A cake is not complete without a buttercream frosting! But when you have more buttercream than you can handle, how do you store the leftovers? Can you freeze buttercream? You’d be surprised how easy it is to store buttercream in the freezer. Plus, buttercream keeps well in the freezer. The high sugar content of the icing is the secret of its long shelf life.
Imagine if you could cut the time it takes to prepare a cake in half simply by making buttercream beforehand. When you’re ready to decorate the cake, simply defrost the pre-made buttercream. When refrigerated, the buttercream should last about 2 weeks. However, if kept in the freezer, its shelf life is extended to 3 months. While frozen buttercream has a long shelf life, we still recommend making the frosting in small batches so the texture and flavor stays the same after thawing. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to freeze buttercream:
How do you freeze buttercream?
Buttercream is best stored in a resealable plastic bag, as the bag can be used to “squirt” the buttercream onto a cake once you’re ready to decorate it. To prepare the buttercream for freezing, get several resealable, heavy-duty plastic bags and a spoon or cookie ball. Scoop the remaining buttercream into the bag, carefully filling the bag with the cream, leaving an inch of space.
Squeeze as much air as possible before sealing the plastic bag. Get a marker, write down the storage date and stick the buttercream in the freezer. Be sure to lay the plastic bag flat in the freezer. For best results, keep the temperature constant at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do you thaw frozen buttercream?
To thaw frozen buttercream, remove the pouch from the freezer and cover with a tea towel. Let the buttercream thaw at room temperature for one to two hours. Once the buttercream is soft enough to squeeze out, use scissors to cut off the corner of the plastic bag and squeeze the cream out of the bag into a bowl. At this point, the buttercream will have a more runny texture since it’s freshly thawed. Don’t worry, you can restore the original consistency with ease.
Lightly mix the thawed buttercream with a spatula to get the right consistency. Then add a little powdered sugar to thicken the cream. Continue mixing to eliminate any air bubbles. When the buttercream is nice and smooth, it’s ready to use!
Read Also: Can you freeze mint leaves?
summary
Freezing buttercream is so easy and convenient, especially for those who love making desserts from scratch! Now that you know how to freeze buttercream, there is absolutely no need to worry about wasting the leftover cream. You can maximize the extra buttercream by saving it for later use. That means more of your favorite desserts!