Best cakes to freeze

[harveythehorse]

I'm unable to help a group I volunteer with at a big fundraising event they're hosting as I'm away but have promised a cake to contribute to the day. The problem is that it'll have to be frozen and defrosted by the organiser the day before . . . for this reason, I want something that will be completely ready to go (so won't need icing etc).

Does anyone have good ideas for a cake that will withstand freezing and be delicious without any post-defrosting fiddling? Would like to avoid fruit cake. Thank you!

Chocolate brownies/Choc cake do great. I freeze freshly made purchased ones and freshly made homemade ones regularly.

Does it have to be a cake? I found Little Lou Cooks no nut energy bars freeze very well. I've sold them at the community cafe I used to run quite a few times and they're always the first to sell out.

Lemon drizzle defrosts nice and fluffy ime. Banana bread can be a bit hit and miss. Works for lunch boxes, probably not a bake sale.

Chocolate brownies are a great idea. I can't eat chocolate so never think of them but that sounds like an easy-to-freeze crowd pleaser. Thank you x

Lemon drizzle (without the icing)
Banana bread/loaf.

I've frozen both and were fine when defrosted. Easy enough to make also.

Moroccan style almond citrus cake made with oil freezes well and defrosts easily and doesnt need icing. Agree with brownies too Jamie Oliver recipe fantastic.

Lemon drizzle was my first thought but was anxious about how it would defrost so this is super helpful. Does the drizzle retain that delicious crunchiness when defrosted? x

I often freeze ahead birthday cakes ( vanilla sponge, red velvet, mudcake), sometimes with the crumb coat of buttercream- so you could ‘properly’ ice with buttercream and freeze.

@harveythehorse no, it loses the crunch. Didn't think of that. Becomes more like a fluffy/sticky lemon loaf. My kids actually prefer it defrosted by now!

Lemon drizzle can mascarade as freshly made 😊 when frozen

Thank you all so much, some very helpful suggestions here xx

Marble cake. There's a great BBC Good Food recipe for chocolate and orange marble cake. I make it without the icing (it really doesn't need it) and it freezes beautifully.

I've frozen lots of cakes, and to be honest most have worked really well. I have found iced cakes freeze OK but icing can get squashed when manoeuvring the cake into the freezer, and the taste isn't so good after a while (but not a problem if freezing for a few weeks). I'm interested that lots have recommended lemon drizzle cake, as that's one I'm not sure freezes well (I like the crunchy topping).

Most traybakes work well too - I regularly freeze brownies and tiffin. They tend to be popular for fundraising too. As are cookies, which also freeze well!

All sponge cakes freeze, even with buttercream or water icing. (I worked in a cake bakery where everything was frozen and all tasted amazing).
This includes cakes with jam in, brownies, blondies and biscuits. Just make sure you wrap them really well and defrost the night before.