Can You Freeze Rhubarb Crumble?
Rhubarb crumble is one of the most ideal desserts that can be paired with custard for a delectable dessert experience. It is loved by everyone because rhubarb crumble is kind of a comfort food, isn’t it? While rhubarb is typically a summer fruit, you can find this berry throughout the year. But rhubarb crumble is best enjoyed during fall and winter.
You must be making rhubarb crumbles for your family meals or maybe sometimes when you have guests coming over. But it is not always possible to bake rhubarb crumbles because it is time taking and needs effort. What can you do? Can you freeze rhubarb crumbles?
Yes, you can freeze rhubarb crumble. It freezes extremely well when you follow specific freezing instructions. So you got your answer. You can easily make rhubarb crumble in advance and store it in the freezer for later use. You can also freeze unbaked rhubarb crumble. Read on to know more!
How To Freeze Rhubarb Crumble?
How to freeze rhubarb? You can freeze both baked and unbaked rhubarb crumbles. It is quite easy to freeze rhubarb crumble. All you have to do is stick to the freezing guidelines and ensure each step is done properly. Check out both the processes of freezing rhubarb crumble here.
Freezing Baked Rhubarb Crumble
- If you plan to make your rhubarb crumbles ahead of time, then you must be making them in batches. It is better if you portion them out before freezing. You need to pack each portion in a single freezer bag. Therefore, prepare freezer bags accordingly.
- Wrap the rhubarb crumble individually before transferring them into airtight bags. Make sure you wrap them carefully, otherwise they might break or separate. You can also pack the whole rhubarb crumble in one bag if you consume all of them at once.
- Remove as much air as possible from the bags. This is an important step and therefore should be done carefully because air contamination might ruin your rhubarb crumble. After removing the air, seal the bags securely.
- Write the name and date on each freezer bag. This will let you know how long the rhubarb crumble has been in the freezer. Once all these are done, stack the bags in the freezer and your baked rhubarb crumble is ready to freeze.
- Because rhubarb crumbles are delicate, make sure you do not stack other food items over them in the freezer. Also, it would be great to store your rhubarb crumble away from the freezer edges. This will protect your crumbles from freezer burns.
Freezing Unbaked Rhubarb Crumble
- Prepare the rhubarb crumble mixture using your favorite ingredients and set it aside at the counter for some time. This will allow the mixture to cool down if it is hot. Also, if you are putting fresh fruits in the mixture, make sure you check if the fruits are freezable or not.
- Take a freezer-safe dish and assemble the unbaked rhubarb crumble carefully in the dish. Here. it is necessary to take a freezer-safe dish because you will be freezing the rhubarb crumble along with the dish.
- Assemble the unbaked rhubarb crumble in the dish and set it evenly. Cover the dish with several layers of cling film. Make sure it is sealed properly and you do not let the unbaked crumble come into air contact.
- Once all of these are done, take a large freezer bag and transfer the wrapped dish of unbaked rhubarb crumble into a freezer bag. This will ensure better protection against freezer burns.
- Label and date the bags and check once again if the freezer bags are sealed tightly. Lastly, pop the prepared bags carefully in the freezer, and your unbaked rhubarb crumble is ready to freeze.
How Long Can You Freeze Rhubarb Crumble?
Rhubarb crumble freezes well for approximately three to six months in the freezer. The shelf life in the freezer is the same for both baked and unbaked rhubarb crumbles. This means you can make them ahead of time and freeze them effectively for three months.
Also, rhubarb crumble can keep in the freezer for more than three months. But it is advised against doing so. This is because rhubarb crumble contains fruits, and there is a high tendency that the fruits might go mushy. This will in turn make your crumbles moist and alter the flavor.
Can You Refreeze Frozen Rhubarb Crumble?
No, you cannot refreeze rhubarb crumble once you have defrosted them. This goes for both baked and unbaked rhubarb crumbles. This is because they contain fruits that tend to go mushy when frozen for the second time. This will result in the release of moisture, thus ruining your rhubarb crumble.
Refreezing will only alter the texture and flavor of the rhubarb crumble. However, you can freeze baked rhubarb crumble that has been prepared from a defrosted mixture of the crumble. But make sure you allow it to cool completely before freezing. You can also keep defrosted rhubarb crumbles in the refrigerator for a maximum of 3 days.
How Can You Defrost Rhubarb Crumble?
You can defrost your frozen rhubarb crumble quite easily. It is a simple process. All you have to do is carefully remove it from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator to defrost overnight. Make sure you allow the frozen rhubarb crumble to defrost completely before reheating.
Once, the crumble is defrosted, remove it from the freezer bags and peel out the cling film. Check for the texture once, before reheating the baked crumble, or baking the unbaked crumble. Because the rhubarb crumbles were frozen, they might take a little longer to cook, but you will get crispy and flavorful rhubarb crumbles after reheating them.
Can You Freeze Rhubarb Cake?
Yes, you can freeze rhubarb crumble cake. It freezes well in the freezer and can be stored for up to three months, effectively. All you have to do is ensure proper freezing guidelines are adhered to while freezing. You can use the same freezing techniques as baked rhubarb crumbles to do so.
Rhubarb crumble cake is also a great substitute for rhubarb crumble, and some people like the cake more than just crumbles. So, the next time you have rhubarb crumble cake leftovers, or you want to bake a cake ahead of time, you know they can be frozen.
Can You Freeze Leftover Rhubarb Crumble?
Yes, you can freeze leftover rhubarb crumble the same way you freeze baked rhubarb crumble. It is simple and easy and avoids food wastage. You can keep your leftover rhubarb in the refrigerator for about 3 days if you wish to consume it within that time. Otherwise, the best way to store it is in the freezer.
Summing it up, that was all about freezing rhubarb crumbles. So, the next time you have leftovers, or you want to bake your rhubarb crumble ahead of time, you know exactly what to do. Just remember to follow the freezing guidelines properly for the best results.