How do I properly freeze a frosted cake?
I have a purchased frosted cake I would like to use closer to Christmas. I do not know if it would keep properly in the refrigerator without freezing. How could I freeze it properly ? (preferably without damaging the icing, as it is a very expensive cake)
Best Answer
You can generally freeze cakes, with our without icing, for a month without problems. Beyond that, opinions vary...
How to wrap it depends on what type of cake and what type of icing.
For a cake covered in fondant:
- wrap it in plastic wrap (multiple layers if you feel like it, by the time I make sure edges are overlapped I pretty much have two layers)
- then wrap it in aluminum foil (I've never found a good explanation of why you need to do it, but it's what I learned to do...)
For buttercream:
- freeze the iced cake first, then wrap carefully plastic wrap.
- I've never managed to do this without messing up the icing at least a bit. Work quickly, try not to touch the icing (heat from your hands will soften the icing), use lots of plastic wrap and let it be a bit looser.
In your case: if "closer to Christmas" means "in a couple weeks" and if the icing is very nice, I wouldn't wrap it. I'd get either a large enough container or a large plastic bowl that could be placed over the cake and sealed to the plate and just freeze it like that.
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Quick Answer about "How do I properly freeze a frosted cake?"
To freeze a frosted cake, place the finished cake in the freezer for an hour to set the decoration. Once the frosting is frozen and firm, wrap the cake in two layers of plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Defrost frosted cakes by letting them warm up on the counter or in the fridge overnight.How do you freeze an already decorated cake?
If your cake is already decorated, place your cake in the freezer, unwrapped, for at least 4 hours. This will ensure that your cake and frosting freeze solid and will prevent you from damaging any decorations. Once frozen solid, remove the cake from the freezer and wrap securely in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil.How do you freeze a cake and keep it moist?
Whether unfrosted layers, loafs or Bundts, completely decorated and frosted cakes that have already been cut into slices, or anything in between, the steps are all basically the same: Cool the cake completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and pop it in the freezer.How do you wrap a cake to freeze it?
And indeed, the best way to wrap a cake for freezing is to wrap it in plastic wrap. Plastic wrap produces a nice, tight seal that holds in moisture and protects the cake from freezer burn. If you're freezing your cake for three days or less, a single layer of plastic wrap is plenty.How to Freeze a Decorated Cake
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