that even frozen, the cookies aren't too hard to eat right out of the freezer.