Everything You Need to Know About Freezing Cake

Cake is one of life’s greatest simple pleasures, which means it should be protected (and by this I mean properly stored) at all costs. Whether you’re freezing a cake that’s yet to be frosted, saving a slice of your wedding cake for your anniversary, or just looking to have some yummy leftovers in a few days, we have the answers as to how you should save it.

1. Freezing Unfrosted Cake Layers

Let’s look at saving unfrosted cake layers first. According to Southern Living, freezing cake layers works best when the cake is completely cooled before storing to avoid excess condensation. After the layers have cooled, tightly wrap them in plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. The wrapped layers are now protected and ready to be frozen, but if you have a Tupperware large enough, you can place the wrapped cake inside for an extra barrier. When this method is done properly, layers can be stored for a couple of months, but make sure it’s placed far away from any raw meat or any frozen foods that may leach odor, like fish.

2. Freezing Wedding Cake

If you’re looking forward to revisiting your wedding cake on your one-year anniversary, you’ll want to make sure to remove any toppings or decorations that may get mushy over time. Martha Stewart Weddings advises couples to allow their frosting to harden, as this makes the wrapping process a bit easier. Next, you’ll want to follow the same wrapping methods as you would for unfrosted cake layers, while being mindful of the frosting or fondant. Feel free to add an extra layer of aluminum foil to really seal the deal!

3. Freezing Regular Cake

Now that you know how to prolong the life of undecorated cake layers and fancy wedding cakes in the freezer, you’re probably wondering what to do with that leftover regular cake you baked for fun but can’t finish in one or two days. For regular storing, allrecipies.com states that a covered cake can be stored at room temperature for up to four days, as long as the exposed inside cake is covered with plastic wrap or extra frosting (yum!) to retain moisture. If you’re dealing with frosting that needs to be refrigerated, or any fresh toppings like fruit, you can set the cake in the fridge unwrapped until the frosting hardens enough to wrap the cake in plastic wrap. Once it’s wrapped and ready to go, pop it in the refrigerator and eat within a few days.

For freezing already decorated or frosted cakes, the process is simple. According to The Kitchn, put your iced cake on a tray and place it in the freezer completely unwrapped. Let it freeze until solid (usually a few hours), then remove it from the freezer and wrap it securely in plastic wrap and a final layer of aluminum foil. The frosting creates a barrier to keep the cake from drying out, but the longer you freeze the cake, the less fresh it will taste, so be sure to enjoy within a few weeks for maximum flavor.