20 Cookie Recipes That Freeze Beautifully

Freezer-friendly baking is the ultimate gift to your future self, whether you need a stash of easy holiday cookies or just want a stash for surprise guests. From buttery sugar cookies to flavorful nut and spice cookies, a stockpile of dough in the freezer means fresh treats are only minutes away. You can freeze dough in logs, scoops or sheets, depending on what the occasion requires. With the right recipes, you’ll always have cookies ready for gifting, sharing or sneaking straight off the baking sheet.

There are very few people who can resist the sweet temptation of a classic M&M cookie. The colorful cookie stays soft and chewy, even after freezing, and the candy shells keep their crunch. Select any color mix of candy to suit the holiday, or stick to the classic rainbow.

Full of rich chocolate flavor, these hot-chocolate inspired cookies are rolled into a log before slicing and baking. Freeze the log, then thaw, slice, and bake when ready. After baking, spread with melted marshmallow and sandwich together to get a flavor reminiscent of your favorite wintry drink.

A gorgeous cinnamon-sugar swirl gives these cookies an interesting look that requires no decorating. Start with a tube of refrigerated sugar cookie dough, roll flat, and top with a brown sugar-cinnamon spread. Roll and freeze before slicing to reveal the pinwheel design.

Bright citrus zest lifts buttery shortbread for baking in cold winter months or warm spring days. Prep the dough when your favorite citrus is in season and you’ll have a sweet treat ready at a moment’s notice. Set in a tray, these can be easily cut into bars, squares or any shape you wish.

Moist, chewy and perfectly simple, these oatmeal cookies will remind you of childhood afternoons. The hearty texture of the old-fashioned oats helps the cookies retain moisture even after freezing. Keep them plain or add dried fruit or chocolate chips if you prefer some mix-ins.

A sturdy crumb and high-fat ingredients help these rich, nutty cookies to retain their moisture in the freezer. Each cookie is full of ground macadamia nuts, chopped pistachios, white chocolate chips and dried cranberries. Top each freshly-baked cookies with a red-and-white striped kiss for a holiday-themed finish.

These cult-favorite slice-and-bake cookies freeze exceptionally well thanks to their sturdy shortbread base. The chocolate is chopped so that each bite has both puddles and tiny flecks of melted chocolate. A decent pinch of salt awakens the chocolate flavor and tempers the sweetness of this guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Tender French sables get their classic texture from a delicate touch when handling the dough. A combination of Dutch-process cocoa and grated bittersweet chocolate give the cookies an intense flavor that doesn’t diminish after time in the freezer. For perfect circles, roll the dough into a log, freeze, then slice when ready to bake.

These tender, gluten-free sugar cookies freeze well unbaked or fully baked, giving you plenty of make-ahead flexibility. The dough holds its shape beautifully, so your cutouts won’t spread. Pair these with sprinkles or frosting of our choice.

These thick, chewy bars freeze like a dream. Either freeze the raw dough in the pan, ready to be baked straight from the freezer, or cut the baked cookies and wrap before stashing for instant treats any time.

Soft, spicy, and deeply aromatic, these ginger cookies freeze well without losing moisture. The dough uses a mix of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger to give it a wonderful warmth that can brighten the coldest of days. Roll each ball of dough in granulated sugar before chilling to give the final cookie a pleasant and sweet crunch.

Shortbread is famously freezer-friendly and can be frozen raw or baked. The high butter content keeps the cookie tender and crisp. Use this recipe to create up to four different flavor variations, from chai spice to toasted pecan.

Classic peanut butter cookies are reliably sturdy and freeze incredibly well. The dough scoops easily for quick portioning. Bake a full batch or one at a time for a quick bit of nostalgic, crumbly-chewy goodness.

Breakfast or dessert? You be the judge. These nutrient-packed cookies are sweetened with ripe banana and a touch of honey, no dairy or eggs required. A pinch of warm cinnamon makes each sweet cookie taste like a yummy bowl of oatmeal.

Cream cheese and butter combine to give a soft and creamy texture to this cookie dough that was developed for the freezer. A mix of lime zest and juice adds a nice citrus flavor to the tangy dough. Roll the outside of the dough log in sprinkles or sanding sugar for a fun pop of color.

You could never go wrong with a batch of classic sugar cookies in your freezer. Roll the dough into a 1/4-inch thick layer before freezing so it's ready to be cut into any shape you need to suit the occasion. You’ll get clean edges, even baking, and cookies that are ready to decorate whenever the need arises.

Brown butter gives these cookies a deep, nutty flavor that somehow gets even better after freezing. They bake soft and fragrant, perfect with afternoon tea or as a sweet dessert. A creamy yogurt and honey dip plus a sprinkle of flaky sea salt at the end gives them a touch of elegance.

Packed with nuts, seeds and dried cranberries, these hearty oatmeal cookies hold up incredibly well in the freezer. Their slightly chewy texture stays just right after thawing. Just roll, freeze and save for a day when you need a bite of something sweet and satisfying.

Slice-and-bake cookies were practically invented for the freezer. The dough chills firm and slices cleanly, giving you perfect swirls or layers every time. Let your creativity run wild with alternating bands of chocolate and vanilla dough, which you can design as stripes, swirls or a checkerboard.