How to Freeze Chocolate Cake
It’s possible to freeze chocolate cake whole or in slices, but we recommend the latter. This makes the process of freezing and defrosting much easier and aids with portion control, too. Below are the steps you need to take:
- Allow to Cool
You should never place a warm cake in the freezer. This will create condensation and will ruin the structure of your cake. After removing your sponge from the oven, ensure your cake has cooled to room temperature before you proceed to the following steps. - Slice
Unless you need to preserve your chocolate cake whole for an upcoming celebration, it’s helpful to slice it before you freeze it, particularly if you’re dealing with leftovers. It’s up to you how big your slices are, of course! - Wrap
Wrap each slice of chocolate cake in strong cling film. It’s best to double wrap your cake, so it doesn’t unravel in the freezer. - Place in a Freezer-Safe Container
Once you’ve wrapped each of your slices individually, place them in a suitably sized freezer-safe container. - Label, Seal and Freeze
Write the date that you prepared your chocolate cake, as well as its use-by date on the lid of the container, before sealing and transferring the box to the freezer.
3 Tips for Freezing Chocolate Cake
Now you know how to freeze it, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing chocolate cake to have the best results:
- Freeze Individually – If you want to freeze your cake whole, consider freezing it before you put it together. It’s a good idea to freeze the sponges and frostings separately, as well as any other fillings or layers. Then once your chocolate cake has thawed, you can put it together and decorate it as you see fit.
- Avoid Decorations – Fragile decorations and other toppings should be left off your cake if you plan to freeze it. This is because the topping of your cake can easily be damaged in the freezer, so by leaving decorations off until your cake has thawed, you save some time on cake restorations!
- Freeze at the Back – For the best results, place your chocolate cake towards the back of your freezer, where it’s at its coldest. Food at the front of your freezer begins to thaw if your door is open for a matter of seconds, then refreezes once the door is closed. These fluctuations can degrade the quality of your food, and cakes, in particular, can lose moisture if exposed to these temperature fluctuations.
How Long Can You Freeze Chocolate Cake?
You can freeze chocolate cake for around three months.
Be mindful that the fresher your chocolate cake is when you freeze it, the fresher it will be once thawed! So, if you have leftovers, it’s a good idea to get them into the freezer as quickly as you can, instead of leaving them in the fridge.
You Can Freeze Chocolate Cake for up to 3 Months
How Do You Defrost Chocolate Cake?
When you’re ready to enjoy a slice of chocolate cake, remove it from the freezer and place it in the fridge. Don’t be tempted to speed things up by defrosting chocolate cake in the microwave, as it can ruin its desired texture.
If you’re defrosting a whole chocolate cake, it’s best to remove its component parts the night before you wish to decorate and enjoy it, as it can take up to twelve hours to thaw completely.
Can You Refreeze Chocolate Cake?
Any type of cake that has been defrosted in the fridge is safe to refreeze. But this being said, it’s not advisable. Moisture content is one of the most important considerations when you’re baking a chocolate cake, and freezing it more than once can cause your sponge to dry out.
It’s mainly for this reason that we advise you to slice your chocolate cake before you freeze it, so you don’t have to worry about wastage in the future.
Does Chocolate Cake Freeze Well?
Chocolate cake, like many other sponge-based cakes, freezes extremely well.
Remember to wrap each individual slice properly to protect them from freezer burn and from drying out, and be sure to get your cake in the freezer as quickly as you can after preparing it to preserve its freshness.
Overall, you should encounter no issues when you come to freeze your chocolate cake; the only thing you need to worry about is what to enjoy it with!
Related FAQs
If you’ve still got questions about freezing chocolate cake or cake in general, then these may help:
Can You Freeze Chocolate Cake With Icing?
Although icing can be frozen, if you can prepare the chocolate cake without it, you’ll find that it freezes just that little bit better. You can then make a batch of fresh icing or ganache to top the cake with once it has thawed.
Can You Freeze Chocolate Fudge Cake?
You can freeze chocolate fudge cake using the exact method outlined on this page. In fact, you can freeze most cake types. The main thing to bear in mind is that you want to keep the air out as this will remove moisture from the cake and cause it to dry out.
