Ready…Set…Preheat! Here are the 30 BEST Freezable Cookies to get you set up for the holidays. These cookies are packable, giftable, delicious, and most importantly ~ Freezable!
The holiday baking season is short and sweet, for sure! Extend it and preserve your sanity by putting your freezer to work! I’ve collected the 30 best freezable cookies to get you started 🙂
Freezable Cookie faqs
- when should you freeze cookies?
- If you aren’t planning to serve your cookies within a few days of baking, freezing is the best option, even if it’s for a very short duration.
- what is freezer burn?
- Freezer burn happens when air comes in contact with the surface of your food in the freezer. It’s not a food safety issue at all, but a cosmetic one. Freezer burns causes dried spots that can look gray or white.
- why do I need to double wrap cookies?
- Your goal is to keep as much air away from your cookies as possible to avoid the above freezer burn, so double wrapping is a great trick. I usually do plastic first, then foil, or a heavy duty zip lock freezer bag.
- how long can I freeze cookies for?
- Technically cookies can be frozen for 6 months, but for best results I recommend freezing cookies for 6 weeks to 3 months. The longer cookies sit in the freezer the higher the risk of deterioration.
- can cookies be refrozen after freezing and thawing?
- No, I don’t like to refreeze cookies after they have been previously frozen. Each time a cookie is frozen the freezing and thawing process can affect its texture and moisture content.
- do I really need to use freezer bags? They’re more expensive!
- Yes, they really do make a difference, the heavier plastic is made to keep out air. The good news is that you can reuse them. Just rinse and dry inside out.
freezable cookie jump links
- Freezable Cookie faqs
- Spritz Cookies
- Pecan Sandies Cookies
- Soft Molasses Cookies
- Fudgy Brownie Cookies
- Thin and Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Classic Peanut Butter Cookies
- Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Fruitcake Shortbread Cookies
- Chocolate Espresso Chip Cookies
- Pfeffernusse
- Easy Gingerbread Cookies
- Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
- Homemade Thin Mints
- Maple Glazed Oatmeal Cookies
- Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti
- Italian Christmas Cookies
- Walnut Cardamom Crescents
- Easy Gingerbread Cookies
- Scottish Shortbread
- Pistachio Shortbread Cookies
- Coffee Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies
- Swedish Pepparkakor
- Coconut Snowballs
- Cut Out Sugar Cookies
- Cardamom Sugar Cookies
- Nutella Sandwich Cookies
- Chocolate Dipped Orange Shortbread
- Honey Spice Hazelnut Cookies
- Chewy Ginger Cookies
- Soft Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Dubai Chocolate Chip Cookies
- HAPPY BAKING (AND FREEZING!!)
Spritz Cookies
This classic stamped holiday cookie is so festive, and freezes beautifully!
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
Avoid nonpareils (which can bleed) and use colored sugar if you plan to freeze your spritz.
Pecan Sandies Cookies
Buttery slice and bake cookies are some of our favorite freezable cookies!
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
Slice and bake cookie dough is ideal for freezing. You can freeze the whole log of cookie dough for carefree baking whenever you’re ready, just stack them like firewood at the back of your freezer ? Let a frozen log thaw overnight in the fridge the night before you want to bake.
- Drop cookie dough can be frozen in balls on a lined baking sheet until hard, and then transferred to a heavy duty freezer bag or airtight freezer container.
- Cut-out dough can be patted into flattened discs, then wrapped in plastic, and popped in heavy duty zip lock freezer bags. Force out any extra air before zipping.
- Unbaked cut out cookies can also be placed on a lined baking sheet and frozen until hard, then carefully stacked, with wax paper between layers, in an airtight freezer container.
Soft Molasses Cookies
The molasses in these cookies helps them keep their chewy texture even after freezing.
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
Gradual Thawing: The best method for thawing molasses cookies is gradual thawing in the refrigerator. Place the cookies in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag and transfer them from the freezer to the fridge. Let them thaw slowly overnight or for several hours. This gradual thawing process helps the cookies retain their moisture and prevents them from becoming overly soft or mushy.
Fudgy Brownie Cookies
Better freeze an extra batch, these soft chewy freezable cookies are addicting!
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
Soft or delicate cookies like these brownie cookies should be frozen in a sturdy container, with layers of waxed paper to protect their surfaces. Be sure to let them cool completely before freezing. Any extra moisture will condense in the freezer and make your cookies soggy.
Thin and Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies will stay crisp and crunchy even after freezing.
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
Delicate cookies like these are best frozen snugly in a sturdy freezer safe container so they don’t get jostled around in the freezer.
Classic Peanut Butter Cookies
One of our favorite freezable cookies of all time!
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
If you crave the full on cookie baking experience without the work, freeze drop cookies like these before baking. To flash freeze unbaked cookies ~ just form the cookies, fork marks and all, and then freeze on a baking sheet until solid. Pop them into a heavy duty freezer bag and you can bake up one (or a dozen) on a whim. Bake right from frozen, but remember to allow a little extra baking time to account for the cold dough.
Peanut Butter Blossoms
One of the first cookies we freeze every year, they’re always in high demand.
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
Label and Date: Don’t forget to label the containers or bags with the contents and the freezing date. This helps you keep track of how long the cookies have been stored.
Fruitcake Shortbread Cookies
Just like their namesake, these cookies love the freezer!
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
Flash-Freezing: Place the shortbread cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they are not touching each other. Flash-freeze the cookies for about an hour. This prevents them from sticking together during long-term storage.
Chocolate Espresso Chip Cookies
These rich adult-skewing shortbread cookies belong in every holiday assortment!
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
.For slice-and-bake shortbread, freeze the dough in tightly wrapped logs, then let them sit at room temp for just 5–10 minutes before slicing ~ slightly softened (not fully thawed) dough is much easier to cut cleanly and bakes up with neat, even edges.
Pfeffernusse
Classic German spice cookies with a snappy vanilla glaze!
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
Avoid Moisture: Keep the cookies away from moisture during thawing. Moisture can make the cookies too soft and sticky. If condensation forms on the cookies during thawing, pat them gently with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
Easy Gingerbread Cookies
Make-bake-and freeze traditional gingerbread cut out cookies early in the season!
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
Gingerbread cookies are extremely sturdy and have a famously long shelf life, which makes them a classic freezable cookie. They’ll come out of the freezer looking exactly as they did going in.
Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
These freezable cookies are beloved all year long!
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
Texture and Moisture: Oatmeal cookies tend to have a soft and chewy texture, partly because of the oats, which retain moisture well. This moisture content helps the cookies stay soft even after freezing and thawing, preventing them from becoming overly dry or crumbly.
Homemade Thin Mints
were made for freezing, you don’t even have to defrost them before enjoying!
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
These cookies can be frozen and eaten straight from the freezer! The refreshing peppermint flavor in Thin Mints can be especially appealing when they’re super cold!
Maple Glazed Oatmeal Cookies
The icing looks like new fallen snow on these gorgeous cookies!
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
These iced cookies will do fine in the freezer, just make sure the icing is completely hardened before you freeze. And separate the cookies with sheets of waxed paper to prevent sticking.
Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti
These cookies will keep their famous crunch after months in the freezer!
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
Sturdy biscotti can be frozen in heavy duty zip lock freezer bags that can be flat stacked in your freezer to save space. Remember to push out any excess air before zipping closed.
Italian Christmas Cookies
These are a time honored tradition for so many of us!
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
Freeze frosted cookies until firm on a baking sheet, then pack in a sturdy container with parchment between the layers. For these cookies you’d want to swap out the nonpareils for more freezer stable jimmies or confetti sprinkles, or add them after thawing.
Walnut Cardamom Crescents
For so many of us the holidays aren’t complete without these nutty little cookies.
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
Give your thawed crescent cookies a final dusting of powdered sugar to freshen them up.
Easy Gingerbread Cookies
These cookies can be frosted with their royal icing after they defrost.
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
It’s ok to freeze glazed cookies, especially plain glazes like this, but follow best practices: pack the cookies in a sturdy container so they won’t jostle around, and lay sheets of waxed paper between layers to protect the surfaces. If there’s extra room in your container add some scrunched paper towel to fill in and support the cookies. These are best used within a month or so for best quality. To defrost, remove them from their container and arrange on paper towels to thaw on the counter.
Scottish Shortbread
Shortbread is rich and buttery and holds up in the freezer well.
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
To thaw delicate shortbread cookies, remove them from the freezer and let them come to room temperature on a parchment-lined tray. Thawing them slowly at room temperature helps maintain their texture.
Pistachio Shortbread Cookies
These nutty, buttery cookies will bring something new to your traditional cookie assortment.
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
Over time, even when properly stored, frozen cookies might develop freezer burn or lose some of their freshness. Plan to use them within 2-3 months.
Coffee Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies
Packed with butter, a hint of coffee, and a toasty hazelnut crunch. Honestly, what could be cozier?
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
Freeze the cookies before dipping if you can, but if they’re already dipped, chill them first until the chocolate is completely firm, then freeze in a single layer so the coating doesn’t scuff. Thaw inside the container (still sealed) to prevent condensation from clouding the chocolate’s shine.
Swedish Pepparkakor
These cookies are stunning and freezable!
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources as you thaw iced cookies like these, as sudden temperature changes can cause condensation and affect the icing.
Coconut Snowballs
These are a must in every cookie collection.
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
If the powdered sugar coating has become slightly damp due to condensation during thawing, you can re-roll the cookies in powdered sugar to refresh their appearance before serving. Wait until the cookies have reached room temperature before rolling them in powdered sugar to avoid clumping.
Cut Out Sugar Cookies
These sugar cookies can be frozen before or after decorating.
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
If you’re unsure about how your sprinkles will hold up in the freezer, it’s a good idea to test freeze a few cookies first. This way, you can see how the sprinkles react to freezing and thawing before freezing a large batch.
Cardamom Sugar Cookies
These cookies made with a cookie stamp are simple and gorgeous!
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
An additional sprinkle of sugar after thawing these sugar cookies will give them a fresh sparkle!
Nutella Sandwich Cookies
These cookies will keep their soft plush texture beautifully in the freezer.
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
Sandwich cookies are generally good candidates for freezing, especially when filled with Nutella or a chocolatey ganache.
Chocolate Dipped Orange Shortbread
These cookies are festive and citrussy.
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
Consider freezing these dipped cookies before dipping. Give them a dunk in melted chocolate after thawing.
Honey Spice Hazelnut Cookies
Because every cookie assortment needs a simple spice cookie!
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
Make sure glazed cookies are fully cooled and the glaze has had a chance to harden before freezing.
Chewy Ginger Cookies
These are a staple of the holidays ~ freeze lots!
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
Sturdy cookies like these don’t have to be pre-frozen, just stack them tightly into a freezer safe container and pop in the freezer.
Soft Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies keep their plush texture after months in the freezer, score!
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
Allow the soft batch cookies to cool completely to room temperature before freezing. Warm cookies can create condensation in the packaging, leading to sogginess.
Dubai Chocolate Chip Cookies
A unique new twist on an old favorite, studded with big chunks of Dubai chocolate filled with a crispy pistachio cream.
COOKIE FREEZING TIP
Refresh my frozen thawed Dubai Chocolate Chip Cookies for 3–5 minutes in a 300°F oven to bring back the glossy edges and chewy centers.
Wow, Sue! What a great collection! I figure I’ve been here about 7.5 hours now, because of COURSE I fell down the rabbit hole, checking out other linked recipes.
So many recipes, so little time. ?
Thanks again, & regards, from a 31°F Alberta, Canada morning.
This is so timely and fantastic information as well as recipes! I want to make them all! I’m coordinating the Cookie Bazaar and many of the bakers need this information and ideas for baking! Thank you so much! Every recipe I’ve made from your site is fantastic!
What is the best way to freeze baked cookies?
Depending on how delicate the cookies are, freeze them stacked in a freezer safe container that is airtight.
I wanted to say thank you! This is the third year I am referencing this page for the holidays and everything I made was super delicious! Not to mention the ease of just pulling it out of the freezer and baking it. I’m about to go shopping for several batches I plan to make tomorrow, when I actually have time to do it.
I’m so happy to hear that Jelena, happy baking!!
There’s a picture of a biscotti -looking cookie, but when I click on it nothing happens.
Hey Kimi ~ just click on the name of the cookie, that’s the link.
Mahalo! It wasn’t working on my phone. It’s working on my Mac! Thanks for the list. I know what I’m going to make for the cookie swap this year! 🙂 Happy Holidays!