A cake is a delicious treat, but just how long does cake last in the fridge? It’s not just that cake will taste better and might last longer with a layer of frosting or topping, but knowing when to save it for impromptu guests is important.
As for how long you can expect a cake with frosting or topping to last in the fridge, whether it’s buttercream or ganache, the answer varies according to which part of the cake it is.
On average, cake with frosting will last three days in the fridge. Cake without frosting or creme anglais (aka fresh fruit) is likely to last two days as well. Cake with custard will last one day in the fridge and only 1-2 days at best if it has cream cheese or heavy cream on top.
Does cake go stale in the fridge?
If you store your cake in the fridge, it might go stale faster. You can slow down this process by putting it in an airtight container or wrapping it tightly with plastic wrap. Make sure the cake is dry before storing it away because moisture causes cakes to speed up the staling process.
How do you know when a cake is bad?
If you have a stale or moldy piece of cake, you may smell something off or the filling may be liquid rather than solid when you cut into it. Tasting the inside helps, too; if there’s something about the flavor that makes your mouth water, chances are it’s still good.
A cake that has gone bad will have off-odors and tastes. It will be dry and gummy, and parts of it might even be moldy. Also avoid cakes that have different colored or browned spots on the inside layers as this may be a sign of an inadequate baking time, improper placement of tins in the oven, or not enough heat in the oven.
You should never eat a cake that is moldy, mushy, or sour. If you have a cake that has molded on the outside and the inside has turned slightly (but not completely) to liquid, you could still consume it, but the flavor will be less appealing.
Also, watch out for cakes that have black spots or strange discolorations in the frosting or batter. If even a small amount of this begins to permeate throughout the layers, toss it out and try again.
Why does cake go stale?
Staling occurs when the starch molecules in flour break down and become more susceptible to an enzyme referred to as alpha-amylase. The result is that the cake becomes drier and firmer, almost like sawdust.
How long does iced cake last in the refrigerator?
You can expect cake with frosting to last about three days in the fridge. Cake without frosting and creme anglais (aka fresh fruit) are likely to last two days as well.
You can expect cake with custard to last 1-2 days in the fridge. How long a cake lasts on the shelf? A cake that’s packaged properly wrapped securely, placed on a rack or pan, and kept in its original box and sealed wrapping should last about a week if it’s stored at 40 degrees F or below. And wrapped well, a frozen cake should keep up to three months in your freezer.
How do you prevent a cake from going stale?
The only way to prevent staling is with moisture. So the best way to keep your cake moist is with heavy cream or custard or fresh fruit. freeze a cake, let it cool to room temperature before wrapping it in plastic wrap.
Then place it in a single layer in your freezer. You can also use multiple layers if you don’t want to see frosting between the layers. If you keep the cake frozen for at least two weeks, it should be good for up to 1 week and few days.
Where should I keep my cake?
You should always store your cake in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. Either is fine as long as they are well sealed. The best place to keep the cake when you’re not using it is in the freezer.
That way you can limit how much time it spends on the counter. When you have a fresh cake that needs to last, for example, for a party, you should store it at room temperature out of direct sunlight and not in the freezer or fridge until right before serving. Once inside either place, your cake will be fine for about two days before going bad.
Conclusion
Here’s a good rule of thumb: the lower the moisture content of a cake, the longer you can store it. For example, cakes with frosting will last about one day longer in your fridge than those without, and those with custard will last about two days longer than that.
Cakes with cream or fresh fruit are fresh for only one or two days. If you’re freezing a sponge cake instead of leaving it in your fridge for an extended period of time, you can expect it to remain fresh for up to three months if frozen in its original wrapper.