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Fondant icing is a delicious and versatile type of frosting that can be used on cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and other desserts. It’s also something that many people like to buy in bulk because it keeps well for weeks – but what should you do if you have leftover fondant icing? Can you freeze it?
As a general rule, you can only freeze quick-pour fondant icing, not rolled fondant. To freeze it, put it in an airtight container and freeze for up to four weeks. When you’re ready to use it, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and then re-whip it before using.
I quickly found out that you need to freeze fondant icing the right way in order for it to stay fresh and last longer. In this article, I dove in deeper and looked into everything you need to know when freezing fondant while answering all related questions that you may have.
What Types Of Fondant Are There?
There are two types of fondant icing: quick-pour and rolled fondants. Quick-pour fondant has a really smooth and glossy texture. Rolled fondant is like sweet dough that has a matte finish. It is more difficult to work with than quick-pour fondant.
Quick-pour fondant is made with marshmallow fluff or corn syrup, sugar, and water.
Quick-pour fondant icing can be stored at room temperature for up to two weeks or in the fridge for up to four weeks. If you store it in the fridge, make sure to re-whip it before using it so that it has a smooth and glossy texture again.
Quick-Pour Fondant at Room Temperature | Quick-Pour Fondant in the Fridge or Freezer |
Can be stored for up to 2 weeks | Can be stored for up to 4 weeks |
To freeze it, wrap it in a plastic bag, put it in a good airtight container, and freeze for up to four weeks.
If you’re looking for a good set of airtight storage containers, I recommend getting the Rubbermaid Brilliance Leak-Proof Food Storage Containers with Airtight Lids.
I’ve used these containers for a couple of years now and I’ve successfully stored all of my food and baked goods in room temperature, fridge, and freezer. I’ve even used them in the microwave! These containers come in many different sets, so choose the right one for you. You can check out these containers on Amazon!
Rolled fondant can be stored at room temperature wrapped and put in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
However, it should not be stored in the fridge or freezer because it will ruin the texture of fondant.
Rolled fondant is like sweet dough. It is made with sugar, cornstarch, and gelatin. If it’ll be frozen, the sugar and cornstarch will become grainy and make the fondant look cracked. Which is not something we want for our decorative fondants!
Can You Freeze Leftover Fondant?
As a general rule, you can only freeze quick-pour fondant icing, not rolled fondant icing. Since quick-pour fondant is liquid, it will freeze well without losing its texture once thawed. Since rolled fondant is solid, freezing it will make it lose its smooth texture once it’s thawed.
Rolled Fondant at Room Temperature | Rolled Fondant in the Fridge or Freezer |
Can be stored for up to 2 weeks | Should NOT be stored |
You cannot freeze or refrigerate rolled fondant because doing this will mess up its texture and consistency. The best way to store your leftover rolled fondant is by putting it in an airtight container and keeping it at room temperature.
This will help it to last for up to 2 weeks!
You can coat your rolled fondant with vegetable shortening before storing to give it a little protection and to help it stay moist.
*Side Note: I recently wrote an article about How To Properly Store Leftover Buttercream Frosting. This article talks about the right ways to store and freeze buttercream frosting to make it last. You can check out this article here!
Can You Freeze Fondant Decorations?
As a whole, you can freeze fondant decorations for about 1 to 2 months. Make sure they are securely wrapped in plastic wrap and placed inside an airtight container before freezing. Keeping air away from fondant decorations will make them last for months.
You want to make sure they are not hardened before you freeze them as that will make them difficult to work with when you thaw them out.
This way once they defrost, they will back to the same texture that they had before they were frozen.
*By the way, I recently wrote an article that talks about Why Your Buttercream Frosting is So Runny. This article talks about how to fix runny frosting by making it thicker. You can check out this article here!
Can You Freeze A Cake That Has Fondant On It?
As a general rule, you can freeze a cake that has fondant on it. The best way to do this is by wrapping the entire cake in plastic wrap and then putting it in an airtight container. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight and then continue the thawing process at room temperature for about 5 hours.
When you are ready to use it, let it thaw overnight in the fridge. Do not remove the plastic wrap when you thaw it out. I usually let it thaw in the fridge for about 12 hours or until it looks defrosted.
Remove it from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 5 hours with the plastic wrap still on. You will start to see condensation appear on the plastic from the inside but don’t fret, that’s completely normal!
Remember that the times could vary depending on your environment temperature and humidity!
While I like to do my mixing by hand, I much rather prefer using a Stand Mixer instead. I recently wrote an article that talks about the 3 Best Stand Mixers that bakers can buy in each stage of their baking journey. After reviewing a few stand mixers, the Best Overall Mixer was the KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer. You can check out this stand mixer on Amazon!
Next, wait for the condensation to disappear when then remove the plastic wrap. This happens since the fondant absorbs back some of the moisture that it lost from getting frozen.
Once the four hours have passed, you can remove the plastic wraps. You may still notice some condensation on the cake. Do not try to wipe it off or handle the cake at this time! Let it dry out for some time before you use it.
How Long Will Frozen Fondant Last?
Frozen quick-pour fondant can last for up to 4 weeks once properly stored in the freezer. You may want to check it occasionally to see if the fondant has any freezer burns.
Heat it up and look for any signs of it being discolored, clumpy, or wet. If you see any of these signs, it’s time to discard the fondant.
However, it is important to mention that fondant doesn’t require too much maintenance. So you can often leave it in the freezer or fridge until you are ready to re-use it without any problems.
*Side Note: I recently wrote an article that talks about Why Your Buttercream Frosting is So Shiny. This article talks about how to fix shiny frosting by making it less greasy. You can check out this article here!
How Do You Thaw Frozen Fondant?
To thaw your frozen fondant, set it in the fridge for about 12 hours and then set it on the counter at room temperature for about 5 hours while leaving the plastic wrap on. Leaving the plastic wrap on will help the fondant absorb the moisture back into it and will help to keep its consistency.
Doing this will help to slowly introduce heat to the fondant over time.
You are more likely to spoil the frozen fondant if you are too ambitious and end up overheating it. Overheating will make it too wet and will cause it to lose its structure.
You can also choose to thaw frozen fondant by taking it out of the freezer and letting it sit in the fridge for about 12 hours. After that, you can take it out and let it sit at room temperature for a few hours before using it.
Can You Store Fondant in the Fridge?
In general, you can store quick-pour fondant icing in the fridge or freezer. However, you will need to re-whip it before using it so that it has a smooth and glossy texture again. Rolled fondant cannot be stored in the fridge because doing so will ruin its texture and consistency.
Here are some top tips for properly freezing your leftover fondant:
Wrap it in a plastic wrap
Wrapping it in a plastic bag will help to prevent it from drying out. It will also keep it fresh and free of any contaminants.
Put in an airtight container
An airtight container is important because it will keep the fondant icing from absorbing any unwanted odors or flavors. This will help maintain its flavor and consistency.
Label the container and freeze
It is important to label the container with the date so that you know how long it has been in the freezer. This will help you to keep track of its freshness and quality.
Freeze for up to four weeks
Fondant icing can be frozen for up to four weeks without any problems. Just make sure that it is properly wrapped and stored in an airtight container.
What is the Best Way to Store Fondant Icing?
As a general rule, the best way to store fondant icing is to wrap it in plastic wrap, place it into an airtight container, and store it in a cold environment for about 1 to 2 months. Doing this will prevent the fondant from drying out and keep it fresh for longer.
To store fondant icing properly, you want to make sure it is not in direct sunlight, it is in an airtight container, and put in a fridge or freezer if it’s poured fondant.
Tips for storing fondant icing:
- Wrap it in plastic wrap
- Place it in an aritight container sealed shut
- Store it in a cold environment
- Avoid storing it in direct sunlight
- Store quick-poured fondant in the fridge or freezer
- Don’t store rolled fondant in the fridge or freezer
Wrap it properly in plastic wrap: I have already mentioned above the importance of wrapping your fondant icing properly. This will help to prevent it from drying out and becoming unusable.
Store it in an airtight container: An airtight container is important for maintaining the quality and flavor of your fondant icing. It will also keep it safe from any contaminants.
Store it in a cold environment: If your want your fondant icing to remain in good condition, you should avoid exposing it to very drastic temperature changes. This makes it more likely for it to become discolored, clumpy, or wet.
Avoid storing it in direct sunlight: You don’t want to place your fondant icing in an environment where it will be exposed to direct sunlight. This can cause it to melt, become discolored, or even develop bacteria.
Quick-pour fondant icing can be stored in the fridge: As long as you re-whip it before using it so that it has a smooth and glossy texture again, quick-pour fondant icing can be stored in the fridge.
Don’t store rolled fondant in the freezer or fridge: As mentioned before, rolled fondant icing cannot be stored in the fridge because doing this will ruin its texture and consistency. However, you can store it in a cool, dark place for up to two weeks.
FAQs:
Can you refreeze fondant icing?
In general, it is not recommended to refreeze fondant icing because it will not have the same texture or consistency once thawed. Wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in a cold environment to prevent it from getting dry and greasy.
Why is my fondant cake sweating?
Your fondant cake is sweating because it has a lot of sugar which is hygroscopic. This means that it will attract and absorb moisture from the air. To prevent this, you can store your cake in a fridge or freezer by tightly wrapping it in plastic wrap.
How do you store a cake with fondant?
You can store a cake with fondant in a fridge or freezer. Simply wrap the cake in a plastic bag and place it in an airtight container. It is best to freeze a cake with fondant icing because this will help keep the icing from becoming discolored or damaged.
How long does fondant stay good in the fridge?
On average, fondant icing can be stored in a fridge for 3-7 days without a proper container. You want to regularly check on the fondant to make sure that it is not starting to dry out or become discolored over time.
Final Thoughts
After digging deep into the science of fondant icing, I’ve found many tips on how to store fondant icing so that it lasts as long as possible that I shared with you today.
You can freeze leftover fondant icing for up to four weeks in an airtight container. Just make sure that it is properly wrapped and stored.
You can also store quick-pour fondant icing in the fridge. However, you cannot put rolled fondant icing in the fridge or freezer. It is best to store it in a cool, dry place at room temperature. I hope the tips in this blog post will help you to store your fondant icing properly!