The aroma of freshly baked cookies is heavenly and no one can argue that cookies with a cup of coffee or tea are a match made in heaven. No wonder cookies are so popular all over the world since they accompany two of the world's most consumed beverages, apart from water.
Although you can get a wide variety of cookies in bakeries, stores, and supermarkets, making your cookies gives you a different kind of satisfaction that you can only experience once you enjoy them during your next tea or coffee break.
However, there are times when you either end up making some extra cookie dough or when you need it for some other day and make it in advance. You can store the dough in the refrigerator for up to a week but when you need to store the dough for a longer period, freezing it is the best option. Freezing the cookie dough will help the dough last for up to six weeks without spoiling.
But with freezing anything, defrosting and thawing frozen foods properly is a crucial step, as improper defrosting may cause the texture to alter and you will not get the desired results with the finished product. So, in this article, we will look at three simple ways to defrost cookie dough.
Defrosting In The Refrigerator
When it comes to defrosting, the most preferred and widely used method is to thaw the cookie dough in the refrigerator overnight. But at the same time, make sure you shape the cookie dough into balls or any other shape before freezing, which later helps in splitting the cookie dough easier.
The dough typically takes up to 3 hours to completely defrost and get back to being suitable for baking. Do not keep the cookie dough at room temperature when it is still frozen. Place it in the refrigerator immediately.
Defrosting In Microwave
When you have some time in your hand but not around 3–4 hours to allow your cookie dough to defrost completely in a refrigerator, then you can always turn to your microwave to save you. Defrosting in the microwave will help you make the cookie dough softer so that you will be able to cut it later before baking.
One important thing you will need to consider is that you shouldn't overcook or overheat the dough in the microwave, as it will only require a few seconds to soften. Take out the dough and then cut it into pieces or moulds according to your preference for baking.
Directly Bake
If you are in a hurry and need the cookies made right away, you may always place the dough frozen and bake it. If you don't have the time, there's no need to defrost it first.
Place the dough balls on a baking sheet and bake for an additional 2–3 minutes. People prefer to bake it straight from the freezer to save time thawing and prevent spreading it too thin.