As someone who bakes cakes occasionally, I used to wonder how long does cake last in the fridge. Even when I buy store-bought cake, I am still conscious of how long I can keep leftover cakes in the fridge as I do not want the cake to spoil. If you are also like me and want to keep track of how long a cake can stay in the fridge, you’d be glad to know that you can keep a cake in the fridge for a few days.
Homemade cakes can be kept in the fridge for 3 to 4 days while store-bought cakes can last up to 5 days in the fridge if they are stored properly, either wrapped in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container.
While it’s as easy as wrapping the cake and putting it in the fridge, you still need to consider the kind of frosting the cake has. In this article, we will be discussing how you can store cakes with different kinds of frosting and how to store them effectively.
How Long Does Cake Last In The Fridge
Properly storing cake can make it last for a few days in the fridge. But, keep in mind that cakes are perishable and it will go bad if not consumed immediately. It will also depend on the type of cake and what ingredients the cake has.
Cake usually lasts for about 3 to 4 days in the fridge if stored properly.
How To Store A Frosted Cake
Frosted cake can be stored at room temperature as the frosting can act as a barrier for the cake. Of course, it will depend on the type of frosting the cake has.
Fondant and non-dairy frosted cake can last up to 2 days at room temperature when wrapped properly.
But, if you know that your cake will last more than two days it is best to refrigerate it, especially if the cake contains fresh fruits or frosting with dairy such as cream, cream cheese, or mascarpone.
To store frosted cakes in the fridge, let the cake sit in the fridge uncovered for about 15 to 30 minutes until the frosting hardens, then cover it in plastic wrap.
Buttercream and Fondant
For cakes with buttercream frosting, put the cake in the fridge for 15 to 30 minutes to let the buttercream frosting harden. After that, wrap the cake in plastic or saran wrap then put the cake in the fridge. If American buttercream was used as frosting, it does not need to be chilled.
Fondant cakes are stored in the fridge by wrapping them in cling wrap or placing it in a cake box. You can also store a fondant cake at room temperature but, if the fondant starts sweating, it should be kept in the fridge.
Both of these cakes can be kept in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Cream Cheese
Cakes with cream cheese frosting or filling need to be refrigerated. Since the cream is part of the dairy group, it needs to be refrigerated as it is easily perishable. Let the cake’s cream cheese frosting harden slightly in the fridge before wrapping it in plastic wrap.
A cake with cream cheese frosting can also last in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Whipped Cream Icing
Cake with whipped cream frosting is another one that you want to keep refrigerated. Whipped cream is another perishable product and when left to sit at room temperature for a long period of time, it can go bad quickly. Like with other cakes, you can put cakes with whipped cream frosting in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for a couple of days.
Ganache
Cake topped with ganache can be stored at room temperature but it will definitely last longer if kept in the fridge. Cake with ganache topping can be wrapped in plastic or stored in an airtight container or cake box before putting it in the fridge.
How To Store Unfrosted Cakes
Like frosted cake, unfrosted cakes can be kept out of the fridge. When wrapped in plastic or saran wrap, unfrosted cakes can last 24 hours at room temperature. If you want to keep unfrosted cakes in the fridge, wrap them in plastic wrap tightly and it can last for up to 3 days.
If you are making your own layered cake, it is best to wrap the layers separately before putting them inside the refrigerator. But before that, you need to let the cake layers completely cool down first.
How To Store Different Types Of Cake
Storing different types of cake will depend if it is store-bought or if you made it yourself.
Store-bought cakes can last longer than homemade cakes if they have preservatives. Store-bought cakes that have preservatives can last for about 5 to 7 days in the fridge while homemade cakes can last 3 to 4 days when stored properly.
Angel Food Cake
Angel food cake got its name from being a light-textured cake.
When refrigerating an angel food cake, it needs to be wrapped tightly and stored in an airtight container so it can keep its moisture. You can also add a layer of aluminum foil after the plastic wrap for added protection.
When properly stored, an angel food cake can last 3 days until a week in the fridge.
Pound Cake
A pound cake can be kept in the fridge for about a week. But, keep in mind that the longer a pound cake sits in the refrigerator, the less fresh and moist it would be.
Storing pound cake in the fridge is as easy as wrapping it in plastic wrap. If you think you can finish a pound cake in less than 5 days, it is best to just keep it at room temperature. If stored in an airtight container, pound cakes can be kept out of the fridge for 3 to 4 days. This can keep the texture and moistness of the pound cake.
Carrot Cake
Since carrot cakes usually use carrots as one of their main ingredients, carrot cake needs to be refrigerated if not consumed immediately. Carrot cakes also generally have cream cheese frosting so it really needs to be kept in the fridge.
A Carrot cake should be kept in an airtight container so it can keep its moisture for about 5 days in the fridge. Carrot cakes can also be kept at room temperature but you probably would not want to risk the cream cheese frosting from spoiling.
Chocolate Cake
Like all frosted cakes, chocolate cakes can also be kept in the fridge. An unfrosted chocolate cake that does not contain any dairy or perishable ingredients can be kept at room temperature for up to 7 days. Frosted chocolate cakes can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Fruit Cake
Fruit cakes are often served during the Christmas season and are one of those cakes that can be kept at room temperature for about a month if it is stored properly. As long as it is kept in an airtight container and in a cool, dry place, fruit cakes can remain fresh even out of the fridge.
But, even if it can last long at room temperature, you still need to check the cake for molds regularly. If you see any molds in the fruit cake, discard it immediately.
If refrigerated, a fruit cake can last up to 6 months if stored in an airtight container.
How To Tell If A Cake Has Gone Bad
There is probably nothing worse than a cake that has gone bad, especially if that is your favorite cake. When a cake is not eaten for a long time, it can become stale and dry.
Cakes that have gone bad will usually have a change in texture and appearance. The frosting may change in color once it has gone bad and any cream-based frosting may separate and curdle.
A cake that has gone bad may also smell a little funky and you may see molds in it. If you see any mold in the cake, it is best to discard any leftovers and not bother scraping the mold away as there might be bacteria still growing in the cake.
At best, consume the cake within 1 to 2 days of purchasing or baking it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can You Freeze A Cake?
Yes, cakes that are frosted or otherwise can be kept in the freezer. A Properly stored cake can be frozen for up to 3 months but, the longer a cake is kept in the fridge or freezer, the more its quality and texture will start to diminish.
How Do You Thaw A Cake?
Let the cake thaw out in the refrigerator after you take it out of the freezer. You should defrost a frozen cake in the fridge for at least 24 hours. A cake can also be thawed out at room temperature for a couple of hours if it does not have any perishable ingredients in it.
Final Thoughts
Cakes can last in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. The cake just needs to be wrapped and put in an airtight container so it can retain its moisture and texture for a few days.
Do you enjoy cake at room temperature or do you not mind it in the fridge for a couple of days? Let us know your thoughts!