Freezing Mexican Wedding Cookies: A How-To Guide

Mexican Wedding Cookies are a delightful treat, but can you freeze them? The answer is yes! These cookies can be frozen either before or after baking, and they will retain their delicious taste and texture. If you plan to freeze the dough, simply roll it into balls and place them in a freezer-safe container. For baked cookies, let them cool completely, then place them in an airtight container with parchment paper separating the layers. Frozen cookie dough can be baked directly from frozen, while baked cookies can be thawed at room temperature and re-rolled in powdered sugar if needed. So, go ahead and make a batch of these tasty treats and enjoy them whenever you like!

Freezing Mexican Wedding Cookies before baking

Preparing the Cookie Dough:

Start by making the dough according to your favourite Mexican Wedding Cookie recipe. The dough typically includes a mixture of butter, sugar, vanilla extract, salt, flour, and nuts such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds. You can also add a bit of cinnamon for extra flavour.

Rolling and Freezing the Dough:

Once you've made the dough, it's time to roll it into balls. Use a cookie scoop or your hands to portion out the dough into evenly sized balls. Place these dough balls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet or container, making sure they are spaced out and not touching. Chill the dough balls in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to an hour to firm them up.

After chilling, transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe container. You can wrap each ball individually in plastic wrap or cling wrap and then place them in a large Ziploc bag or airtight container. Alternatively, separate the layers of dough balls with wax paper or parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.

Storing and Baking Instructions:

Label and date your container of dough balls before placing them in the freezer. Mexican Wedding Cookie dough can be stored in the freezer for up to two months. When you're ready to bake, you can bake the cookies directly from frozen. However, they may take a little longer to bake than they would if the dough was fresh.

So, there you have it! A simple way to freeze Mexican Wedding Cookies before baking, ensuring you always have delicious, freshly baked cookies on hand.

Freezing Mexican Wedding Cookies after baking

Step 1: Bake and Cool the Cookies

Firstly, bake your Mexican wedding cookies as usual. Allow them to cool completely before freezing. This is important to prevent ice crystals from forming, which can ruin the flaky texture of the cookies.

Step 2: Prepare an Airtight Container

Line an airtight container with wax paper or parchment paper. You can also use freezer bags. If you're using a container, separate each layer of cookies with wax paper to prevent them from sticking together.

Step 3: Roll in Powdered Sugar (Optional)

If you wish to have the cookies ready to serve after thawing, roll them in powdered sugar before freezing. This will give them their signature snowball appearance. However, you can also do this step after thawing if you prefer.

Step 4: Freeze the Cookies

Place the cookies in the prepared airtight container or freezer bag. Seal the container tightly to prevent air from getting in. Label the container with the date and contents.

Step 5: Thaw and Serve

When you're ready to serve the cookies, remove them from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature. If you didn't roll them in powdered sugar before freezing, do so after they have thawed. Serve and enjoy!

Storage Tips:

Mexican wedding cookies can be stored in the freezer for up to two or three months. For shorter-term storage, you can keep them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to seven to ten days.

How long can you freeze Mexican Wedding Cookies for?

Mexican wedding cookies can be frozen for up to two or three months. The cookies should be cooled completely before freezing. They should also be placed in an airtight container, with wax paper separating each layer of cookies.

If you want to freeze the cookie dough, roll it into balls and freeze them for a few hours or overnight before transferring them to a freezer-safe container.

How to thaw frozen Mexican Wedding Cookies

There are a few ways to thaw frozen Mexican Wedding Cookies, depending on whether you froze the dough or the baked cookies. Here is a step-by-step guide:

For Frozen Cookie Dough:

• Remove the frozen dough balls from the freezer and place them on a baking sheet.
• Let the dough balls thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature until they are soft enough to bake. This will take a few hours.
• Preheat your oven and bake the cookies according to your recipe instructions.
• Once baked, let the cookies cool slightly, then roll them in powdered sugar while they are still warm.
• Allow the cookies to cool completely before serving.

For Frozen Baked Cookies:

• Remove the frozen baked cookies from the freezer and place them on a wire rack or a baking sheet.
• Let the cookies thaw at room temperature.
• If desired, sprinkle a little extra powdered sugar on top of the cookies, as it may have dissolved a bit during freezing.
• Serve the cookies once they are completely thawed.

Additional Tips:

• It is recommended to freeze Mexican Wedding Cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to an airtight container or freezer bag for longer-term storage.
• Frozen baked cookies can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• You can also freeze the cookie dough balls and bake them directly from frozen, but you may need to adjust the baking time.

How to prevent Mexican Wedding Cookies from sticking together in the freezer

Mexican wedding cookies can be frozen and will retain their taste and texture. There are several ways to prevent them from sticking together in the freezer:

Freeze the Cookie Dough

Freezing the cookie dough before it is baked is one option. Form the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and place it in a zip-top freezer bag. You can also roll the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer bag. This method will prevent the cookies from sticking together because they are frozen individually.

Freeze the Baked Cookies

If you choose to freeze the baked cookies, allow them to cool completely before placing them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Separate the layers with wax paper or parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking together. You can also freeze the cookies in a single layer on a sheet pan first, and then transfer them to freezer bags once they are frozen.

Defrosting and Storing Tips

When defrosting the cookies, it is best to thaw them at room temperature or in the refrigerator. If the powdered sugar coating has dissolved, sprinkle a little more on the cookies before serving. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to two months.

Frequently asked questions