Freezing Cookies

[tiggerlover]

With the holidays rapidly approaching I thought I would share some tips on freezing cookies. I love to give cookie platters to our friends and special people during the holidays, but it takes a lot of work to make a large variety of cookies. By being able to freeze your cookies you can make them weeks ahead and do a couple of batches a week until you have all the cookies you need.

Six Tips For Freezing Cookies

1. Cool cookies before wrapping and freezing them. This prevents moisture from forming when a warm cookie is exposed to the cold air in the freezer.
2. Store cookies in a cold freezer, as close to 0 degrees as possible.
3. Wrap cookies well before freezing them. Wrap one or a pair of cookies in plastic wrap, then seal them in a plastic freezer bag, rigid plastic container or gift tin. Then label the containers with the date and contents.
4. Store cookies inside the freezer rather than the door shelves, which are warmer.
5. Leave cookies in the freezer no longer than three months.
6. Defrost cookies with their wrapping in place. The moisture that forms during defrosting forms on the wrapper, not the cookies.

Happy Baking!

 

[catsrule]

cool tips. never thought of freezing christmas cookies.

 

[mickey65]

You have cookies that make it to the freezer???!!!

 

[amid chaos]

Well...this would be alot easier than my 2 day baking frenzy. Thanks.

 

[gina2000]

I've frozen dough, but never cookies.

Have to keep that in mind.....

 

[judi]

I freeze cookies all the time. The kids are usually to lazy to walk out to the chest freezer to get them. I am not to lazy and that can be a problem also.
I will also freeze 3 or 4 cookies in a bag and then use them for the kids lunch. They will defrost by the time lunch rolls around.

 

[Meriweather]

I freeze cookies all the time too
Doesn't stop my kids. DS likes them better frozen....fudge too.

But it is almost holiday baking time for me and I will bake dozens and dozens and fill the freezer up (maybe with some of the new recipes I'll be getting from the cookie recipe exchange )

 

[d.kurz]

I was just wondering this week if it's too early now to freeze holiday cookies??? When do you start?

 

[Meriweather]

You can start now
I usually start early Nov. but the cookies are around until about Feb.

Here is a couple little tips I have in my files
Hope they help.



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
Freezing Cookies

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.

 

[d.kurz]

Thanks for the tips, everybody!!

 

[Kermit]

I love having cookies in the freezer! It makes it so easy to just pull them out when friends stop by or if you have to bring something to a potluck dinner and don't feel like cooking. Quick breads are great, too.

Some cookies taste really good still frozen. I have a great recipe for chocolate chocolate-chips cookies that are so good when they're cold.