For all the cookie lovers out there who want to enjoy a batch of cookies over a longer period of time this information is vital. Which cookies can be frozen and to what details should you pay extra attention. This is vital to the preservation of the smell, taste and structure of the cookie. Today we will enlighten you on the topic of freezing cookies!
What kinds of cookies can be frozen?
The freezer can be your best friend, but also your worst if you decide to freeze the wrong kind of cookie. So, what are the wrong kind of cookies? What are their characteristics, types of ingredients, etc?
The first thing you have got to realize is the following; cookies that are decorated, with frosting, chocolate or (powdered) sugar, cannot be frozen. They are an absolute no-no. The same goes for some delicate cookies, for instance peppermint meringues or chocolate almond pizzelles.
Cookies that are not delicate or do not have any decoration yet can be frozen pretty much always! Some types of cookie do use some of their character in the freezer, but that’s not an issue. This can be corrected really easily, just revitalize them with a short stint in the oven.
Freezing cookie doughs?
If you are considering freezing your cookie dough there are also a number of things to keep in mind. But no worries, most cookie doughs can be frozen really easily. The only doughs that cannot be frozen are the ones with a thin batter. They tend to lose quality in the freezer. Preserving thin batter doughs in the freezer can still be done though, just bake them first and freeze the cookies. This way you can freeze these cookies as well!
To sum things up, freezing batters is usually fine. Thin batters doughs cannot be frozen, just bake them first and freeze the cookies.
How to freeze your dough?
Cookie doughs can be frozen in a variety of ways, depending on the type of dough.
Drop Cookies dough can be frozen in one big lump or into smaller balls, we do recommend to freeze the drop cookie dough in smaller balls, this makes baking them off later much more easy.
Icebox cookie dough has to be frozen differently. It should be rolled into a log, wrapped in plastic or in wax paper and also sealed in a (zipped) bag.
How to freeze cookies
The freezing of cookies is not that hard. But still, to make sure they keep their shape, structure, taste and smell you need to follow a couple rules.
You have baked your cookie and you want to freeze them, here are the steps you follow to optimally preserve the cookie:
1. Let the cookies cool off
2. Place the cookie on a completely flat surface, like a sheet pan. Don’t stack them on top of each other. Place the sheet pan in your freezer and let the cookies freeze. This step is all about maintaining the shape of the cookie. They are not frozen yet and might bend slightly. This is why they should not be stacked and should be placed on a flat surface.
3. The cookies are now still in shape and frozen, this means they can now be stored in the freezer in a different way. You can preserve the cookies in a flat-bottomed and airtight container, but do separate the layers of cookies with either parchment paper or waxed paper.
Using frozen cookies
Of course nobody likes to eat a cold and rock hard cookie. That is why you should, after taking the cookies out of the freezer, let them first come to room temperature. And do not be fooled by the outside of the cookie, it might feel as if the cookie is warm enough, but the inside might still be frozen solid. Also, thin cookies adapt to the temperature around them much, much faster than thicker cookies.
Once your cookies have warmed up and are de-frozen you can do as you like, decorate or serve them!
Tip: If your cookie has lost some of it’s taste or structure after being frozen, you can refresh the cookies in the oven. 160 ºC for 5 to 10 minutes should do the trick!
