But whether you love baking cookies or eating cookie dough as a dessert, it’s important to know how long you can keep it in the fridge.
After all, making cookie dough always seems to involve leftovers!
You’ve arrived at the right place as this guide has all the answers you’re looking for, including how long cookie dough is good for in the fridge, how long you can freeze cookie dough, how to store cookie dough properly, and signs that your cookie dough has gone bad.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about storing cookie dough the best way.
How Long Does Cookie Dough Last In The Fridge?
Wondering how long you can keep that leftover cookie dough in your fridge? Here’s the rundown.
In general, raw cookie dough can last up to 3–5 days in the fridge. And it’s important to keep it in the fridge—and not at room temperature—as ingredients used to make cookie dough, such as eggs and butter, can quickly expire.
Alternatively, you can also store raw cookie dough in the freezer if you’re not going to use it up any time soon. In the freezer, raw cookie dough can last up to 3 months.
So before storing it, think about whether you’re going to use it in the next few days. If so, put the cookie dough in the fridge. If not, put it in the freezer to be safe!
Factors To Consider For Storing Cookie Dough
When it comes to storing cookie dough, there are a few factors to keep in mind. The first obvious factor is temperature – too hot or too cold temperatures can ruin the cookie dough, especially its texture.
Overall, however, cold temperatures will extend its life. So it’s best to keep it in the fridge or freezer, depending on the next time you plan on using it.
Another factor is how you store it. To protect the cookie dough, it’s recommended to keep it in an airtight container or bag, which will keep it fresher for longer and make it easy to retrieve.
Lastly, also consider how much cookie dough you’re storing away. Large amounts should ideally be put in the freezer to be safe, but this can also increase thawing time. So just be aware!
The Type Of Cookie Dough Also Matters
Cookie dough can have all sorts of ingredients in it – depending on the kind of cookies or dessert you’re making.
As a result, this also means that the type of cookie dough matters when keeping it in the fridge.
Chocolate chip cookie dough, for example, has a shelf life of about 2-4 days in the fridge, while sugar cookie dough, on the other hand, can last up to a week.
So this is another thing worth thinking about. Consider the ingredients you’ve added in your cookie dough, including the general shelf life of those ingredients!
How To Store Cookie Dough Correctly
Aside from storing cookie dough in the fridge or freezer using an airtight bag or airtight container, there are a few other tips worth knowing for storing cooking dough properly.
The first is portioning your cookie dough before refrigerating or freezing it. This can help you to separate the cookie dough into what you will use within a few days and what might be used a few weeks later.
If you’re freezing it, this can also help speed up the thawing process.
Another great tip is to label your bags and containers – especially if you have made several different types of cookie dough.
Lastly, when thawing cookie dough after months of being frozen, make sure to let it defrost at room temperature. Get it out in advance and don’t be tempted to microwave it, as this can ruin the texture and consistency.
Signs That Your Cookie Dough Has Gone Bad
It can be disappointing to realize that your cookie dough has gone bad – especially if you were excited to bake cookies.
To avoid this, make sure to store it properly!
Still, life gets in the way and sometimes we can forget about all the things left in the fridge. So it’s important to check the cookie dough before using it.
Signs that cookie dough has gone bad include an unusual odor that smells off and a slimy or sticky texture lining the dough.
If you spot any visible mold or discoloration on the cookie dough, then it’s definitely time to throw it in the trash, unfortunately.
How To Salvage Dry Cookie Dough
Storing cookie dough in the fridge or freezer will extend its shelf life – but it can also make the cookie dough dry and crumbly.
Thankfully, the cookie dough can be saved in this case. And it’s as simple as adding moisture back into the mix, such as a few drops of water kneaded into the dough.
Alternatively, you can also add milk or butter. If you want to get creative, you can even use oil and more eggs, or even melted chocolate, mashed bananas, peanut butter, or honey – these can save the dough as well as improve the flavor!
Conclusion
Everyone loves cookie dough, whether it’s baked into cookies or eaten as a dessert. And for that reason, it’s important to store it correctly to avoid letting it go to waste.
To summarize, raw cookie dough can last up to 3–5 days in the fridge and up to 3 months in the freezer.
Just make sure to store it correctly using an airtight container or plastic bag. This will extend its shelf life and reduce the risk of mess.
Lastly, make sure to be aware of signs of spoilage. These include an unusual odor that smells off, and a slimy or sticky texture covering the cookie dough.
If you notice these signs, or even any mold, it’s best to throw it away.
