Can You Preserve Apple Shortcake?
Apple shortcake is quite similar to an apple tart. The buttery richness of the shortcake and the sweet tartness of the apples combine beautifully in this type of apple cake. You must be making shortcakes for your meals, so you know how much time it takes.
Apple cakes are loved by everyone. But baking cakes at home, also sometimes means having leftover cakes that you need to store. So, can you preserve apple shortcakes? Can you make the cakes in advance and store them for later use?
Yes, you can preserve the apple cakes for later use. They are quite freezer-friendly and keep well in the freezer when stored adequately. While the apple cake would usually last for about 2-3 days in the refrigerator, you can keep them in the freezer for months.
Remember to always store the cake in an airtight container if you are storing them in the fridge. However, freezing is a better option for a longer shelf life. You can also freeze the store-bought ones and cakes with caramel equally well. But how to freeze it? Read on to find out!
Which Apples Are Best For Shortcake?
Apples are found in a lot of varieties, and all of them can be used to make shortcakes. If you want the best varieties of apples, you can go with granny smith apples or Honeycrisp apples. They are some of the best types of apples that are sweet and juicy.
Also, these varieties of apples are best for further cooking, and they are used in many baking and cooking recipes. Additionally, make sure, that you choose fresh apples for making shortcakes, and avoid the mushy or blemished ones, as they will bring out the best taste in your recipe.
How To Freeze Apple Shortcake?
Apple shortcake is typically neither as wet as a cake nor as dry as a cookie, therefore, freezing it can be a little tricky. But you can easily preserve the cake at home if you follow the freezing steps adequately.
Check out the step-by-step approach for freezing apple shortcakes here.
- Prepare the apple cake using your favorite recipe and set it on the counter to cool completely. It is important for the cake to cool down before freezing it as this will prevent the shortcake from absorbing too much moisture.
- Take good quality aluminum foil and wrap the cake tightly. This will keep air and moisture out and boost the freezing process. You can also use extra foil to wrap the cake or double-wrap the cake for better freezing.
- You can also transfer the wrapped packages into freezer bags, but this is optional. Label and date the packages with the appropriate information, and stack the packages into the freezer carefully. And your apple shortcake is ready to freeze.
Tips For Freezing Apple Cake!
Now that you know how to freeze apple cake, check out the following tips to freeze the cake effectively in the freezer.
- Make sure the foil is sealed adequately and there is as little air near the shortcake as possible. This is done to save the cake from freezer burns.
- Ensure the foil does not develop any holes, otherwise, outside wetness and moist air will gradually seep into the package and spoil the cake.
- Place the packed cakes away from the edges of the freezer to keep them safe from ice and frost. You can stack them in the center of the freezer.
How Long Can You Freeze Apple Cake?
Apple cake can be frozen for up to three months before the quality starts to suffer. Shortcake has a certain density, due to which the flavor will probably deteriorate more so than the texture after three months. Therefore, consume the cake as soon as possible for the best flavor.
How Do You Defrost An Apple Cake?
The quickest and easiest approach to defrosting apple cake is to completely unwrap it and set it aside at room temperature on a rack with ventilation. The rack will prevent water from collecting when the ice melts, and the room temperature will allow defrosting of the exterior adequately.
You can also use the cooling rack that you use to cool baked items at home. The rack also allows adequate airflow for the cake to defrost. After the cake has completely defrosted, you can garnish it with whipped cream or anything you like, and serve.
Can You Refreeze Apple Cake?
Yes, you can safely refreeze the apple cake, as long as it has not surpassed the three-month freezing period. If you are freezing a cake that has remained in the freezer for more than three months, it will not be possible to refreeze them. It will only deteriorate in flavor and texture.
However, as moisture dissolves the sugar in the shortcake, repeated freezing might cause the texture to become more crumbly over time, but this textural difference is most likely to be minimal. You will still find the flavor intact.
Summing it up, that was all about freezing the apple cake effectively at home. You can also freeze apple crumble shortbread if you want to make the cake with a crumble topping. Also, if you have unbaked apple cakes, you can freeze them.