How Long Will a Decorated Cake Last in the Freezer?

If you’re like me, you probably have a lot of baked goods in your freezer that you’ve made over the past few weeks.

Christmas cookies, pumpkin pies, and now even Valentine’s Day treats! I always have an abundance of goodies lying around, and I’m unsure what to do with them all.

So, this got me thinking: how long will a decorated cake last in the freezer? And is there anything I can do to make it last longer?

Fear not if you have a spare cake lying around, or you recently decorated a cake and didn’t know what to do! You can freeze your cake.

A decorated cake can last up to six months in the freezer. If you want to decorate your cake ahead of time, it will keep for a month after being frozen.

However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind to make sure your cake stays fresh.

In this blog post, we will go over how to freeze a cake and the best way to thaw it out so that it tastes delicious. Let’s get started!

When is it Ideal to Freeze Cakes?

In general, it’s best to freeze cakes within a few days of baking before they have a chance to dry out.

However, if you need to store a cake for longer than a few days, you can wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before freezing.

Be sure to label the cake with the date it was baked, so you know how long it has been in the freezer.

Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator when you’re ready to eat the cake. For best results, reheat spongecakes and angel food cake in a 350 F oven for 10 minutes before serving.

Some of the ideal situations to freeze cakes include:

• When you need a cake that has been frozen for a long time
• In the summer, when cakes are most likely to be stored on a hot day
• Freeze it before baking it
• It is ideal for freezing cakes as soon as possible after baking

How to Freeze a Decorated Cake

Consider freezing a decorated cake if you’re running short on time but still want to serve a stunning, home-baked cake.

This technique is ideal for occasion cakes like weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries, and it can save you both time and money. Here’s how to do it:

First, bake the cake according to the recipe or box directions and allow it to cool completely. Next, level the top of the cake with a serrated knife if necessary. Then, prepare your frosting or Ganache.

You’ll need enough to cover the top and sides of the cake generously. Once the frosting is ready, spread it over the top and sides of the cake, using even strokes.

Be sure to work quickly so that the frosting doesn’t have a chance to set. Finally, decorate the cake as desired.

Once you’re finished, place the cake in the freezer for at least two hours or overnight. When ready to serve, simply thaw the cake at room temperature for about two hours before serving.

And there you have it – a beautifully decorated cake frozen for safekeeping!

Consider the Type of Cake

One of the most important things to consider when freezing cakes is the type of cake.

For example, pound cakes and fruitcakes freeze well whole, while angel food and chiffon cakes should be cut into slices before freezing.

Layer cakes also freeze well, but you may want to remove the filling before freezing to prevent it from getting mushy.

On the other hand, Sponge cakes are best not frozen as they tend to become dry and crumbly.

You can also divide the process of freezing a decorated cake into two different parts, which are:

Freezing Individual Cake Layers

You can freeze individual cake layers by taking them out of the freezer long enough to set the top layer with a serving dish and a flat plate, then returning them to the freezer again.

Or, you can take the whole cake out of the freezer, lay it on the serving dish, place a flat plate over the top, cover the entire assembly with plastic wrap, and return it to the freezer.

Freezing Completed Cakes

Besides freezing individual layers, you can also freeze an entirely completed cake. To freeze finished cakes:

• Put your cake in the freezer for half an hour to an hour after decorating it, as it will help settle the buttercream
• Once the buttercream is all set, use plastic to wrap the cake tightly
• Wrap the cake twice for better results
• If you want to store the cake for more than a week, use a tin foil above the plastic wrap to cover the cake
• Take the cake out of the freezer to thaw it before serving

Freezing Individual Cake Layers Vs. Freezing Completed Cake

When it comes to freezing cake, there are two schools of thought: freezing the individual layers or freezing the completed cake. Each approach has its own set of benefits and drawbacks.

Individual cake layers can be frozen ahead of time and then assembled when needed. This is an excellent option if you want to save time on baking or if you need to transport the cake layers separately.

However, getting the layers to thaw evenly can be tricky, resulting in an uneven cake.

Freezing a completed cake is much simpler, but it does require a bit more planning ahead. Be sure to wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.

Leave the cake in its wrapping and place it in the fridge overnight when thawing. This will help the cake retain its moisture and prevent it from drying out.

Keep in mind that frozen cakes tend to be slightly denser than fresh cakes, so they may not be suitable for truly delicate recipes.

In the end, it’s up to you to decide which approach works best for your needs.

If you’re short on time or don’t mind taking a bit of extra care with your cake, freezing individual layers can be a great way to enjoy it any time you want.

If you want a hassle-free option, freezing the completed cake is the way to go. Whichever method you choose, be sure to enjoy your delicious cake!

Is Cake Good After Being Frozen?

Yes, it is! The reason why cake tastes so good after being frozen is that when food is frozen, the water turns into ice, making the food taste better.

However, it is not as good as it was before being frozen.

The cake freezes, but its texture changes slightly. As a result, the cake will be less moist than it was before freezing.

If you bake your cake immediately after thawing it, it will likely have a denser texture. Bake the cake again and let it cool completely to get back to normal.

How do You Thaw a Frozen Cake?

Take a large skillet or Dutch oven, add one cup of water to the pan, then heat it on medium-high until you see steam coming off the top of the pan.

Add the cake to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes, remove from heat and cover the pan with foil. Let stand 10 minutes, then remove the foil and return to the stovetop.

Heat the cake for 5 minutes more, flip, then remove the pan from the heat. Let sit for 30 minutes before serving.

However, if you are in a hurry, you can try other ways to thaw the frozen decorated cake faster.

When you’re in a hurry and your cake is frozen solid, there are a few different ways you can thaw it out quickly without ruining the structure or flavor.

The first method is to put the cake in the oven on a low setting (around 200 degrees Fahrenheit) for 10-15 minutes. This will help to soften the cake without overcooking it gently.

Another option is to place the cake in the fridge overnight so that it can slowly defrost.

If you’re short on time, you can also set the cake out on the counter for 30-60 minutes, depending on how big it is.

Just keep an eye on it so that it doesn’t get too warm and start to fall apart. With these simple tips, you’ll be able to thaw out your frozen cake in no time!

FAQs

Can You Freeze a Cake With Fondant Decorations?

Of course, you can freeze a cake with fondant decorations. It is usually done by taking a piece of fondant and cutting it into small pieces.

Once it is cut, the fondant can be put in a plastic bag and frozen. Then when you are ready to use the cake, simply defrost the fondant and arrange the pieces on top of the cake.

Is it Easier to Frost a Frozen Cake?

Not necessarily. It is easier to frost a frozen cake, but you could use ice cream instead if you prefer.

If you like frosting on top of your cake, it’s still best to freeze it first, just in case.

It is easier to defrost a frozen cake. A frozen cake has more water than a fresh one, and as you defrost the cake, it has to release that extra water.

How Long Will A Decorated Cake Last In The Freezer?

It depends on the kind of cake and how long you decorate it. If you freeze a decorated cake for one week, the decoration should remain on the cake until the cake is defrosted.

If the cake is decorated with frosting and/or sprinkles, it will stay fresh for about 3 to 5 days in the freezer.

If you decorate a plain cake with icing and sprinkles, it will keep for about 2 to 3 weeks. You can also freeze cakes in individual paper cups, but they don’t have much-staying power.

When you decorate your cake, remember to cut out little pieces of the frosting so that the frosting will not melt and run off the sides of the cake.

A decorated cake will keep frozen for a long time if you wrap it first in freezer paper and then in foil.

How do You Store a Frosted Cake in the Freezer?

Lay the cake flat in a large rectangular freezer bag or container and lay a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the cake.

Stack the pieces of plastic wrap on top of the cake and then put the cake into the refrigerator. You can use plastic wrap to remove the cake from the container.

Another way is to freeze it on a cookie sheet in the freezer. Then, when you are ready to eat it, simply remove it from the tray and put it directly into the toaster oven. It will be prepared in no time!

How to Freeze Cupcakes?

In order to freeze a cake, you need to freeze it first and then put it in the freezer for at least six hours.

After that, you have to take it out of the freezer and place it back into the original container. If you are making a lot of cupcakes, freeze them at this point, and you will be able to use them later!

To freeze cupcakes, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then transfer them to a freezer-safe storage container.

Make sure you use a glass or plastic cupcake pan. Do not use aluminum pans as they are very hot.

If you do not have a glass or plastic cupcake pan, you can wrap the cupcake in a large freezer bag.

When ready to serve, let thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before removing from the freezer. This is helpful if you’re cooking ahead of time or if you want to remove them from the freezer.

How to Freeze Cookie Dough?

1. First, place the dough in a container with a lid
2. Place freezer bag with handle in freezer
3. Put the dough in a freezer bag and close tightly
4. After a few hours, remove from the freezer and let stand until partially thawed.
5. Remove the bag from the freezer and cut off the top of the bag
6. Quickly stick a fork into the dough, lift the bag, and promptly put the bag back in the freezer
7. Repeat several times to cool completely
8. Remove the dough from the bag and shape it as desired

How to Freeze Buttercream Frosting?

Freezing the frosting will keep it soft.

To freeze the frosting, place the bowl of frosting into a sink full of cold water (the water should be about 10 degrees colder than the frosting), stirring the frosting occasionally until it is almost solid.

You can freeze frosting by wrapping the outside of a mixing bowl in plastic wrap and then put the frosting into it and put the whole thing in the freezer for one hour.

The plastic will prevent the frosting from drying out and help it keep its shape.

Other Tips for Freezing Baked Goods?

I have found that I can freeze a lot more cookies and bread if I let them cool thoroughly first.

The main problem with baking is that as soon as you pull them out of the oven, the oven heat starts to melt the chocolate chips or other toppings.

If you pull the cookie out before it’s thoroughly cooled, you get a big glob of melted chocolate on top.

Also, if you try to use a knife to cut the baked good after it’s partially cooled, you can cut a small hole in the chocolate or the cookie!

Here are some great tips on how to freeze baked goods without having them become soggy:

• Cover the cooled items in a single layer with parchment or wax paper, then wrap tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil
• Label with the date (if frozen) and type of freezer they were stored in
• Remove them from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature until thawed
• Re-wrap well in the original packaging, then return them to the freezer
• Return them to the freezer when you’re ready to eat them

How to Tell if a Cake has Gone Bad or is Stale?

A cake can go bad for several reasons. First, cakes can become stale due to poor baking skills, poor ventilation during baking, etc.

Some people like their cakes too sweet, and others don’t care for sweetness.

Some like a moist cake, while others want their cake dry. These are only a few reasons why a cake can be stale.

Another reason a cake can go bad is that it has been kept for an extended period. Some cakes can go bad faster than others, depending on the temperature and the condition of the cake.

Once a cake becomes stale, it will not rise appropriately after baking.

To check a cake for staleness, use the toothpick method. Insert a toothpick in the middle of the cake. If the cake is still moist, then it is good to go.

However, if the toothpick comes out dry, the cake is old and should not be used. When cakes are kept at room temperature, they will lose moisture.

Once a cake becomes too moist, it will be difficult to frost or decorate.

To make sure your cakes do not become stale, keep them in the refrigerator. However, it is not necessary to freeze a cake. To avoid molding, always store cakes in airtight containers.

Other ways to tell if a cake has gone bad or become stale are:

• If it smells like rotten eggs, it’s stale
• Cut a tiny slice from the edge and look for signs of mold. If there are, throw them away
• To test for freshness, cut into the cake. The cake has probably gone bad if it doesn’t appear soft and spongy in the center. If it does, you can keep the cake at room temperature, but it won’t taste as good.
• Take a bite out of it and let it sit in your mouth. If it doesn’t taste good or smells bad, it’s time to throw it out.

Final Thoughts

Well, to be precise, there is no conclusive answer for this. Cakes tend to dry out quickly in the freezer.

To prevent your cake from drying out, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

It’s also essential to keep your cake away from strong-smelling foods, as the scent can permeate the frosting and affect the flavor.

How long your decorated cake lasts in your freezer depends on several things, such as the type of cake, how you have frozen it, the temperature of your freezer, how well-maintained your freezer is, etc.

When properly stored, a freezing decorated cake can last for months.

If you are unsure if your cake is still good, it’s always best to err on caution and throw it out. After all, a bad cake is not worth getting sick over.

Freeze your decorated cakes to enjoy them anytime and save yourself some time and money.