Skip to Content

How Long to Defrost Ice Cream Cake

An ice cream cake is a perfect dessert on any occasion. When the occasion calls for an ice cream cake, the next question is usually, “How long do I have to defrost my ice cream cake?”. Continue reading for different methods you can use.

Most frozen cakes will take about three hours to defrost in the refrigerator. However, cakes packed with hard candy or cookie chunks may take longer due to uneven temperatures throughout. 

Another way is to use the defrost setting on your microwave if you’ll be eating it the same day; be sure to check the cake and stop when the ice cream is soft enough for your liking.

Moreso, You can defrost ice cream cake in a variety of ways. Though the USDA recommends using your kitchen counter or refrigerator, you may wish to use a microwave oven. This method takes about 30 minutes for every 500 grams (18 ounces). 

An electric sandwich press can be used to defrost an ice cream cake in about 20-25 minutes for every 500 grams, while a conventional oven uses approximately the same amount of time as a microwave but requires more preparation.

How Long to Thaw an Ice Cream Cake

How Long to Thaw an Ice Cream CakeThe fastest, safest, and easiest way to thaw an ice cream cake is in the refrigerator, but you can also use a countertop and microwave.

Defrosting Ice Cream Cake in the Refrigerator

Defrosting time of ice cream cake in the refrigerator depends on outside temperatures, inside temperature, and most importantly, the size of the cake. Typically, one layer of cake with a thin layer of icing will defrost in 3 to 4 hours. The 3 to 4-hour estimate applies to refrigerators ranging from 35–40 °F.

The average refrigerator will make an 8″ cake wholly thawed in 5 to 6 hours. The more quickly you want it to defrost, the closer you will want to keep your fridge to a steady temperature of 35°F or colder.

When ice cream cakes weigh 2.5 to 2.8 pounds, kindly place them in the refrigerator for two hours for each pound of cake or about 4 to 5 hours for a 2.5-pound cake. The total time needed to defrost it would be about 8 to 12 hours for a 2.5-pound cake (4 hours + 4 hours = 8 hours total) or about 6 to 8 hours for a 2.8-pound cake (4 hours + 4 hours = 8 hours total).

However, to get the best results, you should plan. You can calculate the time to defrost your cake by calculating the volume of your cake and comparing it to a standard household refrigerator.

Defrosting Ice Cream Cake on the Counter

It can vary a lot depending on the size/shape of your cake, where you’re positioned geographically, and how much daytime heating is going on in the room/house. 

However, it will generally take at least 8 hours (and perhaps up to 24 hours) for the cake to start softening.

Moreso, the whole cake will not reach room temperature simultaneously – expect some parts to be warm and some parts to be excellent.

Kindly give your Ice Cream Cake at least 12 hours of thawing time on the counter before serving. It allows the ice cream cake to be served at its best consistency.

Defrosting Ice Cream Cake in a microwave

How long does it take to defrost an ice cream cake in a microwave depends on the size of the cake and the wattage of the microwave. 

The defrosting time of Ice Cream Cake in a microwave will depend upon whether it is a one, two, or three-layer cake and upon the wattage of your microwave. For example, if you had a three-layer cake made from chocolate dough, with a filling and three layers of chocolate icing, it would take well over 5 hours to defrost using a 600w microwave.

If you place a whole cake on a microwave-safe plate and set it to defrost, it will be ready within 5 minutes. The duration time greatly depends on your microwave model. Some microwaves have lower wattage than others, and cakes might require more time to defrost.

If you’re unsure how long your specific microwave will take to defrost it, use a general guideline of approximately 10 minutes for every 2 pounds of cake.

How long to thaw carvel ice cream cake

How long to thaw carvel ice cream cakeCarvel ice cream cakes are delicious, but they can be challenging to thaw. Especially in the microwave, where it’s easy to overdo thawing and ruin the masterpiece inside.

According to Carvel: The thaw time depends on the size of the cake. Small cakes (serves 8) require 6-7 hours at room temperature and 10-15 minutes in the refrigerator. Large cakes (serves 20) require 12-14 hours at room temperature and 15-20 minutes in the refrigerator.

Frozen cakes should be placed directly on the center rack of your refrigerator and then wrapped in foil.

How long to defrost dairy queen cake

There are several methods to defrost dairy queen cake, but the easiest way is one at a time in the refrigerator overnight. To speed things up, place 1 cup of water in a baking dish and lay the frozen cake on top of it, cover it with plastic wrap, and allow it to sit in the freezer for 2 hours.

Dairy Queen serves ice-cream cakes that can be quickly thawed out in the fridge overnight. You can serve them defrosted so long as they have been kept wrapped in plastic and are still moist.

Will ice cream cake melt in the fridge?

Will ice cream cake melt in the fridgeWhether ice cream cake melts in the fridge or not depends on how quickly you put it into your freezer. A full freezer maintains a temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit, at which all water, including water in the air as ice, in liquid form as frost, and food freezes. If you take an ice cream cake out of your fridge and put it in your freezer, it will begin to thaw quickly. 

You’ll have a better means of keeping the ice cream cake intact if you place room temperature buttercream or whipped cream icing between layers before you freeze the whole thing.

However, If you want to store your cake for a period of up to five days, keep it in the freezer. Ice cream cakes may be served at any temperature above 60 degrees if thawed. A constant cold is vital if you need to keep your cake frozen.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I take my ice cream cake out of the freezer?

To properly thaw your ice cream cake, it’s important to start by considering how long the cake was frozen in the first place. A cake that is stored frozen at a -12°F temperature will take approximately 4 hours to thaw with the lid off and 8 hours with the lid on. If stored at 0°F temperature, it will take approximately 24 hours for the cake to thaw completely.

How long do you let an ice cream cake sit out?

To ensure the best tasting ice cream cake, you always have to let ice cream cakes sit out at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. It is to make sure that the middle of the cake can soften.

Will ice cream cake melt in an hour?

An ice cream cake will melt considerably in one hour. If your cake is made from a typical store-bought cake mix, it will melt faster as these mixes already contain preservatives and stabilizers. Ice cream cakes are generally made by pouring a tub of ice cream into a store-bought cake mix and baking. 

Therefore, the chances of you making one that melts quicker than one you purchase at a bakery or supermarket are small. While you could probably find an unusual recipe where this may be the case, it is more likely that your cake would melt faster than an ice cream cake prepared with a standard recipe found on the internet or in an ice cream specialty store cookbook.

How do you defrost ice cream quickly?

To defrost ice cream quickly, let it sit in the refrigerator overnight with a cup or bowl turned upside down over the top. When you can easily scoop out the ice cream, it’s ready to serve.

Conclusion

While these are just a few factors to consider, we hope they give you a more accurate estimation of how long to defrost ice cream cake. After all, this is a delicious treat you’re planning to serve up, and it shouldn’t go to waste. So, if you plan, you’ll likely enjoy it fresh from the freezer for many years to come.

Twinkie Cake Recipe

A twinkie cake is a sponge cake baked with layers of moist white chocolate chip cookies (called “twinkies”) inside it.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Twinkie Cake Recipe
Servings: 2
Calories: 2414kcal

Equipment

  • The Pan

Ingredients

  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 5 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ cup shortening
  • ½ cup butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

  • The yellow cake should be prepared as directed on the package. Evenly distribute the batter between two 9×13″ pans (one greased with cooking spray, the other lined with parchment paper). Cakes should be baked for 15 minutes or until done, then totally cooled.
  • With a whisk, combine milk and flour in a pot. Stirring regularly, bring to a boil until thick. Turn off the heat and allow to cool.
  • Shortening, butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla should all be combined in a sizable basin (or stand mixer with a whisk attachment) and whisked until frothy.
  • Blend in the chilled milk mixture after adding it.
  • Place the cake that has been baked in a pan with parchment paper on a cooling rack. The parchment paper must be removed.
  • Spread the filling over the cake before adding the second layer.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 2414kcal | Carbohydrates: 351g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 109g | Saturated Fat: 48g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g | Monounsaturated Fat: 36g | Trans Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 137mg | Sodium: 2878mg | Potassium: 344mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 236g | Vitamin A: 1616IU | Calcium: 714mg | Iron: 6mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Follow me