Desserts That Freeze Beautifully

When it comes to freezing desserts, think of the scouting motto "be prepared." Sure, it's great to be able to freeze some leftover cake or cookies now and then, but you can definitely freeze more than that when it comes to desserts. A good rule of thumb is this: If you see a dessert in the grocery store freezer section, it can be done at home, too.

And once you learn how to freeze more desserts, you’ll be prepared with dessert for any occasion. Some of these recipes make enough to have enough to eat and also to freeze. Most desserts should retain their flavor for up to 3 months in the freezer.

  • 01 of 05

    Double Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

    Pineapple Upside Down Cake
    Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Trevor Wood/Getty Images

    If you make this pineapple upside-down cake recipe in two 9-inch cake pans, you’ll end up with 2 cakes: one for now and one to freeze. Once the cake has cooled, place it in the refrigerator overnight. Wrap the refrigerated cake in plastic wrap and place it in a resealable freezer bag or container. Be sure to unwrap the cake before defrosting it in the refrigerator.

  • 02 of 05

    Cheesecake

    New York Cheesecake
    New York Cheesecake. Getty Images

    Cheesecakes are ideal for freezing. They can be frozen in their entirety or by the slice. Most toppings, like a raspberry sauce, can be frozen in a separate container as well. Refrigerate the cheesecake overnight before wrapping it for freezing. Wrap the whole cake or slice(s) in plastic wrap. Then, place it in a resealable freezer bag or container. Defrost in the refrigerator, and serve as desired. So easy!

  • 03 of 05

    Pound Cake and Angel Food Cake

    Cherry Punchbowl Cake
    Cherry Punchbowl Cake. Getty Images

    Pound cakes and angel food cakes are also good candidates. They defrost quickly and can be spruced up with fruit and whipped cream. Slices of defrosted pound cake are also delicious when toasted. Another way to use either one of them is in a trifle. To keep them safe in the freezer, it’s best to wrap them in plastic wrap and then place them in a resealable freezer bag.

  • 04 of 05

    Fruit and Cream Pies

    Berry Pie
    Berry Pie. Getty Images

    You have to be a little more careful when freezing a pie so as to not lose any of that fabulous crust. Wrap the unbaked pie in a couple of layers of plastic wrap. Then, place the wrapped pie in a large resealable freezer bag. (If it’s a cream pie, unwrap it and place the pie in a pie container in the refrigerator to defrost it.)

    You can freeze an unbaked fruit pie right from frozen. Preheat the oven to 450 F. If the pie has a full top crust, cut several slits to allow steam to escape. Bake the pie for 25 minutes. Lower the temperature to 375 F. Bake for an additional 40 to 50 minutes. You may have to tent the pie from keeping it from getting too brown.

    Continue to 5 of 5 below.
  • 05 of 05

    All Kinds of Cookies

    Cookie Sheets and Cooling Racks
    Cookie Sheets and Cooling Racks. Photo by Carroll Pellegrinelli

    Cookies such as chocolate chips freeze very well. You can freeze already made cookies in an airtight bag, and then place them in a sturdy airtight container. That is perfectly fine, but freezing cookie dough is much better because it enables you to have freshly baked cookies anytime you want.

    Just scoop out the dough for a drop cookie, for example, onto a rimmed baking sheet and freeze until frozen. Then, wrap them and transfer to a zip-close freezer bag or airtight container and label them. They will just need a couple more minutes when it's time to bake them, following the instructions in the recipe.

    Other dough for cookies such as biscotti can be frozen half a batch at a time. Flatten the ball of dough slightly and freeze. Defrost in the fridge and allow it to defrost before shaping it into a log for baking.