How Long Does Cake Last in the Fridge?

How Long Does Cake Last in the Fridge?

The guide includes a food scientist’s answer to the question, “How long will cake last in the refrigerator?” as well as storage tips and a guide for simple storage.

Have you got leftover Cake that you’re thinking about storing in the refrigerator? Wait a minute. The fridge may give you a little more time to finish your Cake, but it is not a miracle fix. I am a food scientist, and I will break down the pros and cons and signs you should watch out for when it is time to say goodbye to that last piece.

How long does Cake last in the fridge?

I’ll start with a short answer, so you won’t need to scroll down to find the answer you were looking for. Here is a simple guide to how long various types of Cake can last in the refrigerator:

• Plain Cake: It lasts 5-7 days in the fridge. Due to their lower moisture, unfrosted cakes last longer than frosted ones.
• Cakes containing Buttercream, Whipped Cream, or Custard (like Moist Chocolate Cake With Fluffy Chocolate Frosting). Maximum 4 days. They have a shorter shelf-life because dairy spoils faster.
• Fruit-filled Cake (like Lemon Curd Cake), 3-5 days, depending on the acidity of the filling and the moisture content.

You can learn how to store your Cake so that it lasts longer and won’t squash the icing, and you can also remember my favourite alternative for refrigerating it.

Basics of Cake Storage

To keep your birthday cake fresh, consider the following factors: ingredients, moisture, and storage.

1. Ingredients A cake that contains dairy-based fillings and butter frostings spoils faster than a sponge cake.
2. Moisture content: Dry cakes tend to last longer as moisture can encourage mould growth. Dry cakes, on the other hand, are… well… dry. A moist cake is my favourite (like the almost-famous Moist Chocolate Cake or Moist Vanilla Cake).
3. Storage method: An airtight container will keep your Cake fresh whether it is stored in the refrigerator or not.

Different cakes have different life expectancies. A wedding cake covered in fondant will last longer than one with cream cheese frosting simply because the fondant is less susceptible to moisture loss.

Benefits of Refrigerating Cake

Throwing your homemade or store-bought Cake in the refrigerator has a few benefits:

1. Extends Shelf-Life: Cool temperatures slow down the spoilage, giving you an extra few days to enjoy your Cake.
2. Preserve fillings If your Cake contains perishable ingredients, such as cream, ganache, custard (or fruit fillings), refrigerating it can help keep them fresher for longer.

How long can cake really last in the refrigerator? From a spoilage standpoint, the Cake will last longer in the fridge than it would at room temperature.

Limitations on Refrigerating Cake

The fridge won’t cure everything. Here are a few warnings:

1. Texture changes: Cooler temperatures can cause the starch to change, speeding up the ageing process. Starch retrogradation is the technical term, and it results in a stiffer, drier crumb texture.
2. Flavour transfer: Do you have strong-smelling food in your fridge? Over a couple of days or even a few hours, those fridge odours will seep into your Cake.
3. Refrigeration is not a permanent fix. It can only delay the spoilage, but it won’t stop. You will still have to consume the Cake within a reasonable period.

For how long can Cake be left out without refrigeration?

How and for how long a cake should be kept at room temperature depends on the ingredients it contains, as well as its storage. Here’s a guide that will help you:

1. Plain Cake: A simple sponge cake or pound cake without dairy-based frostings or fillings can be kept on the counter for up to one week if well wrapped in plastic wrap.
2. (or in an airtight storage container)
3. Cream-filled cakes and Cheesecake should be kept in the refrigerator as soon as possible, but depending on room temperature, they may stay out for up to a few hours.
4. Buttercream and Fondant-Coated cakes are more resistant to room temperature than other types. Depending on the filling, cakes with fondant or buttercream frosting can last for up to three days at room temperature.
5. Fruit-Filled: If the Cake has fruit filling or topping, keep it at room temperature. The extra moisture makes it more likely to spoil.

Store your Cake in an airtight container, or use a well-sealed piece of plastic wrap to keep it away from contaminants and air. Keep in mind, too, that high humidity may affect the quality of your Cake.

Before diving into the food, check for any signs of spoilage, such as mould, a bad smell, or a change in texture.

Signs that a Cake is Spoiled

It’s important to know when to throw away that Cake, both for taste and safety , and to watch out for these warning signs.

1. Mold is the easiest way to identify it. Look out for discolouration in cream and fruit fillings.
2. Olfactory cues: A cake in danger of going bad has a sour or off-putting smell. If the Cake doesn’t smell like Cake, then it is time to throw it out.
3. Textural cues: If you feel the Cake is too hard or has mushy areas, this could be a sign of it drying out or rotting.