How do you keep an ice cream cake frozen while traveling?

Obviously, no one wants a melted or partially melted ice cream cake. If ever you came across a situation wherein a freezer is not available to keep your ice cream cake or you bring it for delivery, proper storage is the key to keep its consistency. Here is the proper way on how to store ice cream without a freezer:

When there is no freezer around, you can use dry ice to store ice cream cakes. If you use ice for cooling, make sure to place a protective layer in between the ice and cake to avoid absorbing moisture when the ice begins to melt. Do not put anything heavy on top of the cake, as it can damage the decorations.

Dry ice and proper insulation will help in achieving a container cold enough to protect the consistency and quality of the ice cream cake. Others use a cooler chest filled with ice and an insulated container. These are simple yet effective methods to store ice cream cake without a freezer. Below is a guide on how to keep your ice cream from melting.

Ways To Keep Ice Cream Cake From Melting

There’s nothing better than going to the beach or pack with a cooler full of sweets and treats. If it is a fine day, you might want to bring along an ice cream cake, but how can you prevent it from melting. Fortunately, there are a few tips that can help your ice cream last longer.

Using dry ice

You can buy dry ice at most grocery stores for around $1 to $3 per pound. Dry ice evaporates at a rate of about 5 to 10 pounds a day, so if you get it too far in advance, it will melt completely. Dry ice usually comes in 10 by 2 inches squares weighing about 10 pounds. Therefore, you will need one square for every 15 inches of cooler length.

On the other hand, you can make your own dry ice by spraying a CO2 fire extinguisher into a pillowcase for 2 to 3 seconds. If you try this yourself, wear gloves, closed-toe shoes, and other protective gear.

Since dry eyes create vapor, make sure that the cooler has an air vent or a valve, allowing the gas to escape. If the cooler is completely airtight, the vapor will cause pressure to build up, which can lead to an explosion.

Here are some things to remember:

• If your cooler does not have a valve, leave the top open slightly.
• For storing dry ice, plastic and styrofoam coolers are the best options.

Dry ice can burn your hands. At temperatures around -109 F, the burns are severe frostbite. Either way, don’t allow your bare skin to come into contact with the block of dry ice when you are getting your ice cream cake out of the cooler.

Place the ice cream on the bottom of the cooler. Because cold air sinks, dry ice works best when put on top of the items, which need to keep cool. If it is possible, place the dry ice on top of the other items in the cooler.

To prolong the shelflife of dry ice, you wrap it in a towel and place it in the cooler. It will insulate the dry ice and keep it longer and cooler. Also, it protects anything in the cooler from being damaged by the dry ice.

Dry ice is powerful enough to freeze anything beneath it; therefore, keep drinks and other snacks in a separate cooler so they will not freeze. It also helps in prolonging the life of your dry ice.

Besides, fill up the extra space since space in the cooler will cause the dry ice to evaporate more quickly. So, if you don’t have enough food to place in the cooler, you can fill it with regular ice or use fillers like towels.

Related Article: Does Chocolate Fudge Frosting Need To Be Refrigerated?

Use regular ice

Choosing a high-quality insulated cooler like Yeti or Coleman can keep your ice cream cake from melting much more efficiently than a disposable styrofoam cooler.

Before you use it, chill the cooler before you fill it up. You don’t want to add the ice cream cake to a warm cooler. If you need to, pour a bucket of ice into the cooler to make it cool. Then put the ice cream cake in the cooler to make it stay cold as possible.

To make a bigger block of ice, you may use a large pan of casserole dish. The bigger the piece of ice, the longer it will stay frozen; therefore, the longer the ice cream cake will take to melt. Then add a layer of rock salt to the ice to slow down the melting process. Rock salt was used to slow down the melting process of ice. Just scatter a handful or two of rock salt on top of the ice.

For added insulation, put the ice cream cake in a container then place it in freezer bags.

Put the bag into the cooler and surround it with ice. Fill the empty space in your cooler because these spaces will cause the ice in your cooler to melt more quickly. If you need to, pack the cooler with towels to fill it up completely.

Lastly, keep the cooler closed as much as possible. The more you open the cooler, the faster the ice inside will melt. Also, try to keep the cooler away from direct sunlight. You may put it behind the chair or under the umbrella to keep it cool.

Storing Ice Cream In The Freezer

This frozen dessert is perfect for special occasions or just a personal treat. Here are some tips for storing ice cream cake in the freezer:

As a general guideline, leftover ice cream cake can be stored in the freezer and then consumed within seven days.

If there are any leftovers, put them away as soon as possible and then store them in an airtight container like a plastic freezer container. You should not use glass containers because it will cause the dessert to freeze slower, increasing the risk for potential freezer burn.

Depending on the shape and size of the cake pieces, you can store them in plastic freezer wrap and then put them in a zip lock bag. Either way, these methods can protect your leftover ice cream cake better instead of leaving it in the box.

The seven-day guideline applies to most home freezers and will help ensure that the ice cream cake will remain fresh until it has been completely eaten. Eventually, ice crystals will form in the ice cream cake causing freezer burn. While this dessert is usually safe to eat, it will produce a very unpleasant flavor and will no longer appear appetizing.

Though it is possible to keep the ice cream cake longer than seven days, the freshness will depend on some factors. The longer you keep the dessert in the freezer, the more likely it will change.

If the ice cream cake does not contain any cream cheese, eggs, whipped cream, or buttercream frosting, it can be kept for up to two months. These mentioned ingredients tend to separate and require remixing after freezing.

Also, the shelf-life of ice cream will depend on how good the freezer is.

A high-quality appliance with a good seal and consistent temperature is low enough to keep the ice cream cake fresh for a longer period.

The frequent temperature change can cause freezer burn.

To prevent freezer burn, you can store the cake at the back of the freezer where the temperature is colder and more consistent. If you place the treat in the back, it will keep it away from any warm air that gets in once the freezer door is opened.

With the proper storage, your leftover ice cream can be stored safely in the freezer for you to enjoy later.