Shortbread is a biscuit or cookie that is made from butter, sugar, and flour. Traditionally, this was done by adding a few drops of vinegar to the dough. The vinegar reacts with the alkaline (basic) ingredients and causes the shortbread to rise and helps it brown while baking.
Most people will bake shortbread in batches. For that reason, there will usually be some leftovers. Would freezing shortbread be an option?
Yes, you can freeze shortbread. Shortbread biscuits should be frozen in an airtight container if they are not going to be eaten within a day or two. This stops them from becoming too soft and crumbly. Properly stored, shortbread will last for up to 6 months in the freezer.
Does Shortbread Freeze Well?
Shortbread does freeze well because it has a relatively low water content. Shortbread is a type of biscuit or cookie which is made from flour, butter, sugar, and vanilla extract. It can be eaten by itself or used as a component in other dishes.
The only problem you may run into is when it thaws. When it sets in the freezer it has a hard texture similar to breadsticks which are not traditionally made with eggs. This makes freezing shortbread less appealing because they get soggy when thawed out.
However, to correct the problem, you can reheat them in the oven.
How To Freeze Shortbread
It is a common misconception that shortbread cannot be frozen. In fact, shortbread can be frozen if they are prepared correctly.
The following steps should be taken to ensure the success of freezing shortbread:
- Allow the dough to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before rolling out
- Roll the dough out between two sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap
- Cut cookies into shapes before freezing them
- Place each cookie on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. It should freeze within 2-3 hours.
- Once the shortbread is completely frozen, remove them from the freezer.
- Immediately transfer the cookies to a freezer bag or an airtight container. If using a freezer bag, press on the bag to remove excess air before sealing it.
- Label the bag or container with the date of freezing and place them into the freezer.
How Long Can You Freeze Shortbread?
Shortbread has a long shelf life when frozen at a temperature of -18 degrees Celsius or less. Shortbread can be frozen for up to six months without losing its flavor or texture.
After 6 months, the shortbread will start to deteriorate in quality. It will become brittle and lose some of its flavors.
However, the shortbread will still be safe to eat, but it will not taste as fresh as it should.
How Do You Defrost Shortbread?
It is necessary to thaw out the shortbread before it can be consumed. Frozen food must be thawed slowly in order to prevent any potential health hazards.
The key to the perfect thawed shortbread is to make sure that it is completely thawed before you put it into the oven.
Step 1: Defrosting Instructions
- Place shortbread in a container with room for air to circulate. This will help it thaw faster. For every 1 pound of shortbread, place 5 cups of water in a container and place the shortbread inside.
- Place in oven at 50 degrees Celsius and let it defrost overnight or for 12 hours depending on how frozen your shortbread is.
Step 2: Thawing Instructions
When your bread is completely thawed, remove it from water and let dry for 30 minutes or more if necessary. When ready, bake according to recipe instructions or desired method.
Can You Refreeze Shortbread?
We all know that we cannot refreeze food, but what about shortbread?
Shortbread is a kind of biscuit or cookie made with butter and sugar, and often with flour. Shortbread cookies are usually baked at 180 degrees Celsius (355 degrees Fahrenheit).
If you want to refreeze shortbread, it should not thaw completely. By freezing it again, the texture and taste of it will not be affected.
On the other hand, if the shortbread has thawed completely, do not refreeze it. Doing so will cause the cookies to deteriorate further.
Other Questions about Shortbread
The answer to the question is no, you should not freeze shortbread dough.
As a type of cookie, shortbread dough should stay soft and gooey. Freezing it will cause it to dry out and become crumbly. The dough may also not cook well if it’s taken out and then put back in the oven.
You can freeze shortbread cookie dough, but it will be a little more crumbly. Freezing is not recommended if you want a chewy texture. To make sure your cookies stay fresh, you should store them in an airtight container and eat them within three months of freezing.
Freezing shortbread can be done with the icing.
The shortbread needs to be completely cooled before the icing is applied. This will ensure that the icing does not melt too quickly. Freezing the cookies with icing will result in a hard, crunchy cookie that tastes similar to a sugar cookie.