Freezing cookie dough carries with it quite a number of benefits. It can help you in either boosting the final taste of your baked cookies, preserving leftover dough for use later, or preserving cookie dough to add to its shelf life. We've researched various details such as the dough temperature, period of waiting before baking, and others that may affect the outcome of the cookie in some major ways.
The shelf life of cookie dough will be widely influenced by how it will be stored. A cool space with minimal light in your freezer or fridge is the preferred area to store your dough and lengthen its life without going bad. Generally, cookie dough can last from six months to twelve months in the freezer without going bad. When stored in the fridge, however, cookie dough is only good for one or two weeks.
Below, we have discussed variations of cookie dough's shelf life. We have also expounded further on factors affecting cookie dough's shelf life such as ingredients used and how to specifically deal with preserving each kind.
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cookie dough's shelf life
Cookie dough is made in a variety of ways. This results in differences in the available types of cookie dough and the ingredients used to make the dough. Cookie dough packages carry a date with them termed as "best by." This is to inform the buyer of the period that the quality of your dough will be at peak levels. The cookie dough does not necessarily expire on the written date.
Cookie dough that is produced commercially, frozen, then sold, can last up to two weeks after the "best by" date has been passed. That is if the dough is stored in the fridge. When stored in the freezer section, cookie dough in its raw format can reach a shelf life of ten months to one year.
Another type but one that is quite affordable is Pillsbury or Nestlé Toll House cookie dough. This type carries a lower shelf life with two weeks in the fridge and six to nine months when kept in a freezer. This type is available almost at any time in supermarkets. It's a great option when you don't have the time to whip up your own dough.
Cookie dough that is made at home has a small disadvantage in regards to shelf life. Ingredients used to make the dough do not have preservatives or have not undergone any preservation process and are quite fresh. They will last up to five days, having a minimum of two days in the fridge. Inside the freezer, cookie dough can last half a year to one year.
how do you store cookie dough in the freezer?
Cookie dough, especially if it is after its "best by" date, should only be left out in the open at room temperature for two to four hours. If you want the cookie dough to last for a number of days, the fridge will be an adequate choice. Wrap up your cookie dough neatly and tightly to remove any air spaces trapped in the wrapping. Place the dough in the fridge in the area least accessed and farthest from the light.
If the intention of your preservation is for your cookie dough to last weeks, even months, then the freezer will be your number one choice. Use freezer paper or plastic wrapping and ensure all air spaces are removed.
Place the wrapped dough into an air-tight container before storing it inside your freezer. This will see to it that your cookie dough is able to last up to one year inside the freezer, allowing you a wider range of time to work with the cookie dough. More storage methods can be found here.
does freezing cookie dough change the taste?
As much as people around the globe have their own distinct techniques of making cookies, one fact prevails through multiple individuals. That is the effect that freezing will have on the cookie dough and the resulting impact on the cookie after baking it.
A method known as ripening comes into play. Ripening is where the cookie dough is placed in a fridge before it is eventually baked. Doing this will make the fat in the dough become firm. This is important as when you are baking your cookies, excessive or uneven spreading is curbed. Moisture emanating from eggs in the dough will have increased time to be absorbed by the flour.
This process not only helps the cookie bake much more evenly but also produces flavor-rich cookies that brown better. Depending on personal preferences, others may let the cookie dough rest for hours while others may let the dough rest for days. This will depend on the desired taste of the baker.
Freezing cookie dough will change your cookies' taste for the better compared to baking the dough immediately after preparation.
how can you tell if frozen cookie dough is bad?
Although cookie dough tends to display a long period of stay while in a frozen state, it is important to know that several factors will play part in influencing the length of your cookie dough's shelf life. Factors such as flavors used, additives, or preservatives will determine how long your cookie dough will remain fresh.
One easy way of telling if cookie dough has gone bad is by simply observing it closely. Growing mold on the dough will be a sign of it having gone bad. As the dough goes bad, its edges will undergo discoloration and start turning dark. A much or increasingly darker colored dough will indicate decreasing freshness.
Another way is if your cookie dough has become tough or hard in texture. One may also note a funny smell on the dough. A sour-smelling dough is an indication of it having gone bad. One thing, however, that accelerates the process of going bad is eggs. It is possible to find or use cookie dough that does not contain eggs. These types of dough last longer.
how do you thaw frozen dough?
If you fail to thaw your frozen dough properly, it may end up soggy or with ice chips still lodged inside. There are two ways of thawing frozen dough. One is where you take out the dough from the freezer and put it in the fridge section. This is normally for eight to twelve hours.
This process requires more time, but it allows your dough to gradually change temperatures. The other way is by taking the dough out of the freezer and placing it on a table or counter. This will give the dough time to thaw at room temperature. Two to three hours are enough to thaw frozen dough at room temperature.
is it better to freeze dough or cookies?
Sugar cookies and Almond Biscotti are some types of baked cookies that can be frozen instead of freezing cookie dough. Freezing baked cookies involves placing them on a sheet and freezing them till they become solid. This prevents them from sticking to each other when being frozen. They are then placed in an airtight container and kept in the freezer.
It is better to freeze dough rather than cookies as the impact of this is going to be felt in the final taste and appearance of your cookies. Freezing baked cookies only helps to preserve them.
Final Remarks
Cookie dough has various ingredients in its composition. Over an extended period of time, they begin to go bad. This makes the dough, and the resulting cookies baked from it, unhealthy or even poisonous to some extent. Some cookie doughs have cookie fillings and flavors which, depending on the quantity of use, also accelerate the rate of your dough going bad. Once all these factors are put into consideration, your cookie dough will have the maximum shelf life it should have in the freezer.