Freeze cookies before or after baking them?
I need to make many batches of cookies for a party next Saturday, and I would like to start baking them now. To make sure they're still tasting fresh six days later, I want to take advantage of my freezer.
I can find advice all over the internet on how to freeze dough for baking later, and how to freeze cookies after baking, but not much on which is better! Should I bake first then freeze, or freeze now and bake the day before?
(The specific recipes are snickerdoodles, peanut butter, and chocolate chip; if you need more details to judge freezer-appropriateness, please let me know.)
Best Answer
If the oven time is not a limiting resource, I would freeze and then bake.
There are a number of sources that strongly advocate for aging cookie dough before baking, which affects the absorption of moisture in the dough and changes flavor: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/09/dining/09chip.html
Personally, I normally do not have the patience for aging dough. If I am making cookie dough, I want to bake it and eat it immediately. You, however, have the time built in to age your dough before baking. You may even want to leave the dough in the refrigerator for awhile first before freezing.
Also, I think cookie freshness suffers more after baking than before, but I don't have references for that.
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Quick Answer about "Freeze cookies before or after baking them?"
Step 1: after baking your cookies wait for them to cool completely. This will prevent them from freezing with too much moisture on them and creating freezer burn. Step 2: transfer them to a reusable freezer-safe bag or container lined with wax or parchment paper.Can you freeze homemade cookies after baking?
For cookies that are already baked, here's how to freeze them successfully for up to two months. Be sure the cookies are completely cooled before freezing. Place the cookies into an airtight container lined with aluminum foil or plastic food wrap. For best results, wrap the cookies individually in plastic food wrap.Should you freeze baked cookies?
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.Can I freeze cookie dough and bake later?
Place the solid and cold cookie dough balls into a labeled zipped-top bag\u2013 large or small depending on how much dough you have. Label the bag with the month and the baking temperature and place the bag in the freezer. Freeze cookie dough for up to 3 months.How long should you freeze cookies before baking?
Let the dough freeze until it is completely solid \u2014 at least 4 hours and up to overnight. It's crucial that the cookie dough freezes completely so the balls don't fuse together when you store them.How to Freeze Cookies: Cookie Jar #51
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Answer 2
I just read an interesting study (if you're into that stuff) about how moisture migrates between from crumb to raisins at frozen temperatures.
But in your case, peanuts and chocolate are pretty inert. If I were you I would bake then freeze because having baking ingredients at room temp is ideal for consistent results.
Even an air-tight lid with rice and baking paper in the bottom would do.
*I know my profile says I'm a programmer, but I used to be a fine dining chef
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