How to Freeze and Store Cupcakes with Frosting

While I enjoy preparing meals in advance, I also love to do the same with homemade cupcakes! Whatever flavor you're baking, this guide will show you how to freeze and store cupcakes with frosting (or unfrosted cupcakes) so that you can enjoy the flavor of fresh cupcakes at a later date, even after they've been in the freezer for a few weeks or even a couple of months.

There may be a special occasion or event where I make a dozen black velvet cupcakes but have a few leftover ones I don't want to waste.

Or there are times when I have multiple upcoming celebrations but want to spread out raspberry almond cupcakes across a few different occasions.

In any case, it's possible and easy to freeze your cupcakes so they still taste fresh whenever you are ready to serve them!

Jump to:

• Advantages to Freezing Cupcakes
• When to Freeze vs. Refrigerate Cupcakes
• Items You Need for Freezing Cupcakes
• Environmentally Friendly Ways to Store Delicious Cupcakes
• Different Frostings for Frozen Cupcakes
• Cream Cheese and Whipped Frostings
• How to Freeze and Store Cupcakes with Frosting
• Different Ways of Freezing Flavorful Cupcakes
• Cupcake Storage in the Refrigerator
• Keeping Store-bought Cupcakes Fresh
• Freezing Cupcakes with Sprinkles on Them
• Reviving Frozen Cupcakes for a Fresh Taste
• Cupcake Recipes

Advantages to Freezing Cupcakes

Do you have multiple birthdays for family coming up over the next few weeks? Maybe you have groups of friends celebrating milestones in the weeks ahead.

Do you just enjoy having a few extra cupcakes on hand and available at any time?

Whatever the reason, there are advantages to freezing just about all types of cupcakes.

• If you make a dozen cupcakes but only need three or four right now, you can safely and easily keep the leftover cupcakes fresh in a storage container in your freezer until the next occasion where you'd like to bring a baked good.
• Baking and frosting a large batch of cupcakes at once and slowly giving them to people is a great way to save yourself time. Now you're ready to show up to any event with cupcakes to share!

When to Freeze vs. Refrigerate Cupcakes

If you bake cupcakes one evening and want to enjoy them the following, no need to keep them in the freezer or refrigerator.

So long as your kitchen or home is around 70°F, most types of cupcakes will be fine in a sealed container at room temperature.

As a general rule of thumb, they'll remain fresh for about 48 hours, and after that you want to move them to the refrigerator if you plan to have them in the next day or two. Beyond that, they should go in the freezer.

Items You Need for Freezing Cupcakes

Freezing cupcakes couldn't be simpler.

Cupcakes and an airtight container are the two necessary items you need for best results in keeping cupcakes in a freezer for weeks or even months at a time.

When purchasing a container, look to see if the product has an airtight seal. This will keep your baked goods from forming freezer burn, which makes them dry out and lose their taste much more quickly.

This plastic container is one of my favorites for frozen cupcakes. I like that these boxes stack easily in the freezer. And because they're clear, you can tell at a glance what's inside.

While wax paper isn't a must-have, it can be helpful, especially when you have a large number of cupcakes.

You may need to stack cupcakes on top of each other if you have a deep container. If you do, separate each single layer of cupcakes with wax paper. This is a good idea to minimize smudged and messy frosting.

In a pinch, I have also used parchment paper in lieu of wax paper without much issue.

Environmentally Friendly Ways to Store Delicious Cupcakes

Instead of relying solely on disposable plastic cake carriers, consider investing in durable, multi-use containers. Reusable and eco-friendly containers can significantly shrink our carbon footprint.

Also, when you wrap cupcakes for freezing, ditch plastic or saran wrap for options like beeswax wraps or reusable silicone food covers. Not only do these alternatives securely seal your cupcakes for freshness, they also help you avoid single-use plastic waste.

Sometimes our options are limited, though, so if you need to resort to a resealable plastic bag, opt for one that is durable and reusable.

Different Frostings for Frozen Cupcakes

Whether you're following a recipe that uses a classic buttercream frosting or a thick cream cheese frosting like the chocolate version on my fudgy cupcakes, the steps are the same. This process will generally work with different types of cupcake frosting.

That said, while I use Swiss meringue buttercream less, I recommend freezing Swiss meringue separately from your cupcakes. Swiss meringue needs to be rewhipped before using in order to maintain the light and fluffy texture.

Cream Cheese and Whipped Frostings

I don't recommend stacking cupcakes that have a whipped cream topping or runny cream cheese frosting. Because the frostings are soft, you can't stack more cupcakes on top of these options.

You could freeze plain cupcakes and add one of these frostings after cupcakes have thawed and before serving the day of a party or special event.

If you're using one of these kinds of frosting on your cupcakes, you'll want to store them in single layers in containers in the freezer rather than stacking cupcakes on top of each other.

How to Freeze and Store Cupcakes with Frosting

Cold Cupcakes - The first step after baking your cupcakes is to remove them from their cupcake or muffin tin within 10 minutes. I usually use a spoon or butter knife to gently lift them from the sides of the tin.

Place hot cupcakes on a wire rack on your kitchen counter and give them enough time to cool completely.

Because a wire rack has many openings in it, air circulates completely around any baked goods resting on it. This helps them cool fully and faster.

You want to cool your cupcakes at room temperature. Don't place them in the refrigerator, as the moisture there can create condensation and form sticky tops on your cupcakes.

Cupcake Frosting - As your cupcakes cool, you could whip your frosting in a mixing bowl if it's not ready yet.

Once cupcakes are cool to the touch, use a pastry bag or piping bag to frost cupcakes. Use whatever type of frosting you prefer on the top of the cupcake.

Alternatively, store them unfrosted and add the frosting to it closer to the time of serving.

Freezing Process - Place frosted and cooled cupcakes in a deep airtight container and snap shut the tight-fitting lid to freeze for up to three months.

Cupcake Storage in the Refrigerator

For short-term storage, cupcakes have a shelf life of a couple of days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

That said, don't store them there for more than a day or two. If you do, they'll dry out.

According to The Spruce Eats, placing cupcakes in the refrigerator actually quickens the process of crystallization in the sugar and flour. The end result is a stale cupcake.

As they noted, if your cupcakes have a filling that contains dairy products or eggs, you should refrigerate within a day for food safety.

The best way to ensure cupcakes retain their moisture and freshness is to bring them out about 30 minutes before serving. This helps them reach room temperature, which will make them softer instead of having the firmness from being in the refrigerator.

Keeping Store-bought Cupcakes Fresh

The same steps here apply for both homemade cupcakes and ones from a grocery store.

Especially if your cupcakes from the bakery come in a hard, sealed container, those plastic shells are great for storing.

Unlike a paper box with folding sides, the plastic containers snap into place, making them more airtight, which slows the drying process of the cupcakes.

But if your store or bakery only has the cardboard boxes and you want to have extra protection, wrap your box in cling wrap or plastic wrap to keep it moist for longer.

Or move the cupcakes into an airtight container of your own.

Freezing Cupcakes with Sprinkles on Them

While you can freeze cupcakes with sprinkles, here are some tips to keep in mind before doing so.

If you need to stack cupcakes on top of each other in your storage container, place a sheet of wax or parchment paper between layers. This helps prevent the sprinkles and frosting from smudging or sticking to each other.

Freezing cupcakes that are already decorated with sprinkles is one extra step and way you can get ahead with preparing cupcakes in advance. This way, they're fully ready to serve.

And if you want to decorate cupcakes with sprinkles, be sure to add them before you freeze them. When frosting is cold, it will crust. This will make it very difficult to add sprinkles to your cupcakes after they've thawed. So include them before freezing.

Reviving Frozen Cupcakes for a Fresh Taste

Freezing cupcakes helps you enjoy them longer, but there are a few key steps to follow when you're ready to eat them.

To bring back that freshly baked taste, thaw cupcakes in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing process helps them retain their moisture without compromising texture.

Placing frozen cupcakes on the kitchen counter for about 1-2 hours at room temperature is another way to expedite the thawing process.

If you're really in a time crunch, you can also pop them in the microwave. To avoid a melted mess of frosting, though, microwave them on a low setting in short 5-10 second bursts until you're satisfied with the temperature. You just need a little warmth here to revive the cake, so be sure to closely monitor the cupcakes.

Cupcake Recipes

Now that you've read all about freezing and storing cupcakes, dive into making them!