Pillsbury refrigerated dough comes in convenient cans that make baking homemade breads, rolls, cookies, and more simple. The dough is pre-made and ready to bake with just a few extra ingredients. This allows you to have fresh baked goods in minutes without all the work of making dough from scratch.
However, sometimes you may not use up a whole can before the expiration date. Or, you want to stock up when the products are on sale. This leads to the question – can you freeze Pillsbury dough cans to extend their shelf life?
Can You Freeze Unopened Pillsbury Dough Cans?
Yes, you can freeze unopened cans of Pillsbury dough. This prevents the dough from going bad and allows you to store it for longer periods of time.
Here are some tips for freezing unopened Pillsbury dough cans:
– Check the expiration or “use by” date on the can before freezing. Do not freeze cans that have already expired.
– Make sure the can has no punctures, dents, bulges, or other signs of damage. Do not freeze damaged cans.
– Wash the outside of the can before freezing. This prevents odor transfer in the freezer.
– Place the unopened can in a plastic freezer bag. Squeeze out excess air and seal the bag tightly. This prevents freezer burn.
– Lay the bag flat in the freezer to freeze quickly and maximize space. Do not store the cans upright which can damage the dough.
– Freeze for up to 3-4 months for best quality. Mark the date on the freezer bag.
Properly frozen, unopened Pillsbury dough cans will retain their quality and be safe to use for baking when thawed. The dough may last a few weeks beyond the “use by” date when frozen unopened.
Can You Refreeze Thawed Pillsbury Dough?
If frozen Pillsbury dough cans are thawed accidentally or you take them out but do not use all the dough, you may wonder if the dough can be safely refrozen.
The answer is yes – you can refreeze thawed dough if you follow a few guidelines:
– Do not refreeze dough once it reaches room temperature and starts to rise. At this point, the yeast will start breaking down the dough.
– Refreeze thawed dough while it is still cold and firm.
– Portion the dough out if not using the whole can, and wrap tightly in plastic wrap or place in airtight containers. Remove as much air as possible.
– Refreeze for up to 1-2 months. The quality declines after multiple freezes.
– Bake frozen dough directly from the freezer. Do not thaw again after refreezing.
– Check dough closely when baking for any signs of spoilage like off colors or odors. Do not eat if dough looks or smells bad.
With proper storage methods, thawed Pillsbury dough can safely be refrozen once. But the quality will start to suffer after multiple freezes and thaws. For best results, try to use refrigerated dough cans promptly after opening.
Can You Freeze Homemade Pillsbury Dough?
Many recipes call for making homemade dough using Pillsbury products like biscuit mix or pizza crust mix. Can you prep the dough ahead and freeze for later use?
You can freeze homemade dough made with Pillsbury products, but the specific ingredients and recipe will impact how well it holds up. Here are some tips:
– Only freeze doughs that contain yeast once risen or proofed. Freezing unrisen dough kills the yeast.
– Knead dough well and shape into a disk or ball before freezing. This minimizes air pockets.
– Place dough in an airtight container or plastic freezer bag, removing air.
– Add any toppings after thawing if making pizzas or breadsticks. Do not freeze assembled products.
– Thaw dough in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
– Let dough sit at room temperature for a few hours after thawing to allow yeast to reactivate. Punch down if needed.
– Some cookie and biscuit doughs freeze well. Form dough into balls or cut shapes before freezing.
– Expect some changes in dough texture, rise, and flavor after freezing.
With test runs, you can fine-tune freezing methods for homemade Pillsbury doughs. Proper freezer storage along with careful thawing and handling makes it possible to enjoy your homemade dough later with good results.
How Long Does an Opened Can of Pillsbury Dough Last?
Once you break the seal and open a refrigerated Pillsbury dough can, how long will the dough inside stay usable? Proper storage is key to maximize the shelf life.
Here is how long an opened can of Pillsbury dough will last in the fridge:
– Refrigerator biscuits or rolls: 5-10 days
– Crescent roll dough: 5-10 days
– Pizza crust: 7-10 days
– Pie crust dough: 3-5 days
– Cookie dough: 3-5 days
To get the longest use out of an opened can, follow these tips:
– Press plastic wrap directly on the surface of the dough after opening to prevent it from drying out.
– Store opened can in the refrigerator immediately after opening, not on the counter.
– Use opened dough as soon as possible for freshest taste and texture.
– Check for signs of spoilage before use like mold, off odors, excessive oozing, or gray coloring on biscuit doughs. Do not use dough that smells or looks bad.
– Discard any remaining dough after the recommended use by date. Do not try to freeze or preserve dough past these dates.
Being diligent about storage allows you to safely use opened dough for up to 1-2 weeks. But the quality deteriorates over time, so baking sooner is best when possible.
Troubleshooting Problems With Freezing Pillsbury Dough
Freezing Pillsbury dough cans at home does not always go smoothly. Here are some common problems and how to avoid them:
Problem: Dough is dry, tough, or doesn’t rise well after freezing.
Solution: Thaw dough slowly in the fridge, not at room temperature. Allow dough to come to room temperature naturally after thawing and rise before baking. Let dough sit out 2-3 hours for yeast to reactivate. Punch down risen dough gently if needed.
Problem: Unbaked dough or baked goods have an off taste or odor after freezing.
Solution: Do not exceed recommended time limits for freezing dough. Discard outdated frozen dough. Check for spoiled raw dough before baking. Underbake frozen dough can lead to off-flavors in the final product.
Problem: Pizza or bread dough gets freezer burn.
Solution: Wrap dough very tightly in plastic wrap or airtight containers with as little air as possible before freezing. Use frozen dough soon and do not refreeze after thawing.
Problem: Crescent rolls, biscuits or other doughs lose their shape after freezing.
Solution: Wrap or contain dough pieces individually before freezing. Thaw shaped frozen dough in the fridge, not countertop, to help retain shapes. Be gentle when handling thawed dough pieces to avoid damaging shapes further.
Problem: Pie or pizza crusts fall apart after thawing.
Solution: Avoid refreezing thawed crusts which damages their structure. Fully thaw crusts before use. brush crusts lightly with oil or egg wash to help hold their shape after baking frozen.
Storing Thawed Pillsbury Dough
When you are ready to use frozen Pillsbury dough, proper thawing ensures it bakes up well:
– Thaw frozen dough overnight in the refrigerator. Do not leave it out at room temperature.
– Allow unwrapped, thawed dough to sit out at room temperature 1-2 hours until fully pliable and soft. This allows the yeast to reactivate.
– Punch down risen doughs lightly before rolling out or reshaping.
– Keep unused thawed dough in the fridge up to one week. Do not refreeze thawed dough a second time. Quality suffers.
– When freezing portioned dough pieces like cookies or biscuits, only thaw what you will use immediately and keep the rest frozen.
– Check dough closely before use for any off smells or colors. Discard dough that has an unpleasant odor or slimy texture which indicates spoilage.
With proper thawing, frozen Pillsbury dough regains a close texture and flavor to fresh refrigerated dough. Handle thawed dough gently and use within a week for best results.
Tips for Baking Frozen Pillsbury Dough
Baking tricks can help frozen Pillsbury dough defrost and turn out well-risen breads, pizza crusts, cookies and more. Here are some useful tips:
– Grease pans well before baking frozen dough. It does not spread much when baking frozen.
– Egg washes, milk washes, and sprinkling flour help crusty or flaky doughs brown well despite the moisture from freezing.
– Add a few extra minutes to the bake time since frozen dough takes longer to bake through. Watch closely to avoid overbaking.
– Underbake pizza crusts, biscuits, and other items slightly. Frozen dough releases steam and may get soggy if baked fully frozen.
– Let items sit out of the oven 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps release condensation and finish the baking process.
– Do not cook frozen dough balls meant to be dropped on baking sheets. Place frozen balls spaced apart and let thaw on the pan before baking only 15-20 minutes.
With some trial and error, you can tweak bake times and techniques to accommodate frozen dough. Proper thawing and gentle handling will also minimize changes in dough quality from freezing storage.
Conclusion
Freezing cans of Pillsbury dough allows you to always have access to fresh baked bread and sweets without wasting leftovers or ingredients. With some diligence on storage methods and food safety, dough retains its flavor and performance when frozen properly. Just be sure to consume frozen dough within recommended time limits for best results.