The Best Way to Freeze Frosted Cake

Freezing a frosted or decorated cake is an excellent way to store some of your favorite treats for months. It’s an excellent option for saving the entire wedding or anniversary cake!

Frostings made with whipped egg whites will not freeze well; however, frostings with high fat levels, such as buttercream or cream cheese, can be frozen without issue.

Place it in the freezer.

To freeze frosted cake safely and effectively, place it in the freezer completely unwrapped. This ensures your frosting stays firm while helping prevent freezer burn.

Carolyn Sheehan, a pastry chef at Le Cordon Bleu, suggests freezing one slice of frosted cake to enjoy later. This way, you’ll always have access to your slice whenever you desire it.

But you should know that freezing your frosted cake can affect its texture and flavor. If left in the freezer for too long, you may find that the cake becomes dry and lacks the same freshness it had when served to guests.

Sheehan recommends wrapping the cake in two layers of plastic wrap and aluminum foil to protect it from freezer burn, keep moisture locked in, and keep the cake fresh for several months.

When you’re ready to serve your frozen cake, Sheehan suggests defrosting it in the refrigerator for at least two hours before serving it. Don’t unwrap it yet as this prevents water droplets from seeping into either frosting or fondant.

Once your frosted cake has defrosted, you can enjoy it as a snack or part of a dessert! If you’re hosting a party, be sure to defrost the cake before serving it.

Frostings made with buttercream, chocolate buttercream and cream cheese freeze well; however, delicate frostings such as meringue-based or merengue-style frostings cannot be frozen.

Frosted cakes are best kept at room temperature, keeping them moist and delicious. However, there may be occasions when refrigeration is necessary; if so, make sure not to add any frosting or filling before placing it in the fridge and tightly wrap it with plastic wrap.

Angel food cake or tiramisu aren’t recommended for freezing since they contain liquid ingredients that could dry out too quickly. On the other hand, once frosted, most cakes can be stored safely in either your fridge or freezer for up to two months.

Wrap it.

If you’re freezing frosted cake, a few steps should be taken to achieve optimal results. Doing these things will help your cake stay fresh for an extended period and make storage much simpler.

To start, wrap the cake in two layers of plastic wrap followed by an aluminum foil layer. This will prevent the frosting from drying out and keep it soft to touch when you thaw it out.

Before wrapping the cake in plastic wrap, ensure it has completely cooled. Otherwise, your cake may become difficult to handle and break when taken out of the freezer.

Once your cake has been wrapped in two layers of plastic, you should place it in an airtight container large enough to accommodate its entire slice. Doing this prevents moisture from escaping and affecting its flavor and texture.

Another essential step is to place the frosted cake in the freezer for at least an hour, which helps to harden and preserve its frosting. You may also choose to put it into the freezer an hour or so before adding it to a container; this gives the frosting time to harden before being stored.

The last step is to place the frosted cake into an airtight plastic freezer container. This will protect it from moisture and help keep odors out of the container.

When ready to thaw the cake, remove it from the plastic wrap and allow it to come to room temperature for around an hour. You could also place the cake in the fridge for an hour or so; this step should be done before frost.

When you’re ready to enjoy your cake, remove it from the plastic wrap and frost it as usual. If the cake has fillings or toppings, remove them and place them on a serving platter before frosting them.

Defrost it.

Host a birthday party, or dinner gathering, or just want some extra cake for another day: freezing frosted cakes is an ideal way to keep them fresh. With the correct technique, frozen treats can remain delicious even after being frozen for weeks or months.

The best way to freeze the frosted cake, wrap it in plastic and store it in the freezer. This will prevent it from drying out while in storage and prevent any unpleasant odors from permeating into the cake.

Once frozen, remove the cake from its container and let it thaw on either a counter or in the fridge overnight. This process typically takes two hours in the fridge, while thawing on the counter takes an hour.

Reheating frosted cake in the oven takes approximately 15 minutes to thaw, or you can microwave it on a low power setting for no longer than 5 seconds at a time.

Once reheated, your cake is ready for serving or decorating with frosting. If you need to store it for an extended period, place in an airtight container and freeze it for up to three months.

Unfrosted cakes or cake layers make great gifts for unexpected guests, new neighbors, or when you run low on baking ingredients. So when life gives you an unexpected guest or neighbor a cake to welcome, freezing is a great idea to have one ready to go.

Make a large cake by freezing multiple layered cakes, cutting them into slices, or serving them whole.

While you can store frosted cake without refrigeration, certain frostings or toppings require refrigeration to prevent them from drying out. This includes whipped cream or cream cheese frostings, fresh fruit fillings, and tinted fondant.

Frosted cakes that aren’t refrigerated can be stored for up to two weeks or more, depending on the recipe and ingredients used. It’s usually recommended that you use your frosted cake within two or three days; if you need to keep it longer than that, freeze it in an airtight container and thaw it at room temperature before serving.

Store it.

When baking for an event or simply wanting to keep a cake fresh, there are several methods you can use depending on the type of cake and the environment in which it will be stored.

Refrigerating cakes with frostings is an excellent way to extend their shelf life. Unless your cake contains perishable components like fresh fruit or whipped cream frosting, refrigeration helps preserve flavors and prevents them from drying.

Before freezing frosted cakes, always cover them in plastic wrap or another airtight container. Without doing so, they may absorb odors and moisture from other food items in the freezer.

Cake storage containers, which are two-piece trays that fit over your cake and snap shut to create an airtight seal, can also be used. These containers come in round, square, or rectangular sizes and can accommodate various cake types.

When freezing a frosted cake, place it on a cookie sheet and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Be sure to cover the cake completely as moisture can damage its decoration if left uncovered.

After several minutes, remove the cake from its wrap and store it in a freezer-safe, airtight container. You can store this treatment for up to two months in your freezer.

Once your cake has defrosted, simply take it from the freezer and allow it to sit on your counter or fridge for around an hour before serving. Be sure to label and date your frozen cake for easy reference later.

Uncut frosted cakes can be stored at room temperature for up to five days, but if you plan to use the cake right away, place it in a plastic jar or covered bowl and cover it with a paper towel to preserve its texture and flavor. This is especially important for cakes with fondant or ganache frostings.