Although they’re undoubtedly delicious, cupcakes don’t have the longest shelf life and are best enjoyed within a day or two while they’re light and moist. To extend their freshness, you might be wondering if you can freeze them…
Can You Freeze Cupcakes?
Yes, you can freeze cupcakes for up to 3 months. Once cooled, freeze them on a baking tray until solid and then wrap them individually before bagging them up or popping them into an airtight container.
How to Freeze Cupcakes
When it comes to freezing cupcakes, it’s always going to be better to freeze them without their frosting or icing. But, this is probably not possible. This is why you’ll need to flash freeze them individually first.
If you’ve got cupcakes, frosted or not, then this is the best approach to take:
- Allow to Cool
Whether you’re storing your cupcakes in the cupboard or freezing them, you must let them cool completely before you freeze them. Leave your cupcakes to stand for 1-2 hours before freezing them. - Freeze Initially
Once your cupcakes have cooled, place them on a tray and transfer them to the freezer for around one hour. This will allow the topping to freeze solid and will ensure it doesn’t spoil in the freezer. - Wrap Individually
As soon as your cupcakes have frozen solid, take them out of the freezer. Wrap each of the cupcakes individually in cling film and place them in a Tupperware box. Make sure the box is tall enough not to crush the toppings! - Label and Freeze
After wrapping each cupcake and placing them in a Tupperware box, write the date that you baked your cupcakes on the lid of the box and the use-by date then return them to the freezer.
Yes, you can freeze cupcakes in their paper cases. However, it’s crucial to let the cupcakes cool completely before freezing. When ready, place them in an airtight container or airtight freezer bags. If stacking, use parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Yes, you can freeze decorated cupcakes by placing them in an airtight container or freezer bag. To prevent any damage to the decorations, consider placing a layer of parchment paper between each cupcake.
Freezer-Friendly Cake Recipes
Try out one of these delicious recipes that are perfect for freezing:
How Long Can You Freeze Cupcakes?
You can freeze cupcakes for around 3 months.
As mentioned, cupcakes don’t stay fresh for very long at room temperature, so you need to freeze them as quickly as possible after they’ve been baked.
While there’s very little difference between freezing cupcakes with or without frosting, you should opt for whichever method is best for you. Most people find that freezing frosted cupcakes saves them time when it comes to serving them up.
Cupcakes can last between 2-5 days in the fridge, depending on their ingredients and storage conditions. Cupcakes with dairy-based toppings, like buttercream, should be refrigerated and can last for 3-5 days.
How Do You Defrost Cupcakes?
You should only defrost cupcakes in the fridge. If you allow them to thaw at room temperature, you risk condensation affecting their texture, which will turn them soggy.
To defrost a cupcake, remove it from the box and unwrap it. Transfer it to the fridge and allow it to thaw for 4-6 hours, by which time it should be ready to enjoy.
Removing the cling film before your cupcakes thaw ensures that the frosting won’t peel off with the cling film when they’re ready to eat.
Can You Refreeze Cupcakes?
Although it’s safe to refreeze cupcakes that have been defrosted in the fridge, we wouldn’t recommend refreezing cupcakes.
One of the best things about cupcakes is their light, airy texture, and the more you freeze and thaw them, the more your risk compromising their texture.
By wrapping your cupcakes individually, you’re able to take however many you need out of the freezer at any time, which should negate your need to refreeze them.
Do Cupcakes Freeze Well?
You will find that the vast majority of cupcakes freeze extremely well.
The main concern people have when freezing cupcakes is what will happen to the frosting, but by freezing them initially then transferring them to a freezer-safe box, you should do enough to protect them from damage in the freezer.
If you have a particularly delicate topping, it’s advisable to freeze it separately from the cupcake and set about decorating them once it has thawed.
Sources
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