Last Updated on February 14, 2023
Cakes take a long time to make and honestly, who has the time? An easy solution is to freeze them beforehand. But, can you freeze-pound cake?
Today, we will explore the ins and outs of pound cakes and look at whether or not they can freeze. We will also discuss how you should freeze them and effectively thaw the cakes to maintain their texture and flavor.
Can You Freeze Pound Cake?
Pound cake is one of the easiest cakes to freeze. This is mainly because of its simple ingredient composition. A classic pound cake recipe consists of a pound of flour, sugar, fat, and eggs. Naturally, today you won’t likely make a cake this big, but the ratio of ingredients remains the same.
The texture they create is relatively dense with a very fine tight crumb. The cake itself isn’t exceptionally moist, but it is also not dry (or at least shouldn’t be).
This is exactly what makes pound cake freeze so well. Now, the biggest problem when it comes to freezing cakes is actually when you have to thaw them. That is why so many people wonder if can you freeze-pound cake.
When the cake freezes, ice crystals form inside the cake. These sharp crystals pierce through the protein bonds that mainly give the cake its structure. Once thawed (when the crystals melt away), you are left with a cake that has a crumbly soft texture or that is entirely mushy.
Luckily with pound cake, because of the ratio of ingredients used and the large number of protein bonds, this isn’t a problem. If you properly freeze and thaw the cake, the texture will remain relatively unchanged!
How to Freeze Pound Cake
To freeze pound cake is very easy. But, there are a few different methods you can follow.
1. The Best Method – Plastic Wrap
When using this method, you can apply it to either decorated and frosted pound cakes or plain pound cakes. Wrap the entire cake tightly in plastic or saran wrap. Don’t wrap so tight as to disfigure the entire cake. But, there shouldn’t be any air coming in.
Then, wrap the cake in a layer of foil. This will help prevent freezer burn from forming, especially during long-term storage. Finally, place the cake inside an airtight container.
Label the container with the date you made the cake, the date it was frozen, and the estimated expiry date. Then, place the entire container inside the freezer away from other odorous foods.
2. Quick and Easy Method – Container
This method is for anyone who doesn’t have the time or equipment to wrap the entire cake. This technique won’t work well for long-term storage, but it will be effective if you only want to freeze the cake for a couple of weeks.
Once the cake has been completely cooled, place it directly into an airtight container. You can cover the container with foil and add the layer, but this adds time to the process.
Then, store the content directly inside the freezer.
Tips For Freezing Pound Cake
Now that you know the answer to “Can you freeze pound cake?” and exactly how to do it, let’s have a look at some handy tips and tricks when doing so.
- The cake is an extremely porous baked item. This means that it will easily absorb roaming odors inside the fridge or freezer. So, at all times, try to keep it inside some type of airtight container, even if it is just plastic wrap.
- The first method we mentioned above is by far the best. It essentially provides the cake with three layers of protection against freezer burn and unwanted odors. Furthermore, it will help better preserve the cake inside the freezer, making it last much longer.
- If you store cakes with any fruit fillings or toppings, keep in mind that the shelf life will be affected. Even the quality of the thawed cake might not be as good. Always try to store undecorated or unglazed pound cakes.
Shelf Life of Pound Cake
The shelf life of pound cakes is relatively long if they have been frozen properly. If you froze a cake using the first method, then the cake will last up to 6 months! However, we only recommend freezing it for a month or two. Anything longer will cause the texture and flavor to be lower in quality.
If you have used the second method without any foil, the cake will still freeze well, but only for a week or two. Longer than that and freezer burn still start to set in.
While the first method does take longer, we highly recommend using it instead. You will keep the texture and flavor fresher for much longer.
How to Thaw Pound Cake
As with freezing, there are a couple of ways that you can thaw pound cake. The easiest and most effective way is to remove the foil and plastic coating and keep the cake inside the airtight container. Then, allow it to thaw slowly inside the fridge overnight.
The second way is to place it at room temperature to thaw within a couple of hours. However, this technique may cause changes that you don’t like.
How to Tell if Pound Cake Has Gone Bad
Did you know that baked items can still go off inside of the freezer? Sure, they may not grow mold, but they will deteriorate so much in texture and flavor that they become virtually inedible!
So, the first sign of spoilt pound cake is a soft mushy, or dry texture once the cake has thawed. Properly fresh thawed pound cake will still be soft and firm.
The next noticeable change is discoloration. Your pound cake should always have a uniform color. If any spots start appearing, it may be a sign of mold growth.
And finally, if the flavor is so bland that you can barely taste anything, you should probably discard it. Pound cake doesn’t have a particularly strong flavor, but it is not in any way bland.
What is Pound Cake?
You may be wondering what a pound cake is. It gets its name from the fact that originally it used four ingredients (sugar, butter, flour, and eggs), which were all weighed at a pound each. This type of cake is most commonly made in a loaf pan. While there are several variations of this cake, depending on the country, it’s typically decorated with a simple syrup, a glaze, or a light coating of confectioners’ sugar.
Ingredients in Pound Cake
You may be wondering what the ingredients are when it comes to pound cake. Pound cakes will always contain the following four ingredients:
- sugar
- butter
- flour
- eggs
However, sometimes additional ingredients are used such as:
- baking powder
- baking soda
- dried fruit (such as cranberries)
- flavoring (such as vanilla or almond)
Nutritional Information of Pound Cake
You may be curious as to what nutritional value is when it comes to pound cake. A serving (a 12th of a 12oz cake) usually contains the following:
-
- calories: 109
- fat: 6g
- sodium: 111mg
- potassium: 33mg
- carbohydrates: 14g
- protein: 1.5g
- dietary fiber: 0.1g
Can You Freeze Homemade Pound Cake?
You may be wondering whether you can freeze your homemade pound cake from scratch, and the answer is: of course. First, you need to allow it to cool completely; it shouldn’t even be slightly warm. Cover in one layer of plastic wrap, as tight as you can. Then place it in a freezer-proof container, with a lid. The date and label for best results.
Can You Refreeze Pound Cake?
If you thaw your pound cake and realize you need to freeze it again, it’s recommended not to refreeze pound cake. This is because once it’s thawed once, it may damage the structure and taste of your cake if you freeze and thaw it again. If you absolutely must refreeze your cake, try cutting the cake into slices and refreeze that way.
How to Freeze Pound Cake Slices
If you’re wondering how to freeze cake slices, simply wrap them tightly in a layer of plastic wrap and add them to a freezer-safe bag. It is that simple!
How to Individually Wrap Cake Slices
All you need is to wrap it in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag. If you have a larger slice, wrap it in a tight layer of foil after wrapping it in plastic wrap.
Can You Freeze Bundt Cake?
Of course. The technique for freezing Bundt cake is the same as freezing pound cake, as the two are very similar. Simply wrap in plastic wrap, and foil and place in an airtight container.
Can You Freeze a Decorated Cake?
Freezing a cake that’s already been decorated isn’t recommended. However, if you have to, place your decorated cake exactly as it is into the freezer and allow the decorations to firm up. Then remove the cake and wrap it in two layers of wrap, and then an additional layer of foil. Place in the freezer.
Can You Freeze Chocolate Cake?
Absolutely. Once the chocolate cake is cool, cover it in plastic wrap and foil, then place it in an airtight container in the freezer. Strangely, I’ve found that chocolate cake tastes even better after it’s been frozen and defrosted!
Can You Freeze Red Velvet Cake?
Yes. Whether your cake red velvet cake has cream cheese frosting or not, it’s super easy to freeze; in the same methods listed above. If you’d prefer, you can freeze the layers individually.
Final Thoughts
So, can you freeze-pound cake? The answer is a resounding yes! But, you need to make sure you use the correct freezing techniques and thaw it slowly. This will give you the best results.
If you liked this article, let us know what else you would like to learn more about. And, as always, make sure to share this with your baking community to ensure they use the best techniques out there too!
FAQs
How long can a pound cake be frozen?
If you properly freeze pound cake and cover it with foil, it will remain good for up to 6 months, possibly longer. But, for the best thawed results, we only recommend keeping it inside the freezer for a month or two. Longer than that and the texture and flavor will start worsen.
How do you defrost a pound cake?
The best way to defrost a pound cake is slowly in a fridge. This will prevent any drastic changes to the texture and will help keep it firm and soft. You can remove the layers of plastic and foil from the cake. Place it back into the airtight container and inside the fridge. The container will keep the cake from absorbing odors.
Can you refreeze pound cake?
You should never refreeze anything - not even cakes! Once completely defrosted, try to use it within 2 or 3 days. if you refreeze it, more bacteria will be left on the surface of the cake, which further shortens the shelf life. And, the texture won't be able to withstand a second batch of ice crystals.
Does freezing a cake make it more moist?
Freezing won't always make cake more moist. But, if you thaw it inside the fridge, the chances are much higher than at room temperature.
Lindy Van Schalkwyk is a culinary specialist with a background in Advanced Cooking, Advanced Pâtisserie, Media Communications and Nutrition. She has gained invaluable experience in the culinary industry having worked in some of the top restaurants in Africa in 2016 and 2017. Her expertise in nutrition has enabled her to develop recipes for special dietary needs. In 2018, Lindy began working in the Food Media industry, focusing on recipe development, recipe writing, food writing and food styling.
