Do you love cookies, but don’t always have time to make them from scratch?
Do you wish you could just whip up a batch of dough and bake them when you’re ready?
If that’s the case, then you may find yourself wondering whether you can make cookie dough ahead of time.
Well, you definitely can! Making cookie dough ahead of time is a great way to be prepared for when a cookie craving hits. Whether you’re planning to make cookies for a party or just want to have some on hand for when the mood strikes, prepping the dough in advance will save you time and effort.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind when making cookie dough in advance.
In this blog post, we’ll give you some tips on how to make cookie dough ahead of time, as well as how to store it so it stays fresh.
So, let’s get started!
Tips For Making Cookie Dough Ahead Of Time
Making cookie dough ahead of time is easy to do, and there are a few different ways you can go about it.
One method is to simply make a batch of dough as you normally would, but don’t bake it.
Instead, scoop the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Freeze the dough balls for at least two hours, or until they are solid.
Once the dough balls are frozen, you can transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag.
When you’re ready to bake the cookies, there’s no need to thaw the dough first: just place the frozen balls on a baking sheet and bake as usual.
You can do this for all kinds of cookies such as chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, shortbread, gingerbread or sugar cookies.
Another method for making cookie dough ahead of time is to mix all of the ingredients together, but don’t add the eggs.
When making cookie dough ahead of time, it is important to keep in mind is that raw eggs can spoil quickly.
Eggless cookie dough can be stored in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to two months.
When you’re ready to bake the cookies, simply add the eggs to the dough and mix everything together.
How To Store Cookie Dough
Once you’ve made your cookie dough, it’s important to store it properly so it doesn’t go bad.
Cookie dough that contains eggs can be stored in the fridge for up to three days, or in the freezer for up to two months.
If you’ve made eggless cookie dough, it can be stored in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to two months.
When storing cookie dough in the freezer, be sure to place it in a freezer-safe container or bag.
Label the container with the date so you know when you made the dough.
I like to use an ice cream scoop to portion out the dough before freezing, so I can just grab a few balls when I’m ready to bake.
Other Questions You May Have
Can You Make Cookie Dough Without Eggs?
You can make eggless cookie dough.
This type of dough can be stored in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to two months.
Simply mix all of your ingredients together, but don’t add the eggs.
When you’re ready to bake the cookies, add the eggs to the dough and mix everything together.
Can You Freeze Raw Cookie Dough?
You can freeze raw cookie dough.
Simply scoop the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Freeze the dough balls for at least two hours, or until they are solid.
Once the dough balls are frozen, you can transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag.
When you’re ready to bake the cookies, there’s no need to thaw the dough first.
Just place the frozen balls on a baking sheet and bake them.
Should Refrigerated Cookie Dough Come To Room Temperature Before Baking?
Cookie dough that has been refrigerated does not need to come to room temperature before baking.
You can bake it right out of the fridge!
Simply scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and bake as usual.
The cookies may spread slightly more than if the dough was at room temperature, but they will still be delicious!
Just keep in mind that the cookies may need a bit more time to bake if the dough is cold when it goes into the oven.
Can You Freeze Baked Cookies?
Freezing baked cookies is a great way to have fresh cookies on hand at all times.
Place the cookies in a freezer-safe container or bag, and they will keep fresh for up to two months.
When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw the cookies at room temperature or in the microwave.
Is It Better To Freeze Cookie Dough Or Baked Cookies?
It depends on what you’re looking for.
If you want to be able to bake fresh cookies quickly, then freezing cookie dough is the way to go.
However, if you want your cookies to last longer, then freezing baked cookies is the better option.
No matter which method you choose, making cookie dough ahead of time is a great way to be prepared for when you’re craving some delicious cookies!
Can I Make Cookie Dough Balls And Freeze Them?
Making dough balls is a great way to make cookie dough ahead of time. Simply scoop the dough into balls using a cookie scoop or tablespoon and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Once the dough balls are formed, place the entire baking sheet in the freezer.
Once frozen solid, transfer the frozen dough balls to an airtight container or ziptop bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to bake, place the frozen dough balls directly onto a greased cookie sheet and bake for a few extra minutes. This is a convenient way to have the best cookies ready any time.
How Long Can Cookie Dough Be Refrigerated?
Most types of cookie dough, like chocolate chip cookie dough, sugar, and peanut butter cookie dough, can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. Place the dough in an airtight container or wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator.
When you’re ready to bake, scoop dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake cookies as directed, adding a minute or two to the bake time.
Refrigerated dough works great for cut-out cookies too. Just be sure to return any unused dough to the fridge between batches.
Can I Freeze Homemade Cookie Dough For Christmas Cookies?
Freezing cookie dough is a great way to get a head start on Christmas baking! Form the dough into balls as described above and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Once the cookie dough freezes solid, transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container.
Label with the type of dough and date. The frozen balls of dough can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When the holidays roll around, you’ll have a variety of homemade cookies like sugar, gingerbread cookies, shortbread cookies, cut-out sugar cookies, and chocolate chip cookies ready to bake fresh for guests. Just be sure to thaw the chilled cookie dough slightly before baking for best results.
Can I Use Brown Sugar In Cookie Dough That Will Be Frozen?
Brown sugar is perfectly fine to use in cookie dough that will later be frozen. When making dough ahead, the brown sugar may harden a bit during freezing but will soften again once the dough thaws. Be sure to package the dough tightly to prevent moisture loss.
The brown sugar will dissolve and distribute evenly during baking just like fresh dough. No need to substitute granulated sugar when making frozen cookie dough.
How Do I Store Cookie Dough Cut-outs?
For cut-out cookies, roll the dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut shapes using a cookie cutter. Place the cut-outs in a single layer on a baking tray lined with wax paper or parchment, leaving space between each cookie.
Freeze until solid, about 30 minutes. Then transfer the frozen cookies to an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag, separating layers with wax paper if needed.
Label and date. When ready to bake at a later date, the best way is to place the frozen cut-outs directly onto a greased cookie sheet for the perfect cookies!
Final Thoughts
I hope this blog post has given you some helpful tips on how to make cookie dough ahead of time.
No matter the type of cookie dough you make, be sure to store the dough properly so it doesn’t go bad.
And, when in doubt, always err on the side of baking a few extra cookies, they’ll probably get eaten before they even have a chance to cool!
Whether you’re planning on baking a fresh batch the next day or freezing the dough for later, making cookie dough ahead of time is always a great way to be prepared when you’re in the mood for some tasty cookies.
By following these tips I shared with you in this article, you’ll be able to store your cookie dough so it stays fresh and is ready to bake when you are.