25 Christmas Cookies to Make Ahead & Freeze

Get a start on holiday celebrations with these 25 Christmas Cookies to freeze. You can freeze them three different ways depending on the space in your freezer.

cookie table with platter of chocolate oatmeal and sugar cookies — Christmas Sugar Cookies and Double Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies make for a fun and easy cookie spread.

C is for cookie. It’s good enough for me.

Truer words were never said.

While November was made for pie, December was most definitely made for cookies.

What other sweet treat is so conveniently portable, delicious with hot beverages, and easy to share? Cupcakes, pies, and cakes are too messy; it’s too cold for ice cream.

Cookies are where it’s at this month, for sure. Especially if those are cookies you can make ahead and freeze.

Make Christmas Cookies to freeze!

Can you freeze homemade Christmas cookies? Yep! You can freeze Christmas cookies. This means that you can do the bulk of your holiday baking in advance, saving you time and hassle later in the season.

One of the added benefits of freezing homemade cookies is that you can bake many different Christmas cookies without wearing yourself out. You can slowly build up a stash in the freezer, creating a wide selection of options to serve and gift at the holiday.

Once you’ve established your frozen hoard, you can pull out a few off each kind to arrange on platters or in boxes to give away. Everyone will be amazed at how you had the time to do all that baking!

three boxes of christmas cookies packaged to freeze

How far in advance can you freeze Christmas cookies?

You can freeze cookies up to 3 months for best taste and texture.

Be sure to consult this chart from the Old Farmer’s Almanac to learn how long you can store certain foods.

What is the best way to freeze cookies?

There are several different ways to freeze cookies to enjoy later. Which you choose will depend on your needs and storage space.

You can freeze the dough.
You can freeze the dough balls or cookie cut-outs.
You can freeze the baked cookies.

Spiced Sugar Cookie dough in bag for freezing

Prepare the dough for your cookies, wrap it in plastic wrap in a ziptop freezer bag or simply place the dough in an airtight container in the freezer. Later when you’re ready to bake, simply pull the dough from the freezer, thaw it in the refrigerator, and proceed with the baking steps of the recipe.

Be sure to label the package of dough with the date, the recipe name, and baking instructions.

Freezing cookie dough gives you the option to bake when you want to, having eliminated some of the dirty dishes ahead of time. Additionally, freezing several different kinds of dough at one time allows you to do all the actual baking at one time.

Batching your tasks saves time at the office as well as in the kitchen!

Freezing cookie dough balls takes the process one step further. Prepare the dough, shape as you would for baking, then freeze the dough balls or cut-outs on a tray until very firm. Once the dough is firm, you can package them in a ziptop freezer bag and store it in the freezer.

Be sure to label the package of dough with the date, the recipe name, and baking instructions.

Cookie dough balls or cut-outs take a little bit more space in the freezer than the lump of dough, but since they are each frozen individually first, you can store them in one container and pull out just as many as you like. You won’t have to thaw the entire package to bake. You can just bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time if needed.

Check out this “Flash” or “Open Freezing” Tutorial for more tips on freezing individual items for best results.

Having the dough already shaped and ready to bake allows you the freedom to bake just a few. You can have fresh baked cookies whenever you want!

chocolate magic bars in red plastic box to freeze

You can freeze the baked cookies.

Freezing baked cookies offers the most convenience at the cost of the most freezer space. Due to the packaging needed, you’ll need more space to store the baked cookies than you will for storing cookie dough or shaped dough balls.

Once you’ve baked and cooled the cookies, layer them between sheets of parchment paper or deli wrap to keep them from sticking together. Place them in an airtight container in the freezer.

To thaw, simply pull out as many cookies as you like and allow them to thaw at room temperature.

Can you freeze different kinds of cookies together?

You may want to consolidate storage space in your freezer by packaging different kinds of cookies together. You can do this, provided the cookies are of the same texture and contain the same types of ingredient.

Crispy cookies will go mushy around softer textured cookies. Heavily scented baked goods, like those with mint or banana, will share their flavors with their neighbors, so be sure to package those cookies on their own.

frozen chocolate oatmeal cookie balls in ziptop bag

What kind of containers should you freeze cookies in?

The freezer containers to use for storing cookies will depend on how you’re freezing the cookies or cookie dough and how much space you have at your disposal.

ziptop freezer bags – good for dough and dough balls as well as some baked cookies.
airtight containers, such as plastic or glass – good for dough, shaped but unbaked cookies, baked cookies

Use parchment paper or deli wrap paper to cushion and separate cookies that might stick together or easily break.

What kind of Christmas cookies freeze well?

Any kind of cookie is freezer-friendly, though how you top and store the cookie may effect the end result. If you plan to add elaborate decor to the cookie, you may want to freeze just the cookie dough, the cut-outs, or the plain baked cookies and leave the decorating step for right before serving.

However, you can freeze decorated sugar cookies. Once the royal icing has complete dried, place each cookie in an individual bag, then place the bags in an airtight container in the freezer.

Here are some of our favorite Christmas Cookies to freeze.

Christmas Cookies to Make Ahead & Freeze

Double Chocolate Toffee Cookies

Enjoy salted toffee, chocolate-y goodness with these Double Chocolate Toffee Cookies. They are perfect for gift giving — or hoarding them all to yourself.

Butternut Squash Brownies

Bake someone happy with these delicious, cake-like Butternut Squash Brownies. They freeze beautifully and are perfect with a glass of milk.

Classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Enjoy Classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookies that mix up quickly, don’t need any eggs, and disappear in a flash! This cookie recipe, which can also be made vegan, will be a hit with everyone at your table.

Gramma John's Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Do you love crispy chocolate chip cookies? Then you’ll love Gramma John’s recipe for chocolate chip cookies that are crispy and crunchy and tender inside.

Gingerbread Crinkles

Gingerbread Crinkles are a fun and easy alternative to traditional gingerbread cookies. Don’t mess with cut-outs, simply roll dough balls in coarse sugar.

Peppermint Brownie Bites

Enjoy a super easy dessert with these Peppermint Brownie Bites. Lots of crunchy edges and a gooey center with just the right amount of mint!

Mint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Enjoy melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness with these Chocolate Minty Melts, mint chocolate crinkle cookies topped with chocolate kisses that melt into little knobs of chocolate.

Healthy Snickerdoodles

A healthier twist on an old classic, these Whole Wheat Snickerdoodles are delicious! A little whole grains and flax seed meal takes the classic cookie up a notch. These healthy snickerdoodles freeze beautifully so you can have a sweet treat any time the urge strikes.

Easy Snickerdoodle Bars

One of the most American of cookies is the Snickerdoodle, sweet buttery balls of dough rolled in cinnamon sugar. Get to the eating all the quicker with this delicious bar cookie recipe. These Snickerdoodle Bars are easy to make and taste just as good as the classic without the work.