The birthday party is over and there's lots of extra cake on the plate. Leftover birthday cake can be the best – or worst – part of a party. What can be done with all those pretty decorated leftover cupcakes? Don't throw them away. Freeze them!
Do All Cakes Freeze Well?
Most cakes can be frozen with good success. However, there are a few cakes that should not be frozen. Boston Cream Pie, which is basically a yellow cake filled with a cream filling and frosted with chocolate icing, does not lend itself to freezing. The cream filling separates and makes a sticky, gooey mess. Likewise, the cream filled Eclair Cake doesn't like to be frozen either. Pineapple Upside Down Cakes freeze well, but don't take kindly to thawing. Cream, custard, and pudding filled cakes are not freezer-friendly. Basic cakes that are frosted with buttercream icing, cream cheese frosting or chocolate icing generally freeze well provided some steps are taken beforehand.
How To Freeze Undecorated Cake Layers and Cupcakes
The best way to freeze cake layers and cupcakes is to leave them plain, unfrosted and undecorated. When planning a cake, make double the batter, bake the layers or cupcakes, and freeze the extras. This is a great time saver, as there will always be cake to frost when needed. Just thaw and decorate! Let the cake layers or cupcakes cool off completely. Double wrap with plastic film, and place in large Ziploc Bags, or wrap again in aluminum foil. Store in the freezer for 3-6 months. Cupcakes and cake layers can be decorated straight from the freezer.
How To Freeze Frosted Cupcakes
If the cupcakes are already decorated, cover them loosely with plastic wrap, then wrap them a second time, being careful not to mess up the frosting. Sometimes it is helpful to stick a frilled toothpick in each cupcake to keep the plastic wrap from sticking to the frosting. Store in airtight plastic containers or boxes for up to three months. Let thaw before serving.
Freezing a Decorated Birthday Cake
A beautifully decorated birthday cake takes extra care in wrapping, so as to not disturb the icing and decorations. As with decorated cupcakes, it is helpful to stick picks in the cake to keep the wrap from messing it up. Plastic cake decorations will likely be enough to keep the plastic wrap from touching the cake. After loosely wrapping the cake, return it to the box if it came from a bakery, and freeze for no longer than three months. It is also helpful to slice the cake, and freeze in individual servings. This way, a slice can be removed from the freezer, defrosted, and eaten whenever the urge for birthday cake hits!
How Long Does it Take to Thaw Decorated Cakes and Cupcakes?
Cupcakes take about 15-30 minutes to thaw. They thaw out quickly, so there's no need to keep them refrigerated while thawing. Likewise, individually decorated cake slices take between 20-30 minutes to thaw, and need no special treatment while thawing. Whole and half decorated cakes need extra care however, especially if the cake is frosted with cream cheese frosting. Leave the cake in the box, and thaw overnight in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Depending on the size of the cake, it could take several hours to completely thaw out. Refrigerate any uneaten cake.
Cakes and Cupcakes That Freeze Well:
Carrot Cake Recipe & Cream Cheese Frosting
Devil's Food Cake Recipe with Chocolate Frosting
Coconut Cake Recipe & Buttercream Frosting
Donna Diegel - Donna Diegel is an experienced baker and published author with more than 25 years of experience in the food industry.
