How to store a cake overnight (2024)

Want to store some leftover cake but don’t know how? Welcome to our ultimate guide on how to store a cake overnight. These methods work for any type of cake; layered cakes, tiered cakes, sliced cakes, and frosted and unfrosted cakes too! Here are some of the best methods how to store cake.

How to store a cake overnight

When storing a cake overnight, you need to cover your cake fully to prevent any air and store it at the right temperature. To do this, you can easily wrap your cake in foil or plastic wrap, and place it in an airtight container. Make sure to keep your cake in the refrigerator overnight.

How to store a frosted cake overnight

To store a buttercream cake overnight, use plastic wrap to cover all areas of your cake and store it at room temperature in a container. If your cake is frosted with cream cheese or ganache, make sure to cover it and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. Covering your cake prevents the air from making it dry.

How to store an unfrosted cake overnight

To store an uniced cake, wrap it with plastic first, and then add another layer of foil or place it in an airtight container. Depending on the room temperature, you may be able to keep your cake out of the refrigerator; if the area is cool. If unsure of the temperature, keep the cake in the refrigerator.

How to store cake layers

Storing cake layers separately prepares you for assembling a future cake. To keep your cake layers fresh, wrap them in a layer of plastic wrap. Then add a layer of foil around each layer, which keeps the air from making them dry. Finally keep them in the fridge if using soon, if not store them in the freezer.

How to store cupcakes

Cupcakes stay freshest when stored separately. Wrap each cupcake tightly with plastic wrap first. Next, wrap them with foil in groups of four, and finally place them in an airtight container. You can store the cupcakes in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How to store a cake without plastic wrap or a container

Depending on whether your cake is frosted or not, you can still store it without a container or plastic wrap. If frosted, use a cake keeper, or an overturned bowl to protect it from dust, hair…etc. For cakes with no frosting, wrap the cake in foil and keep it at room temperature for 3 days, and refrigerated for one week.

How to keep cake fresh

To keep the cake fresh it is important to cover it fully to avoid air and keep it at a good temperature. For doing this you can use plastic wrap, foil, and airtight containers. A moderately cool room temperature is perfect for cake, however for cakes with frosting we recommend using the refrigerator.

Do you need to refrigerate cakes?

It is not necessary to refrigerate cakes all the time. Cakes with frosting are usually the ones that need refrigerating, whereas cakes with no frosting can last up to 4 days at a moderately cool room temperature. Regardless of whether your cake is in the refrigerator or at room temperature, all cakes must be covered fully before storing.

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.

If you enjoyed today’s article and found it useful, check out our new blog on How To Store Cupcakes, and be sure to leave a comment to let me know what you think, or even just to ask a question or say hi!

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How to store a cake overnight (2024)

FAQs

How to store a cake overnight? ›

When storing a cake overnight, you need to cover your cake fully to prevent any air and store it at the right temperature. To do this, you can easily wrap your cake in foil or plastic wrap, and place it in an airtight container. Make sure to keep your cake in the refrigerator overnight.

How do you keep a cake moist overnight before decorating? ›

Using an air-tight container is the best and easiest way to keep your cake from getting exposed to air. However, if you don't have one of those, you can wrap your cake in cling film, or if it's iced, place a large inverted bowl over it to trap the air.

Should I put my cake in the fridge over night? ›

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 to store cake in the fridge after icing? ›

To store frosted cakes in the refrigerator, chill the uncovered cake in the fridge for at least 15 minutes so that the frosting hardens slightly, and then cover with plastic wrap. Before serving, allow the cake to sit on the counter for about 30 minutes. Learn how to freeze a frosted cake for up to two months.

What is the best way to keep a cake fresh overnight? ›

When storing a cake overnight, you need to cover your cake fully to prevent any air and store it at the right temperature. To do this, you can easily wrap your cake in foil or plastic wrap, and place it in an airtight container. Make sure to keep your cake in the refrigerator overnight.

Is it better to wrap cake in foil or cling film? ›

Yes, cakes can lose moisture in the fridge if they are not wrapped properly, causing them to dry out. Wrapping them in cling wrap or an airtight container will retain moisture and keep them fresher for longer.

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.

Can I cover my cake with aluminum foil after baking? ›

To loosely cover, place aluminum foil, plastic wrap or waxed paper over the cake without sealing the edges so air can circulate. Cool unfrosted cakes completely before covering and storing to keep the top from getting sticky.

How long can cake sit out after being refrigerated? ›

A cake that has been stored in the refrigerator for several hours should be able to sit out at room temperature for up to two hours before it needs to be served or put back in the refrigerator if the temperature of the room is approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).

Will a frosted cake dry out overnight? ›

When held at room temperature, fully frosted cakes will stay moist longer, and most buttercream-style icings are completely fine when kept at room temperature for two to three days. Frosting is a-okay in the freezer too. If you have enough freezer space, Sheehan says, “you can even freeze a fully frosted cake!

How long should a cake cool before refrigerating? ›

How Long Should You Cool Your Cake? Your cake needs anywhere from ten minutes to a couple of hours to cool off before you can handle it completely without fear of it crumbling. If you wrap it in aluminum foil or plastic, you can store cake in the refrigerator or freezer.

How to cover a cake without a cake cover? ›

Solution? Toothpicks. Gently stick about 5 to 6 toothpicks around the top of your cake, then loosely drape aluminum foil to create a tent around the cake.

Do I need to cover cake in the refrigerator? ›

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.

How to keep cake moist in the fridge? ›

A better way to store cake is to cover it in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. This seals in moisture and prevents air from drying out the cake. Store cupcakes in an airtight container. Avoid storing cakes in the refrigerator, even if you have sealed them tightly, for longer than a few days.

Is it OK to refrigerate cake before frosting? ›

"Prepare, bake, and cool the cake completely. Then, wrap each cake layer in cling film, nice and tight, and place in the fridge for at least two hours," he says. That's right, you won't be frosting your cake at room temperature; a chilled cake is essential before applying any frosting. "This step is the most important.

Can you bake a cake the night before you decorate it? ›

Yes, you can. It's best practice to decorate the cake as close to the day of serving as possible, but it will also store well in the fridge. If the icing or frosting has any perishable ingredients, we recommend storing the cake in the fridge to keep it as fresh as possible.

What do bakers put on cakes to keep them moist? ›

So even though the cake might be moist and sweet enough the first day, the simple syrup helps ensure that the cake will still be moist the day it will be eaten. Brushing a cake with syrup adds moistness and flavor, especially if you've used something interesting in the syrup.

How do I make sure my cake stays moist? ›

10 WAYS TO MAKE CAKE MOIST
  1. USE THE CORRECT TEMPERATURE AND BAKING TIME. Consider lowering your oven temperature slightly when baking a cake. ...
  2. USE VEGETABLE OIL. ...
  3. USE BUTTERMILK INSTEAD OF MILK. ...
  4. ADD INSTANT PUDDING MIX. ...
  5. ADD MAYONNAISE. ...
  6. USE SIMPLE SYRUP OR GLAZE. ...
  7. USE CAKE FLOUR. ...
  8. DON'T OVERMIX.

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