Can buttercream go in the fridge?
In this brief guide, we are going to answer the query, “can buttercream go in the fridge?”. Also, we are going to discuss the shelf life of buttercream and the best way of storing buttercream.
Can buttercream go in the fridge?
There has always been confusion about whether or not buttercream can be stored in the fridge. The answer is ‘Yes’, buttercream can be stored in the fridge for future use without compromising on its texture and quality.
Buttercream can last in the fridge for about 2-3 weeks if stored properly i.e. sealed in an airtight container or placed in piping bags with as much air pushed out before sealing. The fridge needs to be 40F or below for the buttercream to stay in its original form.
Buttercream once stored in the fridge will definitely become hard since its main ingredient is butter, eggs and cream depending on what type of buttercream frosting you have prepared. There are different types of buttercream.
For example, American buttercream is mainly made of butter and sugar, French buttercream is prepared using whole eggs or yolks, liquid sugar and softened butter, or German buttercream is more of a custard based frosting.
Buttercream can also be stored in the freezer if you want to increase its shelf life from a few weeks to months. Buttercream can last up to 3 months if stored in the freezer.
One should be mindful to have the freezer bags or the containers to be sealed properly to avoid having any air inside which will dry out the buttercream and will be of no use.
How to refrigerate buttercream for future use?
The creamy and delicious sweet frosting is everyone’s favourite thing to eat or for anyone baking and decorating the cakes.
So it is necessary to store excess leftover buttercream for future use. Storing the buttercream in the fridge is an easy and hassle free option if you are going to use the buttercream in a few weeks’ time.
The simple trick while storing the buttercream in the fridge is to have the containers or the piping bags to be properly sealed to have no room for any air in them.
Another thing to keep in mind before putting it in the fridge is that the mix should be completely cool to avoid any moisture when stored in the fridge.
How to soften refrigerated buttercream?
Storing buttercream in the fridge or the freezer will definitely harden the buttercream. A hard buttercream is not the best thing to use when frosting the cake for decoration. So, a proper thawing process needs to be in place to help it retain its original shine and texture.
There are a few ways to soften the buttercream without disturbing its integrity. Here are some tips to follow.
Thawing
Thawing is the process of bringing the internal temperature of refrigerated or frozen food items to room temperature. It is the easiest method to apply.
All you need to do is to get the container or piping bag of buttercream out of the fridge 2-3 hours before you would want to use it.
In the case of frozen buttercream, you should move the buttercream to the fridge from the freezer 1-2 days before you want to use and eventually put it to thaw on the kitchen counter table to soften.
Warm water bath
If you want to speed up the process of softening the buttercream, the warm water bath is probably the quickest way. You should place the buttercream in a metal or glass bowl and place the bowl over a pot of boiling water.
Keeping in mind that the buttercream doesn’t overheat, continuous stirring is mandatory. If the buttercream is heated to a temperature where it starts to simmer or boil, the buttercream will start to split and will be of no use.
How to get rid of air bubbles?
Air pockets or air bubbles are a byproduct of storing the buttercream in the fridge or the freezer. It is a common phenomenon and you should not be worried if you notice any after thawing the buttercream.
After the buttercream has become soft, simply place it in the mixer with the paddle attachment or stir it manually with a spatula until the bubbles or air pockets are gone and the buttercream achieves its smooth, creamy and shiny texture.
How long can buttercream stay at room temperature?
Buttercream, if made fresh only when needed, can be kept out at room temperature for 2-3 days with temperature not exceeding 60 F-70F. If the temperature is slightly higher, the buttercream will start to melt since its major ingredient is butter or fat.
If left out at room temperature for more than 3 days, the texture and taste will start to decline. A sour smell and taste and mouldy texture are when you know it has gone bad.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the query, “can buttercream go in the fridge?”. We also discussed the shelf life of buttercream and the best way of storing buttercream.
I hope you find this blog useful. If you have any questions, please let us know.
