Decorating cookies is always a lot of fun, but sometimes the batches are too large to eat all at once. Sometimes you need to make them ahead of time for holidays or parties, or sometimes, you just want to have a few on hand to satisfy your sweet tooth. So can you freeze iced sugar cookies?
You can freeze iced sugar cookies for up to 3 months. Considerations such as the type of icing, additional decorations, and freezing process will affect the outcome of your cookies. In general, however, iced cookies freeze well.
This article will discuss all the aspects of freezing iced sugar cookies including:
How to freeze iced sugar cookies.
How long they can stay frozen.
How to thaw them again.
Other ways to freeze sugar cookie dough and icing separately.
Read on to find the answers to these questions and even more!
How To Freeze Iced Sugar Cookies
Freezing iced sugar cookies is simple and can be done in just a few steps. You can keep all of the cookies together in a large batch or freeze them in smaller portions. If you do not need to take all of your cookies out at once, freezing them individually or in pairs is an excellent choice to allow them to thaw faster.
Here are the 5 steps to freezing iced sugar cookies:
Make sure your cookies are dry and at room temperature. This is essential because extra moisture will make your cookies more vulnerable to freezer burn.
Place the cookies on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer. Doing this will help the icing harden, but make sure your cookies are in a single layer apart from one another on the sheet. Leave them for at least 2 hours.
Once frozen place the cookies in an airtight container. To store the cookies in a single batch, place the iced sugar cookies in a plastic container or resealable bag. Use parchment paper between the layers to prevent the cookies from sticking together. If you want to wrap cookies in smaller portions, you can use plastic wrap or an airtight bag.
Freeze them in pairs. Place the cookies back to back, with the icing facing out to prevent them from sticking together if you’d like to freeze the cookies in pairs.
Put the container in the freezer. If you use a resealable bag or container that is not firm, find a place in your freezer where nothing will be placed on top of them, as they could get damaged or broken easily.
To ensure that you know how long your cookies have been in the freezer, label the container with the date you made the cookies and the date you froze them.
How Long Can You Freeze Iced Sugar Cookies?
You can freeze iced sugar cookies for 1-3 months. While cookies are still safe to eat for six months, their taste and texture may be altered. Remember that for your frozen sugar cookies to last this long in the freezer, they must be in an airtight container, which helps slow moisture loss.
Over time, if your cookies lose moisture, they can develop freezer burn. Three months is a significant increase from storing cookies at room temperature, where they only last for two weeks. However, do you really think you’ll be able to leave them in the freezer for longer than three months, especially if you have kids?
How To Thaw Iced Sugar Cookies
To thaw iced sugar cookies, take them out of the freezer and place them at room temperature for at least 1 hour.
Larger cookies may take up to 3 hours to defrost thoroughly. Only take out the amount you need. Once thawed, do not try to refreeze your iced sugar cookies. Freezing and thawing a cookie more than once will affect the texture and may lead to freezer burn.
You can open the container and unstack the cookies to help them warm up faster. Placing a paper towel or tea towel under the cookies will help absorb any excess moisture and keep your cookies from becoming too soft.
If you froze your cookies separately from the icing, you can heat the cookies in the microwave for 30 seconds or in an oven at 275°F (135°C) for 10-15 minutes. However, make sure they cool to room temperature before icing them to keep the icing from melting.
Can You Freeze Iced Sugar Cookies With Toppings?
You can freeze iced sugar cookies with toppings safely, but you should be aware that the colors in the sprinkles can bleed into your icing. Similarly, if your cookies are meant to be rolled in sugar, powdered sugar, candy, or other toppings, these toppings are best added right before baking.
If the presentation of your cookies is important, you should test a cookie or two in the freezer before freezing the entire batch. If you do not have time to try your sprinkles, your best bet is to hold off and add them when you take the cookies back out of the freezer.
Can You Freeze Uniced Sugar Cookies?
You can freeze uniced sugar cookies in much the same way as iced cookies. Because you do not need the icing to harden, you do not have to freeze them on a baking sheet first. It is still good to place parchment paper between the layers of sugar cookies to ensure they don’t stick together.
Can You Freeze Icing For Cookies?
You can freeze icing. If you would like to freeze your icing separately and decorate your cookies when you take them out of the freezer, that is easy to do. For convenience, you can freeze icing in a piping bag, so it’s ready to go once you take it out and it’s had time to thaw.
It is best to thaw icing slowly so that it maintains its consistency. Take the icing out of the freezer and put it into the refrigerator for several hours (overnight is best).
Then let the icing sit at room temperature for an hour or so, and it will be ready to go.
If you want to color your icing, it is best to do that after taking it out of the freezer, which can cause colors to fade. The same is true of flavoring, which will become less potent in the freezer.
What Is the Best Type of Icing To Freeze?
Royal icing is the best type of icing to freeze because it hardens completely. While other icings such as buttercream and store-bought containers can be frozen, they do not set completely, which makes them more likely to bleed and muddy your design as they thaw.
Over time, food in your freezer will lose moisture. Some other icings have more water, so their texture will be more affected than royal icing. Know, however, that fondant icing can’t be frozen, as it will dry out and become inedible.
If you would like to use fondant, you need to put it on the cookies when you take them out of the freezer.
Can You Freeze Sugar Cookie Dough?
You can freeze sugar cookie dough. Freezing sugar cookie dough is simple and can make it easier to cut the cookies out when you are ready to bake them. Freezing is not the same as chilling the dough. If your sugar cookie dough needs to be chilled, place it in the refrigerator for several hours.
You can freeze your sugar cookie dough from there if you wish. If you want to slice your cookies, you can freeze them in a log shape, making them easier to cut when you take them out of the freezer. Make sure to label the sugar cookie dough with the date you made and froze it.
You’ll want to use sugar cookie dough within three months of freezing to maintain the taste and texture.
When you take the sugar cookie dough out of the freezer, you don’t have to wait for it to get to room temperature. Cold dough is easier to roll out and maintains the shape of your cookies better in the oven.
After a few hours in the refrigerator or the counter, your sugar cookie dough should be good to go.
Other Types of Cookies Can You Freeze
The most significant determining factor when it comes to freezing cookies is the amount of fat in the dough. Cookies with more fat, such as oil, butter, margarine, and lard, will freeze well, whereas lighter, airier cookies will not.
Some types of cookies that will freeze well include:
Sugar cookies
Gingerbread cookies
Chocolate chip cookies
Oatmeal raisin cookies
Biscotti
Cookies that will not freeze well include:
Meringues
Wafer cookies
Lace cookies
Thumbprint cookies
If you are still not sure about your cookies, you can also look at the consistency of the batter. Cookies that have a very liquidy batter should not be frozen. But if the batter is thick and full of fat, it should freeze very well.
Can You Freeze Iced Sugar Cookies – Conclusion
Remember that airtight is the keyword for freezing iced sugar cookies. This will prolong the amount of time you can leave your cookies in the freezer without freezer burn.
While freezing the cookies initially on a baking sheet will help harden the icing, royal icing is the best choice for freezing because it sets the best. Testing your cookies in the freezer is always a good idea if you are unsure about your choice of icing.
You can also freeze the cookies and icing separately or even the cookie dough.
