Quick Answer: Can You Freeze Single Cream?
Yes, you can freeze single cream, and it can last in the freezer for 2 to 4 months. The key is to freeze them in a freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bags. You can freeze them in big portions or small ice cube-sized portions.
If you are looking to freeze and store single cream, this is the ultimate guide on how to.
I have found these methods to work like a charm.
Let’s get started right away.
How to Freeze Single Cream?
If you want to freeze single cream in large portions for recipes like curry or sauce, you can use this hassle-free method.
Materials
- Single Cream
- Freezer-Safe Air-Tight Container or Ziploc Bag
Instructions
- Portion It: Divide the single cream into measures that you can easily manage to use in one recipe.
- Transfer It: Pour the portioned single cream into freezer-safe air-tight containers or Ziploc bags. Be sure to leave an inch of space to make room for the single cream to expand when it freezes.
- Seal and Label: Seal the container or Ziploc bag, making sure to squeeze out all the extra air in the case of the Ziploc bag. Add a label on it with the best-before date.
- Freeze: You can pop the container or Ziploc bag in the freezer till you need it next. If you are using Ziploc bags, you can lay them down flat on a baking sheet till it freezes solid. You can then remove the baking sheet and freeze them stacked on top of each other.
Freezing Unopened Package of Single Cream
If you bought single cream in a sealed plastic container and haven’t opened it yet, you can freeze it directly.
Just add a label with the best-before date on it, and you are good to go.
Freezing Single Cream in Ice Cube Trays
Time Taken: 10 – 15 minutes
What you will need:
- Single Cream
- Ice Cube Trays
- Cling Wrap
- Freezer-Safe Air-Tight Container or Ziploc Bag
If you only want to use the single cream in small portions then you can freeze them in ice cube trays.
Fill and Cover
Pour the single cream into the ice cube tray and fill the mold. Then cover the tray with some cling wrap to protect it from external elements and absorbing odor.
Flash Freeze
Leave the ice cube tray in the freezer for a couple of hours or overnight and let the single cream freeze solid.
Transfer and Seal
Pack the frozen single cream cubes into a freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bag and seal them. Make sure to remove all the excess air in the Ziploc bag before sealing it.
Label and Freeze
Add a label on the container or bag, and you are all set to freeze the single cream.
How Long Can You Freeze Single Cream?
You can freeze single cream for 2 to 4 months. Frozen single cream is best used sooner rather than later.
The more it stays in the freezer, the more its texture and quality deteriorates. It can get grainy and less appealing over time because the fat molecules can break down in the cold.
But compared to other dairy products, single cream has a relatively better freezer life. It fares better in the freezer if it is not too close to its expiry date or is freshly made.
How to Store Frozen Single Cream?
You can store single cream in any freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bag.
The key is to make sure that it is protected from freezer burns and from being exposed to air which can cause it to break down at a faster rate.
If you are pressed for freezer space, the Ziploc bags are the better of the two options.
If you are freezing them in large quantities, you can fill and lay them down flat to get thin sheets or blocks of single cream which can be stacked over each other, saving precious freezer space.
How to Defrost Single Cream?
The best way to defrost single cream is to allow it to thaw gradually by leaving it in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight.
This way the single cream does not go through drastic changes in its texture or quality.
Once it thaws, the single cream can be grainy or less appealing than before freezing. You can fix this by giving it a good stir or putting it in the blender for a while. It should be as good as new afterward.
If you plan to cook the single cream, you can skip the defrosting step and mix it directly into the recipe.
Can You Refreeze Single Cream?
No, it is strongly advised not to refreeze single cream. The single cream goes through changes in texture and quality once it thaws and it will only worsen with repeated freezing and thawing.
Moreover, once it thaws, the single cream should be consumed immediately. If it was left out, it can easily have bacterial build-up.
To avoid having to refreeze single cream, you can portion it beforehand into portions that you can easily consume in one and freeze them separately.
Does Single Cream Freeze Well?
Like most dairy products, the single cream is not at its best when frozen. But that being said, it fares much better than most dairy products and if done right, can last well in the freezer for a couple of months.
Frozen single cream is best used in cooking recipes, where its change in texture or flavor is least noticeable. If you would like to make the most of it, consume it sooner rather than later.
FAQs
Yes, you can freeze cooked single cream. In fact, it is best to freeze single cream once it is cooked in a dish so that there is little to no change in its texture. Freezing recipes, like quiche made with single cream, is a great way to make the most of extra single cream.
Yes, you can freeze the Elmlea brand of single cream using any of the methods listed above. Portion it out and freeze them in air-tight containers or Ziploc bags. If they come in freezer-safe plastic containers and you haven’t opened the seal, you can just pop them in the freezer till you need them next.
Bottom Line
I hope this article helped you make the most of the extra single cream by freezing it.
If you have any queries or would like to share some tips and tricks of your own, it would be lovely to hear from you.
Feel free to share this article with all your friends and family.