It’s indulgent, rich, moist and delicious, but it’s pretty easy to have leftovers when eating tres leches cake – a little goes a long way! But, surely this isn’t something you can freeze?
Can You Freeze Tres Leches Cake?
Yes, you can freeze tres leches cake for 2 to 3 months. The best way to do this is to wrap the cake in a layer of cling film, ensuring you form a good seal, and then wrap it in a further layer of foil. Once wrapped, store it in the centre of the freezer.
How to Freeze Tres Leches Cake
Freezing cake is a great way to extend how long it last, and tres leches cake is no exception – here are the steps for freezing it properly: .
- Cool
Allowing the cake to cool to room temperature will ensure that it won’t form any condensation as you wrap it. - Wrap
Wrap the cake in cling film, ensuring that the layer you wrap it in is pressed to the surface and forms a good seal against itself. - Wrap Again
A layer of heavy-duty foil isn’t super necessary, but it will protect the cake from any level of physical damage. - Freeze
Freeze the tres leches cake in the centre of your freezer, where you can keep it as far as possible from the frost front that forms at the edges of your freezer.
Although you can freeze tres leches cake, it’s best to do so without frosting. Frosting doesn’t defrost well and can lose its flavour in the freezer. If you must freeze it with frosting, be prepared for some quality loss.
Freezer-Friendly Cake Recipes
Try out one of these delicious recipes that are perfect for freezing:
How Long Can You Freeze Tres Leches Cake?
Tres Leches cake can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months, and it will keep pretty well for this time. However, it’s crucial to note that the frosting will not defrost well and could lose its flavour.
As is the case when freezing most things, you need to do all you can to keep it airtight. This 3-month period assumes you’ve wrapped the cake well. If it’s not airtight then it’ll barely last a week or so in the freezer.
Tres leches cake will last for 3 to 5 days in the fridge when stored properly. It’s best to keep it covered to maintain its moisture. Some sources even suggest it can last up to two weeks if stored in an airtight container.
How Do You Defrost Tres Leches Cake?
To defrost a tres leches cake, the ideal method is to allow it to thaw gradually in the fridge.
Remove the cake from the freezer and place it in the fridge, still wrapped in its protective covering to prevent moisture loss. Allow the cake to sit in the refrigerator for approximately 6 to 8 hours.
This slow thawing process helps to preserve the cake’s texture and flavour, ensuring it tastes as close to fresh as possible.
Once the cake has fully thawed in the refrigerator, remove the protective wrapping and place it on a serving dish. If the cake was frozen without frosting, now is the time to add fresh frosting.
No, I would not recommend defrosting tres leches cake in the microwave. Rapid thawing can lead to uneven defrosting and affect the cake’s quality. For best results, thaw it in the fridge.
Can You Refreeze Tres Leches Cake?
Refreezing a tres leches cake is generally not recommended. Once a cake has been thawed, its texture and moisture content can change.
The cake may become dry or lose its original flavour, especially if it has been sitting in the fridge for an extended period before being refrozen.
However, if you find it necessary to refreeze a tres leches cake, wrap it tightly in cling film and aluminium foil to minimize freezer burn. It’s perfectly safe to refreeze but might not be that enjoyable.
Does Tres Leches Cake Freeze Well?
Tres leches cake can be frozen successfully, but there are some caveats to consider.
The cake itself, soaked in its three-milk mixture, tends to freeze well because the high moisture content prevents it from becoming too dry. However, the quality of the frosting can be compromised during the freezing and thawing process.
Frostings like whipped cream may separate or become grainy once thawed, affecting the overall texture and flavour of the cake.
If you’re planning to freeze tres leches cake, you should do so without the frosting.
Make It Adults-Only
For an extra layer of flavour, drizzle a little flavoured liqueur, like coconut rum or orange liqueur, over the cake before freezing it. This not only enhances the cake’s taste but also helps to preserve its moist texture.
Sources
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