How to Freeze a Fruitcake

Dense fruitcakes get their signature flavor from the selection of dried fruits and sweet liqueurs baked into the cake. These cakes remain moist and don't spoil for several weeks, or even months, when stored at room temperature, but you can extend their life by storing them in the freezer. The rich flavor of a fruitcake does require time to mature, so you must ripen the cake before freezing. The flavor won't ripen once the cake is frozen.

Wrap the fruitcake in cheesecloth dampened with the liqueur used to make the cake, then wrap it in a layer of plastic wrap. Store the fruitcake at room temperature for 4 weeks so the flavors can ripen and develop fully.

Wrap the fruit cake tightly in a double layer of freezer-safe plastic wrap. Wrap the a layer of aluminum foil around the the cake to further prevent air exposure and minimize freezer burn.

Place the wrapped fruitcake in a 0-degree Fahrenheit freezer. Store the frozen fruitcake for up to 1 year.

Remove the fruitcake from the refrigerator 24 hours before serving. Thaw it at room temperature, leaving it fully wrapped until you are ready to cut and serve.

Items you will need

• Cheesecloth
• Liqueur
• Plastic wrap
• Foil

Tip

• Freeze individual cake slices by wrapping them tightly and freezing them as you would a whole fruitcake.

References

• North Dakota State University Extension: Freezing Baked Goods
• Hale Groves: Storing and Serving Fruitcake

About the Author

Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. Previously, she owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening.

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