How to freeze cookie dough

Knowing how to freeze cookie dough is useful, practical, and simple. It’s a great way to have freshly baked cookies any time you want!

Do you enjoy baking cookies? I sure do! But sometimes, I don’t have time to bake, and I’m dying for just 1 or 2 cookies instead of a dozen.

Jump to:

How to freeze cookie dough balls
How to freeze cutout cookie dough & sliced cookie dough
How to bake frozen cookie dough
MORE COOKIE RECIPES TO TRY

That’s when my frozen cookie dough comes to the rescue! Whenever I get that craving, I just pop a few frozen cookie dough balls on a tray and bake them!

I always have cookie dough in the freezer! It’s just so convenient!

Love cookies? Try my Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies, my Vegan Pecan Cookies, or my Biscoff Butter Cookies!

Why freeze cookie dough:

You can make a small batch and bake a few cookies at a time, instead of a whole tray.
You can prep for an upcoming event, like a birthday, family function, or bake sale well in advance.
You have a stash for whenever unexpected guests show up (or when a crazy cookie craving kicks in).
You can easily host a last-minute get-together.
You could make a delicious homemade gift for a friend.

What you’ll need to freeze cookie dough

Apart from your dough, of course, you don’t need any fancy equipment, just a few basic kitchen tools.

Some wax paper or parchment paper.
A cookie scoop or a spoon.
A baking tray.
Freezer bags or containers.

Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to make small balls of dough and then put them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Cover them with plastic wrap and put them in the freezer. After about an hour, take the tray out of the freezer, put the frozen dough balls in a freezer bag or other container, label it and freeze.

Shape the cookie dough into a disk about an inch or two thick (for cutouts) or a log (for sliced cookies).
Wrap it in plastic wrap well (to prevent freezer burn & absorbing smells) and freeze.

How long does cookie dough last in the freezer?

I usually freeze my dough for up to 2 months.

There are a few ways to bake frozen cookie dough, depending on the time you have. If you’re in a hurry, you could bake them frozen. Just add a few more minutes to the baking time.

If you’re not pressed for time, you could defrost the cookie dough in the refrigerator and then bake as directed.