Chilling cookie dough is an essential part of most cookie recipes. Besides, it’s always good to just have cookie dough in the fridge ready to go. But how long can you leave this deliciousness in the fridge?
Generally speaking, cookie dough can last two to four days in the fridge. Exactly how long depends on whether there are raw ingredients in the dough and whether it’s store-bought or homemade.
I’m Angie, I’m a self-taught baker who’s been baking for 10 years. I love baking all sorts of treats, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, you name it. In my baking journey, I’ve tried so many baking recipes and learned that most dough is better chilled and then baked.
Today, I’m gonna share with you how long cookie dough is good for in the fridge so you can maximize the longevity of your cookie dough.
Let’s get rolling!
Contents
- Why Put Cookie Dough in the Fridge?
- How Long Can Cookie Dough Last in the Fridge?
- Homemade
- Store Bought
- How to Best Store Cookie Dough?
- FAQs
- 1. Does cookie dough really expire?
- 2. How can you tell if cookie dough is bad?
- 3. Can I use cookie dough that was left out overnight?
- 4. Can you put cookie dough in the freezer to chill?
- Final Thoughts
Why Put Cookie Dough in the Fridge?
As much as you might not want to wait any longer to bake and eat your cookies, most cookie recipes will tell you to chill your cookie dough in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before baking them. Sometimes even longer.
Chilling your dough will help stiffen it and make it easier to shape before baking and also slow down the spreading of the cookie. Furthermore, chilling your dough can also intensify the flavors in the cookie. Your cookie will also become moister as the starches will have time to absorb the fat slowly.
Storing your cookie dough in the fridge will also prolong its shelf life, not as much as freezing them would, but definitely longer than if you were to just leave them on the countertop.
How Long Can Cookie Dough Last in the Fridge?
Generally speaking, cookie dough is good in the fridge for three to five days.
Homemade
Homemade cookie dough usually doesn’t have any preservatives added and therefore will have a slightly shorter shelf life compared to store-bought cookie dough.
Stored in the fridge, homemade cookie dough is good for up to five days preferably stored in an airtight container.
Store Bought
Store-bought cookie dough is intended for longer storage. Depending on the brand, shelf life is different, but keep in mind that we are talking about store-bought frozen cookie dough.
Most cookie dough has a shelf life of 12 months in the freezer and will probably be safe to eat even up to a month or two past its best-by date.
However, once thawed, moisture from condensation will cause your cookie dough to spoil quicker. You should bake your cookie within a week after thawing it.
How to Best Store Cookie Dough?
The best way to store cookie dough is by freezing it. It’s best to roll out your dough balls or scoop them out on a flat tray before freezing the dough because the dough will become rock hard and you will have to let it thaw, and mix again before being able to shape the cookies again.
You can freeze your cookie dough for up to three months.
FAQs
The following are some commonly asked questions about cookie dough in the fridge, I’ve answered them for you below.
1. Does cookie dough really expire?
Cookie dough does expire and should not be ingested past its expiry date. The shelf life of your cookie dough depends on a few different factors. Is it edible cookie dough or is it raw? What kind of fresh ingredients are in your cookie dough?
Raw cookie dough containing raw eggs and flour should not be baked and ingested past its expiration date or you can get food poisoning.
2. How can you tell if cookie dough is bad?
You’ll know your cookie dough is bad if it begins to smell bad or acidic. Visually, you will know your cookie dough is bad if you notice the presence of mold.
3. Can I use cookie dough that was left out overnight?
Generally speaking, you cannot use cookie dough left out overnight. Harmful bacteria may grow out of raw eggs and any dairy products incorporated into the dough. It’s okay if it’s a couple of hours, but overnight cookie dough is likely to make you sick.
4. Can you put cookie dough in the freezer to chill?
You can put cookie dough in the freezer for a short period of time to chill – about 15 minutes. This will help stiffen up the dough and help you scoop them out or roll them into dough balls. Chilling it for longer, however, will result in an overly stiff dough that you will not be able to manipulate.
That said, you can roll your dough into balls and then freeze them. Cookie dough freezes well and will also give your cookie height when baked.
Final Thoughts
Finding cookie dough in the fridge is like finding leftover Halloween candy in your pocket, always a delicious surprise.
That said, after reading this article, you know better now than to store your surprise in the fridge! Instead, try the freezer and you’ll have cookies for months if you don’t finish them all in one go.
I hope I’ve answered your questions about cookie dough in the fridge. How do you generally store your cookie dough and what’s your experience like? Did they spoil? Let us know in the comments below.
About Angie
Greetings, I'm Angie, a self-taught baker with over a decade of experience in the world of baking. Over the years, I've honed my skills and developed a deep understanding of various baking techniques, experimenting with a multitude of recipes, including cookies, cakes, cupcakes, and more. My passion for baking has led me to discover the importance of chilling cookie dough, a technique I've incorporated into countless recipes.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article to showcase my firsthand expertise:
Why Put Cookie Dough in the Fridge?
Chilling cookie dough is a crucial step in many recipes for several reasons. Firstly, it helps stiffen the dough, making it easier to shape before baking. This process also slows down the spreading of the cookie during baking. Moreover, chilling enhances the flavors of the cookie, and the gradual absorption of fat by starches results in a moister texture. Additionally, storing cookie dough in the fridge prolongs its shelf life compared to leaving it at room temperature.
How Long Can Cookie Dough Last in the Fridge?
The longevity of cookie dough in the fridge varies based on factors such as raw ingredients and whether it's homemade or store-bought. Generally, homemade cookie dough lasts about three to five days in the fridge, as it lacks preservatives. In contrast, store-bought cookie dough, particularly the frozen variety, can last up to 12 months in the freezer. Once thawed, it's advisable to bake it within a week to prevent spoilage.
How to Best Store Cookie Dough?
Freezing is the optimal method for storing cookie dough, with a recommended duration of up to three months. It's essential to roll out or scoop the dough into balls before freezing to facilitate the shaping process later on. While freezing preserves the dough well, extended periods may result in an overly stiff texture.
FAQs
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Does cookie dough really expire? Yes, cookie dough does expire. Factors such as the presence of raw ingredients and the type of fresh ingredients used determine its shelf life. Raw cookie dough with eggs and flour can pose a risk of food poisoning if consumed past its expiry date.
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How can you tell if cookie dough is bad? Spoiled cookie dough may emit a bad or acidic odor and visually show signs of mold. These are indicators that the dough should not be ingested.
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Can I use cookie dough that was left out overnight? Generally, it's not advisable to use cookie dough left out overnight. Harmful bacteria can proliferate in raw eggs and dairy, potentially causing illness.
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Can you put cookie dough in the freezer to chill? Yes, placing cookie dough in the freezer for a short period (about 15 minutes) is acceptable for quick chilling. However, prolonged freezing may result in an excessively stiff dough.
Final Thoughts
Discovering cookie dough in the fridge is always a delightful surprise, akin to finding hidden treats. However, as emphasized in this article, for extended preservation, consider storing your cookie dough in the freezer. This ensures you'll have delicious cookies on hand for months, offering a convenient and tasty solution.
Feel free to share your own experiences and storage preferences in the comments. Happy baking!
