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    Home » Recipes » Freezer Friendly

    Published: Mar 26, 2020 · Modified: Mar 25, 2022 by Paula Montenegro · Income from ads and affiliates

    Freezer Baking & Desserts (a make-ahead guide)

    Slice of cheesecake on white plate with fork, grey background, image with text

    This is a guide to freezing baked goods and desserts. Use your freezer to save time and add sweet things to your weekly meal planning. Let's talk about how to organize your space plus the best recipes and tips. 

    Image collage, cakes and cheesecake slices, with text in the middle
    Table of Contents Open
    Freezer friendly baking
    Organizing
    Brownies - Blondies - Bars
    Cakes - Cheesecakes
    Cookies
    Bread - Scones
    Muffins - Quick Breads
    Desserts

    Freezer friendly baking

    I think we can all agree that the freezer is our unconditional friend and savior when it comes to meal prep. But it's usually used for savory dishes, dinners and everyday meals. 

    This is a guide to add baking and dessert to that #bakingprep or #freezerbaking

    There are several desserts that can be made and frozen, or at least one or more of its components can. That saves enormous time and allows us to add great sweet somethings to buffet tables, parties, family dinners, and holiday celebrations without having to bake at the last minute. 

    Let's get into the details. 

    Organizing

    Freezer

    The freezer must be taken care of, often. What does that mean?

    • Defrost it regularly, or the ice removed if it forms and kept clean.
    • Don't overstuff it and make sure the door closes easily. This might sound like an obvious thing to say but if you have to push hard for it to close well, eventually, without meaning to, it will be left open by mistake. And we certainly don't want that.
    • Check it often to ensure that everything is well wrapped and space is optimized. What doesn't work is thrown away. So many times we think there's no more space and it turns out that a large chunk of it is taken up by old stuff that we'll never eat anyway. 
    Pens, foil and plastic wrap, tape, bags on white marble surface

    How long does food last? 

    Up to 1 month, tightly wrapped or well-sealed, food is usually kept in good condition. Most last double that time, but I'm trying to keep this conversation within freezing times that we all know work. 

    Wrapping 

    This is essential for preserving frozen food the best we can. 

    • Reusable and eco-friendly wrapping: the first option would be using materials that aid in the conservation of the planet, or however you call it. It's not easy, as many plastic containers, for example, tend to crack when exposed to such low temperatures for long periods of time or are not airtight. 
    • Wrap, bags, and containers: wrap what you are going to store tightly, first in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil or a sealed/hermetic bag like Ziploc. You can also use freezer containers, Tupperware style. Beware of torn bags or wrappers when defrosting as they may leak. This happens a lot with plastic bags with sharp angles that when frozen can prick other bags when you move them around to make space or take something out.
    • Labeling: we should always label the bag or container we put in the freezer with the name of the product and the date. It's a must to know when the food was frozen and if it's safe to eat it. We think we'll remember but most times we don't. I've been using paper tape for ages because it's resistant to cold and easy to write on it.

    What to freeze?

    Here are my absolute favorites to have stored in the freezer.

    Brownies - Blondies - Bars

    For me, brownies are a must to have frozen at all times.

    Having a base of a good basic brownie saves you when you need something sweet in a pinch. Especially when unexpected visits come because you add ice cream or whipped cream and some fruit or some sauce and you have a great dessert.

    Also, with the same base, you can put together a Brownie Cake (similar to the Easy Banoffee Cake but with a brownie base) that has layers of dulce de leche and cream or meringue and you have a cake that can even be served for a birthday.

    Blondies are the blonde version of brownies. Super easy to make, they are used the same way as brownies.

    Dessert idea: 

    Warm either of them (cut into squares is my favorite way) slightly in the microwave (10-15 seconds) and serve with a little ice cream on top. Such a crowd-pleaser!

    Vintage Kitchen Tip

    • Close-up of peanut butter brownie square on gold wire rack, white surface
      Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies (with video!)
    • Squares of cocoa brownies, raspberry pieces, wire rack, white surface
      Fudgy Cocoa Brownies (easy recipe)
    • White Chocolate Walnut Blondies
    • Fudgy chocolate mint brownies
      Fudgy Mint Brownies

    Cakes - Cheesecakes

    One of my favorites things to have frozen at all times.

    Layer and Sheet cakes

    Both are easily stored in the freezer until they are filled and/or frosted, always very well wrapped. This is the best way to prep your next masterpiece if you're making a tall layer cake. Wedding cakes, for example, are made several days or weeks in advance before putting them together.

    For those months where there are many birthdays, you can batch bake the cakes and freeze the layers.


    • Grey surface with frosted coconut sheet cake, loose shredded coconut and confetti
      Lemon Coconut Sheet Cake
    • Slices of frosted layer cake on blue background, whole cake in white cake stand
      Hummingbird Layer Cake
    • Squares of carrot cake with frosting and pecan, on white paper
      Best Ginger Carrot Cake
    • Cut Lemon Blueberry Cake on cake stand
      Lemon Blueberry Cake

    Pound and Bundt cakes

    They are usually simple recipes that keep fantastically well in the freezer. I have frozen the White Chocolate Raspberry Bundt Cake many times for parties and I have to say that it might even be better after a stay in the freezer. 

    Let them cool completely at room t° and then wrap first in plastic and then in foil (image below, left).
    Date and label them before freezing (image below, right). 


    • Close up of glazed banana cake with some cut slices. White surface and background.
      Best Banana Bundt Cake
    • Cake server with slice being pulled out of glazed chocolate bundt cake, white background.
      Chocolate Bundt Cake
    • Cut lemon pound cake on wooden board, leaves around
      Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake
    • A cut loaf of strawberry pound cake, with a pink glaze and fresh strawberries. White background.
      Strawberry Pound Cake

    To defrost cakes: 

    The best way is to take them down to the fridge and let them thaw gradually. It will take overnight at least, or more. By the way, it's also easier to fill and frost them if they are refrigerator cold because they are firmer. 

    Vintage Kitchen Tip

    Birthday cakes

    In addition to freezing cake layers, as mentioned above, there is a whole birthday cake that freezes wonderfully: those naked Christina Tosi-style cakes. Or so I call them. 

    The layers and filling are built directly inside a mold ring. You freeze the whole thing, well wrapped of course. When you take out the hoop you have a birthday cake with irregular layers. Simply let it defrost until able to cut and serve. 

    Make sure the filling is something that can be frozen easily, like a mousse. This way you can have a birthday cake ready in the freezer. Don't tell me it's not a cool thing.

    For the recipe, go to this link for Momofuku Birthday cake on Liv's blog. It has super detailed instructions for making and freezing it.

    Cheesecakes

    A classic cheesecake is another recipe that is a VERY good idea to have frozen at all times. Probably my favorite make-ahead dessert.

    • Keeps extremely well - I might even say most cheesecakes actually come out better and creamier after a stay in the freezer. 
    • A great dessert - it's easy to transform it into a great dessert, they just need a good sauce and you're set to go! Use a red fruit jam, chocolate sauce, dulce de leche or even fresh fruit. The cheesecake thaws while you eat and you can make it weeks in advance.

    • Single slice of Oreo cheesecake being lifted on a metal cake server. Whole cheesecake below. Grey and white background.
      The Best Oreo Cheesecake (with video!)
    • Close-up of cheesecake square on white plate, fork digging into it, berry topping
      Cheesecake with Chocolate Crust
    • Silver fork inserted in a slice of chocolate cheesecake on a white plate.
      Baileys Chocolate Cheesecake
    • Hand lifting slice of brown sugar cheesecake with a cake server from whole cheesecake on a white plate. Grey background.
      Brown Sugar Cheesecake

    Cookies

    Freezing cookies is the best way to have freshly baked ones whenever you feel like it. 

    • Scooped raw portions: this means that you make the dough, scoop it in the baking sheet and pop it in the freezer (image below). Once they are rock solid you can transfer them to a bag, just like we do with homemade gnocchi. This saves a lot of space in the freezer. 
    • To bake: simply pop the frozen morsels on a baking sheet and bake as directed in the recipe. They may take a minute or two more because of how cold they are. 
    • Baked cookies: of course you can also freeze them after they are baked. Wrap them well and defrost at room t°.

    • Stack of lemon crinkle cookies, white cloth with color dots, green leaves in background
      Lemon Crinkle Cookies (with video!)
    • Several walnut alfajores with dulce de leche on a white linen.
      Easy Walnut Alfajores Recipe
    • Single bitten cookie with chocolate chunks on a white marble surface
      Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Several oatmeal cookies heaped together on grey surface, color dotted white linen in background.
      Easy Oatmeal Walnut Cookies

    Bread - Scones 

    Bread - homemade bread is a one-way ticket. There's nothing like the smell of freshly baked bread at home, it saves a lot of money and time, and it's so delicious!

    • Slice it first: this is my recommendation. Most frozen bread will be toasted before eating, so slices are the way to make your life easier. Simply pop the frozen bread in the toaster or oven. 
    • Freshly baked rolls: I like to freeze them while very slightly warm. My experience is that they remain more tender when they thaw. Always pop them in the oven right before eating so you can enjoy them warm!

    • Grey background with loaf of bread with sliced on a wooden board.
      Semolina Bread Recipe
    • Sliced and half loaf of bread and hamburger buns on a white kitchen towel.
      Whole Wheat Oatmeal Bread (rolls, buns, and loaf)
    • Close up of golden French bread on metal sheet pan
      No-Knead Baguette Recipe
    • Beige parchment paper with sliced glazed almond Easter braided bread. Top partial view.
      Glazed Easter Bread (with video)

    Scones - if there is one good thing about making scones and freezing them unbaked, it is that you can make a large batch and keep them frozen for when you crave them freshly made and warm.

    • Unbaked: cut them, place them in a baking sheet and freeze. When they are rock solid transfer them to a bag (image below), seal and label it. They are baked frozen directly from the freezer.
    • Already baked: make sure they are well wrapped. It is not the same as eating them freshly made, they lose a little that fluffy texture. But they are wonderful anyway, especially if you warm them before eating. 

    • Three blueberry scones stacked on a white marble surface with greyish blue background.
      Blueberry Scones
    • Hand holding metal tray with baked scones and a green cloth.
      Buttermilk Scones
    • Baked cheese scone triangle on wooden board
      The BEST Cheese Scones
    • Wooden surface with stack of baked scones.
      Orange and Cream Mini Scones

    Muffins - Quick Breads

    Both are breakfast and brunch favorites and having them frozen means you can eat them warm every morning. And, for those like me, who don't eat much breakfast, it's a great way to have a bite before starting the day. 

    Most muffin recipes can be made in a loaf pan and vice versa.

    • Muffins: freeze them baked when they get to room t° or very slightly warm. Freeze them individually making sure they are not crowded and smashed against one another. Defrost directly in a low oven (220°F or so) or at room t°. I recommend warming them slightly before eating, so delicious.  
    • Quick breads: slice it first if you want to eat it toasted, one slice at a time. Simply pop the frozen bread in the toaster or oven. Freeze it whole if you want to serve it at a breakfast or brunch table. Defrost in the refrigerator if you have time (my recommendation) or at room t° if you don't have that much time. 

    • Bitten morning glory muffin on top of stack of muffins in paper liners. White background with greenery.
      Morning Glory Muffins
    • A single golden muffin on a white surface, open paper liner
      Best Oatmeal Muffins (easy recipe)
    • Cut loaf of zucchini bread with slices, white background
      Easy Zucchini Bread (healthy recipe)
    • White parchment paper with loaf of banana bread with some cut slices, white background.
      Healthy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

    Desserts 

    Some desserts are made for the freezer. And some can be adapted, like the cheesecake idea we mentioned above. 

    • Icebox cakes: they come together quickly and are incredibly versatile. Most use cookies and cream so you can choose your favorite flavors for both the cookies and the creams. 
    • Flourless chocolate cakes:this is the ultimate chocolate dessert that looks sophisticated and is insanely delicious even though it's gluten-free. A slice with a dollop of whipped cream and/or a fruit sauce will take you far when it comes to stunning desserts. 

    • Close up of goblet with lemon and raspberry dessert being held with a blue shirt as background.
      No Bake Lemon Dessert
    • Several squares of passion fruit cheesecake on a white marble surface. View from above.
      Passionfruit Cheesecake
    • Caramel and nut topped chocolate cake on a white cake stand with white background.
      Flourless Chocolate Almond Cake
    • Close up of white oval dish with eaten blueberry crumble with silver spoon. White background.
      Easy Blueberry Crumble (with video!)

    • Crumbles - Cobblers - Dump cakes: they are the ultimate easy fruit desserts ever! You can freeze the streusel itself (crumble mixture or topping) and many fruits. So it's as easy as throwing everything together in a dish and baking it while you eat. In the case of cobblers made with pie dough, it's just as easy because doughs can be frozen for months. Fruits - for me, berries come first, then stone fruit. 

    • White bowl with serving of pear cobbler, white cloth
      Easy Fresh Pear Cobbler
    • Serving of blueberry dump cake in a white bowl with a silver spoon. White surface.
      Blueberry Dump Cake
    • Close up of chocolate cherry dump cake serving in a white bowl.
      Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
    • White individual dish with cherry crisp, silver spoon and melted ice cream, rustic background
      Cherry Crisp (with gluten-free option)

    • Dessert bases: we mentioned cheesecakes and brownies above, but I want to emphasize how having these frozen can save you with a last-minute amazing dessert! Serve a slice or square of either with a sauce or scoop of ice cream and be prepared for happy comments and happy guests. 
    • Ice Creams: of course, we can't leave them out. Especially the no-churn ice creams that can save the whole summer. So easy to make and such crowd-pleasers!

    • Scoops of strawberry ice cream in white bowl, more strawberries around, white surface, grey background.
      Strawberry Ice Cream (no-churn)
    • Two white and magenta ice cream paletas on a metal pan, top one is bitten.
      Berry Cheesecake Ice Cream (no-churn)
    • Ice cream truffles covered in granola on white plate
      Ice Cream Granola Truffles
    • Scoop of chocolate ice cream in a white cup on wooden table, chopped chocolate around it
      Chocolate Baileys Ice Cream (no-churn)

    So that wraps it up!

    This post will be updated regularly with more ideas and tips that I'm sure will come to me in the future. If you have questions please leave a comment below 👇🏻

    Batch bake, freeze and make your life much easier!
    I'm very grateful to you all ❤️

    ~ Paula

    More Freezer Baking & Desserts

    • Strawberry scones on wire rack, white background
      Best Strawberry Scones
    • Lemon bundt cake with glaze and cut slice on white cake stand, beige background.
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    • Overview of white dish with silver spoon containing blueberry peach cobbler on white linen and wooden table.
      Peach Blueberry Cobbler
    • White bowl with berry dump cake being held by person in a green dress lifting a full spoon.
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    About Paula Montenegro

    I'm Paula, a baker for more than 30 years and your designated recipe developer, sharing the best ones here with simple ingredients + easy-to-follow instructions.

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    1. Jo says

      April 06, 2020 at 11:20 am

      This is such an useful post. My kids have been baking during this quarantine time and they would find this post very useful. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
    2. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says

      April 04, 2020 at 6:49 pm

      Such a great guide! Now more than ever folks are cooking and baking up a storm. Thank you so much for putting this together!

      Reply
    3. Leslie says

      April 04, 2020 at 3:03 pm

      Ya know, I really don't freeze my desserts. This is a really great idea. Especially for those more labor-intensive desserts. Might as well make a double batch, then freeze what you don't use. Lots of great tips here!

      Reply
    4. Marisa F. Stewart says

      April 04, 2020 at 2:20 pm

      What great advice! I wish I had some of those goodies you froze. They are making my mouth water. I'm pinning this post as a guide for future reference.

      Reply
    5. Tammy says

      April 03, 2020 at 4:10 pm

      This is such a great guide for keep the freezer organized and everything in it up to date. I recently just reorganized mine and labeled everything since we're quarantined right now. Great tips on how to freeze some of our favorite goodies too!

      Reply
    6. Elaine says

      April 03, 2020 at 12:54 pm

      Self-isolation is a breeze with a dessert guide like this. So many great ideas to follow and so much deliciousness in one post. I will definitely need some time to try all of these, so I should better bookmark the link!

      Reply
    7. Aleta says

      April 02, 2020 at 1:59 pm

      This is brilliant! I love all of your helpful tips and tricks to properly store freezer goods. All of these recipes look amazing - I can't wait to get pre-baking so that I can fill my freezer!

      Reply
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    Hi, I'm Paula!

    A baker for more than 30 years and your designated recipe finder, sharing the best ones on this blog, with simple ingredients + easy-to-follow instructions.

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