How to Freeze Cookies

On those days when you need a homemade treat ASAP, put away the stand mixer and sticks of butter. Instead, reach for cookies from your freezer. Yes, you heard me right. You can actually freeze cookies—and they taste just as good weeks later as they did the day they came out of the oven. Here’s how to do it.

Learn more about freezing cookies (and get some awesome tips!) here.

How to Freeze Cookies

Step 1: Make Sure Your Cookies are Suitable for Freezing

Theoretically, you can put any type of cookies in the freezer, but some varieties hold up better than others. Avoid any overly delicate treats (like these meringue hearts) or any decorated cookies as the frosting will lose its fluffy texture.

The best cookies to freeze are sturdy and simple—think drop cookies (like these chocolate chip beauties), cutouts (you can decorate them after they thaw!) or cookie bars (like these snickerdoodle blondies).

Step 2: Freeze in a Single Layer

To freeze cookies, start by baking them. Then, once they’ve cooled, arrange cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet. Pop the sheet in the freezer for 30 minutes or until the cookies are frozen solid.

Grab dinner from the freezer, too! Here are our favorite freezer meals.

Step 3: Place in Desired Container

Then, layer frozen cookies in airtight containers, with a piece of parchment paper separating each layer. This will help prevent the cookies from sticking to one another.

Repeat until all of the cookies are packed, then freeze containers for up to three months. Thaw (or pop in the microwave for a few seconds—we won’t tell) before serving.

Here are some genius ways to use parchment sheets.

Can You Freeze Cookie Dough?

If you’re still craving a fresh-from-the-oven cookie, freezing cookie dough works, too. Just whip up your favorite dough—again, hefty recipes work best—and freeze. You can either freeze the entire quantity of dough or individual portions.

For the entire batch: Wrap the finished dough in parchment paper, flatten into a circle shape and place in a freezer bag. Thaw dough overnight in the fridge before shaping into cookies and baking.

For individual cookies: Scoop dough onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment. Place the sheet in the freezer for 30-45 minutes or until the dough balls are frozen. Place frozen balls in a freezer-safe bag or container. To bake, thaw overnight in the fridge. Or, bake from frozen—just increase the recipe’s cook time by 3-4 minutes. (Psst! Skip the oven altogether with these edible cookie doughs!)

Keep these cookies in the freezer for craving emergencies.

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Cherry Pistachio Cookies

Dried cherries, crunchy nuts, bits of orange, white chocolate—there's a lot to love in this cookie! It's very different from any I've had before. —Kathy Harding, Richmond, Missouri

Get Recipe Freezing Tip: Chill dough in refrigerator until firm. Then, shape into a disk. Wrap in freezer paper, then place in a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag. Thaw dough in the refrigerator before baking.

Winter Fruit Macaroons

Coconut macaroons with sweetened condensed milk instead of egg whites are my version of a recipe my mom loved. All you do is mix, drop and bake. —Veronica Miller, Aliquippa, Pennsylvania

Get Recipe Freezing Tip: For drop cookies, freeze individual cookie portions onto waxed paper-lined cookie sheets. Once frozen, transfer to labeled freezer bags. Remove as many portions as you need and bake, making sure to add additional baking time.

Vanilla-Butter Sugar Cookies

These are one of my favorite cookies to bake for Christmas. The dough recipe is versatile and you can use it for other holidays, too. Children like to help with decorating. —Cynthia Ettel, Hutchinson, Minnesota

How to Freeze Cookies