Cakes contain preservatives but they do not last forever. Steps must be taken to keep them longer. The fridge and the freezer are the most common places where cake is stored to extend its shelf life.
The different types of cake have different storage periods. If you bake cakes a lot, for sale or family consumption, you should know about these storage periods and methods to prevent spoilage and waste.
Read on to see full details.
How long will a cake last in the fridge?
The different types of cakes have different refrigeration periods. Here’s a breakdown below:
- Cakes with cream cheese frosting cannot go for more than 2 days in the fridge
- Cakes with buttercream, ganache topping, and fondant will last between 4 days to a week in the fridge
- Provided that you cover sponge cakes with plastic wrap or keep them in an airtight container, they will last 3 days in the fridge without losing their moisture and drying out
How long can cake last outside the fridge?
Most freshly baked cakes can last up to three to four days at room temperature. After this period, they begin to lose moisture and dry out.
Let’s take a look at how each type of cake performs at room temperature:
- Cakes covered with fondant, buttercream icing, and ganache can last up to four days in a room with a stable temperature
- Cakes with whipped cream or cream cheese frosting are unstable at room temperature and should not be left out until you’re not ready to serve them
- Chiffon, Genoise, or other varieties of sponge cakes can last up to 3 or 4 days at room temperature
- Cakes with fruit filling may melt easily at room temperature, so you should put them directly in the fridge to cool until you’re ready to eat them
How long can store-bought cake last in the fridge?
Store-bought cakes will last one to two weeks in the fridge. To maximize this duration, store the cake properly preferably in the plastic wrap and box it came in.
Does cake go bad in the fridge?
Yes. Cake can go bad in the fridge because it loses moisture over time. Other factors that can trigger spoilage include:
- Long periods of storage
- Freezer burns
- Contamination by odorous foods
- Lack of preservative agent in the cake
- The cake does not do well with the refrigerator temperature
- The cake was going bad before you put it in the refrigerator
How to store and preserve cakes
While you look for the best cake recipe in cookbooks, you must also know how to store and preserve cakes to make the best of your time and energy. Here are some helpful storage tips:
- Always use fresh, unexpired ingredients to bake your cakes
- Cakes must cool before you refrigerate or freeze them
- Wrap cakes snugly with plastic wrap or keep them in a clean airtight container. This applies for storing at room temperature, in the refrigerator or freezer
- Also, you can cover the cut sides of a cake with more frosting to prevent moisture from frying out
- If you’re storing frosted cake at room temperature, cover it with a cake dome
- Always thaw frozen cakes, frosted and unfrosted, at room temperature
- Most importantly, do not store your cakes for too long
FAQs
How long can cake last in the freezer?
Fondant, buttercream, and ganache can last up to four months in the freezer. Cakes with cream cheese frosting have an unstable texture and do not do well with freezing.
If you must freeze cakes with cream cheese filling, take off the frosting and freeze the cake alone.
How long can you keep a cake in the fridge before frosting?
You can keep cakes in the fridge for up to one week before frosting or filling them. This step also helps to keep the cakes firm and in shape.
How long can you keep cake batter in the fridge?
Cake batter can last up to two days in the fridge and three months if frozen.
Conclusion
All the different types of cake last differently in the fridge, outside the fridge, and in the freezer.
Store your cakes according to the types. Employ the helpful storage and preservation tips in the article to maximize the storage period of your cake. Most importantly, do not store cakes for too long.
If you’re not refrigerating your cake, see how long you can keep it out.
I hope this article was helpful. Thanks for reading.
