Freezing cookie dough is a great way to preserve leftover dough, add to its shelf life, and enhance the final taste of your baked cookies. In this Google web story, we'll explore the shelf life of cookie dough, factors that affect it, and how to properly store it in the freezer. We'll also share tips on how to tell if your frozen cookie dough has gone bad and how to thaw it properly.
The shelf life of cookie dough depends on how it's 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.
Cookie dough is made in different ways, resulting in variations in shelf life. Commercially-produced cookie dough can last up to two weeks after the "best by" date in the fridge and ten months to one year in the freezer. Home-made cookie dough has a shorter shelf life, lasting up to five days in the fridge and half a year to one year in the freezer.
To store cookie dough in the freezer, wrap it neatly and tightly to remove any air spaces trapped in the wrapping. 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.
Freezing cookie dough enhances the taste of your baked cookies. The process known as ripening involves placing the dough in a fridge before it's baked, making the fat in the dough become firm. This helps the cookie bake more evenly and produces flavor-rich cookies that brown better.
Growing mold on the dough, discoloration, and a funny smell are all signs that your frozen cookie dough has gone bad. Eggs also accelerate the process of going bad, so using egg-free cookie dough will make it last longer.
Thawing frozen dough properly is crucial to avoid a soggy or icy texture. Two ways to thaw frozen dough are leaving it in the fridge overnight or letting it sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes. Avoid microwaving frozen dough to thaw it, as it will melt the butter and sugar, affecting the texture and taste of your cookies.