Keeping frozen snacks and treats always on hand is a great way to save a little time when you need to wheel out something special, but don't have time to bake.
There are a multitude of events that seem to creep up out of nowhere and catch us off guard, at times. Birthday parties, dinner events, random family gatherings, and holidays all require a fair amount of planning leaving us with little time on our hands.
Emergency Cookies!
A great way to relieve a little pressure is to have something on-hand you can reach out for at a moment's notice. Frozen chocolate chip cookies are a fine example because they freeze very well, and will suit any occasion. Plus, they are fun to make on a rainy day and cost a fraction of the price of grocery store cookies.
Making and freezing cookies is also a clever way to use up ingredients that would usually spoil in the fridge. Instead of wasting, you can transform these close-to-expiring ingredients such as eggs, butter, and flour into something tasty and delicious that your family will love.
How to Freeze Chocolate Chip Cookies
The best approach is to bake your own chocolate chip cookies and then freeze them. Of course, you can purchase pre-frozen chocolate chip cookies but we suspect you are here reading this article because you have a fresh batch cooked, and might be wondering how to freeze them for another occasion.
We have a terrific recipe for you below ideally suited for freezing, but the truth is pretty much any baked cookie will be fine to store in the freezer if you store them properly. Let's take a look at the best way to do that.
Once your cookies are finished baking, give them plenty of time to cool before you package them for the purpose of freezing. When the cookies are finally cool, line them on parchment paper or baking sheets and put them in the freezer, and allow a few hours until every cookie is frozen solid.
Store in Freezer Bags
Be sure to double-check that the cookies aren't overlapping on the parchment sheet, as this will definitely cause them to stick together. When you're certain the cookies are frozen solid, remove from the freezer and take them from the sheets. Then, simply place them in sealable bags or special freezer bags.
If you are storing chocolate chip cookies taken from a special recipe that contains icing, you should place lines of baking or parchment paper between each cookie.
How to Thaw Your Chocolate Chip Cookies
The easiest way is to simply leave them out to defrost naturally for a few hours. By using this method, the cookie is able to maintain its shape and consistency without losing its chewy middle.
Simply remove your cookies from their freezer bags when you're ready to defrost them. You can get unexpected sogginess or moisture if you let the cookies defrost in the same container they were frozen in. For the best results, defrost your cookies on a serving plate, making sure they are not in contact with one another.
The majority of cookies thaw beautifully just by being placed outside but bear in mind that once they defrost, they will be at room temperature. You may reheat your cookies in the oven or microwave if you want to serve them, or are seeking the delicious aroma of freshly baked cookies.
The oven is the method of choice for most bakers since it keeps the cookies moist without sacrificing crispness. Place the cookies on baking sheets and bake them at 300 degrees for five to ten minutes to reheat the cookies in this manner. The cookies can be warmed in the microwave for 30 seconds if you want a more doughy texture or are extremely time-pressed.
Frozen Cookie Recipe
Again, pretty much all chocolate chip cookies are fine to freeze and thaw, but this one, in particular, seems to work very well if you are baking with the aim to freeze. Plus, the recipe is pretty simple. Let's start with the ingredients, and then move on to the preparation and baking instructions.
Ingredients
- 200g of soft butter
- 1/2 cup of caster sugar
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 2 cups of plain flour
- 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1 cup chocolate chip bits
Instructions
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 400 °F. Next, line 3 baking trays with baking paper, parchment paper, or a silicone baking mat.
Step 2
Grab your electric mixer and beat the butter, sugars, and vanilla until creamed. Throw the egg into the mix and beat just briefly until combined. Sift the flour and bicarbonate of soda over the butter mixture, and combine. Throw in your chocolate chips.
Store-bought chips are fine, but if you can, try to use a solid bar of chocolate that has been smashed into bits. That will give you nice, unevenly sized ‘craggy’ bits of chips, providing a more rustic look and feel.
Step 3
Ensuring your hands are nice and floured, roll out tablespoons of the mixture into balls. You should be aiming for three dozen. Next, place on the prepared and lined trays, ensuring a nice 3cm gap between each cookie, providing sufficient room for spreading.
Next, flatten your cookies slightly. Place in the oven and bake - just one tray at a time - for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown and firm to the touch.
Cool on separate trays for 10 minutes or even better, cooling racks. Serve, enjoy a few, and throw some in the freezer for a rainy day!
Wrap Up
And there you have it. If you are looking for how to freeze chocolate chip cookies, the good news is that there is no rocket science involved here. Simply store in freezer bags, allow a few hours to thaw, and you are good to go. Enjoy!
