How Long Does A Cake Actually Last? (and Storage Tips) (2024)

FAQs

How Long Does A Cake Actually Last? (and Storage Tips)? ›

Wrap that cake up tight! Most cakes can be stored in a freezer for up to one month, or in the fridge for one week. Cakes are best sliced frozen for crisp edges, but for the best flavor, allow your leftover cake to hang at room temperature for thirty minutes to an hour before digging in.

“You'll want to store a cake in the fridge with plastic wrap against the cut part (of the cake) to prevent the cake from drying out,” says Edwards, adding that store-bought cakes may last longer in the fridge, but homemade cakes should typically be consumed in five to seven days.

Cakes can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. If you need to store the cake for longer than that, put it in the freezer. Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil, and then place it in a freezer-safe bag. Cakes will stay fresh in the freezer for up to two months.

Unfrosted: Before refrigerating, wrap the cake or cake layers in plastic wrap to protect them from drying out or absorbing refrigerator smells. Frosted: Chill the cake uncovered for 15 minutes to harden the icing, then loosely wrap it in plastic wrap.

How long can cake sit out unrefrigerated? If your cake is frosted with buttercream, it will last covered at room temperature for up to four days. However, it is best to refrigerate cakes with other frostings such as cream cheese or ganache. A fully covered unfrosted cake will last for up to 2 days at room temperature.

Should You Refrigerate Cake? You should avoid refrigeration in most cases. Unless your cake features perishable materials that could spoil—like cream frosting, fresh fruit, ice cream, mascarpone, or whipped cream—it's actually better off at room temperature.

An uncut frosted cake that's been frosted with buttercream, fondant, or ganache can last at room temperature for up to five days. Keep it covered with a cake keeper or a bowl to protect it from dust or other particles.

Here's a simplified guide for how long different types of cakes might last in the fridge: Plain Cake (like unfrosted Moist Vanilla Cake): About 5-7 days in the fridge. Cake with Buttercream, Whipped Cream or Custard (like Moist Chocolate Cake with Fluffy Chocolate Frosting): 4 days, since dairy spoils quicker.

A spoiled cake that has gone bad will have an “off” odor, something a little sour or musky. If your cake has changed colors in any way, it may be on its way out the door. You can especially see this when your cheese cake frosting starts to get yellowed at the outer parts.

Once cooled, individual cake layers can each be wrapped twice in food-service-grade plastic wrap. With a piece of tape, make sure to label what type of cake it is and the date that you're freezing it. The cake can go straight in the freezer and should be used within three to four months.

How do bakeries keep cakes fresh? ›

For a bakery, a commercial refrigeration unit is non-negotiable. That's because if you're displaying a cake, it's likely already frosted. Without refrigeration, your frosting will melt and spoil, especially in a bakery with high customer traffic.

Warning! Do NOT store cake in the refrigerator long-term unless it includes a topping or filling that needs to be refrigerated, e.g., whipped cream, custard, and their ilk. Your perfectly moist cake, no matter how well wrapped, will start to dry out after a day in the fridge.

To give the cake an optimal shelf life, pack the cake when it reaches max 30°C inside. That way, you avoid the drying out of the product which directly influences the texture of the cake. Packing below 30°C reduces condensation and delays microbial growth. Choose a hermetic packaging.

Fruit cakes, due to their high sugar content and often alcohol presence, have an incredibly long shelf life, ranging from several weeks to even months if properly stored in a cool, dry place.

How long does cake last for? Typically, a cake tastes its best and freshest for up to three or four days before it starts losing moisture and the texture becomes drier. You can prolong its life by choosing the right recipes and following the right storage methods.

In general, a cake will last anywhere from 2-7 days in the refrigerator, if kept well covered, depending on the type of frosting and filling.

Most cakes can be stored in a freezer for up to one month, or in the fridge for one week. Cakes are best sliced frozen for crisp edges, but for the best flavor, allow your leftover cake to hang at room temperature for thirty minutes to an hour before digging in.

Olfactory Cues: A cake that's going bad will often have an off-putting or sour smell. If your cake smells like anything other than cake, it's time to toss it. Textural Cues: If the cake feels overly hard or you encounter mushy spots, that's a sign that it's either dried out or beginning to spoil.

A cake that is iced and/or filled with standard buttercream (butter and icing sugar) will keep for about 3 days out of the fridge at room temperature and this is extended to 5-7 days when the cake is covered in the fridge.

Room Temperature Storage: Most birthday cakes can last a few days at room temperature, roughly around 3 days before the moisture evaporates. Keep your cake in a cake tin or an airtight container for best results.