The Cold, Hard Truth About Freezing Baked Goods - Long
Decorating By GinaJuarez Updated 25 Oct 2005 , 9:22am by tanyascakes
I subscribe to a newsletter (Everyday Cheapskate), and this is the article I got today reagarding freezing baked goods. When I read it, I immediately thought of my cake buddies!
Every year about this time, I get the urge to do some early holiday baking. The feeling usually goes away about as quickly as it came, because I'm unsure how to package and store holiday treats so they don't lose that "just baked" appeal. This year, however, things are going to be different. I've been discovering all kinds of information for how to freeze fresh-baked goodies.
BAKED COOKIES: First, make sure the cookies are completely cooled. Next, tightly wrap each individual cookie in plastic wrap so that every part of it is covered. Place the wrapped cookies in a heavy freezer-type zip bag or airtight container. Freeze. When ready to serve, thaw at room temperature. Prepared this way, say the experts at www.KraftFoods.com, cookies will remain oven-fresh for up to one month.
UNBAKED COOKIES: Prepare cookies all the way to the point of baking them. However, instead of putting them into the oven, place the entire cookie sheet in the freezer. As soon as the raw cookies are frozen hard, transfer them into a heavy zip-type bag. To bake, remove the number of cookies desired and place in preheated oven following the recipe directions, increasing the baking time by several minutes. Cookie dough can be frozen for up to six weeks.
BARS AND BROWNIES: To freeze brownies and other bar-type cookies, allow the pan to completely cool without cutting into individual portions. Now wrap the pan very tightly with plastic wrap followed by foil. Freeze. When ready to serve, thaw at room temperature before cutting into individual portions. Note: If you wish to frost brownies, freeze them first, spread the frosting, freeze again until the frosting is solid and then follow with the wrapping instructions above. Frozen brownies will be delicious for up to three months when frozen.
QUICK BREADS: Loaves of banana bread, cranberry-nut bread and other types of quick breads make wonderful holiday gifts for neighbors, co-workers and teachers. You could easily get all of those gifts made now and have them frozen and ready to go. Do this: Wrap the baked loaves very tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Place in a heavy-duty plastic freezer bag and freeze. Prepared this way, quick breads will be oven-fresh for up to two months.
CAKES: Properly packaged for the freezer, fresh-baked cakes will be good for up the three months. To freeze unfrosted cakes, place the cooled cake in a freezer-style heavy plastic bag. To freeze a frosted cake, place it in the freezer for one hour or until the frosting is frozen hard. Then proceed as with the unfrosted cakes, above. Allow frozen cakes to thaw at room temperature for an hour.
CHEESECAKE: You will have great success freezing cheesecake provided you omit any toppings added after baking. Save these toppings for when you thaw and serve the cheesecake. Wrap the cheesecake tightly in plastic wrap, then again in foil. Freeze up to two months.
Well, I can feel my confidence soaring. I'm ready to get busy filling my freezer with holiday fare.
Thank you, Gina!
That is great information. It will come in handy.
Thanks so much for the holiday baking tips! I've been wondering how to get a head start on my baking too!
Interesting Gina, because it looks like they have reversed the "freshness" time for cookies and cakes. Cookies keep a lot longer, cakes start to deteriorate after 1 month with some cakes holding up for up to two months maximum. Of course fruitcakes will last up to 6 months.
I think they have most definitely made an error on this article.
Hugs Squirrelly Cakes
Great information, thank you very much for sharing!
Thank You Gina for the Info, And A Really Big Thank you for taking the Time to Type it all Up! =0)
SquirrellyCakes~ Are you sure that Fruit Cakes only last 6 months? We have Fruit Cake Family members,Some are well past the age of 6 months=0), and then there is the Cake itself, Omg, those things look like they are forever Old! hahaha..
~Sweet~=0)
Thank You Gina for the Info, And A Really Big Thank you for taking the Time to Type it all Up! =0)
SquirrellyCakes~ Are you sure that Fruit Cakes only last 6 months? We have Fruit Cake Family members,Some are well past the age of 6 months=0), and then there is the Cake itself, Omg, those things look like they are forever Old! hahaha..
~Sweet~=0)
Haha! With some fruit cakes, it would be difficult to tell the deterioration, family or edible, haha!
Hugs Squirrelly
Thank You Gina for the Info, And A Really Big Thank you for taking the Time to Type it all Up! =0)
~Sweet~=0)
IT was no problem. It's a emailed newsletter, just cut and paste 
Wow! Thanks so much for the info, Gina!! This will help out alot now that the holidays are closing in on us!
Tanya
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