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Do your holiday baking ahead of time and stash the goods in the freezer so you’ll never be short of treats for last-minute guests. We’re sharing tips for what kinds of recipes work best, and how to freeze them right.
Refrigerator Cookies | Photo by DenRosen
Try this recipe: Refrigerator Cookies III
Best Bets for Bake-and-Freeze Holiday Treats
To ensure your baked goods come out of the freeze looking and tasting as good as they did when they went in, wrap them well in heavy-duty foil or plastic, squeezing out as much air as possible. Be sure to label and date the packages so you’ll know what they are and when to take them out.
Cookies
Ashley’s Chocolate Chip Cookies | Photo by Cathy C
Try this recipe: Ashley’s Chocolate Chip Cookies
Just about any kind of cookie is a good candidate for baking and freezing. (The only exceptions are cookies made with very runny dough, such as madelines and delicate tuiles.) Once the cookies are baked, let them cool to room temperature, then freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Transfer to an zip-top freezer bag, squeezing out all the air, or wrap them individually and place in an airtight container. You can even freeze cookies that are decorated with sturdy royal icing. Just be sure to wrap them individually and thaw at room temperature so the icing doesn’t get watery from condensation.
- Read more about freezing and thawing cookies and cookie dough.
- Video: How to Freeze Cookies
- Get all our cookie recipes.
Cakes and Cheesecakes
White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake | Photo by Allrecipes
Try this recipe: White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake
To freeze an unfrosted cake, let it cool completely, wrap it in heavy-duty foil, and freeze on a baking sheet or in the cake pan. Thaw frozen cakes at room temperature. Unfrosted cakes can be frozen up to 6 months.
To freeze a frosted cake, place the cake in the freezer on a baking sheet until frozen solid to the touch. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Note: For best results, use buttercream frosting instead of cooked frosting. Frozen frosted cakes should be thawed at room temperature.
Freeze cooled cheesecake, then wrap tightly and return to the freezer for up to 6 months. You can even wrap and freeze individual slices for cheesecake on demand.
- Get recipes for cakes and cheesecakes.
Pies
Apple Pie by Grandma Ople | Photo by Sarah Dotson
Try this recipe: Apple Pie by Grandma Ople
Baked fruit pies, custard pies (think pumpkin), and pecan pies freeze well. As with freezing other baked goods, let the pie cool completely before freezing. Wrap it tightly to keep out the air, then return the pie to the freezer for up to 4 months. To serve, let the pie thaw at room temperature for about one hour, then heat in an oven at 350 to 375 degrees F for about 30 minutes or until warm. Note: We don’t recommend freezing pies topped with meringue.
- Get recipes for fruit pies, custard pies, and pecan pies.
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The post How to Bake and Freeze Treats for the Holidays appeared first on Allrecipes Dish.
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