Hi! I read a post a while back that gave a recipe for a simple syrup using apricot preserves. Does anyone have this recipe or another good recipe for putting on a cake before freezing. Also...do you apply the syrup when the cake is still warm or do you wait until it has cooled or does it matter??? Thanks for any advice on this!!!!
traci

1 cup apricot preserves or any preserve

Heat preserve to boiling then strain. Brush on cake while still hot.. Let dry .. Glaze will dry to a hard finish in 15 minutes or less

Thanks Cheryl! Can this be used on any flavor cake before freezing? Does this help the cake stay moist??? I am thinking about trying a simple syrup and wanted to know which recipes work the best.
traci

Here's what I do thanks to Squirrelly "DA Momma of cakes"

1 cup apricot preserves
1 cup water

Boil apricots then strain them. Add back to your pan. Add water. Bring to boil again. Brush on cakes while still hot or when they are cool. It doesn't matter~

Squirrelly correct me if I'm wrong. I haven't used it in a while~

Correct, this is the watered down version of apricot glaze, it is watered down so that the cake doesn't pick up the flavour but benefits from the crumbcoating. You can brush this heated glaze on your cakes as soon as you take them out of the pan and level them, I tend to level the cakes warm, right out of the pan.
The benefit it, you don't have to wait to crumbcoat. I freeze the completely cooled apricot glazed cakes, well wrapped of course.
Hugs Squirrelly Cakes

I learned from the best!

Thanks TC and Squirrelly Cakes! Does this help keep the cake moist after freezing??? Do you defrost with the wrapping left on???
traci

Yep it does!

Yes, I defrost w/ the wrapping still on. I usually only use the apricot glaze when I'm doing a wedding cake. If I notice the cakes are crumbly I pull the already made glaze that I keep in the frig. And brush on it. Even if it's cold it still works the same way~

Yes, I defrost w/ the wrapping still on. I usually only use the apricot glaze when I'm doing a wedding cake. If I notice the cakes are crumbly I pull the already made glaze that I keep in the frig. And brush on it. Even if it's cold it still works the same way~

I can't take credit for this, actually the local bakery does this and recommends this for crumbcoating, to new decorating students. I find it really handy when I have a lot of cakes to do, I don't have to worry about them cooling with no covering and drying out.
Just wrap really well, once the cake is completely cool and the apricot glaze is set, I use a lot of plastic wrap and foil and usually garbage bags, clean unscented ones, of course.
Yes, leave the wrapping on when you defrost.
Yes, it does seal in the moisture. Use sparingly, though, 1/4 cup will do a rather large cake. You don't want to soak the cake, just brush on enough to coat it. Alway use the glaze while hot, the cake doesn't have to be hot, but the glaze does.
It keeps in a covered container in the fridge for months. I just put some in a custard cup and zap for about 35-40 seconds when I need it.
Make sure you are using pure apricot jam.
Hugs Squirrelly

Thank-you for the advice. I do not freeze my cakes very often...but it might be time saving on weekends that I have several orders!
traci

Thank-you both for the advice! I think this will help me a lot!!!!
traci

Haha, well I find that the glaze works best when hot in terms of how it sets up. It will still moisten your cake if used cold though.
Hugs Squirrelly

Do you brush it on with a pastry brush?

Yes, very sparingly!
Haha, thanks Turtle Lady, we are cross posting, haha!
Hugs Squirrelly

Has anyone ever mentioned tasting the apricot? I would love to try this and think I will this weekend.

Thanks for the good tips SC and Turtle.

I decided to try the watered down method of the apricot glaze. I baked, glazed, wrapped and froze two 1/2 sheet cakes yesterday. I will be decorating Thursday and Friday. I hope everyone likes the taste. Thanks Squirrelly Cakes and TC...I will let you know how they turn out!
traci

The watered down apricot glaze turned out to be a good success. I did a cake for my parents to take to an engagement party...and everyone raved about it. I was very happy because now I have a good method when I have several cakes in one weekend. How far in advance do you usually bake and freeze??? Just wondering...I baked on Tues. and froze for a cake that was for Saturday. Let me know what all of you guys do!!! Thanks!!!

Well you can bake ahead and freeze your cakes for a month maximum. I tend to only do it for a week, sometimes two if I have to.
Hugs Squirrelly Cakes

Thanks Squirrelly Cakes! I will probably bake on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. By the way...my dad flew to Canada this morning.
traci