Did you create a cake for your celebration a few days before? Were you unable to consume the whole cake that you cooked and must now preserve it fresh for the following day? Did you just bake too much cake and want to freeze it?
There are several reasons why you may need to preserve a cake, and understanding how to properly keep a cake fresh and tasty is critical.
These simple tips and methods will show you how to preserve a cake, keep it fresh, and keep it moist–all of which are critical after you’ve spent so much time preparing that beautiful cake!
After all, you want it to taste just as good the next day!
Contents
- How to Wrap a Cake for Storage
- Where to Store a Cake
- Storing a Frosted Cake
- What to Expect When Storing a Cake
- Improperly Stored Cake
- FAQs
- How do you store cakes made ahead of time?
- Is it better to store cake in the fridge or on the counter?
- Do cakes last longer in the fridge?
- Does refrigerating cake dry it out?
- How do you keep a cake moist for a few days?
- How do you keep a cake fresh for 5 days?
- How long can cake sit on counter?
- Do buttercream cakes need to be refrigerated?
- What makes cake go bad quickly?
- What happens if you put cake in the fridge?
How to Wrap a Cake for Storage
Whether you choose to keep your cake in the fridge, freezer, or on the counter, make sure it is tightly wrapped.
Even the most delicious, moist cake will become dry if not properly covered. Constant contact with the air will suck the moisture out of the cake, leaving it dry and unappealing, which is not what you want!
Plastic wrap is the greatest tool for wrapping a cake. Plastic wrap not only keeps a cake from drying out in the air, but it also keeps water from getting on your cake while it’s kept in the fridge or freezer. Plastic wrap is also incredibly pliable, allowing it to contour to your cake and thoroughly seal it.
If your cake is unfrosted, just wrap it firmly with plastic wrap and place it wherever you think is ideal (more on this below!). If you’ve previously frosted your cake with buttercream or fondant, let it set somewhat in the fridge before wrapping it carefully in plastic wrap.
If you have a cake box on available, put the cake inside and cover the whole box in plastic wrap.
If you don’t have plastic wrap on hand, any airtight container will suffice. Another lovely method to display and keep a cake is with a covered cake stand. A cake box is also incredibly adaptable and cost-effective, making it ideal for storage and transit.
Cake slices may also be neatly preserved inside Tupperware. The key objective is to restrict air and water as much as possible, safeguarding the integrity of your cake!
Where to Store a Cake
What happens once you’ve properly wrapped your cake? What is the best place to keep a cake? There are several solutions to this issue, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
However, any of these cake storage options will work!
Store a Cake at Room Temperature
If you want to consume or serve your cake within a few days, storing it at room temperature is a good idea. Place the cake on a nice cake stand with a top, or wrap it in plastic wrap and set it on the counter. A cake may be stored at room temperature for three to four days.
When you keep a cake at room temperature, it stays pleasant and soft until you’re ready to consume it. Keeping a cake at room temperature can help preserve its integrity since the texture will not alter, which may occur when a cake is frozen then thawed.
The disadvantage of storing a cake at room temperature is that it is right there on the counter, inviting you to eat it!
Store a Cake in the Fridge
Keeping a cake in the fridge can make it last longer. The fridge is also great for cakes with cream fillings, fruit fillings, or anything else that is perishable.
You should also use the refrigerator if you reside in a hot or humid environment where a cake will melt if left at room temperature. A cake will stay in the refrigerator for approximately a week.
Wrap a cake tightly before keeping it in the refrigerator. Sealing the cake will keep it from drying out and will also keep it from being exposed to other items in the fridge. You don’t want the flavor of garlic to permeate your cake!
You also don’t want any moisture from the refrigerator to accumulate on your cake.
Store a Cake in the Freezer
If you create a cake and want to eat it later, you can absolutely freeze it–most cakes freeze really well!
When properly wrapped (see the first part of this article on how to wrap a cake), a cake will stay in the freezer for approximately six months. Freezing a cake is an excellent method to create a cake ahead of time and then enjoy a handmade cake whenever you need it.
When you are ready to consume the previously frozen cake, place it in the refrigerator the day before. Then, on the big cake eating day, remove the cake from the refrigerator, let it to come to room temperature, slice, and serve!
Your cake will taste fresh and delicious!
Storing a Frosted Cake
One of the finest methods to preserve a cake is to frost it beforehand. While you may preserve an un-iced cake and frost it later, the frosting on a cake really helps seal in the moisture, keeping the cake from drying out.
You may not only ice a cake with icing before storing it, but you can also wrap it with fondant before preserving it. If you want to keep a fondant-covered cake in the fridge or freezer, use a fondant that is resistant to moisture.
Moisture may accumulate on the cake surface when it thaws after being frozen or returns to room temperature after being stored in the refrigerator. In this case, a fondant developed for humid areas will come in handy by absorbing moisture and keeping the fondant from getting sticky.
Place your frosted cake in the refrigerator for approximately an hour to allow the icing to solidify (this applies to both fondant and buttercream iced cakes). Wrap the cake in plastic wrap, pressing it firmly against the stiff frosting.
Continue to store the cake anywhere you like (for more information on where to store a cake, keep reading). If you don’t want the plastic wrap to come into contact with your cake, put it in a box instead. The icing will still assist to keep the cake safe!
What to Expect When Storing a Cake
While it’s lovely to think that your cake would remain fluffy and oven-fresh long after it’s cooked, the truth is that your cake may vary somewhat depending on how it’s kept. For one thing, the highly fluffy texture may become a bit firmer.
If you store your cake in the fridge for a week or the freezer for a few months, it will dry out somewhat (no matter how securely you wrap it!) and the cake’s crumb quality will become more crumbly.
Wrapping a cake properly is the best method to avoid this texture shift, but it is something to be aware of while keeping a cake.
If you keep a fondant-covered cake in the fridge or freezer, be prepared to gently return it to room temperature. This means you’ll need to plan ahead and remove the cake from the fridge or freezer a few hours (or days) before serving.
To avoid moisture from departing the cake too rapidly and becoming wet and sticky, the temperature should be gradually increased.
Expect the cake to take some time to return to room temperature, and be ready to dry any moist fondant. Pointing a fan at the cake while it thaws is also an excellent technique to avoid moisture buildup!
Improperly Stored Cake
Even if you have the greatest cake intentions, you may discover that you did not properly preserve your cake. So, what precisely does it imply when a cake is not properly stored?
The most typical issue with incorrectly kept cakes is that they dry out. When a cake is not properly wrapped, kept for an extended period of time, or thawed improperly, the air absorbs the moisture from the soft cake.
Cakes gradually lose moisture as they age, so if a cake is kept for an extended period of time, it will dry up, no matter how neatly it is wrapped.
Always enjoy your cake within the suggested time frame. Three to four days at room temperature is ideal for a cake. A cake that has been refrigerated is best consumed within a week.
A cake will stay in the freezer for around six months. The quality of the cake will deteriorate beyond certain time periods.
Any embellishments on a cake using icing or fondant that is not properly preserved may be damaged. Cake decorations might get sticky, broken, or melt.
Always keep an eye on the temperature of your cake and alter your storage techniques appropriately, particularly if it includes icing or embellishments.
Cakes are one baked food that, when properly preserved, may keep their integrity. Remember that properly covering the cake is essential for keeping the cake moist, ensuring the cake remains fresh, and keeping any embellishments on the cake looking beautiful.
Consider when you want to consume the cake when determining how to keep it. This will help you choose where you should store it. Follow all of these recommendations to ensure that you not only keep the cake properly, but also prepare it properly once it has been stored.
While you are most likely a cake storage master by now, there is one last option for preserving a cake: don’t sore it. Eat it all right immediately! After all, who can resist a freshly baked cake?
FAQs
How do you store cakes made ahead of time?
Covering your cake with frosting is an excellent way to preserve it ahead of time. This is due to the frosting acting as a barrier between the cake and the sponge, enabling less air to reach the sponge. If refrigerated properly, this approach should keep your cake fresh for 4 to 5 days.
Is it better to store cake in the fridge or on the counter?
Should Cake Be Refrigerated? In most circumstances, refrigeration should be avoided. Unless your cake contains perishable ingredients that might spoil, such as cream icing, fresh fruit, ice cream, mascarpone, or whipped cream, it’s best served at room temperature.
Do cakes last longer in the fridge?
When kept securely covered and at room temperature, it will normally survive many days. If you really want to extend the freshness, a cake with no filling or icing (basic cake layers or a bundt cake) will keep approximately 7 days in the refrigerator, covered properly.
Does refrigerating cake dry it out?
After a day in the fridge, your wonderfully moist cake, no matter how properly wrapped, will begin to dry out.
How do you keep a cake moist for a few days?
Covering the cake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, is a superior method to keep it. This keeps moisture in the cake and prevents air from drying it out. Cupcakes should be stored in an airtight container. Avoid keeping cakes in the refrigerator for more than a few days, even if they are properly wrapped.
How do you keep a cake fresh for 5 days?
Cakes should be stored in sealed containers in a cold, dry area to keep them fresh. If you don’t have an airtight container or cake pan, an inverted bowl can suffice (but it will not keep the cake as fresh). Try freezing cakes to keep them fresh for longer than a week.
How long can cake sit on counter?
Room Temperature Storage: Most birthday cakes may be stored at room temperature for a few days, usually 3 days before the moisture evaporates. For optimal results, store your cake in a cake pan or an airtight container.
Do buttercream cakes need to be refrigerated?
If you intend to serve your frosted cake or dessert within 3 days after creating it, keep it at room temperature, covered. Otherwise, decorative snacks should be stored in the refrigerator.
What makes cake go bad quickly?
Chemical leavening agents such as baking powder and baking soda give your cakes their rise, and they, like any other product in your cupboard, ultimately become stale. These products have a six-month effective life. They will still function after that, just not as well.
What happens if you put cake in the fridge?
If you’re used to functioning under the assumption that everything placed in the fridge would automatically last longer, this concept may take some getting used to. However, refrigerating cake causes it to get stale quicker.