Comments on: FREEZE! Time-savers for the holidays. http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2009/11/28/freeze-time-savers-for-the-holidays/ Hot Stuff from King Arthur's Hearth Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:33:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Megan http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2009/11/28/freeze-time-savers-for-the-holidays/#comment-34460 Megan Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:33:30 +0000 http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2009/11/28/freeze-time-savers-for-the-holidays/#comment-34460 Great blog topic! You seem to think of everything that anyone could possibly want to know. I have a related question to freezing- if a dough recipe calls for overnight refrigeration (ie., your "pain au chocolat" recipe), would it be ok to prepare the dough two days before and just keep it refrigerated for that extra day? Or should it be frozen? Or should that just not be done? Thanks! <strong>Megan: If you're using a classic puff pastry (one without yeast), you could absolutely just keep it in the frige for 2 days. If your dough is one that includes yeast, the croissants would start to take on a "tangy" flavor, the longer they sit. If you don't mind that, go for it. Susan</strong> Great blog topic! You seem to think of everything that anyone could possibly want to know. I have a related question to freezing- if a dough recipe calls for overnight refrigeration (ie., your “pain au chocolat” recipe), would it be ok to prepare the dough two days before and just keep it refrigerated for that extra day? Or should it be frozen? Or should that just not be done?

Thanks!

Megan: If you’re using a classic puff pastry (one without yeast), you could absolutely just keep it in the frige for 2 days. If your dough is one that includes yeast, the croissants would start to take on a “tangy” flavor, the longer they sit. If you don’t mind that, go for it. Susan

]]> By: Judy F http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2009/11/28/freeze-time-savers-for-the-holidays/#comment-30118 Judy F Mon, 04 Jan 2010 03:01:08 +0000 http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2009/11/28/freeze-time-savers-for-the-holidays/#comment-30118 I made the cheese twists today. We had some with dinner and froze the rest for later. Oh my are these ever yum! I used asiago cheese. Next batch I'll try parmesan. Before cooking the frozen twists, I am going to sprinkle a bit of kosher salt on top. This was my first attempt at puff pastry and since it was so successful and tasty, I will definitely use this recipe again. I also used the recipe for cinnamon rolls and we loved them. In fact, we cooked the third and last pan of those this morning. I know what I'll be doing next weekend !! Thanks. Love this blog and the entire website. <strong>Judy, thanks for connecting here, and for your kind words - best of luck with all of your baking in this new year - PJH</strong> I made the cheese twists today. We had some with dinner and froze the rest for later. Oh my are these ever yum! I used asiago cheese. Next batch I’ll try parmesan. Before cooking the frozen twists, I am going to sprinkle a bit of kosher salt on top. This was my first attempt at puff pastry and since it was so successful and tasty, I will definitely use this recipe again. I also used the recipe for cinnamon rolls and we loved them. In fact, we cooked the third and last pan of those this morning. I know what I’ll be doing next weekend !! Thanks. Love this blog and the entire website.

Judy, thanks for connecting here, and for your kind words - best of luck with all of your baking in this new year - PJH

]]> By: Alice L. McDonnell http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2009/11/28/freeze-time-savers-for-the-holidays/#comment-28692 Alice L. McDonnell Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:00:36 +0000 http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2009/11/28/freeze-time-savers-for-the-holidays/#comment-28692 What great information regarding freezing cookies. I've been baking cooking for years and never thought of freezing them. I spend the week before Christmas baking, & baking, thinking cookies are best when made fresh just before Christmas. From now on I will try the freezing method before Christmas and through out the year. What great information regarding freezing cookies.

I’ve been baking cooking for years and never thought of freezing them. I spend the week before Christmas baking, & baking, thinking cookies are best when made fresh just before Christmas.

From now on I will try the freezing method before Christmas and through out the year.

]]> By: Claudia Q http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2009/11/28/freeze-time-savers-for-the-holidays/#comment-28592 Claudia Q Sat, 26 Dec 2009 14:11:20 +0000 http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2009/11/28/freeze-time-savers-for-the-holidays/#comment-28592 The temperature info for baking the frozen cookies gives only one temp (375 degrees) and then says bake as directed in the recipe (I assume that means the time). What if the original recipe calls for a different temperature? <strong>Bake the frozen cookies at the temperature your recipe calls for. That particular chocolate chip recipe bakes at 375. Molly @ KAF</strong> The temperature info for baking the frozen cookies gives only one temp (375 degrees) and then says bake as directed in the recipe (I assume that means the time). What if the original recipe calls for a different temperature?
Bake the frozen cookies at the temperature your recipe calls for. That particular chocolate chip recipe bakes at 375. Molly @ KAF

]]> By: Alison T http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2009/11/28/freeze-time-savers-for-the-holidays/#comment-28534 Alison T Fri, 25 Dec 2009 18:56:45 +0000 http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2009/11/28/freeze-time-savers-for-the-holidays/#comment-28534 Thanks so much, PJ! I did as you suggested. My dough was not interested in rising much, and I was worrying that the SAF yeast I had in my freezer was no longer potent. However, these babies perked right up in the oven and turned out DELICIOUSLY (I know you've used a term before for yeast products that rise/expand more in the oven but I'm forgetting it now). Thanks for the tips! I've been freezing cookie dough for years and am so glad to learn how to freeze other products as well. Merry Christmas! <strong>Oven spring, Alison... so glad everything worked out well for you. Merry Christmas! PJH</strong> Thanks so much, PJ! I did as you suggested. My dough was not interested in rising much, and I was worrying that the SAF yeast I had in my freezer was no longer potent. However, these babies perked right up in the oven and turned out DELICIOUSLY (I know you’ve used a term before for yeast products that rise/expand more in the oven but I’m forgetting it now).

Thanks for the tips! I’ve been freezing cookie dough for years and am so glad to learn how to freeze other products as well. Merry Christmas!

Oven spring, Alison… so glad everything worked out well for you. Merry Christmas! PJH

]]> By: Marlene Stratton http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2009/11/28/freeze-time-savers-for-the-holidays/#comment-28498 Marlene Stratton Fri, 25 Dec 2009 06:04:44 +0000 http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2009/11/28/freeze-time-savers-for-the-holidays/#comment-28498 Happy holidays??? What happened to Merry CHRISTmas??? We are celebrating the birthday of the King of Kings, God come in the flesh -- Emanuel, God with us. Don't every be ashamed to say "Christmas!" He came to earth to live a perfect life and die on the cross for all of our sins, including yours... <strong>Merry Christmas, Marlene - we said it in the video, too. We usually choose to celebrate the December holidays (Chanukah, too), with a general greeting, in order to include as many of our readers as possible. PJH</strong> Happy holidays??? What happened to Merry CHRISTmas??? We are celebrating the birthday of the King of Kings, God come in the flesh — Emanuel, God with us. Don’t every be ashamed to say “Christmas!” He came to earth to live a perfect life and die on the cross for all of our sins, including yours…

Merry Christmas, Marlene - we said it in the video, too. We usually choose to celebrate the December holidays (Chanukah, too), with a general greeting, in order to include as many of our readers as possible. PJH

]]> By: Alison T http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2009/11/28/freeze-time-savers-for-the-holidays/#comment-28352 Alison T Thu, 24 Dec 2009 03:31:59 +0000 http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2009/11/28/freeze-time-savers-for-the-holidays/#comment-28352 Hope you can help me... I am going to make the dough tonight (12/23), and then shape in the morning (i.e. Christmas Eve morning). I want to serve them Christmas morning. So do I go ahead and proof after shaping, then freeze them for a few hours, then take them out Christmas Eve night to bake Christmas morning? Or should I shape Christmas Eve night and let them proof in the fridge overnight and bake Christmas morning (I think I read somewhere that one can do that)? I'm confused - I hope someone at KAF is checking the comments Christmas eve morning so I can find out! Thanks in advance. <strong>Alison, I'd refrigerate the dough, unshaped, tonight. Let it rise once, then put in the fridge. Tomorrow, shape the dough in the afternoon sometime, let it rise about halfway (maybe 30-40 minutes or so), then cover, and refrigerate overnight. Bake Christmas morning; it shold have risen more in the fridge overnight, and be ready to go. Good luck - PJH</strong> Hope you can help me… I am going to make the dough tonight (12/23), and then shape in the morning (i.e. Christmas Eve morning). I want to serve them Christmas morning. So do I go ahead and proof after shaping, then freeze them for a few hours, then take them out Christmas Eve night to bake Christmas morning? Or should I shape Christmas Eve night and let them proof in the fridge overnight and bake Christmas morning (I think I read somewhere that one can do that)? I’m confused - I hope someone at KAF is checking the comments Christmas eve morning so I can find out! Thanks in advance.

Alison, I’d refrigerate the dough, unshaped, tonight. Let it rise once, then put in the fridge. Tomorrow, shape the dough in the afternoon sometime, let it rise about halfway (maybe 30-40 minutes or so), then cover, and refrigerate overnight. Bake Christmas morning; it shold have risen more in the fridge overnight, and be ready to go. Good luck - PJH

]]> By: Lynne http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2009/11/28/freeze-time-savers-for-the-holidays/#comment-28130 Lynne Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:30:14 +0000 http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2009/11/28/freeze-time-savers-for-the-holidays/#comment-28130 So many wonderful ideas. I am learning so much. Baking more (or more accurately learning to bake) was a new years resolution last year and will be one again this year. I'm trying though, with some success. I also have to confess to having a can or 2 of the instant batter blaster pancake mix around (someone mentioned it above) for when the little dudes just have to have their cakes! They taste good but I'm looking forward to making some killer ones from scratch and really knocking their socks off! Happy Holidays all <strong>Thanks for joining the fun, Lynne - and you HAVE to try these <a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/homemade-whole-grain-pancake-mix-recipe" rel="nofollow">pancakes!</a> I'm not a good pancake baker, but these are the BEST, and so easy. You make the dry mix, and store it in the fridge or freezer. When ready to make pancakes, just add buttermilk (or milk/yogurt), and an egg. AND they're whole grain believe it or not - I don't love whole grain anything, but these are super-tasty, and 3g fiber per pancake. Honestly, try them on your little dudes - I think they'll like them. Happy holidays - PJH</strong> So many wonderful ideas. I am learning so much. Baking more (or more accurately learning to bake) was a new years resolution last year and will be one again this year. I’m trying though, with some success.
I also have to confess to having a can or 2 of the instant batter blaster pancake mix around (someone mentioned it above) for when the little dudes just have to have their cakes! They taste good but I’m looking forward to making some killer ones from scratch and really knocking their socks off!
Happy Holidays all

Thanks for joining the fun, Lynne - and you HAVE to try these pancakes! I’m not a good pancake baker, but these are the BEST, and so easy. You make the dry mix, and store it in the fridge or freezer. When ready to make pancakes, just add buttermilk (or milk/yogurt), and an egg. AND they’re whole grain believe it or not - I don’t love whole grain anything, but these are super-tasty, and 3g fiber per pancake. Honestly, try them on your little dudes - I think they’ll like them. Happy holidays - PJH

]]> By: Lahren http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2009/11/28/freeze-time-savers-for-the-holidays/#comment-28028 Lahren Sun, 20 Dec 2009 13:23:23 +0000 http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2009/11/28/freeze-time-savers-for-the-holidays/#comment-28028 I was wondering if the butterscotch-apple sweet rolls would work for freezing. I would like to try it but am worried the apple filling might get a little soggy? This is a recipe from the Baking Sheet Dec 2008. Have not tried it yet at all. Thanks for the help. <strong>I guess all I can say is give it a try - I've never made the, either. You might try contacting Susan Reid, the Baking Sheet editor: susan.reid@kingarthurflour.com. She could probably give you some good insight on this, Lahren - PJH</strong> I was wondering if the butterscotch-apple sweet rolls would work for freezing. I would like to try it but am worried the apple filling might get a little soggy? This is a recipe from the Baking Sheet Dec 2008. Have not tried it yet at all.
Thanks for the help.

I guess all I can say is give it a try - I’ve never made the, either. You might try contacting Susan Reid, the Baking Sheet editor: susan.reid@kingarthurflour.com. She could probably give you some good insight on this, Lahren - PJH

]]> By: Laura http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2009/11/28/freeze-time-savers-for-the-holidays/#comment-27586 Laura Fri, 18 Dec 2009 06:11:24 +0000 http://blog.kingarthurflour.com/2009/11/28/freeze-time-savers-for-the-holidays/#comment-27586 PJ- I tried my cookies and they were fantastic! They baked even better frozen! Now I am moving on to molasses cookies. Do you think that they will also freeze well? I am just concerned about the consistency of the molasses when frozen. Have you tried this? Thanks for your answers! <strong>They'll be fine, Laura - go for it! PJH</strong> PJ-

I tried my cookies and they were fantastic! They baked even better frozen! Now I am moving on to molasses cookies. Do you think that they will also freeze well? I am just concerned about the consistency of the molasses when frozen. Have you tried this?

Thanks for your answers!

They’ll be fine, Laura - go for it! PJH

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