By Jessie Sheehan for Food Network Kitchen

Jessie Sheehan is a baker and cookbook author.

Cakes are a fantastic celebratory treat—and a fantastic anytime treat, if you ask us. Did you know that they are also a make-ahead treat? It’s true! If you’re making a layer cake, you can bake the layers ahead of time, wrap them and freeze for up to 2 months. Or, you can make an entire cake, frosting and all, and freeze it for up to 3 months. Read on for more tips and tricks. And if you have other treats that you’re eager to save, head over to our guide to freezing baked goods like bagels, breads and more.

Can You Freeze Cake?

Yes! You can freeze cake layers, sheet cakes, bundts and loaves. You can freeze frosted cakes and cupcakes, too. The freezer is your ticket to always having cake at your fingertips.

How to Freeze Unfrosted Cake

Step 1: Let the cake cool. For cake layers that have not yet been frosted, or for a loaf, bundt or sheet cake, first bring your creation to room temperature.

Step 2: Wrap the cake well. Wrap it in a sheet of plastic wrap and then a sheet of aluminum foil to fully protect against freezer burn.

Step 3: Freeze the cake in a flat layer. Place the double-wrapped layers or cake on a baking sheet in the freezer. This ensures the cake freezes flat and is not jostled by any other items in the freezer. Once frozen, the layers can be stacked in the freezer to save space. For extra protection, you can also slide your frozen cake into a zippered plastic bag, but keep in mind that sheet or bundt cakes are probably too large for anything smaller than a 2-gallon bag.

Step 4: Label and date the cake. Using a Sharpie, label your wrapped layers or cakes with the date you froze them.

How to Freeze Frosted Cake

Believe it or not, you can freeze a fully frosted and decorated cake.

Step 1: Freeze the whole cake on a baking sheet. To start, place your finished, fully decorated cake on a baking sheet, and then carefully put the baking sheet in the freezer. If your freezer is too small to accommodate an entire baking sheet, cut a circle the same diameter as the bottom of your cake out of cardboard, and place the cake on that cardboard round in the freezer.

Step 2: Once the cake is frozen solid, wrap it up. Depending on the size of your cake, it can take between 4 to 6 hours for it to fully freeze. Once frozen, wrap the cake first in plastic wrap, and then in aluminum foil. Patience is key. If you wrap the cake before it’s fully frozen, you risk damaging your decorations.

How to Freeze a Wedding Cake

To freeze a wedding cake, follow the instructions for freezing a frosted cake.

How to Freeze Cupcakes

Step 1: Freeze cupcakes on a baking sheet. Place frosted or unfrosted cupcakes on a baking sheet in the freezer and freeze until solid.

Step 2: Transfer unfrosted cupcakes to a freezer bag. If your frozen cupcakes are unfrosted, place them all a zippered plastic bag, and then wrap the bag in aluminum foil. They'll stay fresh for up to 3 months.

Step 3: Wrap frosted cupcakes individually. For frosted frozen cupcakes, wrap each individually in plastic wrap, and then place them all in a zippered plastic bag for up to 3 months.

How to Freeze Cream Cheese Frosting

Place the frosting in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. To use, defrost the container in the refrigerator overnight.

How to Defrost Frozen Cake

Defrost frozen unfrosted cakes at room temperature, either wrapped or unwrapped. If you remove the plastic wrap, the cake will absorb some condensation, but this is rarely a big deal in our experience. If you leave it wrapped, the condensation may stick to the plastic when you remove it, which is useful if you’re anxious about a wet cake. Some people suggest placing the frozen cake into the refrigerator to thaw slowly, but we prefer the speed and efficiency of defrosting right on counter.

Unwrap your frosted cake and let it sit at room temperature to fully defrost.

How Long Does Cake Last in the Fridge?

Some cakes require the refrigerator because they have perishable ingredients, like cheesecake or carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. For all other cakes, we prefer to store them wrapped at room temperature because the refrigerator really dries them out. If you must store your cake in the fridge, wrap it lightly in plastic wrap and store for up to 3 days.

How Long Does Cake Last on the Counter?

A cake that does not need to be refrigerated can be stored on the counter for up to 3 days, lightly wrapped in plastic or covered in a large upside-down bowl or cake dome. If the cake has already been cut, place a piece of parchment paper over the cut portion to prevent it drying out.

Related Links:

Crowd-Pleasing Cake Recipes

Frosting Recipes

Creamy, Dreamy Cheesecake Recipes