Can You Freeze Cake Batter?

You can freeze cakes but can you freeze cake batter? You might want to make the batter in advance for a dinner party so that you save time on the actual day.

The simple answer to this question is yes, you can freeze most cake batter and in this article, we will tell you how to freeze and defrost it. 

How To Freezer Cake Batter

It’s not difficult to freeze cake batter and there are three different ways of doing it. The only thing is that the procedure can get quite sticky. The best types of cake batters to freeze are ones that contain oil rather than dairy.

Dairy can make the texture of the cake batter change and become grainy. Another thing to remember is to mix in all the ingredients before freezing as they won’t blend as well after the cake batter has been defrosted.

How To Freeze Cake Batter in Freezer Bags

This is the best way of freezing cake batter if you don’t know what you are going to do with it. You might want to make cupcakes, cake pops, or you might want to make a big round cake. Perhaps you will make cupcakes, brownies, or a loaf cake. Freezing in freezer bags will give you the option to change your mind when you come to defrost it.

This is the way to freeze cake batter in freezer bags.

1. Make the cake batter.

Make the cake batter as you would normally.

2. Portion out the cake batter.

If you have made a big batch of cake batter, you might want to portion it out into separate freezer bags so that you only defrost as much batter as you need for a cake or a batch of brownies. 

3. Put the cake batter in the freezer bags.

Squeeze out as much air from the bags as possible so that freezer burn doesn’t occur. The cake batter will still be safe to eat but it will lose taste and texture. Don’t fill the bags up to the top as the cake batter will expand in the freezer.

Put a label on each bag with the type of cake and the date frozen. If you are freezing different types of cake batter, you probably won’t be able to tell what sort it is by just looking at the bag.

4. Freeze.

It is best if you stand the bags up otherwise they could get squashed.

How To Freeze Unbaked Cupcakes in Cases

If you know that you are going to make cupcakes, then use this method.

1. Make the cake batter.

2. Put the batter into a cupcake or muffin tray.

Don’t fill the slots right to the top because the cake batter will expand.

3. Flash freeze for about three hours.

By this time, the batter should be solid.

4. Put the batter in freezer bags.

Remember to squeeze out all the air from the freezer bag so that freezer burn doesn’t occur. Label the bag with the date frozen and the flavor of the cupcakes.

5. Put the bags in the freezer.

The cupcakes shouldn’t stick together because you froze them before you put them in the bag. You will then be able to take out just as many as you need.

How To Freeze Unbaked Large Cakes

1. Make the cake batter.

2. Prepare the cake tin.

Use the cake tin you plan to bake the cake in. Make sure that the tin is freezer safe. Grease the pan and line it with parchment paper. 

3. Spoon the batter into the tin.

Don’t fill the tin right up to the top as the cake mix will expand. 

4. Put the cake tin in a large freezer bag.

Squeeze out as much air as possible so that freezer burn doesn’t occur.

5. Put the tin in the freezer.

It can take some hours for the cake to freeze solid. It is probably best to leave it in the freezer overnight. 

6. Take the frozen cake batter out of the tin.

It should come out easily because you used the parchment paper.

7. Put the cake batter into a freezer bag. 

Squeeze out all the air and label the bag with the date frozen and the flavor of the cake.  

8. Freeze.

The cake should maintain its shape and you will be able to use the same tin to bake it in.

Tips For Freezing Cake Batter

  1. Squeeze out all the air from the freezer bags so that freezer burn doesn’t occur.
  2. Label the freezer bags with the date frozen and the contents. This is important if you are freezing different cake batters.
  3. Think about what type of cake you usually eat. If you can’t eat a whole cake before it goes stale, make cupcakes. Then you can take out as many cupcakes as you think you can eat.
  4. Add flavorings and other ingredients such as fruit before freezing. Flavors like vanilla and chocolate will retain their flavors during the freezing process.

For How Long Can You Freeze Cake Batter?

Most cake batters will freeze successfully for up to three months.  It can depend on what other ingredients you have used. If you have put in fruits, carrots, chocolate chips, and so on, check how long these ingredients will keep in the freezer. 

How Do You Defrost Cake Batter?

The best way to defrost cake batter is slowly in the fridge.  This helps to stop bacteria from forming. If you have frozen a big cake, put it back in its original tin and the same goes for cupcakes.  This helps the cake batter to retain its original shape. In addition, you can pop the tin straight into the oven when the cake batter has defrosted. 

If you find that the cake batter has separated during defrosting, give it a quick mix. This should restore the original consistency.

Can You Refreeze Cake Batter?

It isn’t a good idea to refreeze your cake. Firstly, the defrosting and refreezing of your cake batter may change the texture of your cake. In addition, the process can encourage bacteria to form and you could get sick.

However, if you cook your cake batter, you can freeze the baked cake as you would any other baked cake.  Wrap the cooled-down cake or slices of cake if you don’t want to eat the whole cake at once, in two layers of cling film. Then cover with aluminum foil. Wrap the cake tightly so that freezer burn doesn’t occur. Put the cake in a freezer bag or airtight container and freeze. 

Is It a Good Idea To Freeze Cake Batter?

Simple cakes like a chocolate cake, lemon drizzle, or vanilla cake freeze very well. However, dairy-based cakes and ones with whipped eggs don’t freeze so well.  The texture will change if there is dairy in the cake. It is much better to freeze a cake that has been prepared with oil. When it comes to cakes made with whipped eggs, the air added by whipping the eggs disappears and the cake can become dense and unpalatable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hopefully, you now know all there is to know about freezing cakes but if you want to know more about freezing cakes or cakes in general, we have answered a few questions here.

Can you freeze Victoria sponge cake batter?

Although a Victoria sponge is a simple cake, it does contain butter so the texture will probably change. However, you can give it a whisk when you have defrosted it and it will get back some of its original texture. Alternatively, make it with oil.

Can you freeze packaged cake mixes?

In general, you can, and you should follow the guidelines we have described for freezing homemade cake batter.  It is a good idea to check the package as it may say whether or not you should freeze the batter.

Can you freeze carrot cake?

Yes, you can freeze carrot cake. Carrots themselves can be kept in the freezer for up to nine months so it is safe to put them in cake batter. Again, the butter may make it separate so give it a mix with a wooden spoon. To freeze carrot cake, follow the instructions we have given for freezing homemade batter. 

Can you freeze cake frosting?

Chances are high that you will be putting frosting on your cake so can you make it and then freeze it to use when you defrost the cake batter? The answer is yes. It is very easy to freeze frosting. Just scoop it into portion sizes and put it into either freezer bags or airtight containers. Squeeze out all the air from the freezer bags so that freezer burn doesn’t occur. When you want to use it, defrost it in the fridge overnight to stop bacteria from forming. 

Can you freeze chocolate cake batter?

Chocolate is a very popular cake flavor. There aren’t that many people that don’t like chocolate cake. You can absolutely freeze chocolate cake batter whether you add cocoa powder or melt chocolate to add to the batter (see also Freezing Chocolate Mousse). You can even add chocolate drops, shards, and chips.  Just freeze the batter in the way we have described here. 

Can you freeze banana cake?

Bananas freeze really well so there is no problem adding them to a cake batter. In addition, you don’t have to whip up eggs to make this cake so it is dense and will freeze well. You can even make it without eggs or butter and just use oil instead. Again, freeze it in the way we have described.

What is the best oil to use in cake batter?

Grapeseed oil is a good option as it’s low in saturated fat and has a mild flavor that won’t conflict with the other flavors in your cake. Canola oil also has a pleasantly mild flavor. Vegetable oils that have a more distinct flavor such as olive oil or nut oils can be great for baking but you need to choose your recipes carefully so that the flavor of the oil compliments the flavor of the cake. A nut oil will go well with a walnut and coffee cake.

Can I freeze cake batter in a container?

Yes, you can but make sure that the container is airtight so that freezer burn doesn’t occur. Don’t fill the container right up to the top as the cake batter will expand.

Leave a Comment