Last Updated on May 26, 2022 by
Does Cake Need To Be Refrigerated? Cakes and cupcakes, like other foods, are at their best when they’re freshly baked. That means serving them fresh from the oven is always the best choice.
However, there are instances when you have no option but to create (or purchase) a cake ahead of time to serve and consume it. Maybe you have leftover cake from the first day that you couldn’t finish. You’ll need to know how to preserve it so that it lasts as long as possible. A cake may be stored in the refrigerator or the freezer.
How To Keep A Frosted Cake Fresh
The benefit of frosted cakes is that the various frostings may preserve the cake by trapping moisture (much like plastic wrap). An uncut frosted cake iced with buttercream, fondant, or ganache may survive up to five days at room temperature. Please protect it from dust and other pollutants by covering it with a cake keeper or a bowl.
How To Keep A Cut Frosted Cake Fresh
If your cake has already been sliced, moisture has started to escape. Cover the cut edges or any parts where the cake is “exposed” with plastic wrap if you have any leftover cake. To preserve the cake and help lock in moisture, frost over the cut edges. Using a cake keeper or some form of covering, store the cake as you usually would. At room temperature, a sliced cake will last up to four days.
When Should Frosted Cakes Be Refrigerated?
Frosted cakes may be stored at room temperature to prevent them from drying out too quickly. However, there are instances when the refrigerator is required. A hot, humid kitchen may trigger a bacteria feeding frenzy, so refrigeration may be necessary if your kitchen becomes too hot during the summer.
Fresh fruit (filling and the topping), whipped cream frosting, and cream cheese frosting are all examples of frostings or toppings that need refrigeration. When keeping coloured fondant cakes in the fridge, consider that condensation might cause the color to leak.
To keep frosted cakes in the fridge:
- Refrigerate the uncovered cake for at least 15 minutes to allow the frosting to thicken somewhat before covering with plastic wrap.
- Allow the cake to rest on the counter for 30 minutes before serving.
- Learn how to make a frosted cake that can be frozen for up to two months.
Cake Storage for 1 to 3 Days
If you intend on eating your cake within three days after baking it, keep it at room temperature. This means on the counter, out of direct sunshine, and away from heat. If your cake comes in a bakery box, leave it in the box; if you want to consume it within 24 hours, that’s all you need to do.
If you want to preserve your cake for a few days longer, leave it in the box and cover it in plastic wrap, which will prevent the cake from drying out for up to three days.
An acrylic cake cover may be helpful if your cake isn’t in a box. It’s just a hard, transparent dome with a handle that rests on the cake. Place the cake on a platter, cover it with the lid, and keep it on the counter for three days. To keep the sunshine off the dome, lay a dish towel over it.
The plastic cake storage container, a two-piece contraption consisting of a plate on which the cake sits and a domed top that goes over it and clicks shut, producing an airtight seal, is another excellent alternative. They’re also wonderful for transporting cakes, and they come in sizes that suit both circular layer cakes and square or rectangular sheet cakes. Cupcake storage containers with shelves, including bundt-shaped ones, are also available.
Cake Freezing Techniques
You may freeze your cake if you need to keep it for longer than three days. Rather than storing it in the refrigerator, freezing a cake is a great way to keep it fresh for extended periods.
If your cake is packaged in a bakery box, cover it in two pieces of plastic wrap and place it in the freezer. You may also freeze a cake in one of the snap-tight storage containers we discussed before, icing and all.
Remove the cake from the freezer and let it defrost on the counter when ready to serve. The frosting may seem worn, but the cake will taste better than if it was refrigerated or left out on the counter for more than three days.
The freezer is perfect for storing baked goods before icing and decorating them for a few days. Chill the individual layers before double wrapping them in plastic and storing them in the freezer for up to two months (however, angel food or chiffon cakes do not freeze well, so bear that in mind).
Remove the layers from the freezer and let them defrost on the counter for 20 to 30 minutes, still wrapped in plastic wrap, before frosting and decorating. Freezing these layers makes icing and decorating them much simpler, even overnight. They’re easy to cut and don’t strew crumbs into the icing as much.
Does Buttercream Frosting Need to be Refrigerated?
The simple explanation is that buttercream frosting does not need refrigeration. Unless you’re dealing with German or French buttercream, what’s that? Buttercream comes in a variety of flavors. Let’s investigate further.
Types of Buttercream
Buttercream comes in five varieties. There are only three methods to make them, however. As a result, although most buttercreams may be kept at room temperature, some must be refrigerated right away.
American Buttercream
The most popular option is American buttercream, unbelievably creamy and delicious with a fluffy and silky texture. Butter, sugar, milk, and vanilla essence are used in the recipe. Because of the high sugar content, American buttercream can be kept cold and dry.
Swiss/Italian Buttercream
Buttercreams from Switzerland and Italy are comparable to buttercream from the United States. They do, however, use egg whites. They may, however, be stored at room temperature for many days. If you’re worried about salmonella from egg whites, use pasteurized egg whites and follow the instructions exactly.
German/French Buttercream
Buttercreams from Germany and France are the most difficult to master. Egg yolks are used to make them (and custard for the German version). German and French buttercreams must be refrigerated straight away since they include egg yolks.
How Long Does Buttercream Frosting Last at Room Temperature?
If you’re using American, Swiss, or Italian buttercreams, you do not need to immediately store them in the refrigerator. Instead, you can leave buttercream at room temperature for three days.
Make sure you’re storing it in a cool and dry area. The buttercream should be placed in an airtight container. The last thing you want is for your buttercream to dry up and get a flaky, difficult to spread texture.
Avoid sticking your buttercream in the heat, too. This can cause the buttercream to melt and be difficult to manage. It can also create the perfect environment for bacteria to grow.
How Long Does Buttercream Last In The Fridge?
If you’re not planning to use your buttercream within three days, store it in the refrigerator. It’s crucial to preserve it in an airtight container once again. The buttercream may be kept in the fridge for two weeks if stored correctly. Allow the buttercream to defrost on the counter for at least 15 minutes before using.
How Long Can You Keep Buttercream In The Freezer?
You may always use the freezer if you need more than two weeks. The buttercream may be frozen for three months if adequately covered and preserved. Allow the buttercream to defrost overnight in the refrigerator before using. Set it aside on the counter for 15 to 30 minutes to allow it to recover to its creamy, spreadable form.
Best Time To Refrigerate A Cake
Whether frosted or unfrosted, sliced or uncut, Cakes are healthful and enjoyable to consume for many days at room temperature.
When should a cake be refrigerated is a question that comes to mind. Well, it depends entirely on the environment in which you live. If your kitchen is hot in the summer, cover the cake and store it covered in a box in the refrigerator.
Delicious and delectable coloring agents keep your baked cake safe in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. Wrap them in a box before refrigerating them to protect them from odors and water droplets.
Finally, new cakes should be cooled in the refrigerator for 15 minutes and uncovered to firm the ice and cream. After that, please place it in a cake keeper bag after wrapping it in plastic. Refrigerate or keep it at room temperature!
Conclusion on Does Cake Need To Be Refrigerated?
Cake is a must-have dessert for every occasion, whether it’s a birthday, a festival like Christmas or Halloween, or simply a typical Monday. But, let’s face it, a full cake is seldom consumed in one sitting, so it’s critical to preserve it properly for fresh leftovers.
If everything fits and the closure shuts properly, you may use a freezer-type bag with a seal for cupcakes or loaf cakes. The cake may be stored for several days in a cool, dry location. Place the cake in the refrigerator for up to three days if you live in a hot or humid region; make sure it’s tightly wrapped, so it doesn’t collect other odors.
