The expression "have your cake and eat it too" might be rooted in an age-old dilemma: how do you keep cake tasting good after you’ve taken a slice. As experienced as we are in making and eating cake, we can’t always polish off a whole cake, and are often left with a few slices to spare. Or, perhaps we’ve made a cake for a milestone celebration that is a few days away and we want our hard work to be tasty at its big debut. We are here to answer your burning question: How long do birthday cakes last in the fridge? We’ll even throw in some general cake shelf life tips.
Importance of Cake Storage
First of all, a moment to explain the importance of cake storage. Let’s be real, making a beautiful, delicious, colorful cake takes a lot of effort! Whether you’ve rolled up your sleeves and baked something showstopping, or left the baking to us and ordered a birthday cake for delivery right to your doorstep, some serious time and energy went into making that cake, and it deserves to be enjoyed for as long as possible. With a few simple moves you can extend the shelf life of your cake and have something sweet at the ready when the mood strikes.
Birthday Cake
You’ve never tried a birthday cake like this. Our bestselling Birthday Cake, inspired by the boxed vanilla funfetti cake we loved as a kid, has grown up and gone gourmet. It has three tiers of heavenly rainbow-flecked vanilla birthday cake, layers of creamy frosting & crunchy crumbs, all topped with rainbow sprinkles.
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Types of Birthday Cakes and Their Shelf Life
Now that you know why storing your cake is key, it’s important to know what kind of cake you are working with. Different birthday cakes have different needs, and the components of your cake will impact how long your cake will last. When it comes to cake storage and shelf life, one of the main issues you need to consider is moisture. Made with perishable ingredients, a cake can get too dry and lose its taste or it can get soggy and moldy. Cakes that have heavy ingredients like fudge sauce and thick jams are packing a lot of moisture, which leads to a quicker spoiling rate, meaning less leftover cake for you to enjoy if not stored properly. Simpler cakes that are oil based and only have a layer of say buttercream frosting or fondant have less moisture to deal with and may last longer if stored properly.
The Birthday Classic
A birthday-flavored no-brainer fit for any kind of celebration. 1 Birthday Cake + 1 dozen B'Day Truffles = 1 very yummy party.
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Factors Affecting Cake Longevity
Aside from the ingredients used in the birthday cake mix itself, there are a number of environmental considerations that can impact your cake’s life expectancy. The temperature you keep your kitchen at, the amount of light getting to the cake, the humidity in the air, all impact your cake’s freshness. If you are looking to get the most time from bake to plate possible, wait until the day you want to serve to compile the cake elements - an unfrosted cake sponge will last longer in the freezer wrapped tightly with plastic wrap or saran wrap.
Proper Storage Techniques to Maximize Freshness
The first step in keeping your cake’s freshness is to keep the air away from it. Wrapping your cake in cling wrap and/or storing it in an airtight container helps stop the cake from absorbing outside flavors and moisture. The last thing you want is a cake that tastes like the hard boiled eggs it was stored next to in the fridge. Wrap that cake up tight! Most cakes can be stored in a freezer for up to one month, or in the fridge for one week. Cakes are best sliced frozen for crisp edges, but for the best flavor, allow your leftover cake to hang at room temperature for thirty minutes to an hour before digging in. Many folks keep their wedding cake in the freezer for the first year of marriage as a first anniversary treat. While this cake might not taste as delicious as it was on the big day, it's probably safe to eat in that moisture-free environment.
The Ultimate Birthday
We at Milk Bar take birthdays very seriously (in that we believe in unapologetically large dessert spreads when it’s time to celebrate). Go big with this supersized collection of classic Birthday Cake, B'Day Truffles, Milk Bar® Pie, and assorted cookies (Compost, Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow, Confetti, Chocolate Confetti, Blueberry & Cream, and Corn) for an epic party spread. P.S. — it doesn’t have to be anyone’s actual birthday.
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Signs Your Birthday Cake Has Gone Bad
If you haven’t followed our cake storage protocols and are trying to decide if your frosted cake is past its prime, here are a few ways you can tell. A spoiled cake that has gone bad will have an “off” odor, something a little sour or musky. If your cake has changed colors in any way, it may be on its way out the door. You can especially see this when your cheese cake frosting starts to get yellowed at the outer parts. Cake that has crumbly or scraggly looking edges or sheds when you cut it has dried out and might be less flavorful than you would like - you can revive it by splashing some milk or flavored liquid on it for a little boost - we like to add a few drops of vanilla extract to milk for birthday cake vibes.
From one cake fan to another, there is nothing sadder than seeing a good birthday cake go to waste, especially if the cake was an idea for a birthday gift for someone special. We spend hours building ours to cake perfection for you to enjoy and want to make sure you enjoy every single slice of it. So take your time to consider what your cake ingredients mean for moisture levels as you are slicing in. Wrap those cake slices tight and toss them in the freezer for the longest shelf life possible. Keep the party going for days to come by making your birthday cake last in the fridge for up to a week!
FAQs
Most cakes can be stored in a freezer for up to one month, or in the fridge for one week. Cakes are best sliced frozen for crisp edges, but for the best flavor, allow your leftover cake to hang at room temperature for thirty minutes to an hour before digging in.
Can I eat cake after 2 weeks in the fridge? ›
“You'll want to store a cake in the fridge with plastic wrap against the cut part (of the cake) to prevent the cake from drying out,” says Edwards, adding that store-bought cakes may last longer in the fridge, but homemade cakes should typically be consumed in five to seven days.
How long does cake last in the fridge with frosting? ›
Here's a simplified guide for how long different types of cakes might last in the fridge: Plain Cake (like unfrosted Moist Vanilla Cake): About 5-7 days in the fridge. Cake with Buttercream, Whipped Cream or Custard (like Moist Chocolate Cake with Fluffy Chocolate Frosting): 4 days, since dairy spoils quicker.
Should birthday cake be kept in fridge? ›
Keep your cake in a cake tin or an airtight container for best results. Fridge Storage: Cakes can last a few extra days if they are placed in the fridge, but you should still put them in an airtight container so they don't pick up a fridgey taste.
How do you keep a cake fresh in the fridge? ›
If you do refrigerate, wrap unfrosted cakes in plastic to protect them from absorbing any weird fridge smells and to protect them from drying out, and then unwrap it to warm up on the counter before serving. For frosted cakes, chill the cake uncovered for 15 minutes to harden the icing, then wrap it in plastic wrap.
Can we eat a 10 day old cake? ›
An opened cake won't last you 2 weeks, but an unopened cake just might! Our Celebration Chocolate Cake and Vanilla Sponge Cake are produced with a maximum of 20 days and a minimum of 10 days shelf life, and our Chocolate Cake Bars with a maximum of 42 days and a minimum of 16 days shelf life.
Is cake still good after 7 days? ›
Most cakes can be stored in a freezer for up to one month, or in the fridge for one week. Cakes are best sliced frozen for crisp edges, but for the best flavor, allow your leftover cake to hang at room temperature for thirty minutes to an hour before digging in.
Does refrigerating cake dry it out? ›
Warning! Do NOT store cake in the refrigerator long-term unless it includes a topping or filling that needs to be refrigerated, e.g., whipped cream, custard, and their ilk. Your perfectly moist cake, no matter how well wrapped, will start to dry out after a day in the fridge.
How long can you keep a cake with cream cheese frosting in the fridge? ›
Refrigerating your cakes
Kept in the fridge, cake with buttercream or ganache topping will last for 3-4 days. If the cake has custard, cream, cream cheese or fresh fruit it will last 1-2 days at most.
Can I put a cake with buttercream in the fridge? ›
Keep Your Cakes at Room Temperature
Storing your cakes at room temperature is ideal if you plan to serve them within a day or two of baking. This is because refrigeration can cause some types of cakes to dry out or become too firm, particularly those with buttercream frosting.
How long can cake sit out unrefrigerated? If your cake is frosted with buttercream, it will last covered at room temperature for up to four days. However, it is best to refrigerate cakes with other frostings such as cream cheese or ganache. A fully covered unfrosted cake will last for up to 2 days at room temperature.
Do Costco birthday cakes need to be refrigerated? ›
Made with fresh buttercream, Costco cakes are perishable. Some people have had success with leaving them out at room temperature for a couple of days, but technically, they're not shelf-stable and should be refrigerated before the event.
What kind of cake does not need to be refrigerated? ›
Most cakes—the butter-based cakes, oil-based cakes, chiffon cakes, and sponge cakes of the world—keep well at room temperature for at least one to two days.
Is it better to put a cake in the fridge or leave it out? ›
Should You Refrigerate Cake? You should avoid refrigeration in most cases. Unless your cake features perishable materials that could spoil—like cream frosting, fresh fruit, ice cream, mascarpone, or whipped cream—it's actually better off at room temperature.
How do you keep a cake fresh for 7 days? ›
Store under cake cover or large bowl.
The frosting can be totally absorbed by the cake when stored in an airtight container. If you don't have a cake cover, cakes with creamy frostings also can be covered lightly with foil, plastic wrap, or wax paper.
How do bakeries keep cakes fresh? ›
For a bakery, a commercial refrigeration unit is non-negotiable. That's because if you're displaying a cake, it's likely already frosted. Without refrigeration, your frosting will melt and spoil, especially in a bakery with high customer traffic.
Can cake last 3 weeks? ›
For example, a cake made with fresh fruit will only last a few days, while a cake made with dried fruit can last up to a week. Similarly, a cake that is stored in a cool, dry place will last longer than a cake that is stored in a warm, humid environment. In general, most cakes will last 3-5 days when stored properly.
How do you store a cake for 2 weeks? ›
Unlike storing it in the refrigerator, freezing a cake is actually a wonderful way to keep it fresh, particularly for longer periods. This will work for both unfrosted and fully frosted cakes. If your cake is in a bakery box, simply wrap the box in two layers of plastic wrap and store it in the freezer just like that.
How long do baked goods last in the fridge? ›
Bakery or homemade cookies can be stored at room temperature two to three weeks or two months in the refrigerator. Cookies retain their quality when stored in the freezer for eight to 12 months. Moist bars, such as cheesecake and lemon bars, can be refrigerated for seven days.
Does cake go bad out of the fridge? ›
How long can cake sit out unrefrigerated? If your cake is frosted with buttercream, it will last covered at room temperature for up to four days. However, it is best to refrigerate cakes with other frostings such as cream cheese or ganache. A fully covered unfrosted cake will last for up to 2 days at room temperature.
