Can You Freeze Cake Pops?

Cake pops have become an extremely popular treat over the past few years. These bite-sized cakes on a stick are fun, creative, and simply delicious! But what do you do when you have leftovers? Can you freeze cake pops to enjoy later?

The short answer is yes, you can freeze cake pops to keep them fresh for up to 6 months. Freezing is a great way to save any extra cake pops you may have rather than letting them go to waste.

In this article, I’ll explain exactly how to properly freeze cake pops to maintain their texture and appearance. I’ll also share tips on the best packaging methods, how long they will last in the freezer, and how to thaw them.

What Are Cake Pops?

Before jumping into freezing methods, let’s make sure we all know what cake pops are!

Cake pops are bite-sized cakes in ball shapes that have been dipped in candy, chocolate, or another tasty coating. They are made by combining crumbled cake with frosting or melted chocolate to form a moldable mixture. This cake mixture is then rolled into balls and stuck onto lollipop sticks. The cake balls are chilled so they harden and hold their shape. Finally, they are dipped into a coating of your choice – melted chocolate and candy coatings are most common.

After dipping, cake pops can be decorated with sprinkles, nuts, crushed candy, edible glitter, and more to make them even more festive and fun. There are countless ways to get creative with decorations!

The cake element provides soft, moist texture while the candy/chocolate coating gives them a sweet crunch and helps seal in freshness. The sticks make them easy to eat on-the-go.

Cake pops were invented by baker Angie Dudley in 2008. She came up with the idea to turn leftover or damaged cakes from her bakery into lollipop-like treats. She called them “cakesicles” at first before renaming them cake pops, and they quickly took off in popularity. Nowadays you can find gourmet cake pops at bakeries, ice cream shops, and even at Starbucks!

Now onto the main question – can you freeze cake pops to enjoy later?

The answer is yes, cake pops actually freeze very well. Freezing is a great way to save the extras from a batch rather than letting them go bad within a few days. It allows you to enjoy pops of various flavors over an extended period of time.

Unless you’re making cake pops for a huge event, you will likely have leftovers. Freezing ensures you can break out those last few pops to quickly satisfy a sweet craving without any fresh baking or decorating. It’s also very convenient for bringing pops to events or parties on different days.

It is best to freeze cake pops plain if possible, without decorations or coatings. The exceptions would be for cake pops coated in candy melts or chocolate, which freeze well. Avoid freezing pops dipped in frosting, cream cheese, fudge, or nuts as they tend to harden or separate.

In the next sections, I’ll go over proper methods for freezing cake pops both decorated and undecorated so you can enjoy pops stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.

How to Prepare Undecorated Cake Pops for Freezing

If you have leftover plain cake pop spheres before decorating them, freezing couldn’t be easier.

Here are some tips for freezing undecorated cake balls:

Place cake balls in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper.
Freeze until solid, about 1 hour.
Transfer the frozen cake balls to an airtight container or resealable plastic freezer bag. Try to minimize air exposure.
Label the container with contents and freeze-by date (within 6 months).
Store in freezer set at 0°F or below.

The cake balls will keep well in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Freezing them first on a lined baking sheet prevents them from sticking together. Then you can package them together once hardened without squishing.

Plain cake balls freeze exceptionally well because they contain very little water content. The cold temperature prevents drying out, mold, or bacterial growth.

When ready to decorate, simply pull a few frozen cake balls from the freezer as needed. Let them thaw for 5-10 minutes before decorating so frosting and coatings adhere best.

How to Freeze Decorated Cake Pops

Freezing decorated cake pops requires a few more steps to protect the decorations and prevent sticking. Here are some tips:

Allow freshly decorated pops to rest at room temperature until coatings are completely set, about 1 hour.
Place each pop into paper baking cup to prevent sticking. Parchment paper or wax paper also works.
Layer pops in a rigid airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. Try to minimize air exposure.
Avoid overcrowding to prevent cracking or smudging decorations.
If freezing more than 24 hours in advance, wrap each pop individually in plastic wrap for added protection.
Label container with contents and freeze-by date (within 6 months).
Store in freezer set at 0°F or below.

The baking cups protect the pops from sticking together and absorbing odors. The parchment layers keep them neat and avoids damage to decorations. Individual plastic wrapping provides a foolproof barrier against freezer burn.

Follow the same tips if packaging pops in resealable plastic freezer bags instead of a container. Just be extra careful unwrapping to avoid cracks in the coating.

With proper packaging, decorated cake pops can survive the freezer for up to 6 months and still look fabulous!

Best Containers for Freezing Cake Pops

Using the right container is important for neatly freezing cake pops and protecting them from ice crystals or odors. Here are the best containers for storing pops in the freezer:

Rigid plastic storage containers with tight sealing lids block moisture loss. Look for freezer-safe, BPA-free options.
Aluminum baking tins or even pie tins keep cold air out. Wrap the entire tin in plastic wrap for added insulation if storing longer term.
Heavy duty resealable plastic freezer bags are very convenient and minimize air exposure. Choose ones designed specifically for freezing.
Tightly sealed glass jars or storage bowls also do the trick. Look for freezer-safe options and wrap jars in towels to prevent cracking.
Ice cube trays can hold individual cake pops separated during freezing. Once frozen, transfer to an airtight freezer bag or container.

Avoid thinner plastic containers, cardboard, or porous materials that allow moisture transfer. Freezer burn will lead to dry, damaged cake pops over time.

You can reuse most cake pop containers. Just make sure to wash thoroughly between uses so flavors don’t intermingle.

How Long Can Cake Pops Be Frozen?

With proper packaging in an airtight freezer container, both undecorated cake balls and decorated cake pops will last 6 months in the freezer.

The quality remains best within 1-2 months but they are still safe to eat for the full 6 months if stored at a constant 0°F. Let your taste preferences guide you.

Factors impacting frozen shelf life:

Ingredient freshness – Fresh ingredients like fruit purees have higher water content and decrease shelf life compared to using packaged ingredients.
Fat content – More butter or cream cheese in the cake mixture resists freezer burn better than lower-fat recipes.
Surface area – Mini cake pops have a better frozen shelf life than larger sizes since less moisture can escape through the coating.
Freezer temperature – A consistent 0°F maximizes how long cake pops last frozen. Temperature fluctuations shorten shelf life.
Packaging – Airtight, moisture-proof packaging prevents freezer burn which leads to dried out, icy textures.

With optimal freezing and storage methods, you can freeze cake pops to keep on hand for up to 6 months. Be sure to label packages with the freeze date and use within that time frame.

How Should You Thaw Frozen Cake Pops?

Removing cake pops from the freezer is simple. To thaw:

Take pops out of the freezer and leave sealed in packaging at room temperature for 30 minutes. The coating will start softening.
Or, seal pops in packaging and place in the refrigerator overnight. They will slowly thaw over 5-6 hours.
For quicker thawing, leave them on the counter for 15-20 minutes. Microwaving is not recommended.
Once coatings feel soft and cake mixture is thawed, the pops are ready to eat and enjoy!

Most coatings will re-harden to their original texture at room temperature after thawing. However, decorations like sprinkles or nuts may loosen or fall off.

If the pops will be served at a special event or party after thawing, it’s best to make them fresh instead for the best quality. But for personal snacking, thawed cake pops still taste great!

Let your appetite guide you on frozen storage length. For optimal texture and appearance, aim to consume thawed cake pops within a month. The cake interior may become dry if left in the freezer too long.

Tips for Freezing Cake Pops

Follow these tips for flawless cake pops after freezing and thawing:

Use cake recipes with lower moisture and fat. Dense, rich cakes hold up better to freezing than delicate sponge cakes. Opt for pound cake, cookie cake, or icebox-style recipes with lots of eggs and butter.
Avoid filling mixes like pudding or fresh fruit that increase water content. Stick with buttercream or cream cheese frostings.
Fully bake cakes so they are dry, not moist. Under-baked cake is more prone to weeping moisture during freezing.
Cool cake completely before mixing into frosting. Warm cake negatively impacts frozen texture.
Seal packaging tightly. Use plastic wrap pressed against the cake pops if storing over 24 hours. This prevents freezer burn.
Freeze pops in single layer first before combining in containers. Individual quick freezing ensures best results.
Defrost pops gradually in fridge not microwave. Microwaving risks melting or scorching.

Ready to Freeze Some Cake Pops?

I hope this article has helped explain exactly how to freeze cake pops for enjoying months later!

Proper freezing methods allow you to conveniently stock up on these sweet treats to pull out anytime a cake pop craving strikes. No more wasting leftover cake pops!

Here’s a quick summary of the process:

Prepare undecorated cake balls on parchment-lined trays and freeze solid. Package together in sealed bags or containers once frozen.
For decorated pops, place each in paper bake cup and layer between parchment sheets in a rigid freezer-safe container. Wrap individually in plastic wrap if freezing more than 24 hours.
Label packages with contents and freeze-by date (up to 6 months at 0°F).
Thaw frozen pops gradually on the counter or overnight in the fridge.

So don’t let leftover cake pops go to waste. Stash them in the freezer and break them out later for easy after-school snacks, fun sleepover treats, holiday parties, and more.

Now that you know you can freeze cake pops to enjoy for months on end, you’ll never have to say no to cake pops again!

Can You Freeze Cake Pops?

What Are Cake Pops?