How to Freeze Cake the Simple Way

Learn the simple steps for how to freeze cake before icing.

Can you freeze cake? Yes! In fact, cake freezes beautifully. Not only is it a time saving trick when planning for a special occasion, it is my favorite cake decorating hack. Icing a frozen cake is so much easier!

With the right method, you can freeze wedding cakes, layer cake, angel food cake, or any other cake and prevent freezer burn. They can still taste delicious days, weeks, and even months later.

Why freeze cake after baking?

There are a few different reasons why people may choose to freeze cakes after baking. Here are some:

• A frozen cake provides a much smoother surface for frosting, and the crumbs don’t lift off with the icing. It makes it much easier to acheive a more professional look. In fact, even professional bakers use this trick. Trying to rush and frost a warm cake can cause the frosting to start to melt and the cake layers can slip and slide around.
• Freezing cakes is a great way to work ahead if you are anticipating a big event with lots of cooking required. It can save you extra time and stress by avoiding last minute work in the kitchen.

How to freeze cake layers

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To reduce the risk of freezer burn, you want to prepare the cake the best way possible so that the freezing process doesn’t take away the quality of your cake. There are different methods to do so, but the best method is to wrap your cake in such a way as to protect it from as much air as you can in the freezer. Here’s the most popular way to prepare cakes for freezing:

1. Bake cake as directed and remove from the baking sheet or pan. Let it cool completely at room temperature on a wire rack.
2. Once cooled, trim each cake layer to be flat if the top is slightly rounded using a long serrated edged knife.
3. Lay a long strip of plastic wrap or press n seal wrap horizonally on the counter and gently place the cake layer in the center of it. Bring up both edges toward the center until they overlap and gently seal it together.
4. Lay another strip of wrap vertically on the counter and place the wrapped cake in the center of it. Bring the top and bottom of the wrap together in the center until they overlap and gently seal it together.

6. Once the two layers of plastic wrap are around the cake, all the edges should be sealed tightly. Place on a cookie sheet and freeze it flat overnight.

If the cake is going to be frozen for longer than overnight, remove the frozen cake layers from the freezer and wrap each one up individually in aluminum foil – ensuring that all sides are covered well.

Place wrapped cakes in a large airtight container or large freezer bags and label.

How to use cake and frost it after it has been frozen

Frosting a frozen cake makes the decorating process so much easier.

When you are ready to use the cake, make the frosting you want to put on it first.

Then remove the cakes from the freezer. Take off the layers of cling film and tin foil and place on the cake platter you want it serve it on.

Frost the cake using your favorite frosting while it is still frozen.

Once iced, carefully cover the cake and place in the refrigerator on on the countertop to thaw completely before eating.

How long can you freeze cake?

If stored correctly, cake be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How to defrost cake

To defrost cake that has been frozen, place on a wire rack and let it sit at room temperature to thaw. To prevent soggy cake (from condensation or water droplets from the container it has been frozen in), I prefer to remove the plastic wrap and aluminum foil. A layer cake takes about 2-3 hours to defrost, and a larger cake takes longer.

To prevent a dry cake, be sure to cover the cake after it has been thawed.

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For More Cake Recipes, check out these posts:

• Vanilla Cake with Butterscotch Filling & Vanilla Buttercream Icing
• How to assemble a layer cake
• Vanilla cake with fresh strawberry icing
• Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake (the one that is pictured above)

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