Storing Cookie Dough and Cookies

Most cookie doughs can be refrigerated for at least 3 days or frozen for several weeks and then thawed overnight in the refrigerator. It is easiest to shape cookie dough, however, if it has not been refrigerated for more than 3 hours. If the dough cracks on rolling or shaping, the dough is either too dry or too cold. If too dry, spritz with a little water and knead it in. If too cold, divide the chilled dough into quarters and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes, or until it is malleable and soft enough to roll but is still chilled.