Last Updated on December 28, 2021
Today we will talk about how to frost a bundt cake with buttercream frosting. Cakes are my absolute favorite to make. Whatever from regular sponges to pound cakes, I try out a new recipe at least once every week. Sometimes, I make more than my family can eat in a single seating and I am forced to keep whatever is left for later.
I tend to freeze it so that if I am feeling lazy I can always have a homemade sweet to satisfy my cravings. The other day I made a large bundt cake and I had more than half leftover, so I did my research and found out the best ways to store it.
How to Frost a Bundt Cake: What is This Cake?
You have certainly seen it before, but maybe you did not know it was called like this. This cake takes its name from the mold it is baked in. It is a traditional European mold that is shaped like a ring, with a hole in its center and some kind of decorative shape on top.
It comes from a german dessert called Kugelhopf, Gugelhupf, Guglhupf o Gugelhopf. It was made in this type of mold but it was not a cake. It was rather a pastry, made with enriched dough, raisins, butter, and other ingredients. It would be closer to what we know as a Christmas cake.
Usually, the bundt cakes we know have a tighter crumb than regular sponge cakes, resembling a pound cake. They are usually large in size and loaded with butter and sugar.
These cakes can be cut and filled out with buttercream or not. You can even frost them with buttercream if you happen to have a ring mold with no decorations on top. I sure like mine with a lot of buttercream!
How to Frost a Bundt Cake: Composition Makes a Difference?
Of course it does! Cakes were made with dried fruit and alcohol and this allowed them to be kept at room temperature for longer without going bad. As most of the cakes we make today -including bundt cakes- include dairy or eggs, they need to be refrigerated if you want to keep them past a couple of days.
According to Bon Appetit, cakes covered in fondant or that have citrus curd layers tend to keep better for longer. This is because these ingredients have a lot of sugar or other natural preservatives (citrus). Fondant also acts as a protective layer for the inside of the cake.
How to Frost a Bundt Cake: How to Freeze It?
How to do it depends on how you have made it. If it does not have any type of icing or frosting, you can go ahead and wrap it with two layers of plastic wrap. Afterward, wrap it in a layer of aluminum wrap and place it in the freezer.
But what if I have some leftover or I have already iced or frosted my bundt cake? Although fresh frosting is always best, and you should try to frost your cakes the day they are meant to be eaten, you can still keep it in the freezer.
Place your cake on a plate and put it in the freezer. Once it is hard, cover it with two layers of plastic wrap, just like you would a non-frosted cake, and place it back in the freezer.
Taking It Out of the Freezer
First, take the cake down to the fridge and leave it there for a day or two at least. Then, thaw it over the counter for at least two hours. This will take the cake back to room temperature. Do not take out the cover!
It is possible that the temperature difference makes the cake and the buttercream will sweat. This may cause any buttercream that is on top of the cake, or the top cake layer, to slide out of place. Put it delicately back with a butter knife.
We actually recommend taking the cake out of the freezer the day before you intend to serve it. We also advise you to keep the plastic wrap on the cake while it thaws. This is because the built-up condensation will be absorbed back by the cake.
To achieve this, the cake needs more time out of the freezer, so be patient!
Why Wrap It?
Freezers are smelly places, although it may not seem like it when you open them for just a few seconds at a time. An unprotected cake will catch unwanted odors from other foods being kept in the same place, so it is very important to wrap them correctly.
Also, wrapping keeps other bacteria and additional moisture from entering the cake. You also do not want any freezer burns on your cake, as that part of the cake would not be very pleasant to eat.
How Long Can You Keep It in the Freezer?
You can freeze cakes for up to a year, but we do not recommend you eat them past that mark. Although sugar is a natural preservative -that is why sugar flowers never go bad- it is not foolproof. The problem is that you incorporate moisture to the freezer and its contents every time you open it -and remember, moisture is your enemy!
Also, depending on how and where the cake was kept before being frozen adds to the possibility of contamination. If the cake was out of the fridge for 4 days before being frozen in a very hot area, no matter how long you freeze it, the bacteria that are now probably living on it will not die.
Be mindful of where and how the cake was made so that you do not serve anything that could make anybody sick. This is very important when freezing leftovers, especially leftovers of wedding cakes, for example.
We consulted Cake Boss’ article and Bon Appetit and tested out their techniques ourselves! Be sure to check them out as well!
Did you find this article useful? Have you tried other freezing methods? Please share all your comments below! We love to hear your feedback!
Read more about What Can You Use Instead Of A Bundt Pan?
Karen is a passionate pastry chef who loves to create delicious baked goods. She has been in the culinary arts for over 10 years, honing her skills and perfecting her craft. Karen is known for her creativity and attention to detail, creating unique desserts that bring a smile to everyone’s face. She is always looking for ways to challenge herself and come up with new recipes that are both tasty and visually appealing. Karen loves to experiment with different flavors and textures, and she is committed to providing the highest quality of products to her customers.
