Like me, you probably like a tasty cookie now and again. And if you’re anything like me, you know that there’s nothing better than a batch of fresh, warm cookies from the oven. If you’ve ever attempted to bake a large quantity of cookies at once, you know that even the best cookie recipe may grow old after a while.
That’s why I usually have some frozen cookie dough on hand; when the hunger strikes, I just let it thaw, and then I can use my cookie cutters to construct a fun new design.
But I think we’ve all defrosted cookie dough in the fridge only to find it rock hard when we attempt to bake it. But have no fear! Getting beautiful, soft cookies every time from frozen dough is possible with the right thawing method.
Keep reading to learn on how to defrost cookie dough!
Why Do We Need to Freeze Cookie Dough?
Although making cookies from scratch is the best method to guarantee their freshness, there are instances when that’s simply not feasible.
That’s why we’re giving you some pointers on preserving cookie dough in the freezer.
Let’s start with a few explanations for why you may wish to store your cookie dough in the freezer:
You may prepare the dough in bulk and store it in the freezer until you need it.
Whenever your favored brand of cookie dough is on sale at the grocery store, buy up and save the leftover dough in the freezer for later use.
Both a continuous log and separate cookies may be made from the dough and frozen for later use.
However, defrosting the dough correctly is vital if you want to preserve its texture and flavor.
Do You Need To Defrost Cookie Dough Before Baking It?
The answer is: it depends.
Not all frozen items are designed to be cooked from frozen, and not all cookie doughs can be frozen. Macaron dough, which is formed by whipping egg whites, cannot be frozen since it loses its volume and texture when stored in the freezer.
It is possible to bake frozen cookies created from a shortbread-style dough and then cut into rounds without first defrosting them. Some people swear by starting with frozen dough for the best results.
However, drop cookies need the dough ball to be smoothed out into a large circle, thus defrosting the dough beforehand is recommended. If you bake them from frozen, you may expect much smaller and denser cookies.
Best Ways To Defrost Cookie Dough
Refrigerator Method
If you like baking, you understand the value of a reliable recipe. If you’re craving cookies but don’t have the resources to make them from scratch, frozen cookie dough is a terrific option. However, there are several criteria you need to follow while defrosting frozen cookie dough in the fridge if you want your cookies to taste fresh.
Homemade cookie dough should be refrigerated overnight to thaw properly. This is a more time-consuming approach, but the end result is certain to be fresh and tasty cookies.
Here’s how to thaw cookie dough in the fridge:
- At least two hours before using the cookie dough, take it out of the freezer. We recommend 8-12 hours).
- Put the cookie dough in a plastic bag and store it in the fridge.
- Thaw in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours (longer if necessary).
- When the dough is no longer frozen, you may shape it into cookies and bake it.
Microwave Method
It’s not a good idea to thaw cookie dough in the microwave. If you’re going to bake the cookies straight away, then yes, the microwave might save you time.
Extreme care is required while defrosting cookie dough in the microwave. This is due to the fact that microwaves may be used to do more than only thaw food; they can also be used to heat it. The cookie dough will heat up very quickly, making it sticky, oily, and unworkable. If you do this, your cookies will turn up dry and crumbly with a terrible taste.
Read on for instructions on defrosting cookie dough in the microwave:
- The first order of business is to start cooking. Line it with parchment paper or coat it with cooking spray.
- The next step is to cover the dough with microwave safe plastic wrap and set it on a serving plate. The microwave oven should be able to fit the plate, however you need make sure the dough isn’t touching the plastic wrap.
- Prior to making any changes, start the microwave. Defrost the dough in the microwave or microwave it on high for 10 seconds at 30% power. At this stage, you should check to see whether the dough is solid in the center; if it isn’t, repeat the process.
FAQs
Can You Fix Dry Cookies After Baking?
So you’ve just baked a batch of cookies and they’re… a little dry. Can you fix them?
Yes! There are a few ways to get that soft and tender texture back into your cookies:
Put them in an airtight container with a piece of bread. The bread will absorb some of the moisture from the cookies, making them softer. This trick works best if you have some bread on hand, but it’s not necessary—the cookies will still be okay without it.
Microwave the cookies for 4-5 seconds to slightly warm them up and soften their texture.
How Long Does Cookie Dough Take To Defrost?
We hear this question often, and it’s a good one to consider if you want to bake cookies using frozen dough. It’s OK to bake these cookies from the freezer, but they won’t turn out quite the same as when they were first made. The cookies won’t spread as much, but the flavor is unaffected. A uniform spread may be achieved by letting the dough defrost in the fridge for 24 hours before using it.
