Meringue cookies are a delicious sweet treat that can pack a punch of flavour whilst being lighter than air in texture. They are not the type of thing that you would think of when you imagine ‘cookies’, but they are baked in a similar way.
It can be easy to make lots of meringue cookies all at once as a recipe will typically make large batches, so if you have any left over, what is the best way to store them for the long term?
Can You Freeze Meringue Cookies?
Yes, you can freeze meringue cookies for up to 3 months. It is a little bit of a delicate process, but you can put meringue cookies in the freezer and keep them for a few months.
Do Do Meringue Cookies freeze well? Yes
Can you refreeze Meringue Cookies? No
How to Freeze Meringue Cookies
It is probably more complicated to make meringue cookies than it is to freeze them, so that is a good sign!
The main thing to be careful of is not to let the meringue cookies get wet in any way, otherwise, the sugar will dissolve. Follow the steps below for perfectly frozen and preserved meringue cookies:
- Prepare the Meringue Cookies
Make your meringue cookies according to your favourite recipe. - Allow to Cool
You must allow the meringue cookies to cool completely before you think about moving them into the freezer. - Line a container
Line a freezer-safe container with a sheet of baking paper or greaseproof paper. - Fill the Containers
Place the remaining meringue cookies into the container. - Seal
Seal the container lid tightly, ensuring that it is in an airtight environment to prevent any freezer burn or moisture from getting in. - Freeze
Place the containers into the freezer and store them for up to 3 months.
2 Tips for Freezing Meringue Cookies
Now you know how to freeze them, we’ve got our 2 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing meringue cookies to have the best results:
Be Gentle
Meringue cookies are notoriously delicate and the slightest squeeze can cause them to break and shatter. So be extra gentle when placing the meringue cookies into the container and when you are taking them out.
Ensure They’re Kept Airtight
You do not want any moist air getting into the container or bag. Make sure the seal on the ziplock bag or container is tight and you could even wrap the container in cling film just to be sure.
How Long Can You Freeze Meringue Cookies?
When stored and frozen correctly, meringue cookies will last for about 3 months. It is best to eat them sooner rather than later as, after 3 months, the cookies could lose their crisp texture.
You Can Freeze Meringue Cookies for up to 3 Months
How Do You Defrost Meringue Cookies?
Thawing meringue cookies is extremely easy. Simply take as many meringue cookies as you need out of the freezer and leave them to thaw at room temperature.
This should only take a few hours but to ensure that the meringue cookies are fully thawed through, it is best to leave them overnight.
Do not put the meringue cookies in the fridge to thaw. Moisture is the enemy of anything made from sugar, and should the outside of the meringue get wet or moist, the cookie could collapse.
Can You Refreeze Meringue Cookies?
It is not advised to refreeze meringue cookies as the thawing and refreezing would damage the structure of the meringue. It is likely to become very brittle, dry out and simply be quite unpleasant to eat.
They will also lose their nice, marshmallow-like texture on the inside. This is why it is best to freeze them individually and simply take out as many as you need at any one time, rather than defrosting large batches.
Do Meringue Cookies Freeze Well?
If frozen and stored correctly, meringue cookies will freeze well and you would be unable to tell the difference between fresh and frozen meringue cookies.
You have to be extremely delicate with them and ensure that they do not get moist, but apart from that, they will keep very well in the freezer and they will last longer than they would in a container!
