Quick Answer: How Long Does Cake Last In The Fridge?
The fridge is an effective way to keep cake last for as long as possible. Five days is the general rule of thumb that most cakes can be stored in the fridge without their taste and texture being negatively impacted.
Not every cake can be stored in the fridge for 5 days without it going stale, or developing signs of spoilage such as discoloration and mold.
One of the important determining factors regarding how long a cake can be kept in the fridge is the type of cake. Another important element is how the cake is stored.
In this article, all of your questions about storing cake in the fridge will be answered. We will look at proper wrapping to maximize fridge storage, storing cake that is frosted versus cake that does not have frosting, and lots of other related questions.
How Long Does Cake Last In The Fridge?
Different kinds of cakes will last for different lengths of time depending on their ingredients.
What is key when you are trying to keep a cake in the fridge is that you keep air from it, so that it stays fresh as long as possible. When air gets at a cake, it will go stale.
| Type Of Cake | Length In Fridge | How To Store |
| Cake Mix | A cake made from a cake mix produces a light, airy cake. We typically ice these cakes either with a homemade icing or store-bought, ready-made frosting. A cake-mix cake does not require fridge storage as it contains preservatives. This kind of cake can simply sit on the counter at room temperature for 2-3 days. At this point it will become stale. | A cake-mix cake should be covered with plastic wrap. You can put toothpicks in the top so that the plastic wrap does not stick to the icing. You may also cover the cake with a cake lid if you have one. As this kind of cake contains preservatives, it can safely sit on the counter covered with plastic or a lid, and will be fine for at least 2 days. After this, the cake will begin to go stale and will not have the same fresh quality it had when first baked. |
| Coffee Or Spice Cake | Coffee cakes or spice cakes tend to be more dense than some other cakes. They don’t have the light, airy quality of many cakes. Coffee cakes are typically made the day they are to be served and are popular to serve for an afternoon when you have friends over for coffee or tea. Many coffee cakes have spices in them like cinnamon and nutmeg. They will often have chunks of fruit like apples, pears, or stone fruit. Nuts are also a common feature of coffee or spice cakes. Walnuts, almonds, and pecans are popular additions. These cakes may be iced, but are often served without frosting. They will sometimes be glazed. Such a cake is best eaten the day it is made, but if you have some left over, you can keep it in the fridge for 1-2 days. | If the coffee/spice cake is not iced, it is easy to wrap tightly with plastic wrap. If the coffee cake is frosted in some way, then place the cake in the fridge with a tight-fitting cake lid. |
| Chocolate Cake | Chocolate cake falls under the category of butter cake. Butter cake recipes will always require the creaming of butter and sugar at the start of the recipe. Chocolate cake often has layers with frosting or jam in between. A chocolate cake could also be made in a rectangular 9″ X 13″ cake pan. Chocolate cakes are frosted with creamy, buttery, rich icing flavored with chocolate or left as vanilla. It’s always a delightful treat to open the fridge door and spy part of a chocolate cake waiting to be devoured! You can safely keep your chocolate cake leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days. Recognize that the cake, while still delicious, will not be quite as light as it was on day one. It is really best if you eat the cake within 2 days. | If the chocolate cake has been made in a rectangular cake pan, simply put plastic wrap over the cake as tightly as possible. If the plastic wrap is going to come in contact with the icing, put toothpicks in the top of the cake. This will keep the plastic wrap elevated so that it does not touch the frosting. If the chocolate cake is a layer cake, you have the option of placing a cake lid over top of the cake, or covering the cake with plastic wrap. If the top as well as sides are frosted, you will need to place toothpicks on the top and all around the sides of the cake so that the plastic wrap does not touch the icing and make a huge mess when you remove it. |
| Red Velvet Cake | The enticing, rich red color of red velvet cake comes from the particular kind of cocoa powder used. This, along with buttermilk, vinegar, and butter combine to create this popular version of what is actually a chocolate cake. Red velvet cake typically is frosted with ermine icing, a kind of buttercream icing that is less sweet than typical frostings. A red velvet cake is normally made in three round cake pans so they may be layered, with ermine icing in between the layers, and when it is cut the striking color of red is visible. As with other butter cakes, red velvet cake will stay good in the fridge for about 3-4 days but is best if eaten within 2 days. | Although red velvet cake is normally made as a layer cake, it can be made in a 9″ X 13″ rectangular cake pan. If this is the case, you can put plastic wrap over the top of the cake which should have toothpicks inserted in it to keep the plastic wrap from touching the icing. If the cake has been made in layers, first put toothpicks all over the outside and top of the cake then cover carefully with plastic wrap being sure to tuck the bottom under the plate. You can also place a cake lid over the cake in which case you will not need the toothpicks. |
| Lemon Cake | Lemon is a popular flavor in many things and it stars in butter cake as well. Here the tang of lemon zest and juice combines with the sweet of icing or a glaze to produce a delicious, beautiful dessert. Lemon cream cheese icing is delightful! Lemon cake may also be made as a more dense pound cake and is often glazed or left plain. Whichever way you choose to make lemon cake you want to make sure that you eat it up before it has the chance to go stale. As with chocolate and red velvet cakes, 3-4 days max in the fridge, with the ideal time of 2 days is the norm for lemon butter cake. If you go the lemon pound cake route, you may store it in the fridge for 4-5 days. It will also be fine on the counter. | A lemon layer cake is most easily stored on a plate with a tight-fitting cake lid. If you do not have a cake lid, you may put plastic wrap loosely around it, and tuck it under the plate to keep air from getting in which will make the cake stale. Be sure to put toothpicks in the top and around the outside so that the plastic wrap does not stick to the icing. If you have a lemon pound cake and it is not yet iced, wrap it tightly with two layers of plastic, and then pop it in the fridge. It will also be okay on the counter at room temperature. |
| Carrot Cake | Carrot cake is a great favorite of many. Resplendent with grated carrot and pineapple, carrot cake is usually topped off with cream cheese icing. Carrot cake often includes nuts like walnuts or pecans, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. This traditional favorite is a butter cake, and therefore, like our other butter cakes, will last in the fridge for 3-4 days, but is best if eaten within 2 days of being made. | Carrot cake is a layer cake. Simply wrap it loosely with plastic wrap and use toothpicks to keep the plastic from adhering to the icing. If you own a cake lid, pop it on top of the cake. Your cake is now ready to be put in the fridge. |
| Angel Food Cake | This divine, light and airy cake is made in a tube pan and turned upside down, when it is removed from the oven, in order to cool. Angel food cake contains only egg whites and no yolks. This produces the very light, airy quality of the cake. Angel food cake is lovely on its own, but can be made extra special served with whipped cream and fresh fruit. Seven-minute frosting is also an option for angel food cake, as is a flavored glaze such as lemon or orange.This cake actually stays out of the refrigerator, and sits, covered, on the counter. Angel cake may sit for 4-5 days, but, like other cakes, is best if eaten within a couple of days of having been baked. | For proper storage of an angel food cake, set the cake on a plate when you remove it from the tube pan, then cover the cake with plastic wrap. It is important to make sure that all parts of the cake are covered in wrap, and that the wrap is tucked under the plate well so that no air can get to the cake. In the open air, angel cake will go hard quickly. Light and soft is the signature texture of angel cake and you want to make sure you store it to maintain this heavenly quality. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should Store-Bought Cake Be Kept In The Fridge?
Ready-made cakes that are purchased in the store can most certainly be kept in the fridge. Check for an expiration date to give you an idea of how long it will stay good.
Is It Better To Refrigerate A Cake That Is Not Iced?
A cake that is iced can just as readily be refrigerated as a cake that is not iced. Some frostings such as a cream cheese frosting, will be better in the fridge, and will stay good longer in the fridge’s cooler temperature.
Is It Alright To Put An Unfrosted Cake In The Fridge And Then Ice It After?
It is an excellent option to wrap your unfrosted cake and pop it in the fridge to ice later. We do not always have the time to make a cake, wait for it to cool completely and then ice it. If you make the cake and leave it until the next day to ice, then you have the time management issue solved.
Is It Safe To Freeze Cake?
Freezing A Baked Cake To Serve At A Later Date
We all have those times when we have some fruit such as bananas, or an orange or lemon that are going to spoil soon, and must be used right away to avoid throwing them out. However, you may need a cake for a special occasion that is a month away, not tomorrow.
Freezing the cake is the answer to the problem. Cakes freeze very well if properly wrapped. Follow these steps
1. Let the cake cool completely.
2. Wrap the cake in two layers of plastic wrap.
3. Wrap the cake in aluminum foil.
4. If it’s a layer cake, wrap each layer separately.
Freezing Leftover Cake
If you have some cake left over and you want to freeze it for another time, simply wrap it in plastic wrap, and put it in an airtight container, or a zippered freezer bag. Be sure to get as much of the air out as possible to keep the cake fresh.
How Do You Thaw Frozen Cake?
Remove the cake from the freezer, and take off the aluminum foil. Set the cake on a plate, and let it thaw on the counter. Depending on the size and density of the cake, it may take 3-8 hours to fully thaw.
If you do not have time to wait for the cake to thaw, remove the foil and plastic, and place the cake on a cooling rack set on a baking sheet. Bake the cake for about 20 minutes in an oven preheated to 175 F.
This can only be done with a cake that has not been iced. Once it comes out of the oven, let it cool completely before you ice it.
Hi! My name is Jessica, and I recently decided to set up the site My Baking Heart, as an extension of my love for baking. It is something I have enjoyed since being a young child, when I would bake cookies and cakes with my grandma
Over the years, I have developed my skills and love to try all kinds of baking, from genoise sponges, to peach cobbler, and everything in between. New recipes are so much fun to follow and recreate.
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