Are you looking for tips for freezing cupcakes? The good news is it’s easy to do and keeps your extra cupcakes super fresh for when you are ready to use them.
Here’s the situation, you have a special occasion coming up where you want to make homemade cupcakes and want to do some prep ahead of time. Or- you only need 1 dozen cupcakes, your recipe makes a large batch, and you want to save the leftover cupcakes for a later date. And my favorite reason- you want a sweet treat individually wrapped and ready for a late night craving at all times.
Good news: if you want to freeze cupcakes and make sure they won’t dry out, you want to prevent freezer burn or getting a weird freezer taste I’ve got you. I have been there and am here to help! I like to freeze cupcakes unless I am frosting them within 24 hours as I think it retains the moisture better than leaving them out.
I don’t always have enough time to make both the cupcakes and the frosting on the same day so this is a great solution. They thaw beautifully and always taste great!
First- bake cupcakes according to whichever recipe you are using. When they are done let them cool completely. Cupcakes should always cool to room temperature before starting the freezing process. Hot cupcakes wrapped up will create steam and make the tops stick to the wrapper. (The best way to do this is to let them cool on a wire rack for 1-2 hours.)
Next step: Then take your unfrosted cupcakes and wrap each individual cupcake in plastic wrap for best results. (You can also use aluminum foil in a pinch.) This helps prevent freezer burn. At this point you can either put them in a single layer in a freezer ziplock bag or an airtight container. Your frozen cupcakes will last for a longer period of time this way.
Let the cupcakes cool. If you try to freeze them while they’re hot, the cupcakes will give off a steam that turns into condensation and may even cause the paper liners to peel off while they are freezing.
Can I freeze cupcake batter?
I wouldn’t. I suggest baking all the cupcakes and then freezing them. They will hold up really well and will be similar in taste or texture to your fresh cupcakes. I have also experienced weird texture issues with freezing dairy products.
Can I freeze frosted cupcakes?
I get the appeal of this but I really don’t recommend it. Whether you are using cream cheese frosting or a classic buttercream frosting, I just don’t find it’s an efficient way of keeping the cupcakes looking pretty, and the frosting texture perfect. So for my method, freezing unfrosted cupcakes is the way to go.
You can however freeze a tub of cupcake frosting, thaw it at room temperature, and whip it up a little bit before using. Buttercream also lasts for a few weeks in the fridge! Then you can defrost your cupcakes on the counter and frost fresh cupcakes!
Freezing Cupcakes With Liners
FAQ
How do you store cupcakes in the freezer?
Does freezing cupcakes affect the taste?
How do you thaw frozen cupcakes?
Can you freeze cupcakes in paper liners?
You can freeze your cupcakes in paper liners. Generally speaking, your cupcakes will defrost just fine. If however, your cupcakes didn’t rise fully before you freeze them, it’s possible your cupcakes will experience shrinkage and if that is the case, your liners are prone to detaching from your cupcakes. Do frozen cupcakes taste the same?
Can cupcakes be frozen?
Place the cupcakes to freeze in an open container so that the frosting can freeze thoroughly, usually taking about 3-4 hours. Ensure the frosting is solid before removing it from the freezer. Store the cupcakes in a container. Using the same container as before, snap the lid on tightly so the cupcakes can freeze until they are ready to be eaten.
Can you freeze cupcakes in a paper case?
More often than not, cupcakes are baked in paper cases or liners. If you’re wondering ‘can you freeze cupcakes in their paper case?’, yes you can! If you follow these steps, the paper case won’t end up soggy. Let me start by saying that it wouldn’t be my preference to freeze frosted cupcakes – I prefer freshly frosted cakes, but that’s just me.
Can you freeze cupcakes in a plastic container?
The size of the containers depends on your fridge. If you’re lucky and own a larger fridge, you can certainly freeze more at once using bigger containers. Plastic containers allow you to organize the cupcakes and will fit many of them without them touching and smudging.