--- title: "Freezing Sugar Cookie Dough: 4 Ways to Store It" description: "Keep your sugar cookie dough fresh and ready to bake with these top tips for freezing and storing it. Perfect for holiday baking." canonical: "https://kitchencuddle.com/freezing-sugar-cookie-dough/" author: "Anushree R." published: "2023-04-02T16:24:19" updated: "2026-10-30T00:14:17" --- # Freezing Sugar Cookie Dough: 4 Ways to Store It ![Frozen sugar cookie dough](https://kitchencuddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/frozen-sugar-cookie-dough-1024x576.jpg) One of the best ways to store cookie dough for later use is in the freezer. But it’s not suitable for all varieties of cookies. The recipe and intended shape matter, so check its freezing directions before choosing how to store the dough. So, can you freeze sugar cookie dough? ## 4 Ways to Store Sugar Cookie Dough Many sugar-cookie recipes use flour, sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla, and a leavening agent, though the ingredients vary. The amount of butter depends on the recipe rather than the cookie’s name alone. Use a cut-out sugar-cookie recipe if you want dough that rolls out and holds a defined shape. They also hold up well in the freezer. Here is how to store the raw dough for later use. ### 1\. Freeze the Dough as A Whole One of the easiest ways to store sugar cookie dough for later use is by preparing the dough and freezing it. Follow these steps for proper storage. 1. Prepare the sugar cookie dough as per the recipe. 2. Roll it into a ball and flatten it slightly. A disc of 1.5 to 2″ thickness would be just right. 3. Wrap the disc in plastic. 4. Place the disc inside an airtight bag or container. Expel any excess air and seal it tightly. 5. Freeze the disc flat for two to three hours until it’s hard and firm. 6. Once frozen, you can store it vertically or horizontally in the freezer. ### 2\. Cut out Cookies and Freeze Them You can also store sugar cookie dough after cutting out the cookies from the dough. With this method, the dough is already rolled out and cut into the desired shape. When you are ready to bake, follow the recipe’s directions for baking the cut-outs from frozen or thawing them in the refrigerator first. Follow these steps: 1. Prepare the cookie dough as per the recipe. 2. Roll it out into discs of the required thickness. 3. Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into shapes you like. 4. Place all the raw cookies on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. 5. Flash-freeze them for two to three hours till all the cookies are hard and cold. 6. Remove the cookies from the tray and transfer them into an airtight container. 7. Place parchment paper between the cookies to prevent them from sticking to each other. 8. Store the cookies in an airtight container or bag in the freezer. **Related:** [How to Store Cookie Dough?](https://kitchencuddle.com/cookie-dough-storage/) | [Cookie Dough is Crumbly?](https://kitchencuddle.com/crumbly-cookie-dough/) ### 3\. Make a Cookie Dough Log and Freeze Instead of storing the cookie dough as a disc or in the shape of cookies, you can also store it as a log. In this case, you can easily cut the cookies out of the log to the desired thickness. Follow these steps: 1. Prepare the cookie dough as per the recipe. 2. Chill it in the refrigerator for fifteen to twenty minutes. This will help the dough hold its shape better. 3. Knead the dough and roll it between your palms and a flat surface. 4. Shape the dough into a log. 5. Wrap the cookie dough in plastic. 6. Fold over the edges or twist the excess plastic on either side so there is no air between the plastic and the dough. 7. Place the cookie dough inside an airtight cover or bag and seal the top. 8. Place the log in the freezer in an upright or flat position based on the space available. ### 4\. Bake the Cookies and Freeze If you bake more cookies than you need or wish to get all the prep work out of the way, bake the cookies beforehand and freeze them. In this case, you would bake the cookies as usual. Wait for the cookies to cool down completely. Then, directly pack them in airtight, freezer-safe bags or containers. Take care to expel any excess air. The packaging should also be free from moisture. Follow the recipe’s frozen-storage guidance; texture and quality can change over time. You can just thaw them, and they will be ready for use when you choose. Follow the frosting recipe’s directions for decorating, freezing and thawing. Results vary with the icing and packaging. ## How to Use Frozen Sugar Cookie Dough? [![Frozen sugar cookie dough in use](https://kitchencuddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/frozen-sugar-cookie-dough-in-use-1024x576.jpg)](https://kitchencuddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/frozen-sugar-cookie-dough-in-use.jpg) One of the best things about having sugar dough in the freezer is that you can make cookies whenever you desire. Freezing can be convenient, but the finished texture depends on the recipe, packaging, and storage time. Follow the recipe’s freezing and baking directions rather than assuming every dough behaves exactly like fresh dough. Here are the important things to remember when you use frozen sugar cookie dough. ### 1\. Check Whether the Dough Can Bake from Frozen Some portioned cookie dough can bake from frozen, while a large disc may need to soften before rolling. Follow the directions for your particular recipe or packaged dough. For suitable portioned dough, [King Arthur Baking describes baking from frozen](https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/blog/2015/10/21/freeze-bake-tips) using the recipe’s directions, with little or no extra baking time depending on the cookie. ### 2\. Thaw the Cookie Dough if You Stored It Whole If you used the first method of freezing the entire dough, you would have to thaw it for baking. In this case, transfer the cookie dough to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. Do not leave perishable raw dough on the counter to thaw for hours. Allow enough refrigerator time for the size and thickness of the dough. Once the dough is pliable enough, roll and cut it as the recipe directs. Work with small portions and keep the rest refrigerated. ### 3\. Use the Recipe’s Oven Temperature Preheat the oven to the temperature specified for your dough and baking method. There is no universal 15-degree reduction that works for every sugar-cookie recipe. If the recipe provides separate frozen-dough instructions, use those rather than inventing a temperature change. ### 4\. Check the Recipe’s Baking Time Frozen portions may need more baking time, but the adjustment depends on their size and the recipe. Some small portions bake in the usual time; check the directions for your dough. Start with the recipe’s instructions and check the cookies as directed rather than automatically adding three to five minutes. Check on the cookies mid-way to ensure that they are cooking properly. Use the recipe’s full baking directions and doneness cues. Do not taste ordinary raw dough; both flour and eggs can carry harmful bacteria. ## How to Freeze Baked Sugar Cookies? The fastest way to have sugar cookies is to bake them and freeze them. Follow these steps to freeze different types of baked sugar cookies. ### Unfrosted Sugar Cookies To freeze unfrosted sugar cookies, spread a layer of cookies inside an airtight freezer-safe box or container. Place a parchment sheet over the cookies and spread another layer of cookies over it. Repeat until you have packed all the baked cookies, then close the container. Place the container in the freezer. You can either thaw it in the refrigerator or on the countertop when it’s time to use it. ### Buttercream and Cream Cheese Frosted Sugar Cookies If you have already decorated the cookies with buttercream or cream cheese, the freezing method differs slightly. In this case, spread the cookies on a parchment-lined baking tray. Place it in the freezer for a few hours till the frosting hardens completely. Next, layer the cookies in a box and separate each layer with baking or parchment paper. When the container is full, place the lid or seal the cover. Place it in the freezer. Thaw it completely in the refrigerator when you wish to use it. **Related:** [Can Cookie Dough Sit Out?](https://kitchencuddle.com/how-long-can-cookie-dough-sit-out/) ### Royal Icing Frosted Sugar Cookies Cookies decorated with royal icing should harden completely for proper freezing. In this case, place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place it uncovered in the freezer for a few hours. The icing should harden properly. Then, transfer the cookies to a container or bag with a piece of parchment paper between layers of cookies. Seal the container or bag and place it in the freezer. Follow the icing recipe’s storage instructions. If the frosting requires refrigeration, thaw the cookies in the refrigerator. Royal icing made with uncooked egg should use pasteurized egg ingredients; a dry-looking surface alone does not validate room-temperature storage. Keep perishable raw dough refrigerated at 40°F or below, including between batches. Limit total room-temperature handling to two hours, or one hour above 90°F. Discard dough that exceeds those limits; these are maximum handling limits, not suggested thawing times. The [FDA advises following storage and baking directions for raw dough](https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/handling-flour-safely-what-you-need-know).