Cake Keeper: Freezing Coffee Cake Like a Pro

We all love a good slice of coffee cake, don’t we?

Of course!

The thing is sometimes we can’t finish the whole thing before it starts to go stale – the old “eyes versus stomach” dilemma.

So what’s the solution? Why freezing of course.

The good news is that coffee cake can easily be frozen to extend its shelf life. But, as with any baked good, there’s proper way to do it. That includes everything from freezing to thawing – any missteps means your coffee cake could lost its texture and flavor.

And no one wants to deal with a tragedy like that!

Kidding aside, we’ll take you through the ins and outs of freezing coffee cake.

From slicing it before freezing (for portion sizing), to the best methods for thawing and reheating.

We’ll also cover how to check if your frozen coffee cake is still good to eat. Last we’ll touch on the dos and don’ts of freezing coffee cake.

So, whether you have leftovers from a family gathering or just want to have a tasty treat on hand for when cravings strike, we’ve got you covered.

After reading this, you’ll be able to enjoy a “fresh baked” tasting coffee cake anytime you want!

So, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s get started on preserving that deliciousness.

Can You Freeze Coffee Cake?

If you’ve read this far, you already know the answer is a resounding “yes”, you can freeze coffee cake. As previously mentioned, freezing can help extend the shelf life of coffee cake. The key to doing it right comes down to proper prep so let’s get right into it.

Should You Slice Coffee Cake Before Freezing?

If you’re new to freezing coffee cake, the idea of slicing it ahead of time might not have occurred to you. While it might seem like extra work, the benefit of doing it is that you’ll be able to enjoy your coffee cake longer.

Why?

Because instead of thawing and refreezing the entire cake each time, you’ve only got to do it with a slice (or two). Reducing the number of times you go through the freezing/thawing/refreezing cycle will keep your cake fresher, longer.

Tip #1 – Cool Cake Slices Best

First, allow the coffee cake to cool completely before slicing. This is important because slicing a warm cake can cause it to fall apart – trust us on this one. In addition, a cooled cake will be easier to slice evenly without singing your fingertips.

Tip #2 – Opt for a Knife With a Serrated Blade

Use a serrated knife to make clean, even slices. Serrated knives make it much easier to portion your coffee cake. If you don’t have a serrated blade, opt for the sharpest knife you can find in your kitchen.

Tip	Explanation
Slice cake before freezing	By slicing the coffee cake before freezing, you can enjoy fresh slices every time you thaw it, instead of thawing the entire cake each time.
Allow cake to cool completely before slicing	It’s important to let the coffee cake cool completely before slicing to prevent the cake from falling apart, and to make slicing easier.
Use a serrated knife	A serrated knife is the best tool to use for slicing the coffee cake evenly, it will make the portioning process much easier. If you don’t have one, use the sharpest knife you can find.

How Do You Freeze Coffee Cake?

By now, you’ve cut your cake into individual slices. The next step is getting them in the freezer so let’s get to it!

Wrap Each Coffee Cake Slice

Once you’ve portioned the cake up to your liking, wrap each slice in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. To ensure an extra layer of protection, place the wrapped slices in an airtight container. Sealable freezer bags also work well.

Get Double Benefits!

The benefit of doing all this is twofold – first, you can thaw and reheat quickly and second, you protect your coffee cake from freezer burn. After all, who doesn’t love a “grab and go” treat?

Lastly – Be Sure to Label

You’re almost done. The last step is labeling your coffee cake. The reason you’ll want to do this is so you’ll know how long it’s been in the freezer. It’s best to consume it within 3 months to ensure its quality and proper labeling is the key to doing this.

Step	Explanation
Wrap Each Coffee Cake Slice	After slicing the coffee cake, wrap each slice in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in an airtight container or sealable freezer bags.
Get Double Benefits	Wrapping the slices in airtight packaging not only allows for quick thawing and reheating, but also protects the coffee cake from freezer burn.
Label	Label your coffee cake with the date it was frozen. Consume within 3 months for best quality.

Is Your Frozen Coffee Cake Still Good?

If you’ve followed our previous steps, the odds are in your favor that your coffee cake will stay fresh for a while. To be on the safe side, it’s always a good idea to make sure it’s still okay to eat.

Check Those Labels!

If you’ll recall from the previous section, we talked about the importance of labeling. This is the first step to checking on the freshness of your frozen dessert. The cake should be good if the date on the label is within 3 months.

If your cake passes the label test, you should still check it for signs of freezer burn. While it can’t hurt you, eating freezer burned coffee cake will not be a pleasant experience.

But what if you can’t read the label or the date’s been rubbed off or smeared? If that’s your situation, read on as we’ve got some more advice.

Give the Cake a Whiff

This tip is straightforward. After unwrapping a slice of cake, smell it. If you detect any odd or foul odors, toss it out. Coffee cake, even when frozen, should have a pleasant, lightly sweet aroma.

If the cake passes all the above checks, the final test is to reheat it and check the texture and taste. We’ll talk about defrosting and reheating next.

Step	Explanation
Check the Label	Verify the date on the label, if it’s within the 3 months, it’s considered fresh.
Check for Freezer Burn	Check the cake for any discoloration or ice crystals, if it has these signs it’s considered freezer burn.
Smell the Cake	Before consuming, give it a smell test, if it has any off odor, it’s not safe to consume.
Reheat and Test	Reheat a slice of the cake and check the texture and taste, if it passes all the above checks, it’s considered safe to eat.

How to Defrost a Coffee Cake

If you’ve never tried it, you might think that defrosting a coffee cake is tricky. It can be but if you’ve followed our prior suggestions, you’ll have a much easier time. There are a few different ways to defrost a coffee cake, but the most important thing is to avoid drying out the cake.

Option 1 – Room Temperature (Slow)

While it might be slow, this method is the easiest since all you have to do is take the cake out of the freezer – Mother Nature does the rest. Defrosting at room temperature works best for smaller cakes (or slices of cake). The reason is that it doesn’t take all that long and it’s a great way to ensure that the cake defrosts evenly.

Option 2 – Refrigerator (Slowest)

A pro tip if you have a larger cake is placing it in the refrigerator overnight to defrost. Again, it’ll be slow but the thawing process will be uniform.

Avoid the Microwave (or Use Caution)!

No one disagrees that a microwave is a must have kitchen appliance. However, when it comes to defrosting coffee cake, it’s a non-starter. The reason is that microwaving cake will dry it out and leave it with a rubbery texture and mouthfeel. That’s the last thing anyone wants in a slice of coffee cake – stay away!

With that advisory out of the way, sometimes it’s all you’ve got in a pinch – I get it! If this is you, place the cake on a microwave-safe plate and heat it in 30-second intervals. You’ll want to pause and check it until it’s heated through. If you’re careful, it’s possible to avoid a gross, chewy result!

Once Thawed, Eat Your Coffee Cake ASAP

Once your coffee cake is defrosted, you should eat it within 2-3 days. While it may be tempting to keep it around, don’t.

Enjoy it while it’s still fresh and tasty.

Method	Explanation
Room Temperature	Defrost the cake at room temperature, this method works best for smaller cakes, as it ensures that the cake defrosts evenly.
Refrigerator	Place the cake in the refrigerator overnight to defrost, this method is slower but the thawing process will be uniform.
Microwave (Caution)	Avoid using the microwave as it will dry out the cake, if you have to use it, place the cake on a microwave-safe plate, heat it in 30-second intervals, and check it until it’s heated through.

How to Reheat Frozen Coffee Cake

For the inpatient types out there (my hand is up!), waiting around for a scrumptious bite of coffee cake to thaw is not what I want to do. If you’re like me, the next best option is going straight from the freezer to the oven.

The good news is that there are a few different ways to reheat frozen coffee cake. Check out the options below and choose the method that works best for you.

Whole Coffee Cake: Reheat in a Conventional Oven

One way to reheat frozen coffee cake is in the oven. To do this, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and place it on a baking sheet.

If you’re reheating a whole cake, go for 10-15 minutes or until it’s heated through. For individual slices, you’ll only need a fraction of the time, about 3-5 minutes should be plenty.

Coffee Cake Slices: Reheat in a Toaster Oven

If you’ve never tried it, reheating your coffee cake slices in a toaster oven is a great option. It’s hard to beat it if you want to enjoy a slice of warm, fresh cake. It’s the best of both worlds – crisp crust and tender center.

Finally, it’s worth noting that no matter which method you use, you’ve got to pay attention. It’s super easy for coffee cake to dry our so check it often to ensure that it doesn’t dry out or worse, overcook or burn.

Method	Explanation
Conventional Oven	Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place whole cake or slices on a baking sheet. For a whole cake, heat for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. For slices, heat for 3-5 minutes.
Toaster Oven	Reheat slices in a toaster oven. This method is best for achieving a crisp crust and tender center.