This tip, while helpful to me now, would have been extremely beneficial to me in college. In those days, I was (in)famous for my “midnight cookies.” I’d get the sudden urge to bake chocolate chip cookies really late, whether because I was stressed or channeling Betty Crocker at the moment, and I’d make a ton of cookies. Of course at midnight my friends and I could never eat all of the cookies, so we’d save them for another day. The trouble was that the cookies weren’t as tempting the next day when they weren’t fresh out of the oven.

By freezing cookies, you can ensure that you have an instant homemade snack at the ready for those times when company drops in or you need a treat on a hectic day.

Firstly, here’s what Erin at Family Economics likes to do to “healthify” her cookies:

I like to “healthify” cookie dough by slightly reducing the amount of sugar in the recipe, and by replacing the white flour with whole wheat flour. I also sprinkle in some ground flaxseed or ground almonds to sneak some extra nutrients and flavors into the cookies. This way you get the best of both worlds – the kids get to enjoy a sweet treat and you know that they are getting some healthful ingredients too.

When the urge to bake your favorite cookies arises, simply make double the normal amount. Drop tablespoons of the dough that you want to save onto a foil or parchment paper-lined rimmed cookie sheet. Flash freeze the dough by putting the sheet in the freezer for 15-20 minutes, then put the frozen dough into a zip lock bag. Be sure to label your bag so you know what types of cookies are in it when you’re ready for them in the future. When it’s time for a quick treat, just bake the frozen cookies for a minute or two longer than you usually would!

What are some of your best cookie tips and tricks?

Thanks to Family Economics for the tip!