How to Freeze a Baked Gluten Free Crumb Coffee Cake
When I make my Grandma’s Gluten Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake, I make sure every last piece is saved, so I freeze the leftover slices.
Keep reading as I will show you how to freeze a baked gluten free crumb coffee cake whether it is whole or in individual pieces.
Having a moist coffee cake available to enjoy with a cup of coffee is a wonderful convenience when you have guests arrive or you want to treat your family to an unforgettable coffee cake anytime.
This preserving technique can be applied to classic sour cream coffee cake, blueberry coffee cake, pumpkin coffee cake, carrot cake and even a fruit buckle with a tender crumb.
Follow along as I walk you through the best methods for freezing as well as how to reheat it when you are ready to enjoy it again.
I will give you tips and answer frequently asked questions about freezing your delicious baked goods to save time and money!
What you will need to freeze your Streusel Coffee Cake
- Plastic Wrap or Aluminum Foil
- Freezer Zip Top Bags
- Parchment Paper or Freezer Paper
- Baking Sheet
- Permanent Marker
Shelf life of a Gluten Free Coffee Cake
The shelf life of coffee cake is 2-3 days at room temperature when stored in an airtight container.
When it contains butter and sour cream, it lends to not lasting very long.
If you want to extend the freshness of your gluten free cinnamon crumb coffee cake, then freezing is the way to go.
When you freeze a coffee cake, you can preserve its quality for up to 3 months for best quality, ensuring that you always have a delicious treat on hand.
The trick is to make sure you prepare it properly for the long freeze.
Choosing the Right Type Of Cake To Freeze
Not all coffee cakes are created equal when it comes to freezing as some may have frosting or various toppings.
Unfrosted cakes such as sour cream coffee cake, walnut cake, crumb cake, pound cakes, and quick breads freeze exceptionally well as the crumb topping stays in place.
Some cakes with meringue-based frostings or delicate toppings may not hold up as well in the freezer.
If there is going to be fruit in the cake, consider tossing the fruit in a little bit of lemon juice before adding to the batter to help maintain its color when frozen.
You must consider the size and shape of the cake to choose the best way to freeze it and preserve it with a freezer-safe container that fits.
| Cake Type | Freezing Success | Special Considerations |
| Crumb Coffee Cake | Excellent | Flash-freeze 1 hour first |
| Sour Cream Cake | Excellent | High fat content freezes well |
| Bundt Cake | Very Good | Reduce streusel on bottom layer |
| Fruit-Topped Cake | Good | Toss fruit in lemon juice first |
| Meringue-Frosted Cake | Poor | Add frosting after thawing |
Freezing Your Gluten Free Coffee Cake Whole
Freezing a whole coffee cake is a great option if you want to preserve the entire cake for events or special occasions.
To freeze the whole thing make sure you use parchment paper when baking the cake.
This allows you to lift the entire cake out of the prepared pan without disturbing the streusel topping.
If you have made the coffee cake in a pan that is unable to be lined with parchment like a bundt pan, then make sure you grease the pan well and coat with some cake flour before adding the cake batter.
Once the cake has baked and set for a short time, lift it out of the pan and let the cake cool on a wire rack until it has reached room temperature.
Now wrap the cake tightly in a layer of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil or heavy-duty freezer wrap to prevent freezer burn.
Using two layers of plastic wrap is a good idea as well, then place the wrapped cake into a heavy-duty freezer bag or freezer safe airtight container.
Zip-top freezer bags work best as they are meant to store food in the freezer with and prevent freezer burn which dries out and ruins food.
Make sure to write the date you froze it, as well as the best by date so you can identify it later once frozen.
| Layer Number | Material | Purpose |
| Layer 1 | Plastic wrap (tight) | Moisture barrier |
| Layer 2 | Plastic wrap or foil | Air seal reinforcement |
| Layer 3 | Heavy-duty freezer bag | Freezer burn protection |
| Final Step | Permanent marker label | Date tracking (freeze & best-by) |
Freezing Your Gluten Free Coffee Cake in Slices
If you have already enjoyed the coffee cake and have some leftover slices, or just prefer to freeze individual portions, slice the cake before freezing and wrap them up.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the cut slices on the sheet tray with a few inches in-between each.
Freeze this way for 1 hour then remove from the freezer and wrap each piece of leftover cake in plastic wrap or heavy duty foil.
As with the whole cake, place the wrapped slices into a freezer plastic bag and label the outside with the date it was frozen and a date 3 months out that it is best by.
Freezing them individually first also allows you to use a zip-top bag for freezing without wrapping them, and they will not stick together.
I still recommend wrapping them though, especially if you have a crumble on top of the cake, to keep the streusel in place.
| Step | Time Required | Critical Action |
| Slice & Arrange | 5 minutes | Space slices 2-3 inches apart |
| Flash Freeze | 1 hour | Do not skip this step |
| Individual Wrap | 10 minutes | Plastic wrap or foil each slice |
| Bag & Label | 3 minutes | Add all slices to one freezer bag |
| Total Process | 1 hour 18 minutes | Shelf life: 3 months |
Thawing and Serving the Frozen Coffee Cake
When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen coffee cake, there are a few different ways to thaw it and prepare for enjoying again!
If you froze the whole cake, the best thawing method is to transfer the cake from the freezer to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight.
If in individual slices, I still recommend thawing in the refrigerator overnight or on the countertop at room temperature for a few hours.
Once thawed, reheat the cake slices in the oven or toaster oven until warmed.
I place the slice or entire cake on a baking sheet and heat oven to 350F.
Bake the thawed cake 10-12 minutes or individual slices for 5-6 minutes. You want it to be warmed and not baked anymore or it may dry out.
If you are concerned with the cake drying out, make a foil packet for it to warm up in where it is shielded from the heat drying it out.
| Method | Time Needed | Best For |
| Refrigerator Overnight | 8-12 hours | Whole cakes, planned occasions |
| Room Temperature | 2-3 hours | Individual slices, same-day serving |
| Countertop (wrapped) | 3-4 hours | Whole cakes, faster option |
| Direct Reheat (no thaw) | 15-20 minutes | Emergency quick serving |
Tips and FAQs About Freezing and Preserving your Cake
- I chose to make My Grandma’s Gluten Free Coffee Cake Recipe in an 8×8 pan since it was easier to line the pan with parchment and lift out for cutting and preserving. You can of course use this same technique with loaf pans. If you are using a recipe that normally goes in an 8×8 pan, use two parchment paper lined loaf pans and follow the directions for the cake layers.
- Good news is that this technique of freezing cake also works with layer cakes, sheet cakes and even a whole frozen pie. Many pro bakers use this idea with wedding cake, angel food cake, cookie dough and even popular chocolate cake.
- Ensure your cake stays fresh in the freezer by layering the plastic freezer wrap and combining with a freezer bag for best results.
- If the cake you are wanting to freeze includes cream cheese chunks or a cream cheese swirl, keep in mind that the cream cheese layer may separate if it is not blended with a little bit of the flour mixture and an egg. Blending some of the batter with the cream cheese and an egg helps to stabilize the cream cheese so it does not separate in baking and storage.
Will this freezing technique work if I make my coffee cake in a bundt pan? Bundt Cakes are a bit tricker with a streusel topping so choose to add fewer crumbs to the bottom of the pan, so it holds together better when removed. Then add in half of the batter and all of the brown sugar streusel topping in the middle, then end with the remaining batter. I skip the instructions in my recipe for making a double layer of streusel in order for the bundt cake to not crumble into a mess once removed from the pan. This is your best bet to have the bundt coffee cake to hold together when removing from the pan once baked. Also make sure you add in some gluten free all-purpose flour or fine ground almond flour into the bundt pan after greasing to ensure an easy removal.
What are some ways to serve the reheated coffee cake other than plain on a plate? When I was growing up, we would adorn the top of the warm coffee cake with softened butter, and it would melt over the top. When you use unsalted butter, it helps to reduce it from tasting too salty. You can also crumble the cake up into bits and top yogurt for breakfast! Greek yogurt is my favorite to make a layered treat with crumbled coffee cake.
Should I go ahead and top my coffee cake with the drizzle or wait until serving? The drizzle is easy to make right before serving your coffee cake versus topping before freezing. You can of course put the drizzle on before freezing like I did, and it will still taste fantastic. The drizzle is not as visible, but the flavor is there soaked into the top crumble. To make the drizzle easily, in a small bowl whisk unsalted butter, pure vanilla extract, stevia drops, heavy cream and confectioners erythritol. It will seem like there are not enough wet ingredients to dry ingredients, but just trust the process and continue whisking. You could also put it in a large bowl and mix with an electric mixer if you don’t want to use elbow grease!
Can I freeze coffee cake batter instead of the baked cake?
While the article focuses on freezing baked coffee cake, you can freeze prepared batter in a lined, wrapped pan for up to 1 month. When ready to bake, add the streusel topping to the still-frozen batter and bake directly from frozen, adding 10-15 minutes to the original baking time. This method works best for simple batters without fruit additions, as fruits can release excess moisture during the freeze-thaw process.
How do I prevent ice crystals from forming on my frozen coffee cake?
Ice crystals form when moisture escapes from the cake and refreezes on the surface. Prevent this by ensuring your cake is completely cooled to room temperature before wrapping, using multiple tight layers of wrap with no air pockets, and storing the wrapped cake in the coldest part of your freezer (usually the back, away from the door). Opening and closing the freezer frequently can cause temperature fluctuations that encourage crystal formation.
Is there a way to tell if my frozen coffee cake has gone bad or is still safe to eat?
Frozen coffee cake past its 3-month optimal window is still safe to eat for up to 6 months if properly stored, but quality declines. Signs of freezer burn include grayish-brown dry spots on the cake surface, ice crystals throughout, and an off smell when thawed. If the cake smells rancid, has visible mold (which can happen if moisture got into the packaging), or tastes stale and cardboard-like even after reheating, it’s best to discard it.
Whether you’re freezing a whole cake for a special occasion or individual slices for quick and easy snacks, following these freezing techniques will help preserve the freshness, flavor, and texture of your favorite coffee cake recipes.
Have a baking day and stock up your freezer with your favorite coffee cake flavors and enjoy the convenience of having them ready to go whenever the craving strikes!
How to Freeze a Baked Gluten Free Crumb Coffee Cake
Equipment
- plastic wrap or aluminum foil
- Freezer Zip Top Bags
- Parchment Paper or Freezer Paper
- baking sheet
- Permanent Marker
Ingredients
- Cake you are freezing (whole or sliced)
Instructions
Freezing Your Gluten Free Coffee Cake Whole
- To freeze the whole thing make sure you use parchment paper when baking the cake. This allows you to lift the entire cake out of the prepared pan without disturbing the streusel topping.
- If you have made the coffee cake in a pan that is unable to be lined with parchment like a bundt pan, then make sure you grease the pan well and coat with some cake flour before adding the cake batter.
- Once the cake has baked and set for a short time, lift it out of the pan and let the cake cool on a wire rack until it has reached room temperature. Now wrap the cake tightly in a layer of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil or heavy-duty freezer wrap to prevent freezer burn.
- Using two layers of plastic wrap is a good idea as well, then place the wrapped cake into a heavy-duty freezer bag or freezer safe airtight container. Zip-top freezer bags work best as they are meant to store food in the freezer with and prevent freezer burn which dries out and ruins food.
- Make sure to write the date you froze it, as well as the best by date so you can identify it later once frozen.
Freezing Your Gluten Free Coffee Cake in Slices
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the cut slices on the sheet tray with a few inches in-between each.
- Freeze this way for 1 hour then remove from the freezer and wrap each piece of leftover cake in plastic wrap or heavy duty foil.
- As with the whole cake, place the wrapped slices into a freezer plastic bag and label the outside with the date it was frozen and a date 3 months out that it is best by.
Thawing and Serving the Frozen Coffee Cake
- If you froze the whole cake, the best thawing method is to transfer the cake from the freezer to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight.
- If in individual slices, I still recommend thawing in the refrigerator overnight or on the countertop at room temperature for a few hours.
- Once thawed, reheat the cake slices in the oven or toaster oven until warmed. I place the slice or entire cake on a baking sheet and heat oven to 350F.
- Bake the thawed cake 10-12 minutes or individual slices for 5-6 minutes.
Notes
- I chose to make My Grandma’s Gluten Free Coffee Cake Recipe in an 8×8 pan since it was easier to line the pan with parchment and lift out for cutting and preserving. You can of course use this same technique with loaf pans. If you are using a recipe that normally goes in an 8×8 pan, use two parchment paper lined loaf pans and follow the directions for the cake layers.
- Good news is that this technique of freezing cake also works with layer cakes, sheet cakes and even a whole frozen pie. Many pro bakers use this idea with wedding cake, angel food cake, cookie dough and even popular chocolate cake.
- Ensure your cake stays fresh in the freezer by layering the plastic freezer wrap and combining with a freezer bag for best results.
- If the cake you are wanting to freeze includes cream cheese chunks or a cream cheese swirl, keep in mind that the cream cheese layer may separate if it is not blended with a little bit of the flour mixture and an egg. Blending some of the batter with the cream cheese and an egg helps to stabilize the cream cheese so it does not separate in baking and storage.
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