Why You Shouldn't Store Cake In The Fridge - Tasting Table (2024)

ByJohn J Lee/

The king of confectionaries, the sultan of all sweets, the pope of pastries, and the jewel of every beaming child's eye: classical, captivating cake. What a wonderful experience cake is: huge and sweet and bright and shareable, never was there a more celebrated coronation and more deservedly delicious crown. The center of attention at every party it attends, the symbol of celebrations the world over, and even the star of TV shows where cake is the boss and the canvas ⁠— cake truly is king.

But should you store it in the fridge or is it safe to leave it out? And what exactly does refrigeration do to cake?Cake is amazing, but sometimes the dessert can be a handful to properly store. It's large and often delicate and because it's so important you really don't want to be that one person who ruined the cake, so the stakes couldn't be higher. According to The Kitchn, the proper method of storing cake really depends on the kind of cake you've got on your hands. While there's one major reason why you shouldn't store cake in the fridge, there is a case to be made for the cold storage approach as well.

To fridge or not to fridge, that is answered here

Why You Shouldn't Store Cake In The Fridge - Tasting Table (2)

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Whether you made the cake yourself or you bought it at the store, most people tend to just stick their cake into the fridge and leave it there until it's time to serve, but this can actually dry the cake out very quickly. Drying out cake is the reason why you shouldn't store the dessert in the refrigerator, if at all possible. If your cake is frosted, Allrecipes suggests just finding a nice cover for the cake and leaving it out at room temperature.

Per the outlet, cakes frosted with buttercream, ganache, or fondant can last at room temperature for up to five days without becoming too stale, as the frosting creates a seal around the cake that works to keep the moisture inside. If your cake is partially frosted or has been cut already, then make sure to keep it well covered and/or wrapped to prevent further loss of moisture.

Sometimes, though, refrigeration is necessary. If, for example, your kitchen is a busy and bustling one, if you live in warmer climates, or if for any other reason your cake will be in a hot and/or humid place, then it's better for your cake to be refrigerated to avoid spoiling. Also, according to Southern Living, if your cake has toppings, fillings, or even garnishes that require refrigeration, then you should definitely keep your cake in the fridge; this includes cream cheese frosting, whipped cream, fruit of any kind, etc.

To properly store cakes in the fridge, make sure to chill the cake uncovered in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes first; then cover it before returning the cake back to the fridge for storage.

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Why You Shouldn't Store Cake In The Fridge - Tasting Table (2024)

FAQs

Why You Shouldn't Store Cake In The Fridge - Tasting Table? ›

Drying out cake is the reason why you shouldn't store the dessert in the refrigerator, if at all possible.

Why shouldn't you put cake in the fridge? ›

Recrystallisation starts as soon as any baked good begins to cool down once it's baked, and happens much faster at cooler temperatures. Hence why a cake should never be stored in the fridge for extended periods.

Is it better to store cake in the fridge or on the counter? ›

In brief, refrigerating a cake causes this process to occur significantly faster than at room temperature. So, don't refrigerate your cakes. This is also true of breads and any other baked goods—they all go stale faster in the fridge.

Why does cake not need to be refrigerated? ›

Erika Kwee of the award-winning, data-driven baking blog The Pancake Princess, agrees: “Generally, I try to avoid refrigerating cake because the fridge will draw moisture out of the cake and quickly dry the cake out.

Does cake go bad in the fridge? ›

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 you put leftover cake in the fridge? ›

The safest way to store leftover cake is covered and in the refrigerator.

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.

What happens to cake if not refrigerated? ›

Fresh cake will be at it's best on the day it was made. If left out in the open it will dry out. Still edible within 24 hours but not nice. You can keep in an air tight container for up to 48 hours and in a fridge for up to 72 hours.

Where is the best place to store a cake? ›

How do you keep cakes fresh? To keep cakes fresh, it's best to store them in airtight containers in a cool, dry place. If you don't have an airtight container or cake tin, use can also use an overturned bowl (although it won't keep the cake as fresh). To keep cakes fresh for more than 1 week, try freezing them.

What's the best way to store a cake for the next day? ›

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.

What cakes do not need to be refrigerated? ›

Answer: Unfrosted cake does not need to be refrigerated. Frosted cakes, on the other hand, may need to be placed into the refrigerator for extended safe keeping.

Can you leave a cake out after it's been refrigerated? ›

The length of time that a cake has been kept in the refrigerator can also have an effect on how long it can remain at room temperature before it goes bad. After only a few hours at room temperature, a cake that has been stored in the refrigerator for several days may no longer be suitable for human consumption.

Should I 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.

Is it better to store cake in fridge or room temp? ›

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.

Can I eat a 2 week old cake in the fridge? ›

What is this? In general, a cake will last anywhere from 2-7 days in the refrigerator, if kept well covered, depending on the type of frosting and filling. Now let's get into types of cakes with different icing and topping variations. What is this?

What makes cake go bad quickly? ›

The principal agents responsible for the deterioration of cakes are microorganisms such as bacteria, mould, and yeast. Because these microorganisms flourish in environments that are both moist and warm, baked goods provide the ideal environment for their reproduction.

What happens if you cool a cake in the fridge? ›

The fridge method works well enough for short bursts, but be wary; too much cooling time there might dry out your baked cake. The freezer, for me, is a much safer bet.

What will happen if you put the cake in the refrigerator just for the purpose of speeding its cooling process? ›

You may refrigerate a baked cake long enough to cool it completely before frosting it. If you refrigerate it much more than that it may tend to dry out around the edges. —Not good!

Will cake get hard in the fridge? ›

Cakes will lose their moisture over time, especially when stored in the refrigerator. It helps to slow down that process if you keep the cake well covered.

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