Imagine this: You work day in and day out to bake the perfect and most delicious angel food cake for you and your family, and you finally succeeded!
Your husband loves it. Your kids rave about it. In fact, it even got your mom-in-law’s stamp of approval!
But here comes the problem: There’s still a lot of angel food cake left even after everyone has already eaten. So what to do with the leftovers? Should you throw it out? That’s a waste of perfectly good food!
Or is there a way to extend its shelf life so you can enjoy it for longer? Freezing sounds like a good option. But can you freeze angel food cake?
Continue reading to find out!
Can You Freeze Angel Food Cake?
Yes, you can freeze angel food cake. It’s one of the cakes that freezes pretty well, but there’s one slight issue. Unlike other cakes, angel food cake doesn’t contain high amounts of oils and butter. Because of this, it loses moisture and dries out a lot faster.
To maintain its moisture, fluffy texture, and softness, it’s best that you freeze the cake in the soonest time possible.
How to Freeze Angel Food Cake?
To properly freeze angel food cake. Here are the simple steps that you need to take:
Step 1: Remove cake from pan.
This is probably the most challenging step of all since it can make or break (literally!) your freshly baked angel food cake. So here are the steps on how to do it.
- After baking, leave the pan with the freshly baked cake at room temperature for around 15 to 20 minutes.
- Place a wire rack at the top portion of the pan, then turn it upside down.
- Wait for the cake to come out from the pan.
- Once it’s already on the wire rack, remove the pan and let the cake cool down completely before freezing.
If the cake has fruits in it, there’s a chance that it won’t easily come out of the pan, so you need to give it a bit of a push. You can do that by running a thin and small knife around the edge of the pan to release the cake.
Step 2: Cut the cake into smaller pieces.
Slicing the freshly baked cake into smaller portions is recommended as it can make thawing a whole lot easier. Additionally, this can also help you save freezer space.
Step 3: Wrap each slice.
To preserve the freshly baked cake’s moisture, you can wrap each slice in either aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Make sure that all parts of the cake are covered.
The first layer of plastic wrap aims to keep it fresh, soft, and moist.
Step 4. Double wrap the slices.
You can wrap the slices in another layer of aluminum foil or plastic wrap to be extra safe. Instead of foil or plastic wrap, you can also place the cake pieces in a freezer bag to prevent freezer burn and oxidation.
The goal of the double layer or the freezer bag is to protect the cake from possible condensation, which can change its texture and quality.
Step 5: Place wrapped cake slices in freezer-safe containers.
After that, place the wrapped freshly baked cake pieces in an airtight plastic container to prevent them from getting squished inside your freezer.
This is also done to prevent the cake from absorbing the smells of other food items inside your freezer.
Step 6: Date and freeze.
Ensure the date on the containers before freezing so you can easily track how many days the cake has been stored in the freezer.
Additional Tips on How to Freeze Angel Food Cake
Here are a few more tips that can help you to freeze angel food cake successfully:
- Don’t freeze whole decorated cakes as it tends to expand and contract, so there’s a high chance that the decorations will be ruined.
- Hold off adding toppings (whipped cream) and decorations (fruits, etc.) before freezing. You can add all of these when you finally eat it.
How to Defrost Angel Food Cake?
The best way to defrost frozen angel food cake is to leave it wrapped in the fridge for at least 4 hours. Avoid defrosting it at room temperature for an extended period of time as it can quickly lose its moisture and dry out.
If you’re in a hurry, you can also leave it wrapped at room temperature for at least 2 hours.
Then, to thaw the cake in the fastest way possible, you can place it in a microwave and heat it for only 30 seconds. If you go this route, eat it right away, as it gets dry quickly.
If the cake becomes dry and crumbly, you can just simply pour any fruit sauce over it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Angel food cake can last for up to 4 to 6 months in the freezer. To enjoy the ultimate freshness and the best texture, make sure to freeze the cake right away.
Since it’s dairy-free, angel food cake can sit out at room temperature for 1 to 2 days.
The best way to determine the condition of your cake is to smell it. If there’s an off or sour odor, it’s best to throw it away. You should also look out for other signs of spoilage, like the presence of molds (green spots) and sour taste. (*)
The Bottom Line
Angel Food cake is one of the desserts that’s difficult to perfect. But, if you’re one of the lucky few who could create this masterpiece, you can extend the shelf life of your leftovers by freezing them.
However, freezing angel food cake can be challenging. It’s essential to take note that this type of cake dries out and crumbles easily.
Additionally, it’s prone to picking up the taste and smell of the other food surrounding it. Luckily, you can address all these issues by following all the instructions and tips we’ve shared with you.
Up Next: Can You Freeze Croissants? You’ll Never Guess the Answer!
