Can You Freeze Carrot Cake

Yes, you can easily freeze carrot cake for up to 6 months as long as it is well wrapped to protect and hold in its moisture. Carrot cake can be frozen with or without frosting and can be frozen as a whole cake or a slices.

How to Freeze Carrot Cake

Homemade carrot cake is perfect for birthday celebrations, big parties and really anytime that you need to serve a cake. However, it can take a little bit to whip one up so if you're short on time you might want to make it ahead.

Freezing carrot cake without frosting

Freezing your carrot cake separate from your cream cheese frosting is the best way to freeze it. This allows you to re-whip the frosting separately after thawing. Additionally, cream cheese frosting starts to degrading quality around 3 months while the cake can go up to 6 months without having a quality decrease.

• Once you have made your cake and your icing, make sure both are thoroughly cooled.
• It's best to freeze both of them right away if you know you'll be freezing them that way they have maximum freshness.
• You can freeze your cream cheese frosting individually or all together in an airtight container.
• Start out by taking plastic wrap and tearing off a sheet that is large enough to wrap around the entire cake.
• Place your sheet of plastic wrap flat on the counter. Then, place your cake in the center of the plastic wrap.

• Wrap the plastic wrap securely around all sides of the cake.
• Next, tear off a second sheet of plastic wrap the same size as the first.
• Place it flat on your counter.
• Place your cake onto the plastic wrap upside down from the first time you wrapped it. This way the first layer of plastic wrap will be completely secured by the second layer.
• Wrap your plastic wrap securely around your cake. Making sure that all sides of the cake are encased.
• Next, take some aluminum foil and tear off a sheet large enough to completely wrap around your cake.
• Place your cake on the aluminum foil and secure the aluminum foil around the cake.
• Depending on the size of your cake, if it will fit in a freezer bag you can then stick it into a freezer bag as well for extra protection.
• Label either the aluminum foil or the outside of a freezer bag with the date.
• Then, carefully place the cake into your freezer and a spot where it will not get crushed.

Freezing carrot cake with frosting

If you have already frosted your carrot cake and then decide to freeze it, or perhaps you have bought some cake at the store that is already frosted you can still freeze the cake safely.

• As with freezing unfrosted cake, make sure the cake is as fresh as possible and has thoroughly cooled.
• Place the cake on a cookie sheet and place it in the oven to flash freeze it. This will allow the frosting to get hard and frozen for wrapping it so that it doesn't get smushed. It usually takes around an hour or so for the frosting to harden.
• Once the frosting is relatively hard go ahead and remove your cake from the freezer.
• Then, tear off a sheet of plastic wrap that is big enough to fully wrap around your cake.
• Place the plastic wrap flat on your counter and place your cake in the middle.
• Wrap the plastic wrap securely around your cake ensuring that all pieces of the cake are covered.
• Tear off a second piece of plastic wrap the same size. And place it flat on your counter.
• Place your cake upside down on the middle of the plastic wrap. This way your first layer of plastic wrap will be extra secure.
• Wrap the plastic wrap around the cake once again so that it's securely held.
• Take a sheet of aluminum foil the same size as the plastic wrap you've been using.

• Place it flat on your counter and then place your cake in the middle.
• Wrap the aluminum foil completely around the cake so that all sides are covered thoroughly.
• Just like with the unfrosted cake, if the cake is small enough to fit into a freezer bag you can place it in one for extra protection.
• Label the aluminum foil or the outside of your freezer bag. And then place your cake in a secure place in the freezer where it will not get smashed.

Freezing carrot cake by the slice

If you won't want to thaw and eat an entire cake at once, you may want to try freezing carrot cake by the slice. It follows the same instructions as freezing a whole cake for the most part.

• As with the other methods, make sure you are freezing the cake as fresh as possible and also that it is completely cool before starting.
• Go ahead and slice your cake if it is not sliced already.
• If your cake is already frosted, you'll need to flash freeze the slices before wrapping them. To do this, simply lay them on a cookie sheet so that they are not touching or overlapping and then placed them in the freezer. It takes around an hour or so for the frosting to get mostly frozen and hard enough to wrap.
• Once the slices have been flash frozen or if you are freezing unfrosted cake, go ahead and tear off plastic wrap that is large enough to fully wrap around each slice.
• Place one sheet of plastic wrap flat on your counter and place a slice of cake in the center of it.
• Wrap your plastic wrap completely around the slice of cake so that it is secure.
• Take a second sheet of plastic wrap the same size and repeat this process on the same slice of cake.
• Go ahead and double wrap each slice of cake securely in plastic wrap.
• Once all slices of cake have been double wrapped in plastic wrap, you can place them carefully into a freezer bag.
• Partially close the top of the freezer bag and then squeeze any remaining air out and then zip it the rest of the way closed.
• Label your freezer bag with a date and then place it in the freezer on an even surface where the cake will not get smashed.

Freezing carrot cake batter

While you can freeze carrot cake batter, it can lead to a less fluffy cake when you defrost it and cook it. So just be aware that it may impact the ultimate quality of your cake.

• Once you have mixed together your cake batter, decide if you want to freeze it all together or in smaller servings.
• Take a freezer bag and spoon your cake batter into the bag.
• Partially closed the bag and squeeze all the remaining air out. Then close the bag the rest of the way.
• Label the bag with the date and then go ahead and flatten the bag.
• Then, stick the bag into your freezer on an even surface.

Supplies/Equipment Needed:

• Ziploc Bags
• Plastic Wrap
• Aluminum Foil
• Marker or Pen
• Airtight Freezer Container

How to Defrost Carrot Cake

The best way to defrost carrot cake is in the refrigerator. To do this, simply remove it from the freezer and place it in the fridge overnight. If you have a large slice or the whole cake, it may take longer than 8 hours for it to be totally thawed.

Freezing Carrot Cake FAQ

How long will carrot cake keep frozen?

Carrot cake can be frozen for up to 6 months and still maintain maximum quality. However, it can be kept in the freezer for much longer and still be safe to eat but the quality and texture may degrade over time.

Can you freeze carrot cake with cream cheese frosting?

Yes, you can freeze carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. However, it's best to freeze cream cheese frosting separate from your cake so that you can re-whip the frosting when you're ready to use it. Also, the cake lasts longer in the freezer than the frosting does without quality degradation.

How long does carrot cake keep in the fridge?

Carrot cake keep in the fridge for up to 5 days maximum. So, if you don't plan to eat it before then make sure you freeze it to save it for later.

Can you refreeze carrot cake?

No, refreezing carrot cake is not a good idea. It can suffer quality issues such as getting dried out. Also, changing the temperature of the cake over and over makes it less safe to eat.