Cakes covered with buttercream frosting are delicious but making this butter icing can be a time-consuming task. Luckily, you don’t necessarily need to repeat the buttercream frosting recipe every time you make a cake because it can be frozen.
You can make and store homemade buttercream frosting in a freezer for up to three months using a freezer bag. It will allow you to have some on hand whenever needed. But you’ll need to make sure that you use the right storage technique to avoid freezer burn and retain the frosting’s freshness.
Here, I’ll discuss a step-by-step method to freeze buttercream frosting properly and how to thaw and use it.
Easy Steps to Freeze Buttercream Frosting
If you have mistakenly made more buttercream frosting than you need, consider using the steps listed below to freeze it properly. You can also use this method to make and store some extra frosting for later use.
Supplies You’ll Need For Freezing Buttercream Frosting
Here’s how you can freeze buttercream frosting easily.
Cut plastic wrap using scissors to make several plastic wrap pieces with a square shape.
Place a plastic wrap piece on a flat surface, like a kitchen countertop or table.
Use the ice cream scoop or cup to place one blob of frosting on the plastic wrap. You don’t need exact measurements here. The idea is to store the frosting in small amounts so that you can easily remove what you need from the freezer.
Grab the plastic wrap from one side and fold it over the frosting.
Start rolling the frosting with the plastic wrap until it’s all rolled up.
Now you’ll have two ends of the plastic wrap that look like a candy wrapper. Twist those two ends and push them inward to seal the buttercream frosting properly. You can also use rubber bands to ensure that the frosting is properly sealed.
Repeat the same steps as many times as needed to seal all the buttercream frosting using plastic wrap pieces.
Now, add multiple sealed frosting packs to freezer bags and squeeze out as much air as possible. Make sure that you don’t add more than three packs per freezer bag.
Use the marker to label the freezer bags with the date and store them in the freezer.
Note: If using colored buttercream frosting, make sure that you don’t add more than one cup of colored icing to a plastic wrap piece. That’s because the colored frosting is usually used in smaller amounts per cake to make different features such as flowers and heart shapes.
If you use this technique to freeze buttercream frosting, it’ll stay fresh for up to three months.
Quickest Way to Freeze Buttercream Frosting
While the method discussed above is not very time-consuming, it’s not the quickest one. It also requires a small bit of effort to store the frosting, but you can avoid that.
If you’re planning to use your buttercream frosting very soon, like within a week, you can store it using an easier method. It involves a freezer-friendly container that comes with an airtight lid.
All you need is to add your frosting to such a container and make it airtight using the lid. After that, place the container in the freezer to keep the frosting fresh for up to seven to 10 days.
Pro Tip: Use the correct size container to make sure that there’s very little air between the frosting and lid. The more air there is between the frosting and the lid, the higher the risk of freezer burn.
How Do You Use Frozen Buttercream Frosting?
The best way to use frozen buttercream frosting is to place it in the refrigerator overnight. Remove it from the plastic wrap and place the frozen frosting in a bowl before covering it and transferring it to the fridge.
Alternatively, if you’ve stored your frosting in an airtight container, you can simply place the container in the refrigerator.
The next day, your frosting will be ready to use. You can simply re-whip or stir it before using it in your recipe. While you can also defrost the frozen frosting at room temperature, you should avoid it as it can affect the frosting’s quality.
FAQs
Can You Freeze Cakes with Buttercream Frosting?
Cakes covered in buttercream frosting can be frozen. First, you’ll need to place the frosted cake on a cookie sheet and store it in the freezer for three to four hours. Then you’ll need to cover the frozen cake with plastic wrap to make it airtight. Place it back in the freezer for up to three months.
Can you Store Buttercream Frosting in the Fridge?
You can store buttercream frosting in the fridge if you’re planning to use it within the next 24 to 48 hours. Simply put the frosting in an airtight container and store it in the fridge. Remove the container from the fridge and let it come to room temperature when you’re ready to use it.
Discover a delicious and easy-to-make buttercream frosting recipe.
Freezing Buttercream Frosting – Final Words
Buttercream frosting, although commonly used with cakes, is a versatile food item that you can add to a whole range of desserts. Making this frosting isn’t a difficult task, but it can cost you a lot of time if you need to use it frequently.
So, a better strategy is to make and freeze this frosting so that you can always have some whenever needed. Use the methods discussed in this guide to freezing buttercream frosting in order to keep it fresh for up to three months.
