Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (2024)

FAQs

Can you put chocolate chip cookies in the freezer? ›

Baked cookies will keep in the freezer for up to 3 or 4 weeks. 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.

You can freeze that dough, too. Prepare the cookie dough according to the recipe's instructions. Refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes, and then wrap the cold dough tightly in plastic wrap and add a label with the name of the recipe and the date. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Storage instructions

To freeze: Place cooled cookies in a ziplock bag and label it 6 months from the date they are made—that is how long they will keep! To enjoy cookies from the freezer, allow thawing at room temperature or in the fridge overnight.

Firm dough prevents the cookies from spreading too much, which is why chilling the dough is a crucial step for cut-out and rolled cookies. "The colder and more solid the fat is, the less the cookie will spread," says food stylist and recipe developer Caitlin Haught Brown.

In most cases, I prefer to freeze cookie dough over freezing baked cookies. That way, you still get the nice homemade smell and softness of the cookies when they come out of the oven. But if you want to get the whole job done, you can certainly bake the cookies, then freeze them later.

For slice and bake recipes, you can freeze the cookie dough wrapped up tightly in plastic wrap in a disc or cookie dough log, then defrost overnight. Recipes such as roll out sugar cookies, cut-out cookies and shortbread cookies don't freeze as well - I prefer to freeze the baked cookies rather than the cookie dough.

However, if you don't have the time or patience to wait a full 24 hours, thaw the dough at room temperature for as long as it takes the oven to preheat. Then bake as usual, but add an extra minute or two to the baking time. The spread may be different than freshly baked cookies, but the taste will remain.

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.

A cookie that has been frozen before baking often has a more complex flavor. It usually reaches a much more inviting color and texture too. Science says that this is mostly due to the temperature of the butter at the beginning of the baking process.

Do not freeze frosted, glazed or drizzled cookies because they can become too moist under the frosting, glaze or drizzle. Thaw the cookies in the plastic food container at room temperature. Remove from container any cookies that should be crisp when thawed.

What cookies don't freeze well? ›

Avoid freezing any delicate cookies with thin batters, such as lacey tuiles, pillowy meringues, and pizzelles. "The delicate textures won't survive the freezing and thawing, and the change in temperature is likely to cause moisture damage or melting," Schreiber says.

Make the cookie dough as the recipe instructs. Freezing works best with drop cookies (i.e. chocolate chip, peanut butter, etc.). Cut-out cookies actually freeze well after they're baked! Roll the cookie dough into even balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet that fits in your freezer.

To Defrost or Not To Defrost

Frozen cookie dough balls do not need to be thawed out before baking unless you've been given specific instructions that say to do so. For many cookie doughs, for example, shortbread-style or slice-and-bake cookies, baking immediately from frozen will give you the best results.

Once cool, flash-freeze the cookies first by arranging them on a baking sheet and putting it in the freezer for 30 minutes to one hour. Once the cookies are frozen, package them in a zip-top plastic bag or an airtight storage container.

Cut outs, drop cookies and refrigerator cookies freeze well. Decorated, filled and cookies with a delicate texture such as meringues are more fragile. Although freezing won't change the flavor of decorated cookies, frosting may cause cookies to stick together.

Bakery or homemade cookies can be stored at room temperature two to three weeks or two months in the refrigerator. Cookies retain their quality when stored in the freezer for eight to 12 months.

Room temperature: Use airtight containers, cookie jars, or plastic bags to prevent air exposure and moisture loss. Keep cookies in a cool, dry area. Refrigerated: Use airtight containers or sealed plastic bags to store cookies in the fridge. Monitor the moisture level to avoid condensation.

There really is just one single solution for keeping cookies nice and soft post-bake, and that's to use an airtight container. Anything with a seal, basically.

For long-term storage, your best bet is to freeze cookies. However, if you simply want to keep cookies fresh for about a week, you're better off keeping them at room temperature. Here's how they should be stored.