How Long Does Cookie Dough Last in the Fridge?
Are you a cookie lover who often bakes in batches but ends up with extra cookie dough? Or maybe you like to prepare the dough ahead of time to save time later? Either way, how long does cookie dough last in the fridge?
Cookie dough is a delicious and convenient treat to have on hand, but it’s essential to know how long you can keep it in the fridge before it goes bad.
In this article, we’ll explore the factors that affect the shelf life of cookie dough and provide tips on how to store it properly. So, whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, read on to learn more about how to make the most of your cookie dough.
It is possible to keep cookie dough in the refrigerator for several days, depending on the recipe you use. The answer depends on whether you want homemade or store-bought cookie dough.
How Long Is Cookie Dough Good For In The Fridge?
Luckily, cookie dough doesn’t go rancid when stored in the fridge. It is common for cookie dough recipes to recommend chilling the dough in the fridge for at least an hour before baking.
If the dough is stored properly, it will last several days or even a week in the refrigerator. If you want to keep raw cookie dough fresh in the fridge, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or put it in an airtight container.
As a result, the dough will stay fresher longer and won’t absorb odors from other foods in your fridge. A refrigerator is a good place for cookie dough that lasts for three to five days.
It depends on the specific recipe and ingredients you’re using on how long it will last without going bad. Cookies containing raw eggs or dairy ingredients may last only a short time as dough without them.
Obviously, a bad cookie dough outcome is the last thing you want. Over-storing can lead to food poisoning and harmful bacteria growth.
How Long Does Nestlé Toll House Cookie Dough Last In The Fridge?
Nestlé Toll House cookie dough tends to hold up better in the fridge for longer than homemade cookie dough. Keeping Nestlé’s cookie dough in the refrigerator for up to two months is recommended, according to Nestlé’s website.
In the case of Pillsbury Cookie Dough, cookie dough bites candy, or edible cookie dough, there will almost certainly be an expiration date.
Keep Nestlé Toll House dough fresh by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or storing it in an airtight container, no matter what kind of dough you’re using.
Can You Freeze Cookie Dough?
Yes, you can definitely freeze cookie dough! In fact, freezing cookie dough can be a great way to have fresh-baked cookies on hand whenever you want them.
Please keep it in an airtight container or properly wrap it in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn. It applies to any recipe for cookie dough – chocolate chip cookie dough, oatmeal cookie dough, sugar cookie dough, etc.
Alternatively, you can copy the dough into individual cookie shapes with a cookie cutter or scoop. Place them on a baking sheet and freeze them before moving them to a freezer-safe bag or container.
This way, you can bake one or two cookies as needed without thawing out the entire batch. This is a good idea for those who want to put a few cookies in their cookie jar.
In some cases, remember that frozen cookies may require more baking time, depending on a number of factors. For baking frozen dough, either thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or bake it straight from the freezer.
Room temperature thawing is not recommended. If you bake it straight from the freezer, it will take a lot of time for the final product to bake off. If you’re using a soft dough, let it bake for a few more minutes.
How Long Does Cookie Dough Last In The Freezer?
In case you plan to bake your cookie dough again after a while, you can freeze the dough to extend its shelf life. Cookies can be frozen for 2-3 months; however, storing them correctly is important to prevent the freezer from burning.
Putting cookie dough in an airtight container or wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap will ensure the best results for freezing. In summary, Nestlé Toll House cookie dough can be stored for 3-5 days in the fridge.
If you properly store the dough in plastic wrap or an airtight container, you can also freeze it for several months.
When you freeze cookie dough, you will always be able to bake fresh cookies whenever you desire. Fresh cookie dough produces the most optimal results and is the most consistent.
4 Ways To Store Cookie Dough
Typically, cookie recipes yield more than a dozen servings-far more than most people need or want at any one time. Which option makes the most sense?
Don’t bake the whole batch, but only a few handfuls. Consider a few different techniques depending on the type of cookie dough.
1. Storing Cookie Dough Balls
When freezing chunky cookie dough, such as oatmeal raisin cookies, chocolate chunk cookies, cinnamon-dusted snickerdoodles, or any variety of drop cookies, use a cookie scoop or one-tablespoon scoop to form the dough balls.
Afterward, place the balls in a resealable freezer bag and freeze them. It is also possible to freeze cookie dough into your preferred batch size, half or full if you wish.
Put the dough balls in an airtight container or zip-top freezer bag after arranging them on parchment paper.
2. Storing Cookie Dough In The Refrigerator
Store cookie dough in the refrigerator by wrapping the bowl in plastic wrap or transferring it to an airtight container. You should use the dough within three days to maintain its quality.
3. Storing Cut-Out Cookie Dough
Using cake pans or a baking sheet is an easy way to make cut-out cookies, such as holiday sugar cookies. Put parchment paper or wax paper on the dough sheets, then stack them on top of each other and store them in freezer bags.
If the dough is frozen, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator for a few minutes before cutting out shapes. Forming the dough into an irregular disc is also possible, just like with a pie crust. Thaw the frozen disc in the refrigerator until it is soft enough to roll.
4. Storing Cookie Dough Logs
Shortbread cookies require more delicate shapes, such as logs, which should be wrapped in plastic wrap. If the dough is softened in the refrigerator before baking, it will be easier to slice it into thin cookies.
Can Cookie Dough Go Bad?
As with any recipe that contains raw eggs, raw cookie dough can present food safety hazards. A dough exposed to room temperature for extended periods of time or incorrectly stored can develop salmonella and E. coli, leading to food poisoning or other adverse health effects.
The risk of these diseases is lower with properly baked cookies than with raw dough. If cookie dough smells funky, is moldy, or has hard, discolored edges, it is past its prime.
How To Tell If Cookie Dough Has Gone Bad?
If you have cookie dough that has sat for some time, you should first ask yourself, “How does it look?”. Based on several telltale signs, you will be able to tell if the dough is bad right away.
Mold
Start by checking for mold. You have to get rid of the dough if any mold grows on it. In this case, it is safer to make a new batch.
Discoloration
You should still look for discoloration even if there is no mold. The problem can occur when cookie dough is in the early stages of going bad. You may notice a darker color on the edges. Usually, this is due to the reaction of oxidation.
How Does It Smell?
After that, you need to notice the smell. It’s better to throw away dough if it smells foul or “off” when compared to when you made it.
How Does It Taste?
As a last step, taste the dough. As daunting as it may seem, LOL! It is the most accurate way to determine dough state if you need clarification. Consider taking a small piece and noting how the flavor is. Trust me; you will know when it’s bad!
Conclusion
Now that you know how long cookie dough lasts in the fridge and freezer, you can be confident in your ability to store it properly and enjoy fresh-baked cookies whenever you want them.
Whether you’re making homemade cookie dough or using pre-made dough, these tips will help you get the most out of it and ensure that it stays fresh and delicious for as long as possible.
