How to Store Any Type of Cake to Keep It Fresh (2024)

FAQs

How to Store Any Type of Cake to Keep It 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.

Place your cake on a cake stand or plate with a cover, or upturned bowl, to protect it from the dust in the air. You can also leave the cake in a cake box. Individual sponges should be wrapped tightly with cling film. If you have a cake with slices cut out or cut slices, wrap the cut edges with cling film.

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 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.

To give the cake an optimal shelf life, pack the cake when it reaches max 30°C inside. That way, you avoid the drying out of the product which directly influences the texture of the cake. Packing below 30°C reduces condensation and delays microbial growth. Choose a hermetic packaging.

Unfrosted: Before refrigerating, wrap the cake or cake layers in plastic wrap to protect them from drying out or absorbing refrigerator smells. Frosted: Chill the cake uncovered for 15 minutes to harden the icing, then loosely wrap it in plastic wrap.

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.

The simplest version of simple syrup, or soak, is nothing more than equal parts granulated sugar dissolved into water. The basic soak alone will do great things for your cake, especially in terms of moisture.

How long can cake sit out unrefrigerated? ›

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.

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.

It moderates the oven's heat, ensuring a gentle and even cooking process. Preventing Over-Browning: If your cake's top browns too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminium foil to protect it from direct heat.

If you don't have plastic wrap, opt for a plastic zip-top bag. Store these wrapped cakes on the counter at room temperature, and they'll keep for about a week before starting to stale on you. Oil-based cakes tend to keep a day or two longer than butter-based ones.

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.

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.