Learn how to wrap, freeze and thaw cakes and other baked goods so you can enjoy them whenever you’d like!
How to Freeze Cake
To freeze an un-frosted cake, wrap the individual cake layers in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. This double-wrapping technique will help prevent freezer burn and keep moisture locked in. A cake will keep in your freezer for about one month stored this way.
When ready to use, remove from the freezer and loosen the aluminum foil and plastic wrap. Let your frozen cake layers defrost completely in the fridge before stacking and decorating.
How to Freeze 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. This should help keep your cake fresh for at least a couple of weeks. A day before serving, loosen the aluminum foil and plastic wrap and let it defrost in the fridge overnight.
How to Freeze Cupcakes
Freezing cupcakes is a lot like freezing cake. Wrap cupcakes individually in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. They will keep for about a month in your freezer.
Since cupcakes are often quick and easy to decorate, we suggest freezing cupcakes without any frosting or decorations. It can be hard to securely wrap cupcakes topped with a lovely buttercream swirl without damaging your decorating details!
Let your cupcakes defrost completely in the fridge before decorating.
How to Freeze Bread
Once your bread has cooled completely, wrap it in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freshly baked bread can be stored in the freezer for up to a month.
You can also slice your bread before freezing. That way you can just grab as many slices as you need without having to defrost the whole loaf.
Store-bought bread also freezes well, but there’s no need to double wrap it. The plastic bag the bread comes in will help keep it fresh for a couple of weeks.
How to Freeze Cookie Dough
Form cookie dough into balls and freeze, uncovered, until solid. Once frozen, place in a resealable plastic bag and keep in the freezer for 6 to 8 weeks or in the fridge for up to 2 days. No need to defrost these, they can go from freezer to oven for those late-night cookie cravings! Drop cookies, like chocolate chip cookies or snickerdoodles, are great for freezing.
For slice and bakes or roll-out cookies, form the dough into a log or ball, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Place in an airtight container and freeze 2 to 3 months. Let thaw completely in the fridge before baking.
How to Freeze Cookies
Layer baked and undecorated cookies in an airtight container or freezer bag with parchment or wax paper in between each layer of cookies. Cookies can last in the freezer for 3 to 4 months.
How to Freeze Brownies
To freeze brownies or bar cookies, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. To help them maintain moisture, do not cut the brownies before freezing. When ready to serve, let thaw at room temperature before cutting them into individual servings.
How to Freeze Buttercream Frosting
Simply freeze your frosting in an airtight container. Buttercream frosting should keep in your freezer for up to 6 months or in the fridge for up to 14 days. Buttercream and cream cheese frosting are great for freezing, due to their high fat content. Learn more about freezing buttercream frosting here.
To thaw your buttercream, let it come up to room temperature. Place it in your stand mixer and re-whip it to improve the consistency.
How to Freeze Royal Icing
Unfortunately, royal icing does not freeze well. It will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. If you don’t have plans to use it within 2 weeks, we suggest creating your decorations in advance and storing those instead. Piped royal icing flowers and decorations will keep for months in any non-airtight container, such as a cardboard cake box.
Other Tips for Freezing Baked Goods
- In general, the more layers you put between the freezer and your baked goods, the better! If you’re planning on freezing cakes or cookies for longer than a month add another layer of plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This will help keep them as fresh as possible.
- Keep track of when your baked goods went in the freezer by marking the date on the aluminum foil with a permanent marker.
- If you’re freezing muffins or scones, avoid glazing them with icing until ready to serve.
- Wondering if your cookies will freeze well? Stick to doughs with a lot of fat, such as chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, peanut butter cookies or shortbread. Delicate doughs will not freeze, so avoid putting macaron or madeleine dough in the freezer.
- Pizza dough, pie crust and homemade bagels are also great for freezing!
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I would like to ship a beautiful decorated cake to my stepdad; he’s close enough so it will take 2days.
I was hoping I could freeze the already decorated cake. Is there a way I can do this w/out ruining it and
I need suggestions as to how to pack the cake (bunny cake) to ship safely?? I REALLY appreciate
any and all replies. Thank you!
Hi Jeanlynn! For many reasons, we don’t recommend shipping a decorated cake. Even with careful packing, it’s very likely that your decorations will be damaged, especially if it’s decorated with buttercream. Even fondant will likely have some wear and tear. If you want to ship a decorated treat, we recommend sending cookies decorated with royal icing (carefully packed, of course!).
What’s the method for thawing?
Hi Penni,
Cookie Dough can be thawed in the fridge. If cookies are not decorated we recommend thawing them at room temperature. As for already decorated cookies the Test Kitchen has not tried freezing decorated cookies but thawing them at room temperature may or may not be appropriate.
As for non decorated cake we recommend thawing at room temperature or in the fridge and for icing we recommend thawing in the fridge or at room temperature. Icing should also be brought to room temperature and re-whipped before using.
how can i freeze a cheesecake with a sour cream top
Hi Louie- As with other baked goods, we recommend freezing cheesecake well-wrapped. However, since cheesecake has a lot of dairy, thawing in the refrigerator is best. The Test Kitchen has not tried this method on a cheesecake with a sour cream topping, so that portion may or may not be affected.