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Flash Freezing Cookie Dough & Cookbook Giveaway
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tricia on
09.30.09 |
122 Comments
Short Link: http://onceamonthmom.com/?p=3841
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Everyone ready for another giveaway? This one is the first of a series that I am excited to be able to bring to you this month! But first a guest post by the author:
How to Freeze Cookie Dough
Home baked cookies are a perfect dessert for holiday gatherings, birthday parties and your children’s school functions, but having to make them on the same day you need to do one million other things, like working a full time job, or cleaning your house, can be a major challenge for a busy mom! Fortunately, many cookie recipes can be frozen for later use. With cookie dough that you’ve made ahead and frozen, you spend less time in the kitchen, which stays clean, and you have some delicious homemade cookies to offer your guests (or to send off to school) in a snap. Here are some guidelines for freezing cookie dough.
Flash Freezing
used with permission Flickr Creative Commons, photo by LDCross
Yes, there is a method to freezing cookie dough! Simply putting your cookie dough in a plastic container and throwing it in the freezer will work, but I don’t recommend it. What happens when you are ready to cook, but your cookie dough is a solid chunk of ice? You will be waiting hours for that huge mass to thaw! There is a better way, and it’s called flash freezing. For flash freezing, you will need a cookie tray, plastic wrap, parchment paper, a small cookie scoop, and a gallon size freezer bag.
Once you’ve assembled and mixed your cookie dough, use a tablespoon cookie scoop, to scoop out the dough into balls and then place them onto your cookie sheet very close together. A cookie scoop will save time and produce perfect balls of dough for perfectly shaped cookies. Your fingers will stay clean, and you won’t have to deal with sticky tablespoons! Once you’ve filled your tray, cover it with plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for two to three hours, until partially frozen.
Label Your Freezer Bags
While your cookie dough is freezing, label your freezer bag. Most freezer bags have a white area for labeling. If you prefer, you may use freezer tape, available at most grocery stores. Using a permanent marker, label your freezer bag with the name of the cookies, the date they were frozen, the oven temperature and cooking time, and any other specific cooking directions, so that you don’t have to search for the recipe, when you’re ready to cook.
Once your dough is partially frozen and no longer sticky to the touch, place your dough into the freezer bag and put it back in the freezer. By flash freezing, your pre-formed cookie dough won’t stick together, and will be ready for the oven when you are.
On the day you are ready to cook, take the dough out and place the balls of dough on your parchment lined cookie sheet. The dough should thaw for at least 30 to 45 minutes and then you are ready to bake according to the instructions on your freezer bag.
Make Ahead Cookies
I have used the flash freezing method for many cookie recipes and have had fantastic results. Some of my cookie recipes include: big ginger cookies; brownie cookies; macadamia nut cookies; oatmeal cookies; peanut butter chocolate chip crackles; peanut butter kiss cookies; snicker doodles; and everyone’s favorite, chocolate chip cookies.
You can find these great make-ahead cookie recipes, as well as specific flash freezing instructions, in my cookbook Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms
For homemade cookies in a flash, I highly recommend flash freezing. Enjoy!
About Jane Doiron and Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms
Jane Doiron is a busy working mom of two boys. She is an Elementary School teacher with a passion for cooking and experimenting with recipes. With her busy schedule, Jane has found that make-ahead meals (meals prepared in advance) are time-savers, money-savers and are the best alternatives to eating “take-out”. Jane’s cookbook is the result of her years of seeking out new recipes, experimenting with family-favorite recipes, and turning them into make-ahead meals. Make-ahead meals can be frozen ahead, assembled ahead, or cooked ahead and reheated. The recipes in her cookbook are a combination of all three and were specially modified without compromising the food’s taste and texture. Along with make-ahead meals, in her book, Jane also shares her favorite dessert, appetizer and side-dish recipes, as well as helpful tips, like, make-ahead tips for the holidays, freezing, must-have items for freezing, and many more useful cooking tips for making recipes ahead.
Here is how you can enter to win your own copy of Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms (you can comment using the following criteria for up to 6 entries):
1. Comment - What dish(es) will you be “making ahead” for the Thanksgiving holiday?
Additional ways to enter:
2. Tweet or Facebook this contest (if you look below the title of this post you will find a short url for easier posting). Make sure to use @onceamonthmom in your Tweet or Facebook status. And don’t forget to leave a comment below stating you have done so.
3. RSVP for the Once A Month Mom Tweet-Up (in-house or online). Please only RSVP if you are REALLY planning on attending. Leave a comment below that you RSVP’ed or have RSVP’ed prior to now.
4. Add the Once A Month Mom Tweet-Up Badge to your website/blog (Code found in the right side bar). Leave a comment below that you added the badge or have done so previously.
5. Join the NEW Once A Month Mom Facebook Fan Page (this is different from the group and they don’t allow me to just transfer you). Leave a comment below if you joined or are already a member.
6. Subscribe to the blog via RSS or email. Let us know that you have done so. Of course, if you are already subscriber make sure you leave that too.
This giveaway ends Saturday, October 3rd at midnight. Winner will be chosen by random using random.org.
122 Responses to “Flash Freezing Cookie Dough & Cookbook Giveaway”
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I am making mashed potatoes ahead of time for thanksgiving as well as the pies.
(Im also already a FB fan AND A a subscriber! )
Morning! For Thanksgiving, I will make ahead my Pumpkin Pie and 7 layer salad.
I’m a Facebook Fan….love it!
Please enter me for the cookbook!
Thanks
I just discovered your site yesterday through a friend on facebook who became a fan and now so am I!! I’m really excited about OAMC!
I plan to make ahead pumpkin cookies since we will be going over the river and through the woods (literally) to grandma’s house.
Found you on FB through a friend. doing my first OAM cooking this month!
Green bean casserole and pies, pies, pies.
Howdy. I will likely make ahead some pies for the Thanksgiving holiday. I am already a Facebook fan and I also follow on an RSS feed (Google reader). Love your blog!!
sweet potato casserole and stuffing!
I am a member of the FB fan page and a subscriber! I will make pies ahead of time for Thanksgiving…
I will be making cranberry bread and freezing ahead for that usually.
I facebooked this, joined your facebook fan page, you are on my blog and also I subsribe to the RSS feed. What a fun book to have a chance to win! Thanks–Love this site!
I’m also making dessert ahead — probably a pumpkin roll of some sort.
I subscribe!
I’m a fan on FB.
Apple Pie! Mmmm…
Also, I tweeted the contest, Facebook statused it, RSVP’ed to join on twitter, added the badge to my blog, became an fan, and I already subscribe to your RSS feed.
Hmm… yeah, I think I got it all.
I’m unsure what I’ll make ahead for Thanksgiving, although this cookie idea sure sounds good!
I love the idea of cooking ahead and I’m slowly getting to gether the ingredients to make some burritos, breakfast sandwiches, and muffins that will b e frozen for “just-in-time” eating. I work full-time and am working on a deadline to complete my dissertation, so making these foods ahead of time will save me from cooking at the last minute as well as saving my husband and I from eating junk food!
I think I’m going to try the pumpkin pie from yesterday….yummers!
thanks!
I’m a FB fan
thanks!
I subscribe via Google Reader
thanks!
What a great website! Came here from $5 dinners. I’ve just subscribed so I can learn more about once a month cooking. Please enter me for the cookbook.
Thanks for your great information!
Welcome!
You know, honestly, I hadn’t thought about making food ahead of time for Thanksgiving! Guess that’s why I need your site!
(I make regular, everyday meals ahead of time – just never have done “holiday” stuff ahead of time.)
I think you will be more than pleased with tomorrow’s menu then!
I tried “make ahead” mashed potatoes a couple years ago and it worked great. Will do it from now on!
I also subscribe and am a facebook fan!
I am a FB fan! I love to make cookies ahead of time and freeze the dough…so much easier and you always can have hot cookies anytime in just minutes without the mess!
I will try making my pies ahead this year. I usually bake them the night before.
I am making stuffing and cheese potatoes ahead of time for Thanksgiving.
Thank you!
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
I am a fan on facebook
Thank you!
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
I subscribe
Thank you!
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net
I’d love to win. I make ahead frozen blueberry dessert.
For Thanksgiving, I will make my pies ahead of time. I’m already a subscriber. I just joined both the FB page & became a fan.
I subscribe ruthjoec at aoldotcom
I will be making pumpkin pie, as well as most of my baked goods. Bananna Nut Bread, cookies etc.
I am now a fan and have been a subscriber
I will be making pies ahead of time.
I am an e-mail subscriber.
I am going to try and make ahead a pumpkin pie.
kimberlysummer40@aol.com
I am a subscriber!
kimberlysummer40@aol.com
I am going to a friends house to learn how to make apple pie. Apples are ripe for picking at our local u-pick farm…I think this would be a great freeze ahead for t-giving.
I am now a facebook fan.
Also an email subscriber! I love your blog and hope I win!!
Flash Freezing Cookie Dough & Cookbook Giveaway | OAMC from Once A …: Add the Once A Month Mom Tweet-Up B.. http://bit.ly/lw5ce
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
I will be making the fantastic pumpkin pie recipe that you posted awhile ago! It looks very easy to make and it makes two!! Love it!
I am already a member of your blog. It’s great. Thank you!
I plan to freeze lots of peanut butter cookies. Thanks for the tips. Also I am planning on freezing some chicken casseroles and vegetable ones.
Thanks
I have become a fan on Facebook.
Pies….I’ll make them ahead and freeze them for the big holiday season.
Flash Freezing Cookie Dough & Cookbook Giveaway | OAMC from Once A … http://bit.ly/3DaFqH
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
I love your website, I subscribe to your email and I will make pie ahead of time!
For Thanksgiving, I am usually in charge of bringing some desserts, so I will definitely be putting the flash freezing cookie dough to work for me, and probably a buttermilk pie or 4
I am an e-mail subscriber. What an awesome looking book.
This year I’m thinking of making ahead desserts, pies mostly, and I frozen fruit salad lots of people like. I might make mashed potatoes ahead, too.
)
I am already a fan on FB
I will make my pies ahead, cheesy potatoes and green bean casserole. I need to give more thought to appetizers as we have a lot of grazers that can’t wait until the meal is served.
I tweeted about this, @MistyNewsome
I am already a fan of both facebook pages!
I am already a subscriber!
For Thanksgiving, I will be making pies, mashed potatoes and cornbread (for the stuffing) ahead of time. I already subscribe to your blog/email updates. Please enter me for the cookbook giveaway!!
I just became a fan of your Facebook page!
I also posted the contest as my Facebook status!
Last year, I was in charge of making pies ahead of time, but our daughter ended up getting sick so we were not able to go to our family’s house for Thanksgiving. Sick daughter = no turkey dinner + 4 pies for us to eat! This year I don’t need to make the pies, but my mother usually makes the turkey ahead by cooking it the night before and reheating it the next day. This way she is not waiting for it when there are hungry guests drooling!
I am a subscriber by email – thanks for all your hard work
For Thanksgiving I will be making my pumpkin pies ahead of time with the pumpkin that we freeze from Halloween
I am already subscribed to all of the above! Thank you so much!!
I will be running in a 5K on Thanksgiving so I had better take the hint and make something ahead! If I had a really big crock pot I’d do the turkey in there!
I will be making some sort of baked good, like pumpkin pies or bars. Whatever they will be, it will be yum-my!!! I am an e-mail subscriber and am looking forward to winning that wonderful cookbook!
I’ll be making cheesy potatoes ahead of time for turkey day…. *fingers crossed!*
I’m also a subscriber. *fingers crossed!*
I became a fan on facebook.
I will be making my mushroom stuffing ahead of time, I can’t wait!
I am cooking my turkey ahead of time and freezing it in chicken broth…let it thaw slowly, reheat in a roaster with the broth and you have your main dish done and as juicy as it would be if you made it the morning of Thanksgiving! Now, for that helpful hint…pick me for the cookbook!
I subscribe to the feeds and love the recipes.
I usually make the desserts ahead of time. Also the cornbread.
I am a suscriber.
This sounds like such a great cookbook
At this point, I have no idea what I will be making ahead for Thanksgiving because I don’t know which parent’s house we will end up at. So it will depend on who wants me to bring what.
I just became a fan on Facebook.
I subscribe via email.
I’ve been doing this for 30 years! I’ll spend a whole Saturday doing nothing but making up the dough, and then either scooping it out and freezing the individual balls, or just putting the whole recipe in freezer containers to be made whenever I have time. I also buy a couple bushels of apples. I make up the apple mixture for pies, and seal this with my foodsaver. I usually have about 35 bags of pie filling ready to go. I’ll make up pie crusts from scratch and freeze them too. When I need a dessert, it’s so easy to just grab what I need, cookies, pies, cakes, and I just smile when people tell me they don’t know how I do it.
I am a fan on facebook and I LOVE cookbooks:)
I like making ahead all my doughs for dinner rolls, pie crusts, croissant rolls, breads, etc.
I subscribe.
I’m a fan.
I’m making pies and breads ahead. Now cookies, too!
I will be making pies ahead: pumpkin and pecan, also a strawberry pretzel salad – yum!
Thanks for the opportunity to win a cookbook!
I am a fan on FB
I subscribe to your blog by feed.
I have never made ahead items for thanksgiving but might do some pies ahead of time.
I am definitely making the make ahead pumpkin pie recipe. I’ll make the dressing ahead, as well.
Flash Freezing Cookie Dough & Cookbook Giveaway | OAMC from Once A … http://bit.ly/16BEIb
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Banana Bread, Pies, Green Bean Casserole and maybe a cookie or two. lol
Mashed potatoes, of course!
I am an email subscriber.
I’m a fan on FB!!
I *need* something to help me during meal prep times so I can spend more time with my kids and help my oldest do homework!!
I will make mashed potatoes, buns and pumpkin pie ahead of time. I LOVE this website and the recipes have been great!
I am a facebook fan. I’ll make the pies ahead and possibly a turkey for just our family. I like leftovers.
I’ll be making up my apple pie ahead and freezing it once I get around to picking the apples.
Just a comment about your freezing cookie dough advice. There’s no need to thaw the cookie dough balls before baking. Just plan to make them a few minutes longer till the cookies are done. I’ve confirmed this in several cookie baking cookbooks.
I’ll be making pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, and pumpkin casserole ahead for thanksgiving.
Thanks
hopefully, making pies and stuffing ahead of time. maybe some rolls.
I will be making pies, pumpkin and apple, as well as greenbean casserole and potatoes.
Love your recipes.
I will be making cookies ahead of time — chocolate chip, peanut butter, drop sugar cookies. And I’ll probably make mashed potatoes ahead of time, too! Thanks for all of your great recipes and ideas!
I will be making pumpkin cheesecake and pumpkin rolls and freezing them to have ready for Thanksgiving.
I don’t really make a lot ahead for Thanksgiving unless you count the homemade egg noodles that I make a couple days in advance so they have a chance to dry a little. I really should make a double batch to freeze some for Christmas.
I haven’t gone much beyond baked (or ready to bake) items and baby food. I’ll probably just make some pumpkin muffins ahead of time for Thanksgiving. Although the pork on the October menu looks interesting.
I will be making Twice Baked Potatoes ahead, and also the Vegie Tortilla Pinwheels off the October menu sound like a “must try”.
I am a subscriber.
For thanksgiving I will probably make ahead a sweet potato casserole (my recipe) and the pumpkin muffins…sound great!
I am unable to join the live webcast, unfortunately, because i have my niece’s 1 year old birthday party that evening.
I subscribe to the website already.
I am a fan on facebook of this site.
I became a fan on Facebook.
I’m following you on Twitter, I’ve RSVP’d for the TweetUp (YAY) – just found this site today & bookmarked it for future reference – AND as soon as I get home and away from work, i’ll be adding you to my FB!
We will definitely be pre-making our pies for Turkey Day – as well as our gravy, greenbean casserole, and other various deserts!
I subscribe via e-mail.
I am planning on freezing pies ahead.
I’ll be driving across the country for Thanksgiving and so I probably won’t be making anything in advance–but I will enjoy helping my mom make the big dinner!
Oh, I’ve also been a subscriber for a little while via google reader!
I would *love* to win your cookbook. It’s just not in the budget right now to buy it, but it’s in my Amazon wish list for the future!
I signed u up on your Facebook Fan Page
I signed up as a subscriber to your blog
I am not planning to make any specific holiday meal foods ahead of time. However the everyday meals I have ready will free up my time in the days leading up to Thanksgiving so I can cook stress free.
I joined the facebook page a couple days ago and I will tweet in a moment
I’ll be flash-freezing my infamous chocolate-chip cookies! Thanks for the tips! The receipe i use is the one on the back of the Nestle toll house choco-chip bag…shhh…no one knows; a girl’s gotta have skills!!
I subscribe to your blog via email.
I will make ahead the chocolate chip cookies and pumpkin rolls. Yummy. Tks for the chance to win!!!
I will be making my mashed potatoes in advance.
I will be making pumpkin chocolate chip cookies ahead. Yummy!
I subscribe to your blog via email.
I follow you on Facebook too.
Just found your website while looking for something else . . . and can’t seem to stop reading! Subscribed by rss using yahooreader.
Welcome!
I am now a Facebook fan, also. Isn’t technology great? Looking forward to finding new recipes and motivation!