How to Store Buttercream the Right Way
To make the most out of your Buttercream Creations, it's important to understand the Correct ways of storing Buttercream inside a refrigerator and freezer. It is also worth knowing how to give the Buttercream Frosting a second life through careful re-use so you are not wasting your Buttercream.
In the below article we are going to discuss all about How to Store Buttercream and make use of this wonderful cake decorating medium by extending its life.
Shelf Life of Buttercream (or How long will Buttercream Last?)
Shelf life is the length of time for which an item remains usable. In the case of Buttercream Icing, shelf life is the length of time for which it is good for consumption. It is important to note that Buttercream's shelf life is determined by the ingredients that goes in it. For example, Swiss Meringue Buttercream that contains eggs will have considerably less shelf life while on the other hand, Buttercream variants like American Buttercream that contains just Butter and Sugar will have a prolonged shelf life.
Our Signature Buttercream contains Butter, Sugar and Dairy products hence it will last for 3-5 days when refrigerated.
How to Store Buttercream Frosting in the Fridge:
We can prolong the freshness of Buttercream (applicable to coloured buttercream too) by storing it properly inside the refrigerator.
Follow the below steps for Refrigerating the Buttercream:
a. Use an Airtight Container/Piping Bags: Transfer the Buttercream Frosting to an airtight container (or uncut piping bags with clips/ties) ensuring it is sealed tightly to prevent exposure to air and odours from the fridge.
b. Labelling the Buttercream: Clearly label the Buttercream Container with the date of preparation. This will help you keep track of the Buttercream's freshness and ensures you use it within the recommended timeframe.
c. Placing the Buttercream Inside the Fridge: Store the Buttercream on a shelf inside the refrigerator, away from strong-smelling food. This prevents the absorption of unwanted odours, preserving the original taste of the Buttercream as you intended.
d. Avoid Buttercream Contamination: Keep the Buttercream away from raw meats, fish and other potential contaminants to maintain its quality.
e. Temperature Control: Set the refrigerator to a consistent temperature to prevent fluctuations that may compromise the texture and taste of the buttercream. I usually store the Buttercream in my refrigerator at temperatures between 3 to 4 degree Celcius
When you are ready to work with the Buttercream, take it out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature before using it. Mix it with a spoon or spatula to ensure smooth consistency of the whole Buttercream batch.
How to Store Buttercream Frosting in the Freezer:
Freezing Buttercream is an excellent option for long-term storage, allowing you to prepare well ahead or save leftover buttercream icing for future use.
Follow the below guidelines for Freezing the Buttercream:
a. Portioning: Divide the Buttercream into manageable portions before freezing. This makes it easier to thaw only the amount you need without compromising the entire batch.
b. Freezer-Safe Container: Place the portioned buttercream in a freezer-safe, airtight container or piping bags or freezer bags ensuring there is minimal air trapped inside to prevent freezer burn. This will avoid ice particles forming inside the container / freezer bags which will spoil the Buttercream's texture.
c. Labelling: Clearly label the container with the date of preparation. This helps you keep track of how long the Buttercream has been frozen and ensures you use it within a reasonable timeframe.
d. Temperature Control: Set the freezer to a consistent temperature to prevent fluctuations that may compromise the texture and taste of the buttercream. I usually store the Buttercream in the freezer at temperatures between -18 to -20 degree Celcius
e. Avoid Contaminants: Keep the Buttercream away from raw meats , fish and other potential contaminants to maintain its quality. This will also prevent any unwanted odours getting absorbed in the Buttercream.
f. Thawing Process: When ready to use, transfer the container to the refrigerator to thaw slowly. The thawing time of Buttercream will depend on the quantity and the portion size. As a guide, 500gm of Buttercream should thaw between 3-4 hours in the refrigerator. Overnight thawing is also recommended as the buttercream will defrost gradually thereby minimising any temperature shock. Avoid thawing the frozen Buttercream directly at room temperature.
Once you are ready to work with the Buttercream, take it out of the refrigerator and let it sit out for sometime to bring it to room temperature. Use a spoon or spatula to mix the Buttercream thoroughly to ensure consistency.
You can freeze left over Coloured Buttercream too but to avoid fading of colours, I prefer to colour it right before decorating and not freeze it for prolonged periods.
How to Re-Use Buttercream
Don't let leftover Buttercream go to Waste. Reusing left over buttercream as Practice Buttercream is a good way to learn New Buttercream Piping & Painting techniques, experiment new Buttercream Cake Design Ideas and more importantly just have fun with it!
Just keep the practice buttercream in piping bags, inside the refrigerator once you have used them. I have used these for nearly 6 months keeping them inside the fridge. Needless to say JUST DON'T CONSUME THEM as this is non edible practice buttercream.
So there you go, follow these simple steps to store & re-use Buttercream the right way!
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