My crew and I’ve frozen our fair proportion of desserts and have made sufficient errors to know what actually works. Let’s study the best way to freeze desserts in order that they style the freshest and that you just’re the one one who is aware of the cake was beforehand frozen!
I initially revealed this tutorial in 2019 and have since added new photographs, a video tutorial, and extra success suggestions.
Making desserts upfront and freezing them is a good way to get forward and have much less to do on the day of a celebration or celebration. At this time I’m sharing my tried and true methodology for freezing desserts.
I’ve tried many methods over time, and the best way I’m displaying you right this moment is one of the simplest ways to make sure the cake tastes contemporary and scrumptious after freezing and thawing. Earlier than we get into the nitty-gritty, let me let you know…
My #1 Tip for Freezing Desserts
My number-one tip for the best-tasting outcomes is to freeze the cake layers earlier than frosting, and make the frosting contemporary the day you intend to assemble and serve the cake.
You can freeze a cake with frosting, however the texture is simply by no means fairly the identical after thawing. Plus, a totally adorned cake will contract and develop in the course of the freezing/thawing course of, ruining a few of your arduous work. That’s why I like to recommend freezing the cake by itself, after which making frosting (contemporary frosting actually does style finest!) and assembling the cake after it’s been thawed.
That mentioned, it’s advantageous to freeze leftover frosted cake. It’s simply left over and doesn’t have to impress anybody! And clearly, ice cream cake is an exception to this rule as effectively.
Tips on how to Freeze Desserts
First, right here’s a full video tutorial so you’ll be able to perceive the tactic:
The cake pictured right here is my vanilla cake, however you can too freeze one thing with add-ins, reminiscent of carrot cake, or this darkish chocolate peanut butter cake (which has chocolate chips within the cake batter).
STEP 1: Bake and funky your cake(s). It’s vital to ensure the desserts are utterly cool earlier than you wrap them to freeze. In any other case, the steam from the cooling cake will condense on the within of the wrapping, leaving you with a really soggy cake after thawing. Let’s keep away from that!
For those who’re making a layer cake and the layers require leveling, stage them off now earlier than you freeze them. (Be taught extra about the best way to stage desserts on this tutorial on Tips on how to Assemble a Layer Cake.)
STEP 2: Wrap every cake layer individually in a layer of plastic wrap. I like to make use of Glad Press & Seal to wrap desserts for freezing. I’m not working with this model, however that is really the very best product I’ve tried for wrapping desserts.
STEP 3: Write the kind of cake and use-by date on a big piece of aluminum foil. For finest style and texture, don’t freeze desserts for longer than 3 months. You could possibly stretch it to 4 or 5 months, however the sooner you serve it, the more energizing it tastes. I write on the aluminum foil earlier than wrapping the cake simply in case the ink seeps by. (It has earlier than!)
STEP 4: Wrap every cake layer in a layer of aluminum foil.
The double layer of wrapping is vital to preserving taste and texture.
The primary layer retains the cake tight and contemporary and the aluminum foil ensures no condensation will seep in. That is additionally how I wrap banana bread and different fast breads, too. Double layer = most freshness and no freezer burn.
You may place your labeled, double-wrapped desserts within the freezer now, however for even extra safety, place them inside an hermetic freezer-safe container.
STEP 5: Place the cake(s) in a freezer-safe container. Or should you don’t have a large enough container, wrap in one other layer of aluminum foil. In fact be certain that the foil with the date on it’s what’s on the surface.
Be happy to stack the individually wrapped cake layers on high of each other if that works finest in your freezer house:
STEP 6: Freeze for as much as 3 months. Once more, I like to recommend writing the “use by” date on high of the foil, 3 months from now.
Bear in mind, the earlier you thaw and benefit from the cake, the more energizing it can style.
You should utilize this similar freezing methodology for spherical or sheet desserts, any measurement or form. Bundt desserts and loaf desserts, too! For cheesecake directions, see “Tips on how to Freeze Cheesecake” in my traditional cheesecake recipe.
Tips on how to Thaw Frozen Cake
To thaw the desserts, switch them from the freezer to the fridge a day upfront to present them time to thaw. Or you’ll be able to thaw them at room temperature for a number of hours.
Both means, depart them of their wrappings to thaw, to stop condensation from forming and making the desserts soggy.
The period of time it takes to thaw relies on the dimensions of your cake, however be sure you permit no less than 8 hours to thaw within the fridge.
As soon as they’ve thawed, you’ll be able to merely unwrap the layers and proceed together with your cake recipe‘s instructions for frosting, assembling, and adorning.
For finest style and texture, don’t freeze desserts for longer than 3 months. You could possibly stretch it to 4 or 5 months, however the sooner you serve it, the more energizing it tastes.
You may freeze nearly any cake after they’ve cooled utterly. Mega flavorful desserts reminiscent of banana cake, chocolate cake, carrot cake, and pumpkin cake freeze and thaw fantastically when wrapped in a pair layers, as detailed above. I discover their taste is even higher after the freezing/thawing course of! Bundt desserts and pound cake freeze splendidly as effectively, simply be certain that they’re utterly cooled and wrapped tightly earlier than freezing.
Delicate desserts like angel meals cake, vertical cake, and pavlova don’t maintain up effectively within the freezer as a result of their texture tends to endure. It’s finest to take pleasure in these contemporary.
The period of time it takes to thaw relies on the dimensions of your cake, however be sure you permit no less than 8 hours to thaw within the fridge. Or you’ll be able to thaw cake at room temperature for a number of hours.
How about cookies? See my submit on Tips on how to Freeze Cookie Dough for extra. Since you ought to ALWAYS have chocolate chip cookies on the prepared 🙂
Description
Use this video tutorial and step-by-step information to freeze your desserts so that they style as contemporary as attainable.
- Bake and utterly cool a cake/cake layers. These step-by-step photographs present spherical desserts, however you’ll be able to freeze sq., rectangle, Bundt desserts, and so on. See my 10 finest Cake Baking Suggestions for finest practices on baking and cooling desserts.
- As soon as the cake(s) cools utterly, wrap it in Press & Seal. That is the very best product for wrapping desserts. Skinny plastic/saran wrap is extremely clingy and irritating. Common plastic wrap positively works, however Press & Seal is a lot simpler to make use of and I’ve truthfully discovered that it retains my meals more energizing. (Not working with this model, simply actually adore it.)
- Write the kind of cake and use-by date on a big piece of aluminum foil. I write on the aluminum foil earlier than wrapping the cake simply in case the ink seeps by. It has earlier than!
- Wrap the cake within the aluminum foil.
- Place the cake(s) in a freezer-safe container. Or should you don’t have a large enough container, wrap in one other layer of aluminum foil. (Be sure the foil with the date on it’s what’s on the surface.)
- Freeze for as much as 3 months. For finest style and texture, don’t freeze desserts for longer than 3 months. You could possibly stretch it to 4 or 5 months, however the sooner you serve it, the more energizing it tastes.
- When able to thaw: Switch the wrapped desserts from the freezer to the fridge someday earlier than adorning/serving. Take them out of the freezer container to thaw, however depart them wrapped in Press & Seal/aluminum foil. The desserts take no less than 8 hours to thaw utterly within the fridge. Be sure to’re thawing the desserts whereas they’re nonetheless within the wrapping. Condensation types as meals thaw. This fashion the condensation will kind on the wrapping, not the cake.
- Assemble, beautify, and serve cake.
Notes
- Particular Instruments (affiliate hyperlinks): Press & Seal | Aluminum Foil | Freezer-Protected Container
- Don’t Freeze Embellished Cake: For finest style and texture, assemble and beautify the cake as near serving as attainable. A totally adorned cake will contract and develop in the course of the freezing/thawing course of, ruining a few of your arduous work. You can also make the frosting forward of time and refrigerate it for 1 day, however contemporary frosting actually does style finest.
