10 Freezable Christmas Cookies You Can Make Ahead for a Stress-Free Holiday

Simplify Your Holiday Baking with These Freezer-Friendly Favorites

The holiday season is joyful but can also be incredibly busy. Getting a head start on your baking is a brilliant way to manage your time and ensure you have a delicious assortment of treats ready for any occasion. This guide focuses on the best **make ahead christmas cookies**, offering **10 freezable cookie recipes** that will fill your home with festive aromas without the last-minute rush. By preparing and freezing dough or even baked cookies, you can enjoy a more relaxed and organized holiday baking experience.

Our Top 10 Freezer-Ready Christmas Cookie Recipes

Here are ten classic Christmas cookies that hold up beautifully in the freezer. For each, we provide tips on the best way to **freeze cookie dough** or the finished product to maintain optimal freshness and flavor.

1. Classic Sugar Cookie Cutouts

The quintessential Christmas cookie. Freeze the dough in a disc wrapped in plastic, or freeze the unbaked cutouts on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer bag. This makes decorating day a breeze.

2. Gingerbread People

Similar to sugar cookies, gingerbread dough freezes exceptionally well. You can freeze the dough in a ball or freeze the pre-cut shapes. They bake perfectly from frozen, just add a minute or two to the baking time.

3. Chocolate Chip Cookies

A year-round favorite that’s perfect for the holidays. Scoop dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, freeze until solid, and then store them in a freezer bag. You can bake as many or as few as you need.

4. Peanut Butter Blossoms

Freeze the dough balls without the chocolate kiss. When you're ready to bake, place the frozen dough on a cookie sheet, bake, and then press the chocolate kiss into the center of the warm cookie.

5. Classic Shortbread

Shortbread's high butter content makes it ideal for freezing. You can freeze the entire log of dough and slice off cookies as needed, or freeze the baked cookies in an airtight container.

6. Snickerdoodles

For Snickerdoodles, roll the dough into balls, coat them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, and then freeze them. This is a key step to keep in your **holiday baking freezer** arsenal for quick, fresh cookies.

7. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

This hearty drop cookie is another great candidate. Freeze individual scoops of dough on a tray before transferring to a bag. They bake up chewy and delicious straight from the freezer.

8. Russian Tea Cakes (Snowball Cookies)

It's best to freeze these after baking but before rolling them in powdered sugar. Once thawed, give them a fresh roll in sugar to restore their signature snowy look.

9. Spritz Cookies

You can freeze the pressed, unbaked cookies on a baking sheet. Once frozen, stack them carefully in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. This is a fantastic **christmas cookie freezer** strategy.

10. Linzer Cookies

Bake and freeze the cookies plain, without the jam filling. When you're ready to serve, simply thaw the cookies, add your favorite raspberry or apricot jam, and dust with powdered sugar.

Pro Tips for Perfect Frozen Cookies

Follow this advice to ensure your make-ahead cookies taste like they were baked the same day.

• Label Everything: Always label your freezer bags or containers with the type of cookie and the date they were frozen. Include baking temperature and time for convenience.
• Flash Freeze First: For drop cookies or cutouts, always freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to a container. This prevents them from sticking together.
• Wrap Dough Tightly: If freezing a log or disc of dough, wrap it in plastic wrap and then place it inside a freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.
• Baking from Frozen: Most drop cookies and cutouts can be baked directly from the freezer. Just add 2-3 minutes to the original baking time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can you freeze cookie dough?

Most cookie dough can be frozen for up to 3 months without any loss of quality. Ensure it is wrapped tightly in an airtight container or freezer bag to protect against freezer burn.

Is it better to freeze the dough or the baked cookies?

For most cookies, especially drop cookies and cutouts, freezing the dough is preferable as it results in a freshly-baked taste and texture. However, sturdy cookies like shortbread can also be frozen after baking.

References

• The Art of Holiday Baking - Institute of Culinary Education
• Food Storage Guidelines - FoodSafety.gov
• Make-Ahead Holiday Baking Strategies - King Arthur Baking Company