Today, I am going to highlight the best methods that can be used to thaw frozen cookie dough quickly.
If you’re in a rush or just want to defrost the dough properly, then we cover all those concerns in detail.
So, let us get right into it.
2 Best Methods to Thaw Frozen Cookie Dough
When it is time to make homemade cookies, it can be a bit challenging if you have cookie dough that’s frozen solid.
If you are trying to figure out how defrost frozen cookie dough or need it thawed quickly, let us take a look at the two recommended methods below.
- Overnight in the refrigerator
- In the oven
Thaw Cookie Dough Overnight in the Refrigerator
Letting homemade cookie dough sit overnight in the refrigerator, is the recommended thawing method.
It is the not the quickest way to defrost cookie dough, but it is the safest.
It is the not the quickest way to defrost cookie dough, but it is the safest.
Using this method requires planning ahead, as it takes a couple hours for the dough to thaw.
If you leave the cookie dough to thaw overnight, the next morning it should be soft enough to use.
Steps
- Remove the frozen cookie dough from the freezer a couple of hours before you plan on using it. (ideally 8-12 hours).
- Place the cookie dough in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
- Place in the refrigerator to thaw for 8-12 hours (could be longer, depending on the amount).
- Once thawed, use the dough to shape your cookies and then bake.
Bake Frozen in the Oven
If you froze your homemade cookie dough as individual balls, you don’t need to thaw them before cooking.
You could remove them from the freezer, pop them in the oven and bake as is.
For store-bought cookie dough, there is not too thaw.
When you are ready to use it, you will cut the frozen dough, shape into cookies and then bake.
Can The Microwave Be Used?
When it comes to reheating food, the microwave is a quick and efficient kitchen appliance.
The microwave is also used to thaw food, but, one should be cautious when using it to defrost cookie dough. (This is why it was not recommended above).
In using the microwave on the cookie dough, there is a possibility that you could heat up the dough too much
This can have two adverse effects
There can be uneven thawing, which could result in some parts of the cookie dough being too soft.
The second issue, is that the butter in the dough can melt, which can have an effect on the texture of the baked cookie.
If you have to use the microwave, it is best to use the lowest power setting and thaw the cookie dough in short intervals.
Never Thaw at Room Temperature
Before we close, it’s important that we look at why you should never thaw cookie dough at room temperature.
It is a common practice to let cookie dough thaw at room temperature, as it is a quick method. Yet, from a food safety perspective, this action can be very dangerous.
When perishable food thaws at room temperature, there is a chance it can reach the Danger Zone.
The danger zone is the range of temperatures from 40° F to 140°F, where there is rapid growth of bacteria. (They can double in numbers in as little as 20 minutes).
Bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, Enteritidis, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Campylobacter can grow to dangerous levels, which can lead to food borne illnesses.
This is why it is important that you use the recommended defrosting methods above.
Wrapping it up
When it comes to thawing cookie dough, there are a couple of options that are best used.
If you want a safe, yet effective method, then let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
If you are in a rush and have them individually packaged, then you can bake them from frozen in the oven.
Now, I want to hear from you.
Was there anything we missed in this guide, that you wished we covered?
If so, let me know in the comments below.
