Should You Defrost Blue Berries Before Baking Them?

Q. Do I need to thaw frozen blueberries before I add them to cake batter?

A. Frozen blueberries do not need to be thawed before you add them to your cake batter. They can be left in their frozen state for most baking recipes unless the recipe calls for them to be defrosted (or if the recipe calls for fresh blueberries, which can make a difference).

StockbyteIf you add frozen berries to your dish too early, they may bleed into the batter or food. Be sure to add them at the very last minute.

The only real issue with defrosted blueberries is that they tend to "bleed," creating blue spots and streaks. To try to prevent this "bleeding," you should stir frozen blueberries gently into your batter at the last minute.

To learn more about freezing foods, check out the following related links:

• How Food Preservation Works: Refrigeration and Freezing
  
• How Freeze-Drying Works
  
• Foods - Fresh vs. Frozen or Canned
  
• Healthy Foods to Stock in Your Refrigerator or Freezer
  
• Refrigerator and Freezer Basics and Minor Repairs