How long can you keep a cake in the fridge? Depends on the type that you’re making! With so many cake types out there, it’s impossible to name the shelf life of each one. Still, I’ve done my best to get you the deets on many of the most popular types of cake and how long they can be refrigerated.
Table of Contents
- Does Cake Go Bad in the Fridge?
- Can You Freeze a Cake?
- Should I Put Cake in the Fridge Before Icing?
- How To Tell if Cake Has Gone Bad?
- Cake Types in The Fridge
- How Long Can You Keep a Cake in the Fridge? It Really Depends!
- FAQs
Does Cake Go Bad in the Fridge?
Frosted cakes, or even cakes that are unfrosted, can and will go bad in the fridge – eventually. But, like anything else you place in the fridge, how long it takes for the baked cake to kick the bucket is highly variable.
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A cake that has spent too much time in the fridge will be evident as it will also become stale and dry. Of course, there are many other surefire ways to tell if your store-bought or homemade cakes have gone stale, but we’ll get to more on that later.
Just know that without a little tender love and care, the act of refrigerating cakes may come back to haunt you.
But don’t worry. I’ve got all the details you need to help your cake stay fresh for as long as possible.
Is Cake Still Good After 5 Days?
In many cases, a cake may still be good after 5 days. This is, of course, assuming you’re using fresh ingredients and that your cake is properly covered.
Without either being wrapped tightly or placed in an airtight container, you can expect your cake to go stale faster.
In fact, some cakes may not even make it past 2 days when it comes to freshness. But the amount of time a cake stays fresh largely depends on the ingredients used and how the cake was stored.
Is Cake Still Good After 7 Days?
Most cakes have a shelf life of 2 to 5 days. If you want to keep a cake fresh and a cake moist for up to 7 days, it may be a bit tricky.
Your best bet is to leave the cake at room temperature for only a few days before transferring it to the freezer. But even this method may have a few caveats, especially for frosted cakes.
My final verdict? Aim for consuming your cake within 2-5 days rather than waiting the full 7. If you must eat your cake after 7 days, be sure to keep it in the refrigerator and be ready to experience a bit of dryness (and possibly a stale cake) upon consumption.
Can You Freeze a Cake?
You can absolutely freeze a cake.
Generally, you can freeze cakes for up to two months. This is best done with unfrosted cake but some frosted cakes may also hold up to freezing as well.
Oftentimes, people fear that the freezing process may alter the frosting by causing it to become grainy. However, many that have tried to freeze frosted cakes have reported that the cake thaws just fine and tastes almost identical to when it was fresh.
Thus, the taste and texture of a frozen cake when thawed may heavily depend on the type of cake it is and the ingredients used.
Should I Put Cake in the Fridge Before Icing?
Not really. If anything, it is often best to leave a cake at room temperature up to 3 days or up to four days for best results when unfrosted.
After this, you may have to put it in the refrigerator, but know that an unfrosted cake won’t hold moisture in the way that a frosted cake will.
Thus, you may expect an unfrosted cake that is stored in the fridge to be drier than cakes stored otherwise.
How To Tell if Cake Has Gone Bad?
Cake that has gone bad may make you sick.
Rancid cake will often have the following characteristics:
- Dry
- Stale
- Mold growth
- Crumbly texture
- Slimy fruit filling or fruit compotes
- Collapsing
- Unusual spongy or squishy texture
Cake Types in The Fridge
Can You Put a Frosted Cake in the Fridge?
How long you can put a frosted cake in the fridge will largely depend on cake type. Know that no matter what type of cake you store in the refrigerator, it is always a good idea to keep it wrapped in plastic wrap or in a cake container to keep as much moisture in the cake as possible. Oherwise, you’ll notice that the cake will begin to spoil faster.
With that said, let’s take a look at how long can you keep a cake in the fridge with different cake types.
How Long Will a Sponge Cake Last in the Fridge?
A sponge cake will typically last in the fridge for about 3-5 days.
How Long Does Cake Last in the Fridge Without Frosting?
Cake without frosting will last 2-5 days in the fridge.
However, you may notice that it gets dry faster than frosted cake types.
How Long Chocolate Cake Last in Fridge?
A freshly baked chocolate cake, whether topped with regular frosting or with ganache topping, will last about 3-5 days.
How Long Can You Keep a Cake in the Fridge Before Decorating?
I don’t recommend keeping it in the fridge longer than a day or two. And even then, one day may be your best bet.
Anything longer than this will affect the texture, causing it to become hard, dry, and crumbly.
How Long Does Buttercream Cake Last in the Fridge?
Assuming you’ve covered it well, a buttercream cake may last as long as 5-7 days in the refrigerator.
How Long Can You Keep a Frosted Cake in the Fridge?
A frosted cake can often remain in the fridge for as long as 7 days. Although I’d generally recommend 3-5 days for optimal freshness.
How Long Can You Keep a Fondant Cake in the Fridge?
A fondant cake may last in the fridge for about 2-3 days. If you live in a warm weather climate, you’ll almost definitely want to ensure the cake is stored properly in the fridge to ensure it stays tasting its best.
How Long Can You Keep a Frosted Cake in a Cake Box in the Fridge?
A frosted cake in a cake box or cake container will last in the fridge for about 3-5 days, sometimes more, depending on the cake type.
How Long Can You Keep a Dump Cake in the Fridge?
A dump cake will often last in the refrigerator for about 3-5 days.
How Long Can You Keep a Fresh Bundt Cake in the Fridge?
A bundt cake placed in the refrigerator will last 3-5 days. Be sure to keep it wrapped to prevent moisture from escaping, especially if the bundt cake is unfrosted.
How Long Can You Keep a Ganached Cake in the Fridge?
A ganache cake can last in the refrigerator for about 3-5 days.
How Long Can You Keep a Birthday Cake in the Fridge?
A birthday cake will typically last 3-5 days. It may even last 7, depending on the storage method and ingredients used.
How Long Can You Keep a Homemade Cake in the Fridge?
Most homemade cakes will last at optimal freshness 3-5 days, but it will depend on the type of cake you’re referring to.
How Long Can You Keep a Roll Cake in the Fridge?
A roll cake lasts about 3-4 days, maybe longer, depending on the cake type.
How Long Can You Keep a Carrot Cake in the Fridge?
A carrot cake may last in the fridge about 5-7 days depending on the storage method.
How Long Can You Keep a Cake in the Fridge? It Really Depends!
How long you can store a cake in the fridge will really depend on the type of cake you are making. In general, the consensus is 3-5 days, and sometimes even 7 days. It really depends on the ingredients used and the method of storage.
Speaking of refrigeration, check out these posts on food storage:
- Does Mayo Need to Be Refrigerated
- Does String Cheese Need To Be Refrigerated
- Can I Freeze Cookie Dough Instead Of Refrigerating It
I hope this post has helped!
FAQs
How long can cake stay out of the fridge?
Cake can stay at room temperature for 1-3 days, depending on the ingredients.
Can you put a cake in the fridge after baking?
Yes, you can. However, you may wish for it to come to room temperature first.
Can old cake make you sick?
Yes, it can. Do not eat cake that you know isn’t fresh. Always avoid cake that tastes soggy, spongy, has mold growth, or seems to be collapsing.
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