How To Store And Freeze Cupcakes
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If you’re like me you always want to get your baking ahead of time! Especially when it comes to cupcakes. So whether you have a dozen to store and freeze, or a whole bunch for a special occasion this post should get you covered. Learn how to store and freeze cupcakes – frosted or unfrosted – in this baking tutorial!
I think one of the most asked questions I get when it comes to cupcakes is…”Can I freeze them?”. And I get it. Either you have a ton to make. Or some leftover!
I’ve made cupcakes now for multiple weddings (and actually will be for my own wedding coming up in May 2020! EEK!) so I completely understand the need to know how to store and freeze your cupcakes properly.
How To Store And Freeze Cupcakes
So in this tutorial I’m going to show you how to store your cupcakes and also freeze cupcakes. Generally, if you plan to frost and enjoy them within a couple days I recommend storing your cupcakes at room temperature.
If you do not plan to frost or enjoy them within a couple days then it’s best to freeze them.
Why you should freeze your cupcakes
First of all let’s just say it. Freezing cupcakes = super smart baking move. Ain’t no shame in that game. As long as you are doing it right. Which we will get to. But in case you aren’t totally on board let me show you the light:
- You get ahead of your baking. This is SO true if you have a ton of cupcakes to make! Whether it’s the holidays, your kid’s bake sale, or heck your own wedding (ahem). No need to add stress to your already busy day.
- Perfect for those couple cupcakes you have leftover. Please don’t throw them in the trash!
- They will be just as good as they were before you froze them.
- Super awesome last minute dessert. This means less stress during holidays and last minute get togethers.
Have I convinced you of the awesomeness of freezing cupcakes? Good. Let’s talk about how…
How To Store Your Cupcakes
If you plan to frost and enjoy your cupcakes within a couple days then it’s fine to use this method. First of all, I always recommend storing your cupcakes at room temperature. I find that if I store my cupcakes in the fridge they can become dried out.
If you frost your cupcakes, and need to store them because it’s a warm day you can, but be sure to bring them back to room temperature before serving to soften the buttercream again. Otherwise it’s like eating a giant stick of butter!
How To Store Cupcakes
- Allow your cupcakes to cool completely. Storing cupcakes that are warm, even a little bit, will cause condensation to form inside the container and then cause your cupcakes to form sticky tops. I allow my cupcakes to cool for at least 1 hour.
- Use a container that has an air-tight lid. I like to use these containers. They are also big enough to use for cupcakes that are frosted.
- You can keep them at room temperature for 2 days. You will want to frost them within 2 days. If you don’t plan to frost them, then I’d skip on down to how to freeze them!
Note: Cupcakes are best if enjoyed 3-4 days within making, but will be ok up to a week but may begin to dry out.
How To Freeze Your Cupcakes
You can freeze your cupcakes, frosted OR unfrosted. I’ve done both and have had great results. Again it comes down to using the right tools. And freezing your cupcakes isn’t much different than storing them at room temperature.
How To Freeze Unfrosted Cupcakes:
- Cool Completely. Again, you need to make sure they are cooled completely. Any residual heat in the cupcakes will create condensation. I allow my cupcakes to cool for at least 1 hour.
- Wrap well. I LOVE and can’t recommend enough using press-n-seal. I like to wrap 6 cupcakes at a time. I wrap in the Press-N-Seal place in a large sealable plastic bag. I place a dozen cupcakes into the bag, total. If you are really nervous about freezer burn, you can wrap each one individually.
To wrap up your cupcakes:
Start by placing the Press-n-seal sticky side down.
Place your cupcakes on top of the plastic wrap.
Place a second piece of Press-N-Seal, sticky side up, on top of of the cupcakes.
Wrap the cupcakes up. Be sure to label these and find a flat space to store them in your freezer.
How To Defrost Frozen Cupcakes
I used to defrost my cupcakes by simply unwrapping my cupcakes and allowing to defrost at room temperature. However I found that condensation would form on the cupcakes as they defrosted. And this resulted in sticky tops.
So I found this tip from I Scream For Buttercream, to defrost your cupcakes while wrapped. This keeps the condensation forming on the OUTSIDE of the package, not on the cupcakes themselves.
How To Freeze Frosted Cupcakes:
- Cool Completely. Again, you need to make sure they are cooled completely. Any residual heat in the cupcakes will create condensation. I allow my cupcakes to cool for at least 1 hour.
- Partially freeze. You want to partially freeze them first uncovered. I place mine on a small cookie sheet and allow to freeze until frozen (this can take several hours).
- Transfer to a container or wrap well. Make sure you pick a container that’s large enough to hold the cupcakes safely with the frosting. My favorite containers are these ones. Or you can wrap each cupcake, or up to 6 cupcakes, individually in plastic wrap (or again I recommend press-n-seal). As long as they are partially frozen they frosting won’t get squished. And then transfer the wrapped cupcakes to a sturdy container.
- Uncover and defrost. I like to unwrap the cupcakes so they don’t defrost and squish the frosting.
How Long Can Keep Cupcakes Be Frozen?
I would recommend freezing the cupcakes for no more 3 months.
How To Bake Cupcakes Ahead Of Time For A Party
I’ve made plenty of cupcakes for parties – big (like a wedding) and small (dinner party with a few friends), so I’ve worked out how to make cupcakes ahead of time so as not to lose my mind.
1 week ahead – Make your buttercream and store in the fridge (you can also make and freeze your buttercream up to 2 months ahead of time)
2 days before – Make your cupcakes and store at room temperature
1 day up to a few hours before the party – Re-whip the frosting and frost the cooled cupcakes. If it’s a day before then I will store the cupcakes in the fridge in a container. These are my favorite containers and super handy to travel with. Be sure to take out a couple hours before so the buttercream frosting can soften.
More Cupcake 101
- 12 Easy Cupcake Decorating Ideas
- 6 Cupcake Decorating Supplies You Need
- Why Do Cupcakes Sink?
- The Ultimate Guide To Baking Cupcakes At Home
- How To Store Leftover Buttercream
Ingredients
- saran wrap (or press-n-seal)
- large plastic bag
- 1 batch vanilla cupcakes
Instructions
How To Freeze Unfrosted Cupcakes
- Cool Completely. Again, you need to make sure they are cooled completely. Any residual heat in the cupcakes will create condensation. I allow my cupcakes to cool for at least 1 hour.
- Wrap well. I LOVE and can't recommend enough using press-n-seal. I like to wrap 6 cupcakes at a time. I wrap in the Press-N-Seal place in a large sealable plastic bag. I place a dozen cupcakes into the bag, total. If you are really nervous about freezer burn, you can wrap each one individually.
- Keep your cupcakes wrapped, while they defrost at room temperature. This keeps condensation forming on the OUTSIDE of the package, not on the cupcakes themselves. Unwrap once thawed and frost.
How To Freeze Frosted Cupcakes
- Cool Completely. Again, you need to make sure they are cooled completely. Any residual heat in the cupcakes will create condensation. I allow my cupcakes to cool for at least 1 hour.
- Partially freeze. You want to partially freeze them first uncovered. I place mine on a small cookie sheet and allow to freeze until frozen (this can take several hours).
- Transfer to a container or wrap well. Make sure you pick a container that's large enough to hold the cupcakes safely with the frosting. My favorite containers are these ones. Or you can wrap each cupcake, or up to 6 cupcakes, individually in plastic wrap (or again I recommend press-n-seal). As long as they are partially frozen they frosting won't get squished. And then transfer the wrapped cupcakes to a sturdy container.
- Uncover and defrost. I like to unwrap the cupcakes so they don't defrost and squish the frosting.
Notes
- Keep cupcakes frozen for up to 3 months.
Hello. I have a 2 tier cake and 100 cupcakes to make for a wedding on Saturday, Oct. 22. The cupcakes will have a buttercream swirl and sprinkles/ decorative sugar on top and half of them will have a raspberry filling. They will be baked in the tulip-style cupcake papers. I was thinking I’d get them baked next week and freeze them, but wasn’t sure if they can be wrapped well enough around the tulip papers. Then I thought I’d thaw, ice, and decorate them on the Thursday before the wedding and store them in plastic cupcake boxes at room temp. until Saturday. Does this sound like a good plan?? This is my first wedding order and I’m rather nervous about it. 😬
Hi Joann, I’m not use to using tulip papers. Not sure if you have time to a test run but always worth a try of one. They could peel away from the papers. But otherwise the timeline on freezing. And you may want to store in the fridge after decorating – covered well – and then make sure to bring to room temperature before everyone eats them.
I’m curious… Why do you think freezing them would cause them to peel away from the papers? Is it because they’re not ribbed like regular cupcake liners? I don’t know if I’ll have time to do a test batch. I’m wondering if I should just bake them in regular cupcake liners and then, after they’re Frozen and it’s time to decorate them, if I just slip them down inside the tulip liners so they look fancier. And, you think that, after they are decorated, they will stay fresh in these plastic containers in the fridge from Thursday until Saturday? These are the plastic containers with a bottom and connected top that you can find on Amazon.
Hi Joann, I meant when they thaw sometimes I find certain liners can peel away. I can’t say for sure with those cupcake liners. I think two days in the fridge is fine but I wouldn’t go any longer than that.
Iit better to freeze them frosted or ud and frost them post defrosting?
Hi Maria, You can freeze the frosted or unfrosted and then frost after. Both work great!
Hi,
Do you find that cream cheese frosting still tastes good after freezing? Also, if I take them from the freezer and drive somewhere 30 minutes away, do you think they will be too defrosted to unwrap without disturbing the frosting?
Hi Tina, yes I’ve had good luck with freezing my cream cheese frosting. As far as travelling with them frozen and wrapped can’t say for sure. But I would probably unwrap and then put in a safe container to travel with – by the time they get there they should be all defrosted and ready to enjoy (or at least need a little bit of more time but close to serving).
Hello! How do I freeze 150 cupcakes I need to bake for a wedding? Thank You! 🧁
Hi Rene, I like to let mine cool and pop in a plastic bags and try to remove as much air as possible, or wrap individually as shown in the post, and then make sure they lay flat in the freezer. You can also place in containers after they are in bags so you stack as many as you can in your freezer.
Hi,
How long should I defrost my cupcakes (unfrosted) before frosting them and serving?
Thank you
Hi Diana, they defrost pretty quickly I’d say they should be ready to frost in about an hour or so.
This is wonderful information. My sons High School is doing a bake sale to raise money to help send our State Beta Club winners to Nationals. Since this is his Senior year I am so excited to see his show choir compete for the last time. I will be using this to bake ahead.
Aw that’s wonderful! Good luck with all the. Baking 🙂
I love this and will be using it to freeze 450 cupcakes for my daughters wedding. My question for you is have you ever frozen them filled?
Hi Steph! I haven’t but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. I would maybe do a test cupcake and try it. Could depend on the filling. Congrats on your daughters wedding!!
Thanks so much for this info! I am looking into making cupcakes for my own wedding and am trying to figure out if I’m crazy or if it will be fine using this method – haha!
How many cupcakes fit into these containers that you linked? https://amzn.to/36l0rxz
Hi Cayli, sorry for the late reply but I don’t remember exactly but I want to say 40-50?
I used paper cupcake liners when I baked my cupcakes. Do I keep these on, or remove the paper liners, before freezing? Thanks!
I always freeze in the cupcake liners
This info is a lifesaver! I’m making 200 cupcakes for a wedding that is a 12 hour drive away. I’d like to bake them ahead of time at home. We are driving on Thursday with the wedding on Saturday evening. Do you think they would be ok to freeze and travel undecorated, then frost them the day after the drive? Any suggestions on traveling with frozen cupcakes? It will be February so not hot.
Hi Julie! Wow that’s a lot of cupcakes and a long drive 🙂 but yes I think they should be fine. I’ve never traveled that far with cupcakes, so can’t be completely sure, but I think as long as they are frozen when you start they should be fine. Keep wrapped up until thawed, then unwrap when ready to frost. I love putting them in long flat tubberware containers, with bottoms lined with shelf liners so they stay flat, and then yes should be good to frost the next day!
Didn’t you say above that you should defrost with cupcakes wrapped ? I’m confused
Hi Linda, if they are frosted I defrost them unwrapped but if unfrosted then keep wrapped up until they have thawed.
😶 she literally said keep them wrapped until thawed and then you say “didn’t you saw above that you defrost them wrapped?” Uh yeah. That’s what leave them wrapped unthawed means. 😅
Hi, Heather. Thanks for all your information. My question is:
If I cool and pack cupcakes in an airtight container, can I wrap the container itself with several turns of plastic wrap, or still just do individual cupcakes? Thanks a bunch!!
Hi Denise! I’m glad you found the article helpful 🙂 I haven’t tried wrapping the container itself. But I don’t see why it wouldn’t work, especially if you have a lot of cupcakes and don’t want to wrap each one individually!
I’ll have 408 cupcakes.
Oh wow! That’s a lot so no I wouldn’t go to the hassle of wrapping them up individually! But yes I think making sure they are in airtight containers and you could wrap those a couple times to be safe and you should be good to go.
I love how moist the cupcakes tuned out using this method I even think they were moister than fresh. My question is I have to make 200 cpcakes and 4 cakes for a wedding so I am limited on freezer space. I was wondering if I can freeze them ibatches of a dozen and once they freeze completely can I stack the bags to allow for more in my freezer.
Aw so glad you love the method! And yes I would freeze them solid first unwrapped on a small cookie sheet (about an hour should do the trick) and the. As soon as they’re solid transfer them to a bag or container and then stack them. I find as long as they are frozen solid and lay flat they are good to go!
Hi Heather
I making decorated cupcakes for a schools bake sale. I plan to frost and freeze then bring them out to add sprinkle and paste decorations a couple of days before the event. I wondering if I can freeze them in plastic airtight containers instead of individually wrapping them. Will that work?
Thanks for you generosity in sharing I so appreciate it.
Hi Lyn, yes plastic bags or containers will be fine. If they were gonna be frozen for months I would say wrap individually and/or put in multiple bags. But if it’s a short freeze then a container or plastic bag will work great!
I’ve never frozen cupcakes for a big event but would like to try. Do cupcakes that have been frozen tend to be drier than fresh baked? Do they stay fresh as long or only last a short time? Thank you!
Hi Cheri, I’ve never noticed a difference. As long as they are wrapped well, and haven’t been frozen for longer than 3 months, should thaw and be great! 🙂
Thank you! Do you normally thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator?
I thaw, unwrapped, at room temperature. They thaw quickly!
Hi there. I am going to be making about 15 dozen cupcakes for my daughter’s quincenera. My plan is to bake, frost and freeze about two months before the event. What is the best frosting to use? Buttercream or whipped cream?
Hi Jacqueline! I would use buttercream. It freezes well. I don’t think whipped cream would freeze and thaw well.
Can they be frozen in the cupcake carrier for about 7 days??
Hi Julie! Yes I think they would be fine 🙂
The link to the Amazon containers didn’t work. Can you let me know the name of them?
Hi Kim! I use the Sterilite plastic containers with latching lids. Something like this: https://amzn.to/36l0rxz
Hello Heather..
loved your blog post.was very informative.
quick query can we freeze cupcake frosted with whipped cream cheese frosting.i hv a 4 hour drive where i need 2 get these cupcakes do i need 2 freeze them or refrigeration would be fine in this summer.i stay in north east..
Hi Betcy! Aw thank you and Im glad you found it helpful! I would say as long as they stay cold you should be fine. I personally would try to keep some ice packs near them- jist make sure they aren’t in direct contact so they get wet. Hope that helps!
Question: I’m planning to freeze some frosted cupcakes (I have a long, long drive from my home to a gathering and it will be awkward to decorate there). So is it OK to add sprinkles or chopped nuts to the tops BEFORE freezing? Will the sprinkles leech color? Any advice?
Hi Amanda! My guess is that yes they sprinkles may bleed color. You could always do a test cupcake to see? And if so, not sure your decorating setup but I. Like to keep my cupcakes in a big Tupperware container and then sprinkle away so the container catches the mess (a rimmed baking sheet might do the trick too!)
Thanks so much for the caution, Heather! I can certainly frost at home but it should be easy enough to sprinkle the nuts and sprinkles at my destination since that’s quicker (and doesn’t require a mixer and piping bags!) and the bake-and-take will catch the excess.
Of course! Hope it all goes well Amanda 🙂
Great information! I made cupcakes for my two upcoming graduates. I didn’t frost them but double wrapped in Saran Wrap, covered with aluminum foil, put in a freezer bag and put them in a plastic Tupperware type container to protect them. I now realize I should have frosted them first according to what I’ve since read. Can I still salvage them to frost the day before the party? If so, how should I defrost them? I read somewhere that you have to take the liners off or they’ll get soggy. Of course that’s not an option. Is there a way to still use these or should I start over? I would appreciate any help. Thanks!
Hi Laura! I’m thinking they will totally be salvageable! I always unwrap completely first and let thaw at room temperature before frosting – they will thaw quite quickly. I’ve never taken the liners off myself. I hope that helps!
I’m so confused. I know it’s been said but you are saying to thaw them unwrapped. In the main article, you say to thaw them wrapped. She says she didn’t frost them, and you tell her to unwrap them. I’m sorry if I don’t understand. I did buy the containers you mentioned. It looks like each container will hold 12 unfrosted cupcakes. I’m making and freezing 100 cupcakes for a wedding and wanting to thaw and frost the day before. So, do I cool, wrap in press and seal, put in the container and then freeze? And then take out of container to unthaw but leaved wrapped until thawed? I’m freaking out about this wedding, and I want this to work. Thank you for article.
Sorry for any confusion – wrap the cooled cupcakes in press and seal as shown in the article and place in a bag. Then thaw while they are still wrapped, so they don’t get sticky tops. Once thawed, unwrapped and frost. Then store in your containers. Depending on the frosting and where you live you may need to refrigerate the containers until the next day, or since it’s just overnight they should be fine at room temperature covered.