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Pictured recipe:Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Maybe you need to get a jump start on a birthday cake or perhaps you have a craving for brownies but don’t want to have a whole pan lingering on the countertop. In instances like these, it helps to remember that almost all baked goods, including cupcakes,muffins,banana breadand dinner rolls can be frozen for up to three months. Plus,cookieand pie dough,brownie batter, biscuits and scones can be mixed, shaped and frozen, so you can bake them off whenever you like. For everything you need to know about freezing and defrosting baked goods, as well as batters and doughs, read on.
How to Freeze Cakes and Cupcakes
How to Freeze Cookies
Most cookies freeze quite well. Be sure to let cookies fully cool completely then wrap them in a double layer of airtight freezer bags and freeze for up to three months. Thaw cookies, still wrapped, at room temperature, before serving.
How to Freeze Cookie Dough
Another, perhaps even better option, is to freeze cookies before baking. This allows you to bake as few or as many cookies as you like. Plus, letting cookie dough rest in the freezer for a while can actually make cookies more flavorful.
Chocolate chip,oatmealand other cookie dough that is scooped or dropped onto baking sheets is ideal for freezing. Place scooped portions of dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap and freeze until solid. Next, transfer the frozen cookies to airtight freezer bags (double up to protect against freezer odors) and freeze for up three months. When ready to bake, transfer the cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake without thawing—they make take a few extra minutes.
How to Freeze Biscuits and Scones
Baked biscuits and scones can be wrapped in a double layer of airtight freezer bags and frozen for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving, reheating in the oven or toaster oven, if you like.
As with cookies, a better approach is to freeze biscuits and scones before baking. Mix the batter then cut or shape it into biscuits or scones, place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap and freeze until solid. Once frozen, place the biscuits or scones in a double layer of airtight freezer bags and freeze for up to three months. Biscuits and scones can be baked straight from the freezer though they may require a few extra minutes in the oven—if they need to be brushed with milk and sprinkled with sugar, do so just before baking. And if they brown too quickly, cover with foil or turn the oven off for the last five minutes of baking.
How to Freeze Brownies
Most brownies can be frozen for up to three months, although those that are frosted or that feature swirls of caramel, cream cheese or jam tend to suffer a bit in terms of taste, texture and good looks. Make sure brownies are completely cool then place in a double layer of airtight freezer bags and freeze for up to three months. Thaw brownies, still wrapped, at room temperature.
Brownie batter can also be spread in a pan (disposable or recyclable foil pans work best), wrapped in a double layer of airtight freezer bags and frozen for up to three months. Place the pan in the refrigerator to thaw then bake as usual—the brownies may be a bit denser and fudgier than usual.
How to Freeze Pie and Tart Dough
How to Freeze Muffins and Quick Breads
Muffinsand quick breads, preferably unfrosted or unglazed, can be frozen for up to three months. Be sure to let them cool completely then wrap each muffin or slice of quick bread tightly in plastic wrap and place in an airtight freezer bag. You can wrap and freeze whole loaves of quick bread but slicing first allows you to defrost only how much you want. Thaw muffins and quick bread, still wrapped, at room temperature, and if you like, warm or toast before serving.
How to Freeze Bread
Bread, whetherhomemadeor store-bought, does great in the freezer, as long as it’s properly wrapped. Freshly baked bread should always be fully cooled before freezing and both purchased and homemade bread is best if frozen when it’s still fresh, rather than when it’s about to go stale.
Baked goods are far from the only thing you can freeze. You can freezemilk, eggs and more for your baking needs!
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