Perfect Freezer Cookies

Whens the last time you wanted just one cookie?  I have been seeing a lot of  'One Cookie' & 'Brownie in a Mug' Recipes on Pinterest lately and all I can say is.... that's great, but if I have to measure out all the ingredients anyway, why not just have a whole batch prepped for later?  On to the next part of the story... Have you ever seen that show Top Secret Recipes? The one where Todd Wilber goes to like KFC or the Nabisco Corporate Headquarters and tries to duplicate a famous recipe?  Ok well, I was watching this one time when he was trying to make a Mrs. Fields cookie.  After many many trial and error fails... He came to one simple conclusion about the Famous Mrs. Fields cookie success.....

Cook from frozen.

What happens when you cook raw dough from frozen at a lower temperature for longer time?

A. The edges get crispy

B. The inside is chewy

I tested this theory on two different recipes.  

The first was the famous 'Oatmeal Scotchie' 

(Recipe on the back of the Butterscotch Chips Bag. - It's no secret, but the cooking directions most certainly *are*)

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or grated peel of 1 orange
3 cups quick or old-fashioned oats
1 2/3 cups (11-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Butterscotch Flavored Morsels Directions

1. COMBINE flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in small bowl.
2. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl.
3. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in oats and morsels.
4. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.- BAKE for 7 to 8 minutes for chewy cookies or 9 to 10 minutes for crisp cookies. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

FROM FROZEN: Bake at 325 for 18-23 mins! = PERFECTION

The second cookie I tested is a basic M&M's Candy Cookie 

(Original recipe found on the back of an M&M's bag... with one added secret ingredient)

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup butter or shortening
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 Small package of Instant Vanilla Pudding <--*SECRET*
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups M&Ms (reserve 1/2 cup for decorating)

1. Position one of your oven racks in the middle of your oven and preheat your oven to 375F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper for best results. Otherwise, use ungreased cookie sheets.
2. In a medium size mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and baking soda until well blended.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter (or shortening) and sugars with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy (This will take several minutes). Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula to make sure everything is well blended.
4. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until creamy.
5. Stir in flour mixture with a wooden spoon just until blended.
6. Stir in 1 1/2 cups M&Ms.
7. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets. Press several additional M&Ms into each cookie.
8. Bake one cookie sheet at a time in the middle rack of the oven for 9 to 12 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown around the edges and just set in the center.
9. Remove from the oven and transfer the cookies with a thin metal spatula to a wire rack to cool completely.

FROM FROZEN: Bake at 325 for 18-23 mins! = PERFECTION


Basically, I'm saying you can pre-make your own cookie dough (All different kinds) and then lets say you want one of each of 3 cookies.  Pull one of each out of your freezer, plop on a cookie sheet and bake all together for 18-23 minutes at the same temp!  Fresh, homemade cookies and you didn't have to eat a dozen to get your fill.  

.... yep, you are sooooo welcome.