The best way to Freeze Desserts (Video Tutorial)

My staff and I’ve frozen our fair proportion of truffles and have made sufficient errors to know what actually works. Let’s be taught the way to freeze truffles in order that they style the freshest and that you simply’re the one one who is aware of the cake was beforehand frozen!

I initially printed this tutorial in 2019 and have since added new photographs, a video tutorial, and extra success suggestions.

Making truffles prematurely and freezing them is a good way to get forward and have much less to do on the day of a celebration or celebration. As we speak I’m sharing my tried and true technique for freezing truffles.

I’ve tried many methods over time, and the best way I’m exhibiting you right now is one of the simplest ways to make sure the cake tastes contemporary and scrumptious after freezing and thawing. Earlier than we get into the nitty-gritty, let me let you know…

My #1 Tip for Freezing Desserts

My number-one tip for the best-tasting outcomes is to freeze the cake layers earlier than frosting, and make the frosting contemporary the day you intend to assemble and serve the cake.

You can freeze a cake with frosting, however the texture is simply by no means fairly the identical after thawing. Plus, a totally adorned cake will contract and broaden through the freezing/thawing course of, ruining a few of your arduous work. That’s why I like to recommend freezing the cake by itself, after which making frosting (contemporary frosting actually does style greatest!) and assembling the cake after it’s been thawed.

That mentioned, it’s positive to freeze leftover frosted cake. It’s simply left over and doesn’t have to impress anybody! And clearly, ice cream cake is an exception to this rule as nicely.

The best way to Freeze Desserts

First, right here’s a full video tutorial so you possibly can perceive the strategy:

The cake pictured right here is my vanilla cake, however you may also freeze one thing with add-ins, akin to carrot cake, or this darkish chocolate peanut butter cake (which has chocolate chips within the cake batter).

STEP 1: Bake and funky your cake(s). It’s essential to ensure the truffles are fully cool earlier than you wrap them to freeze. In any other case, the steam from the cooling cake will condense on the within of the wrapping, leaving you with a really soggy cake after thawing. Let’s keep away from that!

In the event you’re making a layer cake and the layers require leveling, stage them off now earlier than you freeze them. (Study extra about the way to stage truffles on this tutorial on The best way to Assemble a Layer Cake.)

STEP 2: Wrap every cake layer individually in a layer of plastic wrap. I like to make use of Glad Press & Seal to wrap truffles for freezing. I’m not working with this model, however that is actually the most effective product I’ve tried for wrapping truffles.

STEP 3: Write the kind of cake and use-by date on a big piece of aluminum foil. For greatest style and texture, don’t freeze truffles for longer than 3 months. You possibly can stretch it to 4 or 5 months, however the sooner you serve it, the more energizing it tastes. I write on the aluminum foil earlier than wrapping the cake simply in case the ink seeps by. (It has earlier than!)

STEP 4: Wrap every cake layer in a layer of aluminum foil.

The double layer of wrapping is essential to preserving taste and texture.

The primary layer retains the cake tight and contemporary and the aluminum foil ensures no condensation will seep in. That is additionally how I wrap banana bread and different fast breads, too. Double layer = most freshness and no freezer burn.

You’ll be able to place your labeled, double-wrapped truffles within the freezer now, however for even extra safety, place them inside an hermetic freezer-safe container.

STEP 5: Place the cake(s) in a freezer-safe container. Or for those who don’t have a large enough container, wrap in one other layer of aluminum foil. After all make sure that the foil with the date on it’s what’s on the surface.

Be happy to stack the individually wrapped cake layers on prime of each other if that works greatest in your freezer area:

STEP 6: Freeze for as much as 3 months. Once more, I like to recommend writing the “use by” date on prime of the foil, 3 months from now.

Keep in mind, the earlier you thaw and benefit from the cake, the more energizing it is going to style.

You need to use this identical freezing technique for spherical or sheet truffles, any measurement or form. Bundt truffles and loaf truffles, too! For cheesecake directions, see “The best way to Freeze Cheesecake” in my basic cheesecake recipe.

The best way to Thaw Frozen Cake

To thaw the truffles, switch them from the freezer to the fridge a day prematurely to offer them time to thaw. Or you possibly can thaw them at room temperature for a number of hours.

Both means, depart them of their wrappings to thaw, to forestall condensation from forming and making the truffles soggy.

The period of time it takes to thaw will depend on the dimensions of your cake, however you should definitely permit at the least 8 hours to thaw within the fridge.

As soon as they’ve thawed, you possibly can merely unwrap the layers and proceed along with your cake recipe‘s instructions for frosting, assembling, and adorning.

How about cookies? See my publish on The best way to Freeze Cookie Dough for extra. Since you ought to ALWAYS have chocolate chip cookies on the prepared 🙂

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